camping near estes park

is there free camping near estes park? does anyone have a recommendation for a good place to camp around RMNP? i would expect the campgrounds in the park itself would be quite crowded this time of year, huh?

someone sent me a PM but it went to my junk folder for some reason and i accidentally deleted it! if you read this, would you mind sending it again? it's probably in your sent messages folder. sorry. :( thanks for taking the time to send it to me. =\

Jon, I don't know of any free camping right in town however there is USFS free camping up on Storm Mountain in Drake (Monastery) which is about 30 minutes east and also USFS camping south on hwy 7 probably 20 minutes from town around Allenspark on either side of the road and around the Ironclads. There is a lot of USFS surrounding Estes so I think that you can find something but hwy 7 may be your best bet.

thanks tony!

No problem! I am sure you can find something it is just a matter of how close to town it will be. If you can get one of those Trails Illustrated maps (Nat. Geo) either there or in Estes that will turn you on to much more camping around town, might even be able to score some bivy spots from the NPS for some climbs in the park but that cost a little, you never know.

All the National Forest is pretty good to go, or you can backtrack a bit to the fire roads in the Ward area. The closer you get to the Ironclads though there are alot of idiots with motorized vehicles, guns and booze. Every campsite is full of melted, broken glass and casings etc.

To echo my sentiment on the old thread, it's a shame.

Yeah the abuse that these areas get is terrible, haven't been up to the Monastery camping area in a while but it received a cleanup in June due to the efforts of Kent Mountain Adventures and the Access Fund, our subdivisions up on Storm Mountain do a spring cleanup which includes the entire access road and the camping area. The worst thing hauled down was a burned out mattress and sofa and of course putting out campfires left burning, but it is an uphill battle with all of the Loveland kids looking to party.

I don't have much to add except I was back in Estes last month for the first time in 5 years, we camped at the Ironclads and I was really bummed to see the amount of "development" there. New ATV signs and trails everywhere, and lots of ATV trails right next to the "no ATVs here" sort of signs. Fire rings everywhere etc.... There are a few new pay campgrounds between there and Lily Lake along 7 that look fairly nice if you are willing to pay.

I'm originally from the East Coast and I discussed this with a coworker who was from FL. We were both amazed at the treatment of the national forest and parks in the general Lyons / Estes area. Neither one of us saw the over development of any areas of this nature back East, no motorized vehicles, no glass and ESPECIALLY no firearms!! Of course there would be a few wooded areas where student might party, but it seems like the parks and forests are considerably more regulated and well kept. Of course there are exceptions!

In my uniformed opinion, CO has a reputation for being a very green state, but in the 3 years I've been here it seems the contrary. Poor recycling programs in certain areas, forest lands absolutely trashed etc. I would've never believed that the Forestry Service would allow a place like the Ironclads to ever get in that condition. I'm aware that they can't police everyone, but it seems like an out of control Wild West in our National Forest land.

Anybody have any updates on where to dirtbag it around Estes Park? Thanks.

I'll be looking for a place in a few weeks. Although from the sound of it, I'll probably just go for some paid camping. Any recommendations for good places near Lumpy Ridge?

Chris Winter wrote:Anybody have any updates on where to dirtbag it around Estes Park? Thanks.