{"id":41060,"date":"2018-11-30T13:09:06","date_gmt":"2018-11-30T21:09:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/?p=41060"},"modified":"2024-07-15T12:27:22","modified_gmt":"2024-07-15T19:27:22","slug":"best-fall-and-winter-camping-colorado","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/camp\/best-fall-and-winter-camping-colorado","title":{"rendered":"9 Picks for Fall &amp; Winter Camping in Colorado"},"content":{"rendered":"<span class=\"cb-itemprop\" itemprop=\"reviewBody\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Camping in the fall and winter in Colorado offers a unique experience. The changing aspens, cool nights, potential for fresh snowfall and abundant outdoor daytime activities ranging from hiking and mountain biking to skiing and snowshoeing, make this a great time of year to get out and explore. During the fall, you will enjoy beautiful days and crisp, clear evenings, and the cooler temperatures tend to thin out the summer crowds. As winter sets in and snow covers the peaks, some of the state\u2019s most popular locations offer winter activities like snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, backcountry skiing, snowmobiling and sledding. And for those looking for lower elevations and a drier climate, the Western Slope offers cool-but-not-cold weather and ideal trail conditions, making it an excellent place to spend a night or weekend out. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Planning ahead for the weather regardless of season or where you are headed is key, so be sure to check the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.weather.gov\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">weather<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.cotrip.org\/home.htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">roads<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/avalanche.state.co.us\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">avalanche conditions<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> prior to setting out. If you are planning to book a hut or yurt, be aware that you will need to make reservations well in advance, though many campsites will transition to filling on a first come, first served basis in the off season. Most campgrounds offer reduced amenities during the fall and into the winter, but this doesn&#8217;t mean you have to rough it. With a little creative planning and the <\/span><a href=\"\/learn\/expert-advice\/family-camping-checklist.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">appropriate gear<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, fall and winter camping in Colorado is just as enjoyable as camping in the summer. Here are 10 recommended locations to get you started planning your next camping trip. <\/span><\/p>\n<h2><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/dino\/planyourvisit\/hikingtrails.htm\"><b>Dinosaur National Monument<\/b><\/a><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Location:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Dinosaur, CO, 110 miles north of Grand Junction<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Fall\/Winter Season:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Open year-round but recommended September through October<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Best For: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stargazing around a campfire at a riverside campsite<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Dogs:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Leashed within 100 feet of developed areas such as roads, parking lots, campgrounds, day-use areas, river launches and on designated trails<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Access: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drive-up<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Accessible Sites Available: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Area Overview <\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Spanning two states and 329 square miles, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/dino\/index.htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dinosaur National Monument<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is worthy of an overnight trip\u2014especially during the cooler months. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> its proximity to the winding Green and Yampa Rivers, the monument is a scenic setting for stargazing around the fire at a riverside campsite. During the day, you can head out for a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">hike<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, take a scenic drive, have a picnic or go river rafting in the early fall. Or, head across the state line to Utah, where the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/dino\/planyourvisit\/quarry-exhibit-hall.htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Quarry Exhibit Hall<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> displays the interesting <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">dinosaur fossils from which the monument derives its name<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. In the winter, bring along your snowshoes or cross-country skis. Snowmobiling is permitted near the southern end of the monument on Harpers Corner Drive between the Plug Hat Parking Area and the Echo Park Road turnoff, if you are looking to explore the park once the roads are snow-covered. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Campgrounds <\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On the remote Colorado side of the monument, visitors have their pick from three campgrounds\u2014<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/dino\/planyourvisit\/echoparkcampground.htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Echo Park<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/dino\/planyourvisit\/deerlodgecampground.htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Deerlodge Park<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/dino\/planyourvisit\/gatesoflodorecampground.htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gates of Lodore<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. All three campgrounds are open year round as long as the dirt roads to access them are clear\u2014once the snow starts to fall, it is best to plan on the roads being impassable due to snow or mud. Current conditions can be found on the park&#8217;s <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/dino\/planyourvisit\/conditions.htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">website<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. All sites are first come, first served, and the campgrounds rarely fill, according to <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Amanda Wilson, Park Guide with <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dinosaur National Monument&#8217;s<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Interpretive Division<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Each campground has vault toilets, picnic tables and campfire rings. &#8220;<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Visitors need to be prepared for changing weather and road conditions, and be more self-sufficient, as these campgrounds are quite a ways from the nearest services,&#8221; Wilson says. The remote nature of the campsites gives them a more secluded, almost backcountry feel. <\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_41063\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-41063\" class=\"wp-image-41063 size-article_body\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/11\/Echo-Park-Campground-Image-2.jpg?resize=1024%2C683\" alt=\"A tent at a campsite at Echo Park Campground.