4x4 and Camping In Colorado!

UNDER COLORADO SKIES - FREE COLORADO INFORMATION PAGE

Colorado 4x4 and Camping

Four Wheel driving and camping are two of the most popular recreational pastimes in Colorado, but by no means is this the only recreation Colorado Public Lands has to offer! This page is designed to help with some of the information you will need to get out on the trails, regardless of how you do them!

Colorado Style Publishing highly recommends visiting St. Johns Nissan! If you have visited my CSP 4x4 Club page then you know, my husband and I drive Nissan Frontiers, check them out and test drive a New Nissan 4x4! (They are so much fun and affordable!)

(This info is provided as a consumer's opinion (mine), St. John Nissan does not pay for space nor am I paid in any other way. We are just customers and happy ones at that!)

TIPS & TRICKS FROM FELLOW TRAILS PERSONS

Plenty of fresh water. (Or a large pot to boil water in from lakes and streams.) Using water in any previous mining district is not advised ever, which a good portion of Colorado fits this description. We advise bringing your own water from home or bottled. *Drink lots of water! It is easy to get dehydrated while playing in the mountains.	Are you still doubting the ease and convenience of digital cameras? Take it from a strict film user - you can't beat a digital camera! It took me awhile but I finally gave in and tried one. They take up almost no room, can be easily upgraded to hold large memory cards and today's camera batteries ( I use Energizer Lithium disposable, highly recommend, they will save you money in the long run), can actually keep up with your clicking finger!
It can get really cold, very quickly, in the mountains. It is also known to snow any month of the year, at the higher elevations. Be prepared for all temperature and weather conditions, regardless of the time of year.	Shovel, bucket for water, rope, tarps, (bear proof food lockers are advised or rope to tie food in a tree) these are all necessary items for camping in the high country.
Tires - Good Spare! Check the air pressure. As well as other obvious things, such as a jack and a few tools. Be sure to check the fluids and tires on your vehicle before leaving home.	Waterproof your tent. Most tents will leak unless the seams are waterproofed. You can by seam waterproofing for a very small price at most discount stores and outdoor sports retailers.
Lots of High energy snacks are advised. You burn tons of calories hiking at 8,000 feet and above!	Extra everything: shoes, clothes, socks, etc.
Maps, compass, water, first aid kit....... make a list, you are less apt to forget something! Nothing like 5 am with no coffee or poison ivy with no cream! Because of the recent bouts with Mesquites and the virus they carry (West Nile) be sure and pack the bug repellent.	Read and follow all State and Federal postings, check the weather report, road conditions, area closings, fire condition - you will never be sorry for being prepared!
Looking for handicap facilities? Or a program for your company to sponsor? Check out Wilderness On Wheels!	Maps, compass, first aid kit....... make a list, you are less apt to forget something that way.

Things that MAY differ from other states in regards to outdoor recreation.

