Whereas snowbirds flock away to hotter climates this winter, a few of us can’t wait to zip up, throw on some skis, and catch some recent powder.
However let’s face it, raise passes might be expensive! And shelling out the dough for that costly resort lodging can undoubtedly break the financial institution. Why sacrifice what might have been a number of further days on the slopes? Give winter tenting a attempt!
Winter tenting in Colorado could appear daunting at first. However with the proper gear and correct data, it may be a good way to get in contact with the Centennial State’s pure magnificence.
If winter tenting in Colorado seems like your subsequent massive journey, we’re right here to assist. Learn on for some ideas and tips on the best way to correctly put together for these chilly Rocky Mountain nights.
Getting Began
Selecting a Website
There are a selection of essential components to contemplate when figuring out the place to arrange camp in winter situations.
Mountain precipitation is unpredictable all 12 months spherical in Colorado, and navigating a snowstorm isn’t any joke. Once you first arrive at your vacation spot, it’s essential to determine a number of landmarks close to your web site that can stay identifiable even after heavy snowfall.
Tall rock formations and distinctive bushes might be your pals when white out situations blur your imaginative and prescient.
When choosing the placement in your tent, be strategic in using your atmosphere. Be cautious of establishing camp beneath something that’s vulnerable to falling beneath the burden of accumulating snow.
Although bushes and surrounding foliage might be useful in defending you from robust winds, overhead branches pose a threat to anybody standing under.
Moreover, establishing camp in uncovered areas permits for extra solar publicity, maintaining your tent a bit hotter on breezy winter days.
Organising Camp within the Snow
Earlier than establishing, it’s integral to take the time to pack down any snow beneath the perimeter of your tent. If this essential step is missed, you might get up to seek out your self in a person-shaped gap after your physique warmth melts the snow beneath you!
When you’ve packed the snow down, you’re all set to pitch your tent.
Make certain your tent opening shouldn’t be dealing with the path of incoming wind. If there’s restricted protecting protection round your web site, prioritize dealing with the doorway of your tent in direction of something accessible.
If all else fails, you’ll be able to at all times use the one useful resource you’ll have loads of… snow! Many winter campers discover that constructing a snow wall round their tent might be a good way to interrupt up robust winds.
You’ll wish to ensure you’re maintaining your tent firmly pitched into the bottom. If there’s a truthful quantity of snow protection, regular tent stakes aren’t going to do the job. Snow stakes are constructed broader, longer, and lighter to assist preserve your tent securely planted into the snowy floor.
In case you’re searching for one thing inexpensive and efficient, we suggest the Co-op snow stakes from REI to get the job completed.
Along with securely anchoring down your tent, it’s essential to maintain the partitions of the tent itself as taught as doable in an effort to forestall them from being weighed down by falling snow.
Lastly, be certain that to retailer very important gear similar to telephones, batteries, gas, and lighters in your sleeping bag to forestall them from freezing. Although it could appear a bit unusual, cozying up with these essential gadgets in your sleeping bag in a single day is a good way to maintain them protected.
Crucial Gear
Winter tenting in Colorado requires a really particular set of substances. To make sure you’re correctly protected against the weather, try a few of our suggestions for winter tenting gear:
Tent
A 4 season tent is very beneficial as they’re outfitted with studier poles and heavier materials to assist insulate warmth and fight heavy winds.
In case you don’t really feel able to spend money on a 4 season tent simply but, your present three season tent might be muscled up by throwing a tent footprint beneath your present tent’s base. It will assist forestall any snow soften from leaking into the flooring of your tent in addition to present some insulation from the chilly floor.
A climate shelter or tent tarp will also be useful in combating off breeze and snow.
Backpack
Remember the fact that winter tenting requires sturdier gear and thicker clothes, which can name for extra cupboard space than sometimes wanted in the summertime months. We suggest taking alongside a 80 liter backpack at minimal.