\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-41063\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Campsite at Echo Park Campground. (Photo Credit: NPS Dinosaur National Monument)<\/p><\/div>\n<h2><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fs.usda.gov\/wps\/portal\/fsinternet\/cs\/recarea?ss=110308&amp;navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&amp;cid=FSE_003738&amp;navid=110240000000000&amp;pnavid=110000000000000&amp;position=generalinfo&amp;recid=12642&amp;ttype=recarea&amp;pname=Chalk%20Creek%20Canyon\"><b>Chalk Creek Canyon<\/b><\/a><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Location:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Buena Vista, CO, 96 miles west of Colorado Springs<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Fall\/Winter Season<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: September through mid-October<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Best For:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Family-friendly car camping in a unique setting with plenty of nearby activities<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Dogs:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Leashed at all times<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Access: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drive-up<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Accessible Sites Available: <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes <\/span><\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Area Overview<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A lesser-known destination for outdoor recreation, the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.chalkcreek-campground.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Buena Vista<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> area, located along Colorado Highway 285 corridor at the base of the Collegiate Peaks, is a popular summer and fall destination. With multiple USDA Forest Service-managed campgrounds in the area, you have a few overnight options. Particularly noteworthy is a stay at one of the campgrounds located in Chalk Creek Canyon where white, chalk-like cliffs and pine and fir trees dominate the scenery. While in the area, you can plan a trip to the nearby <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/mtprinceton.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mount Princeton Hot Springs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, conveniently located a few miles up the road. If you are looking for less relaxation and more adventure, plan a day of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">hiking<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, rafting, kayaking or <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">mountain biking<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the fall. The Collegiate Peaks are home to challenging terrain and stunning scenery, and exploration of the San Isabel National Forest trail systems can easily fill a weekend. The <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.coloradotrail.org\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Colorado Trail<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> passes through the area as well, giving you the option for a long hiking or mountain biking excursion. History buffs can enjoy a trip to the historic ghost town of <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.st-elmo.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">St. Elmo<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or you can pop into the nearby towns of Buena Vista or Salida for restaurants, shops and art galleries. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Campgrounds<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reservations at the USDA Forest Service campgrounds can be made up to six months in advance and are highly recommended as Chalk Creek Canyon\u2019s popular and most accessible campgrounds do fill. The larger, drive-up campgrounds at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fs.usda.gov\/recarea\/psicc\/recarea\/?recid=12682\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mount Princeton<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.recreation.gov\/camping\/campgrounds\/231866\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cascade<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.recreation.gov\/camping\/campgrounds\/231867\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chalk Lake<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> offer a mix of reservable and first come, first served single-family campsites with basic amenities, as well as easy access to all the activities in the area. Sites are equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring, and amenities include vault toilets, hand water pumps and dumpsters. Be aware that water at the campgrounds can be turned off once the temperatures start to dip below freezing so you may want to call ahead if planning a trip later in the season. <\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_41064\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-41064\" class=\"wp-image-41064 size-article_body\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/11\/Chalk-Creek-MTB.jpg?resize=1024%2C768\" alt=\"A mountain biker enjoying riding a trail. \" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-41064\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Mountain biking the Canyon Creek Trail near Chalk Creek Canyon. (Photo Credit: MTB Contributor Brian Smith)<\/p><\/div>\n<h2><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/grsa\/index.htm\"><b>Great Sand Dunes National Park<\/b><\/a><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Location: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alamosa, CO, 169 miles southwest of Colorado Springs<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Fall\/Winter Season: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">September through March<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Best For: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A weekend getaway to the high plains of the San Luis Valley<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Dogs:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Leashed in the preserve and main use area<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Access: <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drive-up <\/span><\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Accessible Sites Available: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Area Overview <\/b><b><br \/><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Though most people visit <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/grsa\/index.htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Great Sand Dunes National Park<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the summer, the fall and winter present an equally opportune time to explore the area, and an overnight stay treats you to stunning stargazing from your campsite. As Katherine Faz, the park&#8217;s Chief of Interpretation and Visitor Services, notes, &#8220;Great Sand Dunes is a perfect destination year-round. We encourage visitors to come in the fall and winter and to even consider staying after dark to experience dark skies.