The National/State Forest services can and do, close and open roads to motorized vehicles, hiking, and all other sports. Though we try to stay up on all the roads in our books, we find at least one road a year changes status. Be sure and check the status of a road by carefully reading road signs or checking with the local Forest Service office. The counties and state can also close and open recreation areas to certain or all use, due to many different causes. Do not depend solely on maps, not even Forest Services or State Park maps, they may not have been updated or you may have an older version of the maps. Read all signs and postings put up by the state or federal park services, this is usually the first warning of changes.	All camping and picnic facilities are "Pack it in / Pack it out" areas. Meaning unless there is a dumpster, please take your garbage home. The fee campgrounds usually, but not always, have dumpsters, restrooms and occasionally water. If Water is available, it should say drinking water or not. It is a good idea to boil all water before using it for cooking or drinking. Do not burn trash in the fire pits, as this fills them with cans and such that do not burn. Do not put them down the bathroom facilities, this makes it impossible to clean out. When we abuse these rules, we take a very big chance of the area being closed to most uses if not all uses.
Check camping, fire, and other restrictions for the area you are planning to visit. In the last few years some of the worst fire season Colorado has ever seen, were experienced. Most of the National Forests and State Parks were closed at one time or another.	No motorized vehicle is allowed off the trails or roads. This tears up the environment and will result in the area being closed to 4x4 or motorized use. Not only does it ruin the beautiful scenery, it also destroys plant and animal habitation. Please don't risk the beauty of Colorado for selfish enjoyment, or none of us will be allowed on the trails. This is the main cause of most 4x4 roads being closed by officials.
The 4x4 roads are generally not passable before mid July. Don't count on trips above tree line before then, unless you like snow shoeing!	A lot of the back country trails are accessed by passing through Private Property. Please respect postings and remain on the road until past the National Forest gate and / or sign, so you are not trespassing. Motorized vehicles must stay on trails or roads at all time.
Please be extremely careful with camp fires. They are the leading cause of Forest Fires in Colorado. Never leave a fire unattended. Always keep a bucket of water close by. Completely extinguish all fires before leaving camp. Cover camp fires with dirt even after you are sure you have put out the fire as an extra precaution. Never flick cigarette butts into the forest! Use an ashtray in your vehicle or carry an empty pop can for butts.	Do not enlarge fire pits. Larger fires get out of hand much easier. Some areas forbid gathering fire wood. But in most areas you are allowed to gather dead wood. It helps in Forest Fire prevention. Do not cut down live trees, this helps no one but you.
Be extremely cautious when around wild animals at the higher elevations. They are wild animals not pets. An upset elk, ram or mountain goat will charge. Do not approach wild animals view them from a distance for your safety and theirs. There are other dangerous animals to watch for also, rattlesnakes, bears, bobcats, mountain lions are a few. Moose and elk can be extremely dangerous and unpredictable in the spring and fall.	During Fire Restrictions years, no camp fires are allowed any where unless you are at a Forest Service campground with Metal grates and rings, (there are full restrictions also with no fires allowed in these either. Read the posted signs for the area or check with local authorities.)
If camping, hiking, biking or 4x4ing in the fall, watch out for the deadliest animal of all. The Hunter! A Good time to bring out the orange clothing even if you are not hunting!	The aspens changing is a big event in Colorado. It is even more beautiful from above tree line! Some of the best day trips await you in the fall (early Oct. anyway)! Just do so before the snow falls, because the snow and high winds knock the leaves off and then it's time to get out the skis, snow shoes and snowmobiles!
Never be the highest thing on the mountain during the mid-afternoon in Colorado. It is almost a given that a shower or two will pass over the mountains around 2 pm. Above treeline is not a good place to be. Lightning is the highest weather related cause of death in Colorado. Lightening is not only a threat to the high country, the entire state experiences deadly electrical storms. If in the plains be extra careful watching for signs of tornado too. This area is part of what is called Tornado Alley.	Colorado is known for flash floods in Canyons, gulches and valley. Be careful during and right after rain storms. Climb to higher ground in case of flash flood. These do happen much more often in the 4 corners area but possible anywhere in Colorado. Watch for distant storms in the horizon, though where you are at may not have had rain, all it takes is for higher ground to have filled up the creeks/rivers - the water will of course go down hill or stream.
Ticks are another common problem in Colorado. (Feb - Aug) Always check for ticks in the hair, body or clothing after being in the mountains. They are seasonal. Usually appearing in the lower elevations first, around February in mild years. Until about late July. But this is not to say you can't find them at other times of year too. Brightly colored clothing makes it easier to see them before they get to your skin. Hats help protect you hair from the little critters as you walk through the forests. This site will tell you all about the Rocky Mountain species of ticks.	Be very careful while hiking or any outdoor sport in the mountains, old mine shafts are every where. Watch your step, and your children as well as pets, carefully, to ensure no one falls into a shaft or tunnel. Do not enter a mine shaft/tunnel, or you may not live to tell about it! There is the possibility of falling 100's if not 1000's of feet and if that doesn't get you the dead air will. Poisonous gases that are released when you disturb the water that sits in most mine shafts are deadly also, so even shallow holes or tunnels can be dangerous.
Altitude sickness or Mountain Sickness is also a reality in Colorado. Extreme cases can be deadly. I found this web site to explain it all quite well.	If you have a tip to share with fellow outdoor enthusiasts, let me know!

THE MOST IMPORTANT LINKS TO CHECK BEFORE HEADING OUT!
Check the actual area you are headed to, to insure you know all restriction before you get there.

