If so, I nominate Silver Jack Campground in Colorado's Uncompahgre National Forest near Montrose as the perfect place to park your travel trailer or stake your tent. The campground offers spacious, shaded sites in an alpine setting. I guarantee you'll be humming John Denver tunes around the campfire. (As always, click on a photo to enlarge it.)
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| "Colorado Rocky Mountain High" Camping among the aspens in the Uncompahgre National Forest. |
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| A little R & R at Silver Jack Campground. Note: Fire restrictions may apply this summer. |
Do you have a favorite campground for a memorable overnight stay? You can learn more about Silver Jack Campground here: http://www.gorp.com/camping-guide/travel-ta-camping-colorado-sidwcmdev_056009.html
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| A short walk from the campground leads to this overview of Silver Jack Reservoir. |
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| Tim takes in the view of Chimney Rock (right), Turret Ridge (center), and Pinnacle Ridge (left). |
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| View along the road to Silver Jack Campground and Reservoir. |
Rita, with no exaggeration or hesitation whatsoever, I can honestly say that the view in your last photo is way beyond awesome! Stunning is the first word that comes to mind, but even that is inadequate! What a truly gorgeous place!
ReplyDeleteAnd, I don't think I'd be humming John Denver tunes, I'd be singing them aloud! Uh well, at least until the Park Rangers, and/or my wife told me to keep it down! :-)
As perhaps I've mentioned before, if I ever decide to travel to the Western U.S., you will be THE person I'll turn to for guidance on places to visit, and at what time of year, etc.
Wonderful posting!
John
Thanks for your kind comments, John. I agree that the mountains of southwestern Colorado are beyond awesome!
ReplyDeleteAnd... the next time I travel to New England you'll be THE person I turn to for advice about hiking the beautiful forests of the northeast.
John's blog: http://www.1happyhiker.blogspot.com
I'm with John - stunning! The depth of field on your vistas show all the different kinds of flora - pretty and amazing. Also, the aspens in your camp area are lovely, too!
ReplyDeleteThank you for another great recommendation to add to my travel bucket list.
Thanks for your comments, Vickie. Aspen-filled campgrounds are indeed lovely places to stay.
ReplyDeleteI would like to add that it's hard to go wrong at ANY campground in the Colorado Rockies!
Went to Silver Jack res. in aug 2014. Got to say its one of the most amazing places in Colorado. Only got to spent a couple hours fishing the river, but will be back for an overnight camping experience there.
ReplyDeleteSouthwestern Colorado offers so many places to camp, fish and hike—you could spend a lifetime and not see it all. Glad to hear that you're planning a return to this beautiful area!
DeleteWe are planning to camp in that area this july and wanted to know how site availability works. Since sites are nonreservable, is it really hard to find a site especially in July? What other campgrounds would you recommend?
ReplyDeleteHi Anonymous,
DeleteWe camped in Silver Jack campground in mid-June and unoccupied sites were plentiful, even on the weekend. July is probably more crowded but I would think site availability would be fine during the week, and—on weekends— if you arrived early in the day you should be okay too.
There are three campgrounds along the road to Silver Jack reservoir. Also, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park has a campground; it's one of our least visited national parks so you might be able to find a site there. A little farther away, Lake San Cristobal near Lake City, CO offers a couple of beautiful campgrounds. July is their busiest month, though.
You can find primitive BLM campgrounds along rivers and streams, as well.
You can hardly go wrong camping in Colorado!
Good luck and have a wonderful camping trip!
How is the drive up the mountain pulling a 28 foot trailer?
ReplyDeleteHello,
DeleteIt's been several years since we've been to Silver Jack but I can say that at that time the road to the campground was a well-maintained gravel road. An easy drive.
I don't have experience with a 28' trailer—we own a 7'x9' tent—but we saw several trailers in the campground.
Hope this information is helpful!
Yes, thank you :)
ReplyDeleteHi Rita! This is a first come first serve site, correct? Do you find access to Black Canyon Natl Park to be relatively easy (for a day trip)? Thanks.
ReplyDeleteHello Patrick,
DeleteI believe this campground is first-come, first-served. We visited on a June weekend and the campground was relatively empty. Should be easy to get a site.
Also the Black Canyon Nat'l Park should be a fairly easy day trip.
Thanks for visiting my blog!
Hi Rita ! Camped at & fished at Silver Jack Reservoir last year (July) with Grandson...not many people there, about as perfect a place that you could ask for. The three forks of the Cimarron river are beautiful...camping right by the river.
ReplyDeleteArrived there by taking 'Owl Creek Pass' road up from Ridgway, Co. Tremendous view of 'Chimney Rock' on top (same place that 'True Grit' with the 'Duke' was filmed).
Going back again this summer.
PS: When in Ridgway...stop at the 'True Grit' Café...you will be glad that you did.
Hi Joe!
DeleteI'm happy to hear that you enjoyed your experience last July at Silver Jack Reservoir and along the Cimarron River. Also glad to hear that you're returning to the area this summer!
Thanks for the tip about the True Grit Cafe. The next time we're in Ridgway we'll be sure to stop!