&#8221; While the higher elevations and peaks of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains will be snow-covered, the San Luis Valley sees less snowfall and has drier conditions for camping and recreating later into the fall and during fair-weather conditions in the winter. Temperatures at night can get quite cold, so come prepared for wide temperature swings and shorter days, but if you are well prepared with a headlamp or lantern and plenty of warm gear, the cool, clear days will more than make up for chilly nights and frosty mornings. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Campgrounds<\/b><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.recreation.gov\/camping\/campgrounds\/234685\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pi\u00f1on Flats Campground<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, located in the park itself, is open until November 1. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.recreation.gov\/camping\/campgrounds\/234685\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reservations<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are required and can be booked up to six months in advance. This campground is conveniently located across from the sand dunes and near the park&#8217;s <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">hiking trails<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. A hike up <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fs.usda.gov\/recarea\/riogrande\/recreation\/hiking\/recarea\/?recid=75203&amp;actid=50\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mosca Pass Trail<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is particularly enjoyable as you climb up through small groves of golden aspens in the fall. Visitors with a four-wheel drive vehicle can take a scenic drive up <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/grsa\/planyourvisit\/medano-pass-road.htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medano Pass Road<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for more fall colors. Once Pi\u00f1on Flats Campground closes for the season, visitors can head up the road to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fs.usda.gov\/recarea\/riogrande\/recarea\/?recid=74116\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zapata Falls Campground<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> which is open year round and overseen by the Bureau of Land Management. Although a bit more primitive (no water, only vault toilets and access via a bumpy dirt road), roughing it at this campground provides easy access to a hike to the ice-encrusted <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/grsa\/planyourvisit\/nearbyattractions.htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zapata Falls<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and stunning views of the sand dunes to the north. <\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_41068\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-41068\" class=\"wp-image-41068 size-article_body\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/11\/grsa-tent_car_campground-2009.jpg?resize=1024%2C686\" alt=\"A campsite at Great Sand Dunes National Park.\" width=\"1024\" height=\"686\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-41068\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A campsite at Pi\u00f1on Flats Campground in Great Sand Dunes National Park. (Photo Credit: NPS\/Patrick Myers)<\/p><\/div>\n<h2><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/blca\/index.htm\"><b>Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park<\/b><\/a><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location: <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Montrose, CO, 60 miles southeast of Grand Junction<\/span><\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>Fall\/Winter Season: <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">September through mid-November<\/span><\/b><\/li>\n<li><strong>Best For:<\/strong> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Quiet campsites with stunning landscape views <\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong>Dogs:<\/strong> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No dogs <\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Access: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drive-up and backcountry<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Accessible Sites Available: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Area Overview<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A trip to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/blca\/index.htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is worth it any time of year, but a visit during the fall or in the winter makes for a memorable outing. The fall is particularly pleasant, with cooler weather (the best months are September to mid-October) and prime conditions for <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/blca\/planyourvisit\/hikingtrails.htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">hiking<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">rock climbing<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. During the fall you can still access the trails in the canyon, but once the park sees its first snowfall, access is prevented due to the dangerous and icy trail conditions. Snowfall in the region can vary greatly\u2014in light years the trails can be dry well into the winter, but in heavy snowfall years, the park can see multiple feet of snow. &#8220;Bring lots of layers and everything from hiking boots to snowshoes,&#8221; recommends Sandra Snell-Dobert, Supervisory Park Ranger at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. In the winter, plan to come equipped with food and water, as there are no food services in the park. Once the snow begins to fall, South Rim Drive is not plowed in the winter, and the scenic 6-mile road, which is normally open to cars, transforms into a ski trail. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Campgrounds<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The park offers <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/blca\/planyourvisit\/camping.htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">three campgrounds<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that are open year round with reduced amenities and access in the fall and winter. Backcountry camping is also permitted (with a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/blca\/planyourvisit\/permits.htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">free wilderness use permit<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) along the closed road beyond Pulpit Rock Overlook. Although the campsites along the road are a bit exposed due to the scrubby pinyon-juniper landscape, the fantastic views of the canyon are unobstructed on a clear day. Bring your cross-country skis or your snowshoes to fully explore South Rim Drive. And, be sure to check out the park&#8217;s <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/blca\/planyourvisit\/winteractivities.htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">winter activities<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> page for more information on how to best prepare for your time in the park during the winter months. <\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_41070\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-41070\" class=\"wp-image-41070 size-article_body\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/11\/Black-Canyon.jpg?resize=1024%2C576\" alt=\"A viewpoint looking at the Black Canyon of the Gunnison.\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-41070\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Black Canyon of the Gunnison at sunset. (Photo Credit: HP Contributor Lou Poulas)<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"mceTemp\">\u00a0<\/div>\n<h2><a href=\"http:\/\/www.huts.org\/The_Huts\/shrine.php\"><b>10th Mountain Division Huts: Shrine Mountain Inn<\/b><\/a><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Location:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Frisco, CO, 85 miles west of Denver<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Fall\/Winter Season:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> September through March<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Best For:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> A family-friendly outing with modern amenities <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Dogs:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> No dogs<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Access:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Backcountry <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Accessible Sites Available: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Area Overview<\/b><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.huts.org\/The_Huts\/shrine.php\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shrine Mountain Inn<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> consists of three cabins that are privately owned and operated as part of the <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.huts.org\/index.php\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10th Mountain Division Hut Association<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. In the fall, you can hike to Shrine Mountain along the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shrine Ridge Trail,<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> which features beautiful views of the Gore, Tenmile and Sawatch mountain ranges. In the winter, you can ski or snowshoe the trail before returning to your hut to prepare a hot meal and put your feet up by the wood-burning stove. For families with children who can handle the distance and beginners who are comfortable on snowshoes or skis, these cabins are recommended as one of the easiest-to-access 10th Mountain ski-in huts and make a great first-time winter hut trip.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Huts<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The three huts\u2014Jay&#8217;s, Chuck&#8217;s and Walter&#8217;s\u2014 sleep 36 people total. Reservations are required and can be booked in advance through 10th Mountain by calling 970-925-5775 or via an <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/olb.huts.org\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">online portal<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Located on Vail Pass, these accommodations are open year-round, and feature modern amenities such as running water and propane grills, in addition to the outright luxury of a wood-fired sauna located between Jay&#8217;s and Chuck&#8217;s cabin. If you enjoy the amenities of Shrine Mountain and are looking for other options in the state, be sure to check out the range of huts, yurts and cabins offered for reservation by the 10th Mountain Division Hut Association. <\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_41072\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-41072\" class=\"wp-image-41072 size-article_body\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/11\/Shrine-Mountain.jpg?resize=1024%2C579\" alt=\"View of snow-capped mountains from Shrine Mountain. \" width=\"1024\" height=\"579\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-41072\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Views from Shrine Mountain. (Photo Credit: HP Contributor Megan W)<\/p><\/div>\n<h2><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/colm\/index.htm\"><b>Colorado National Monument<\/b><\/a><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Location:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Fruita, CO, 16 miles northwest of Grand Junction <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Fall\/Winter Season:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> October through March <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Best For:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Escaping the snowier mountain regions for a lower elevation outing<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Dogs:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Leashed in developed campground area and on paved park roads; not allowed on trails or anywhere in the backcountry<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Campsite Type: <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drive-up and backcountry<\/span><\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Accessible Sites Available: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Area Overview<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Situated on the westernmost edge of the state, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/colm\/index.htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Colorado National Monument<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is home to the 80-site <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/colm\/planyourvisit\/saddlehorn-campground.htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Saddlehorn Campground<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which is open year round and is a great jumping off point for a long weekend or vacation at the monument. The monument&#8217;s elevation ranges from 4,000 to 7,000 feet, and this arid, semi-desert environment means that the temperatures tend to be more mild and the snowfall less severe during the fall and winter months. The drier climate makes the trails a good option for <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/colm\/planyourvisit\/hiking.htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">hiking<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Road biking through the monument is also a popular fall activity as the heat of summer gives way to more temperate days. Or, you can head out for a scenic drive along Rim Rock Drive (be aware that the road can be closed in the event of snow or ice). <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rock climbing<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, star gazing, birding and cross country skiing are all popular activities in the park as well. