Spring Camping

by Kate
(Grand Junction, CO, USA)

Where are some good places to go camping in Western Colorado in late April?
We were thinking the Gateway area would have warm temperatures, or Rifle Falls.

Please let us know your recommendations. Thanks!

Hi Kate,

There are many areas that would be good for camping in Western Colorado but make sure that you keep an eye on the weather forecast. April is a very unsettled time of the year with high winds, rain and snow possible.

Camping in any of the lower altitudes, below 7,000 ft. should be quite tolerable if there are no storms coming through and the snow has melted away. I was just at Gateway on April 7, and it was beautiful. Rifle Falls might be a little early yet with the mud and snow still on the ground.

Some of my favorite spring places for hiking and camping are areas that are sandy and rocky like the Uncompahgre up Escalante Canyon off highway 50 going towards Delta or Divide Road off highway 141 going toward Gateway. Gateway has many places to camp that would be great this time of year, just make sure your on public land. Rabbit Valley out at the Utah state line off 70 would be alright during the week but turns into a zoo during the weekends with so many people.

Don't forget to check out the many excellent Utah State Parks and public lands close by around Moab and Green River. The Cisco turn off on 70 going to Moab has many places to camp along the Colorado and several hiking trails.

Watch for ticks this time of year and check yourself every day. They seem to be more abundant in the spring in the pinion, juniper and sage type terrain but some area's have very few.

Also some of the small creeks at lower elevations can become impassable during spring runoff when temperatures start to get into the high 70's and low 80's and can fluctuate up and down during the day. What was a small easily crossed creek one day can be a torrent the next.

Look here for more information on Colorado State Parks and current conditions.