Need routes to dispersed camping under 8000 elevation.

[WyoNewk]

I'm NOT trying to lure you away from a Colorado camping trip, but if you're having problems with its elevation, you might consider the Black Hills of S.D./WY. That's where we go when the weather dictates a lower elevation would be more comfortable, like spring and fall camping trips or cold spells in the summer. It's a beautiful area that feels like mountains, but the highest peak is only 7,242. We usually camp at NFS campgrounds. Fees are reasonable, and if you stay away from lakes, they're usually quiet and peaceful.

[brown_dog_us]

Originally Posted by jim9251

Check around the Montrose and Ridgway areas. From 5800 to 7000 feet.

This is a good idea. From there you can go up one valley to Ouray (7,700 feet), which has hotsprings and is beautiful. Up the other valley you can go to Blue Mesa Reservoir (7,600 feet). There is some camping in the area.

You could also go through Ouray, up and over the Red Mountain Pass, and then down into Durango.

[mic111]

OP, I share your altitude intolerance as you age problem. When I first moved to CO I had no problem skiing at Copper, Breckenridge etc. After some number of years, 7, 10 something like that I noticed I had problems over 9000 ft or I would get altitude sickness after a couple of days. And then it became anything over 7000 ft after a couple of days. And then it became 7000 ft after one day. This past winter I went to Breckenridge for 2 hours for the ice sculpting contest. I was feeling ill just before we started to come back down and I could feel myself feeling better as we descended.

So here is my advice if you are very stubborn and want to give it a try.

Vedauwoo in Wyoming, altitude 8200 ft, just north of the Colorado border has a regular campground but also loads of dispersed free camping. Show up in the middle of the week for best availability.
Visit Vedauwoo for the rocks, hiking, moose

I used to be able to camp there no problem but now cannot tolerate the altitude.

If you have problems there the interstate is close by so you can come down to Cheyanne at 6000ft and head north to Glendo State Park at 4700 ft altitude. Given that I live in Denver and this is lower I've never had a problem there.

You have to pay to be in Glendo State Park (not cheap) but you can camp in a dispersed manner there because they have sites along the road (or at least they did last time we were there) and do not have to stay at an organized campground. The further you drive in the less people you will see. They have many non-reservable sites but it is best to show up mid week because it is very popular.

From there it is easy to go to South Dakota but campsites there are very expensive and pretty much all high fee, even the national forest service ones.

Should the whole family want to bail on the dispersed camping idea Fort Robinson State Park in Nebraska has much for your family to enjoy. 3900 ft. Camping is cheap and the other services are ala carte and very reasonable.
https://nebraskastateparks.reserveam...&parkId=230077

$.02

[brightdoglover]

Originally Posted by brown_dog_us

This is a good idea. From there you can go up one valley to Ouray (7,700 feet), which has hotsprings and is beautiful. Up the other valley you can go to Blue Mesa Reservoir (7,600 feet). There is some camping in the area.
You could also go through Ouray, up and over the Red Mountain Pass, and then down into Durango.

That would be a most beautiful trip. A cousin of mine was asking my suggestions for a long Western driving trip and opted to spend a couple of weeks based in Ridgway and take the drive to Durango, etc. I think it's a relatively well-kept secret!

[famlife]

Thanks so much... y'all are great

[hikernut]

I guess you'll figure this out when you look at a map... some of the routes mentioned include driving over passes that are quite a lot higher than 8000 feet. Sounds like that is a concern for you.

[famlife]

If I can avoid it altogether I will, but I understand that it might not be possible.

[wankel7]

Check out Freecampsites.net

Also download RVparky for Android....it shows all National Forest CGs

[TCHP]

That's why I asked and suggested a number of places that do not require going over high passes.

[DOUBLE H]

An area that does not get a lot of mention on this forum is the mountain ranges south and west of Pueblo. West of Pueblo in the Beulah/Rye areas are a few campground sites you might like which are located in the San Isabel National Forest off Colorado State Highway 165. It's located in the Wet Mountain range and you have some nice views of the Sangre de Cristo mountain range

It's been years since I've camped around there but am fairly sure it's around 7000 ft. in elevation.

My $.02.