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Campground<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The campsites at Saddlehorn Campground range from smaller tent sites to larger pull-throughs, and most are equipped with picnic tables, charcoal grills and a parking area. The large campground does not have electric hookups or showers, and wood fires are not allowed anywhere in the monument. Through October, certain sites require <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/colm\/planyourvisit\/saddlehorn-campground.htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">reservations<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and other sites are first come, first served throughout the year. Backcountry camping is also available in Colorado National Monument with a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/colm\/planyourvisit\/backcountry.htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">free wilderness permit<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_41073\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-41073\" class=\"wp-image-41073 size-article_body\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/11\/DSC_0008-1.jpeg?resize=1024%2C685\" alt=\"Two campers setting up a tent. \" width=\"1024\" height=\"685\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-41073\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Setting up camp at Colorado National Monument. (Photo Credit: NPS\/Arlene Jackson)<\/p><\/div>\n<h2><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/meve\/planyourvisit\/camping2.htm\"><b>Mesa Verde National Park<\/b><\/a><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Location:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Cortez, CO, 222 miles south of Grand Junction<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Fall\/Winter Season:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> September through March <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Best For: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A long weekend getaway or holiday vacation <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Dogs:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Leashed in developed campground area and on paved park roads; not allowed on trails or anywhere in the backcountry<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Access: <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drive-up<\/span><\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Accessible Sites Available: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Area Overview<\/b><b><br \/><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tucked in the southwestern corner of the state near the Four Corners, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/meve\/index.htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mesa Verde National Park<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a geographically and historically diverse location. The park, which was designated as a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/meve\/learn\/management\/worldheritage_meve.htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">World Heritage Site<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in 1978, is home to more than 600 cliff dwelling sites and 5,000 known archaeological sites. The sites are stunningly well preserved, showcasing the history of the Ancestral Pueblo people who lived in the region from 600 to 1300 CE. Although the weather tends to be milder than some of the snowier regions of the state, night temperatures can drop below 20 degrees in winter. The park\u2019s campground provides unrivaled access to several <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/meve\/planyourvisit\/hiking.htm\">outstanding hikes<\/a>, including <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Point Lookout<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prater Ridge Trail<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. In addition, you can easily drive south to take a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/meve\/planyourvisit\/visitcliffdwelling.htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">tour of the cliff dwellings<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014note that most of these sites close in September or early October, so be sure to time your visit according to the sites you wish to see. If you are outside of the peak season, you can still enjoy fall hiking or bring your mountain bike for a day on the fun and swooping trails at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mesaverdecountry.com\/see-do\/outdoor-fun\/biking\/phils-world-mountain-biking-trail\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Phil&#8217;s World<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Once the park has seen its first snowfall, check out the options for <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/meve\/planyourvisit\/crosscountryskiing.htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">cross-country skiing and snowshoeing<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Campground<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Given its distance from the major metropolitan areas in the state, you will definitely want to extend your trip to Mesa Verde with an overnight stay or an extended vacation at the park&#8217;s campground. The 267-site <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/meve\/planyourvisit\/camping2.htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Morefield Campground<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is located on the north side of the park and is fully open from mid-April to mid-October. Off-season camping at Morefield is available the remainder of the year with more limited amenities. You have your pick of 10 trailer or RV sites, including 15 sites with full hookups for RVs that require <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitmesaverde.com\/lodging-camping\/morefield-campground\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">reservations<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_41074\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-41074\" class=\"wp-image-41074 size-article_body\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/11\/Spruce-Tree.jpg?resize=1024%2C678\" alt=\"Snow covers the Spruce Tree cliff dwelling.