Estes Park / The Monastery Camping Beta

Anyone familiar with this area? I am looking to head out SAT 7/27 - MON 7/29. Looking for a Dog friendly area near The Monastery to camp with 4 - 8 people & 2 - 3 dogs.

Thanks,

I'm gonna die.

No facilities, etc . . . however, as for your approach up devil's gulch road (pretty sure that's it) to the monastery you will find a rustic little parking slash unofficial camping area with several creatively serene sites - all within 300 yards of the approach trail. It's good to have 4-wheel drive to blast through the initial lot and its surrounding shrubbery. Last night I spent there was 2 or 3 years ago but the place has always treated me well. Enjoy -

adam cellemme wrote: your approach up devil's gulch road (pretty sure that's it)

Nope. Storm Mt. Road past Glen Haven. Not that hard to find.

adam cellemme wrote:It's good to have 4-wheel drive to blast through the initial lot and its surrounding shrubbery.

WTF? "Blast" through the surrounding shrubbery? Wow. This area and lot is a sensitive issue with the surrounding homeowners. Probably best not to act like a four-wheelin redneck on meth and "blast" through anything up there. Hey Adam, don't come back.

You can camp at the trailhead (be respectful), or, you can backpack in the 45 minutes and camp right at the crag.

I have seen the campsites near the approach trail get pretty rowdy, and it can also be busy. If you go maybe a quarter of a mile back there is another very exposed campsite with a great view but expect broken glass and shotgun shells. It should be on the South side of the road.

If it's not already occupied that one would be better for a bigger group, and I don't remember very well but you might want high clearance to drive down to it.

The camping off Storm Mt Road is pretty good – close to the trailhead, enough room for your group, and great views. However, be careful with the dogs – the last time I was there (1 yr ago or so), there was a TON of broken glass. Everywhere. I don't know if there have been any cleanup efforts since then, but if you find it too nerve-racking, consider backpacking in as Andy suggested.

I would also like to second his opinion on being respectful of the area if you do decide to camp there. It's a bummer that others have abused it (hence the broken glass) and this has threatened access. Also, it's not necessarily a "climbers only" campground, and you may run into families camping, day hikers, and the occasional group of partying teens. Especially in the summer.

Thanks everybody!

I try to live by the 'leave no trace' ethic, so if anything, I'll be packing out more trash and glass than I brought with me. I'll go early and scope everything out.

As for the dogs, I know the pet policy states that "they are allowed only in areas accessed by vehicles, including roadsides, parking areas, picnic areas and campgrounds.." Are they OK back at the Monastery crag? I want to respect the rules and don't usually bring my dog along climbing when I can avoid it, so I don't know what to expect here. Perhaps there is a better option I am not thinking of.

Thanks again

Dogs are fine