You don’t have to backpack miles into the wilderness to enjoy camping in the Colorado mountains. There are “car camping” campgrounds where the scenery is incredible and the wildlife will walk right into your campsite. The Crags Campground in the Colorado State Forest is just such a spot.
Normally we backpack into the wilderness but circumstances forced us to car camp this year and we discovered this gem of a spot. The sign said Crags Campground. Turning off Highway 14 we found ourselves on a deeply rutted dirt road. Taking it slow so the Jetta didn’t bottom out we eased up the steep road. Picture #1 shows the road from where it finally leveled out. The Park Service does not recommend bringing trailers into the campground for good reason. You wouldn’t make it.
There are 26 campsites to choose from. They are spaced far enough apart that you have privacy. Each has its own character so it is important to get out and see if it feels right to you. The ones on the outer ring of the one-way loop back on to deep forest. The campsites in the center back on to each other. Pick one on the outer side. There are a vault toilet and water pump within an easy walk of any of the campsites.
Each campsite has a picnic table and a fire pit with a grill piece. Picture #2 shows part of the site we chose. Notice that you can see the gravel road. You just have to ignore the occasional vehicle that passes by. Vehicles won’t be the only thing that will go by. There aren’t designated spots for tents but the sites drain well.
Let me tell you a couple of stories to give you an idea of the wildlife viewing possibilities at the Crag Campground. In Picture #2 you see Molly sitting at the picnic table in camp. Right after we got camp set up we sat down and had a snack. Ten minutes passed and Molly softly said, “Wade, don’t move.” She slowly raised her camera and snapped Picture #3. That moose was standing less than fifteen feet behind me. It had walked out of the forest without making a sound. The very next evening as we sat in an adjacent field having dinner we watched five moose amble by not thirty yards away, three adults and two yearlings. During the three days we stayed there we saw eleven moose.
Scenery. Check out Picture #4. All around the Crags there are hiking trails. One leads to Kelly Lake and some fine trout fishing. Taking any of them will lead you into the beautiful wilderness of the Colorado mountains. Picture #5 is a great example.
Okay, car camping gets a bad rap. Thing is, sometimes it is the best choice. You want to get out in the woods, you have young children or you just don’t want to exert yourself too much. The Crags Campground in Colorado State Forest is highly recommended. It is only 60 miles from Fort Collins, just over Cameron Pass on Highway 14. Go to the Colorado State Parks website for more information. They start taking reservations in May, the site opens in July and closes in September.