National Interagency Fire Center	National Park Service
US Department of the Interior	Colorado State Forest Service
Fire Weather National Weather Service Intelligence	US Fish and Wildlife Service
Forest Service Department of Interior	Drought Conditions

If You love to play on the trails but not big on sleeping under the stars - Check out the Bed & Breakfast / Cabins / Outfits / Motels - Hotels and RV Parks Page
If you are into Camping and getting a little closer to Nature - Check this Page

On-line and Colorado Gear
Outlets for all outdoor enthusiasts.
If you have a store you would like listed please send me:
web address or physical address + phone number

Four by Four Clubs of Colorado
&
4x4 Specialists / Parts
(See Below Stores)

REI	Big 5
Gart Sports	Fox Creek Lures
Dick's Sporting Goods	Cabela's Online Store
Sportsmart	Venture Sports, Vail
Christy Sports	Christy Sports eStore
Snowshoes!	Adventure Sports Online
Aspen Sports	Ute Mountaineer, Aspen
Valley Traditional Archery Supply, Whitewater	Bill Perry's Rocky Mtn Fly Shop, Avon
Aalta Sports, Beaver Creek	Base Mountain Sports, Beaver Creek
Taylor Creek Fly Shop, Basalt	Christy Sports, Breckenridge
Bristlecone Mountain Sports, BASALT, CO (970) 927-1492	Boulder Outdoor Center
Telluride Sports	Planet Outdoors Boulder
Red Mountain Sports, 627 W Colorado Ave CO Springs, CO 80905	Mountain Chalet - 226 North Tejon, Colorado Springs, CO (719) 633-0732
Red Mountain Sports 627 W Colo. Ave CO Springs, CO 80905 (719) 447-0101	Casa De Madera Sports, 660 Grande Ave., Del Norte, CO 81132 (719) 657-2723
Bill Live Bait, 6001 Washington St, Denver, CO 80216 (303) 288-2434	Denver Angler 5455 W 38th Ave Unit E, Denver, CO 80212 (303) 403-4512
Discount Fishing, 2645 S Santa Fe Dr # M, Den., CO 80223 (303) 698-2550	Down Under Saddle, 5470 E Evans Ave, Denver, CO 80222 (303) 753-6737
Tackle Box, 4804 Morrison Rd, Denver, CO 80219 (303) 937-3646	Trout's Flyfishing, 1069 S Gaylord St, Denver, CO 80209 (303) 733-1434
Trout Fisher, 2020 S Parker Rd, Denver, CO 80231 (303) 369-7970	Wilderness Exchange, 1550 Platte St. Ste. E Denver, CO 80202 (303) 964-0708
Rick's Rods, 2066 S Huron St, Denver, CO 80223 (303) 778-7911	Bubba's Boards, 46825 Highway 550 North, Durango, CO 81301 (970) 259-7377
Colorado Trading Co, 225 E. 8th Avenue, Durango, CO 81301 (970) 247-9712	Boarding Haus, 2607 Main Ave, Durango, Colorado 81301 (970) 259-8182
Butler's Wildcat Archery, 1031 Co. Rd 141, Durango, CO 81301 (970)247-2894	Duranglers Flies & Supplies, 923 Main Ave., Durango, CO 81301 (970)385-4081
Mountain Bike Specialists, 949 Main Ave., Durango, CO 81301 (970) 247-4066	Backcountry Exp., 1205 Camino del Rio, Durango, CO 81301 (970) 247-5830
Claytons Goods, 800 S. Camino del Rio, Durango, CO 81301 (970) 247-5725	Foot Of The Rockies, 1205 W Elizabeth Fort Collins, CO 8052 (970) 493-4675
Bent Gate, 1300 Washington Ave Golden, CO 80401-1916 (303) 271-9382	Garretson's Sport Center, 3817 W 10th St Greeley, CO 80634 (800) 234-0255
Your Fishing Partner, Idaho Springs, Colorado	Galyan's, Littleton, Colorado
The Edge, PUEBLO, Colorado (877) 273-5065	Straightline Sports, Steamboat Springs, Colorado

SPORTS WITH WHEELS - AFTER MARKET - 4X4 COOL!

