The Colorado Rocky Mountains, with their stunning vistas, alpine meadows, and historic ghost towns, offer an extraordinary overlanding experience. This guide will take you through the top 10 most popular locations and campsites in the region, providing you with all the necessary ingredients for an unforgettable trip.
1. Alpine Loop Backcountry Byway
The Alpine Loop Backcountry Byway is a popular route for overlanders, offering an extensive network of trails that traverse through the San Juan Mountains. The loop connects the towns of Ouray, Silverton, and Lake City, crossing high mountain passes and passing through ghost towns and meadows filled with wildflowers. The route offers plenty of opportunities for camping, with secluded tent sites and roomy spots for RVs.
2. Enchanted Rockies Trail
The Enchanted Rockies Trail is a 1,200-mile route that runs from southern New Mexico to northern Colorado. It passes through nine national forests and two national parks, offering a variety of landscapes and camping opportunities. The trail is ideal for overlanders looking for a longer trip, with plenty of backcountry campsites available along the route.
3. Pony Express Trail National Historic Trail
The Pony Express Trail National Historic Trail in Utah follows the route used by mail riders in the 1800s. Overland travelers can experience the history and hardship of those riders on this trail. The route offers a variety of camping options, from developed campgrounds to remote backcountry sites.
4. Missouri Breaks Backcountry Byway
The Missouri Breaks Backcountry Byway in Montana offers a scenic loop through canyons along the Missouri River. This area is largely unchanged since Lewis and Clark explored it in 1805. Wildlife, including bighorn sheep and elk, can be seen along the route. There are several campgrounds and dispersed camping areas along the byway.
5. South Bighorn/Red Wall National Backway
The South Bighorn/Red Wall National Backway in Wyoming is a 101-mile loop that follows dirt roads through a diverse landscape. Historic sites, such as Rough Lock and Hole-in-the-Wall, can be visited along the way. Hell's Half Acre, a badlands area, marks the end of the excursion. Primitive campsites and recreation areas are scattered along the backroad routes.
6. Aspenglen Campground
Located in the Rocky Mountain National Park, Aspenglen Campground is a popular hangout for elk, especially in the fall. You can catch them grazing in the open meadows nearby, or just a few feet from your tent. The campground offers both reservable campsites and first-come, first-served sites.
7. Glacier Basin Campground
Glacier Basin Campground is one of the most popular places to stay in Rocky Mountain National Park. The hike to Glacier Basin is one of the most stunning treks in the whole park, with an incredible reward at the end. The campground itself offers both reservable campsites and first-come, first-served sites.
8. Longs Peak Campground
Longs Peak Campground is located at a high elevation of 9,405 feet. If you come here to camp, you’re probably also coming to climb the majestic Longs Peak, which is about as awe-inspiring as it gets. The campground offers both reservable campsites and first-come, first-served sites.
9. Timber Creek Campground
Timber Creek is the lone campground on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park. It has a prime location right by the Colorado River, where you can see fly fishermen teasing the water. The campground offers both reservable campsites and first-come, first-served sites.
10. Moraine Park Campground
Moraine Park Campground is another popular camping spot in Rocky Mountain National Park. Scattered throughout a forest with gently sloping hills and surrounded by the Rocky Mountains, the sites here leave very little (if anything) to be desired. The campground offers both reservable campsites and first-come, first-served sites.
Overlanding in the Colorado Rocky Mountains is an adventure that starts with planning and ends with incredible memories. With these top 10 locations and campsites, you're well on your way to an unforgettable journey.