\" width=\"1024\" height=\"678\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-41074\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Winter at Spruce Tree House in Mesa Verde National Park. (Photo Credit: NPS\/Sandy Groves)<\/p><\/div>\n<h2><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/romo\/index.htm\"><b>Rocky Mountain National Park<\/b><\/a><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Location:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Estes Park, CO, 41 miles southwest of Fort Collins<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Fall\/Winter Season:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> October through March<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Best For: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Exploring the snow-covered playground of Rocky Mountain National Park<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Dogs: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No dogs<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Access:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Drive-up and backcountry <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Accessible Sites Available:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Yes <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Area Overview<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Visiting <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/romo\/index.htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rocky Mountain National Park<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the winter is a unique adventure. As the the golden aspen leaves disappear and the snow begins to fall, the crowds taper off. Visitors willing to brave colder temps and snowy weather are rewarded with a very different park experience. There are an abundance of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/romo\/planyourvisit\/winter_activities.htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">winter activities<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to do in Rocky Mountain National Park from snowshoeing to technical backcountry exploration (be sure to check the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/avalanche.state.co.us\/forecasts\/backcountry-avalanche\/front-range\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">avalanche conditions<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> before heading out). As you explore, keep an eye out for deer, elk, moose, bighorn sheep and coyotes which tend to migrate to lower elevations during the colder months. Popular winter routes include the trail to <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.rockymountainhikingtrails.com\/dream-lake.htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dream Lake<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.rockymountainhikingtrails.com\/sky-pond.htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sky Pond<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Trail Ridge Road is closed during the winter, so access to the Moraine Park campground is only via the eastern side of the park through the town of Estes Park. Trail Ridge Road and Old Fall River Road, once snow-covered, are an easier option for beginner backcountry skiing. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Campsites<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Frontcountry camping in designated sections of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/romo\/planyourvisit\/mpcg.htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Moraine Park<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is available year round, although the amenities are limited (potable water is available, but from a single spigot, and in winter you will trade flush toilets for vault toilets). No reservations are required; the 64 available campsites are filled during the winter on a first come, first served basis. The truly adventurous can head into the backcountry to camp, after <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/romo\/planyourvisit\/wilderness-camping.htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">obtaining a permit<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, to see the park as never before. Prior backcountry experience and familiarity with navigating in avalanche terrain is necessary if you are planning to venture beyond the popular winter-use areas. <\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_41075\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-41075\" class=\"wp-image-41075 size-article_body\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/11\/Rocky-Mountain.jpg?resize=1024%2C576\" alt=\"A hiker on the way to Sky Pond in the winter.\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-41075\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The trail on the way to Sky Pond in Rocky Mountain National Park. (Photo Credit: HP Contributor Christopher Sienza)<\/p><\/div>\n<h2><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fs.usda.gov\/recarea\/arp\/recarea\/?recid=28182\"><b>Brainard Lake Recreation Area<\/b><\/a><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Location: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ward, CO, 20 miles west of Boulder<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Fall\/Winter Season:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> November through March<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Best For: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Backcountry camping with access to a winter-specific trail system<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Dogs: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Allowed on Brainard Lake Road, Lefthand Park Reservoir Road and Sourdough Trail #835 from November 15 to April 30<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Access: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Backcountry<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Accessible Sites Available: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Area Overview<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Located west of Boulder, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fs.usda.gov\/recarea\/arp\/recarea\/?recid=28182\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Brainard Lake Recreation Area<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> makes for a pleasant weekend or weeknight trip if you are looking for Front Range camping close to town. Fall can be quite crowded, and you will need a permit in order to backpack into the Indian Peaks Wilderness. However, once the gate on the Brainard Lake Access Road is closed for the winter (usually some time in October after the first significant snowfall), the area quiets down. With trails marked for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and fat biking, there are many ways to enjoy the region. In addition to the marked trails, more experienced skiers can venture further into the backcountry to access the trails and slopes of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Indian Peaks<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at the western edge of the recreation area. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Campsites<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The winter camping at Brainard is dispersed, which means you won&#8217;t find any amenities, but you\u2019ll enjoy plenty of solitude. Access to the area is free in the winter (mid-October through late June) via the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fs.usda.gov\/recarea\/arp\/recreation\/recarea\/?recid=28190&amp;actid=24\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Brainard Gateway Trailhead<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and presents a unique opportunity to camp in an area that \u00a0is otherwise closed to backcountry camping during the remainder of the year. From the trailhead, you can hike in to set up camp, keeping in mind that your campsite must be a quarter mile away from any of the developed sites like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fs.usda.gov\/recarea\/arp\/recarea\/?recid=28314\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pawnee Campground<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, as well the area\u2019s picnic areas and trailheads. Once you set up camp, be sure to explore the designated <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fs.usda.gov\/Internet\/FSE_DOCUMENTS\/fseprd524916.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">winter-use trail system<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_41076\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-41076\" class=\"wp-image-41076 size-article_body\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/11\/Brainard-Snowshoe.jpg?resize=1024%2C768\" alt=\"Four people snowshoe on a trail.\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-41076\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Snowshoeing at Brainard Lake Recreation Area. (HP Contributor Nick Wilder)<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Related articles:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"\/blog\/camp\/top-picks-california-fall-winter-camping\">Top Picks for California Fall &amp; Winter Camping<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/blog\/camp\/top-picks-for-oregon-fall-winter-camping\">Top Picks for Oregon Fall &amp; Winter Camping<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/blog\/camp\/in-defense-of-winter-camping\">In Defense of Winter Camping<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<p>Editors&#8217; Note: This article has been updated to remove Never Summer Yurts, whose concession <a href=\"https:\/\/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/20220923-Signed-NSN-Termination-9.23.2022.pdf\">contract was terminated<\/a> by the Colorado Parks and Wildlife. <\/p>\n<\/span>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Camping in the fall and winter in Colorado offers a unique experience. The changing aspens, cool nights, potential for fresh snowfall and abundant outdoor daytime activities ranging from hiking and mountain biking to skiing and snowshoeing, make this a great time of year to get out and explore. During the fall, you will enjoy beautiful [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":26,"featured_media":41083,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[588,87,1540],"internal-tag":[],"class_list":["post-41060","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-camp","tag-camping","tag-colorado","tag-mountain-west"],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","canonical_url":"https:\/\/rei.com\/blog\/camp\/best-fall-and-winter-camping-colorado","smart_links":{"inbound":0,"outbound":0},"traffic_boost_suggestions_count":0,"meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"9 Picks for Fall &amp; Winter Camping in Colorado","url":"http:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/camp\/best-fall-and-winter-camping-colorado","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"http:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/camp\/best-fall-and-winter-camping-colorado"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/11\/Follen_101818_0001.jpg?resize=150%2C150","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/11\/Follen_101818_0001.jpg?fit=6000%2C4000"},"articleSection":"Camp","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Michelle Flandreau"}],"creator":["Michelle Flandreau"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Uncommon Path \u2013 An REI Co-op Publication","logo":""},"keywords":["camping","colorado","mountain west"],"dateCreated":"2018-11-30T21:09:06Z","datePublished":"2018-11-30T21:09:06Z","dateModified":"2024-07-15T19:27:22Z"},"rendered":"<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"wp-parsely-metadata\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"NewsArticle\",\"headline\":\"9 Picks for Fall &amp; Winter Camping in Colorado\",\"url\":\"http:\\\/\\\/www.rei.com\\\/blog\\\/camp\\\/best-fall-and-winter-camping-colorado\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/www.rei.com\\\/blog\\\/camp\\\/best-fall-and-winter-camping-colorado\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rei.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/4\\\/2018\\\/11\\\/Follen_101818_0001.jpg?resize=150%2C150\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rei.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/4\\\/2018\\\/11\\\/Follen_101818_0001.jpg?fit=6000%2C4000\"},\"articleSection\":\"Camp\",\"author\":[{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Michelle Flandreau\"}],\"creator\":[\"Michelle Flandreau\"],\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"Uncommon Path \\u2013 An REI Co-op Publication\",\"logo\":\"\"},\"keywords\":[\"camping\",\"colorado\",\"mountain west\"],\"dateCreated\":\"2018-11-30T21:09:06Z\",\"datePublished\":\"2018-11-30T21:09:06Z\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-07-15T19:27:22Z\"}<\/script>","tracker_url":"https:\/\/cdn.parsely.com\/keys\/rei.com\/p.js"},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/11\/Follen_101818_0001.jpg?fit=6000%2C4000","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41060","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/26"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=41060"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41060\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":196896,"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41060\/revisions\/196896"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/41083"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=41060"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=41060"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=41060"},{"taxonomy":"internal-tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/internal-tag?post=41060"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}