Rocky Mountain Sheep - Colorado Sheepskin Co. - Seat Covers	High Country 4x4 Englewood Colorado
ORI - AfterMarket - Centennial CO	Camping World - is your Wheels on an RV?
Off Road Buggies - 23 Deluxe	4 Wheel Parts - Colorado Springs, Denver and Westminister
4 Wheel Drive Books, Castle Rock, Colorado	4 Wheelers Unlimited - Englewood Colorado
Amsoil - Rocky Mountain Oil - Brighton, Colorado (Synethic Oil)	Carson Trailer, Inc - Eaton, Colorado
Mile Hi Motor Sports, Denver, Colorado	Premeir Tire Terminal Inc - Denver, Colorado
Raingler Enterprises - Wheatridge, Colorado (4x4 Bumpers and gear)	Motogear Outlet, Evergreen, Colorado
Colorado Custom Crawlers - Englewood, Colorado	Rocky Trail Products
JDL RV for You, Pueblo, Colorado	Bob Scott RV's, INC - Fort Collins and Grand Junction, Colorado
Western Slope Trailer Sales - Rifle, Colorado	Trail Rider
Slik Stuff - Salida, Colorado - ATV, Motorcycle and 4x4 Accessories	Out In Style - Outdoor Gear for all sports
Colorado Sand Cars - Windsor, Colorado	Cool Toys Marine, Inc. - Littleton, Colorado (ATV)
Auto Trader - Denver Cycle, Boat and RV Trader - Lakewood, Colorado	Excel Motor Sports - Water Craft and Motorcylces - Denver Colorado
Fay Myers Motorcycle World, Greenwood Village, Colorado	Five-R Inc - ATV - Golden, Colorado
Hydropedes Insoles (for the folks who hike the trails!)	Ketelsen Campers of Colorado, Wheat Ridge, Colorado
Icicles Performance Eyewear, Northglenn, Colorado	Line-X of Boulder - Boulder, Colorado
Steve Casey's Recreational Sales (Trailers) - Wheatridge, Colorado	Wilderness Off-Road Center - Littleton, Colorado
Windish RV Center, Lakewood, Colorado	Xtreme Performance Center, Inc. - Dacono, Colorado
The next generation in parts location 4x4 Breakers	Performance Accessories Off-Road Products
4x4 Superstore	Central Four Wheel Drive
4X4 Accessories	Overlanders
Vintage Trailers For Sale	MicroTRAK GPS
Truck world	10-10 Tires and Wheels
JEGS	WyoTech
FlowMaster	Edelbrock
Eagle Lifts	Royal Purple
4X4 HELP - Technical aspects, how-to, Off Road tips	All In the Look!
4X4 MOD A great source when cool looks count!	Truck, SUV, Camper and Trailer Accessories Evaluation Center
TRUCKS TV - SPIKE TV	Extreme 4x4
Motogear Outlet	TireWeb - Truck Tires - Shop and Compare

4x4 CLUBS IN COLORADO
This was all of the clubs I could find. If you have a club and would like to be listed here please let me know.

On The Rocks In Colorado	Colorado Off Road 4x4 Club
K-5 - Chevy	United Four Wheel Drive Assoc.
Colorado OHV Coalition	Mile-Hi Jeep Club
Colorado Ass. of Four Wheel Drive Clubs	Rocky Mountain ATV Club
4LO.COM: Colorado 4x4 Clubs	4x4 Quest
Jeepin'	Colorado Springs Christian 4 Wheelers
Colorado GO-4s	Colorado Motorcycle Trail Riders Association
Hobo Jeepers	Northern Colorado Trail Riders
Rising Sun 4x4 Club	Trailridge Runners 4WD Club Inc.
Colorado Hummer	Colorado Full Size Jeep Association
Rover Riders Four Wheel Drive Club	JeepBox
Blue Ribbon Coalition	Big Thompson 4 Wheelers
Stay The Trails - Littleton, Colorado	Colorado Custom Crawlers
UFWDA - United Four Wheel Drive Associations - Severance, Colorado	Rocky Trail Products
CSP Family 4x4 Fun

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