In case you plan on taking skis or snowshoes, a backpack with lash factors shall be significantly useful. We just like the ALPS Mountaineering Purple Tail 80 Pack from REI for its sturdiness, light-weight design, and sensible rain cowl.
Sleeping Bag
A superb rule of thumb with sleeping luggage is to choose one rated 10 levels decrease than the bottom temperature you count on to come across. Usually talking, the Rocky Mountain area drops all the way down to a mean of 13F at night time through the winter months. For winter tenting in Colorado, your finest wager is a 0F rated bag. That mentioned, in the event you are likely to really feel on the hotter aspect in a single day, a 15F rated bag could do the trick as properly.
Range
Liquid gas stoves are usually preferable to canister stoves as they carry out higher in chilly temperatures and are total extra environment friendly.
Simply be certain that you place the range on one thing strong reasonably than on high of fallen snow, as to keep away from melting the snow under. An unstable range might result in a cooking disaster!
Heat Garments
Perhaps an aged beloved one has instructed you this one earlier than, however we’re right here to remind you… Gown heat! Three layers of garments are beneficial for winter tenting in Colorado.
Any gentle sweater, hoodie, flannel, and durable pair of pants paired with some lengthy underwear can present an ideal base layer.
A superb center layer consists of insulating clothes, ideally with excessive maneuverability. A light-weight down jacket can work wonders whereas maintaining you heat with out feeling stiff.
Your outer layer must be centered on the perform of waterproofing and windbreak. A superb waterproof insulated jacket will serve you properly once you’re caught in heavy snowfall and powerful winds. In case your center layer is on the heavier aspect, or is very insulated, you might be able to get away with only a easy, sturdy waterproof jacket on high.
Emergency Gear
You possibly can’t be too protected in relation to winter tenting! Climate might be unpredictable within the mountains and white out situations can typically present up with out warning.
Communications
A hand crank radio can at all times be an asset when caught in a sticky scenario. Information of incoming climate can inform whether or not it’s safer to move residence or quickly search shelter. Furthermore, park rangers at all times have their receiving radios available, ready to answer any emergency communications.
Signaling
In case you’re venturing far-off from camp, having a misery sign tucked away in your daypack could present some peace of thoughts in case of an avalanche. Within the occasion that you simply get caught beneath the snow, or misplaced on the path, it will make you simply identifiable to look and rescue groups.
Emergency Warmth Supply
Whether or not you’re caught in a storm or simply on an extended hike, HotHands heaters are at all times helpful to forestall frostbite in addition to maintaining your fingers nimble in freezing temperatures.
The Finest Spots for Winter Tenting in Colorado
It’s tough to boil all of Colorado’s gorgeous winter tenting areas down to five spots, however we did our greatest to offer a listing of our private favorites.
Whereas it might be an understatement to say we love these areas, you may discover a nook and cranny of Colorado that we haven’t found but! When you have any spots for winter tenting in Colorado that you simply love that we could have missed, be happy to shoot us some options.
Our Listing
1. Glacier Basin
With gorgeous views of Longs Peak and the encompassing mountains, the at all times clear and well-maintained Glacier Basin Campground options spotless bogs with plumbing.
Glamping, proper?
Campsites at Glacier Basin are way more spacious than generally dense campgrounds across the Rocky Mountain area. This rings significantly true through the winter months when campgrounds are much less populated.
Presently of 12 months, camp workers are typically fairly accommodating, significantly when putting you in essentially the most coveted spots the campground has to supply.
Glacier Basin may be very near each the Bear Lake and Glacier George trailheads. Moreover, the campground is only a quick drive to the charming little city of Estes Park. (Simply in case you’re hoping to heat up inside considered one of Estes Park’s many cozy espresso outlets.)
2. Flat Tops Wilderness Space
Proper on the Rio Grande, South Fork Campground gives superb entry to all of the Flat Tops Wilderness has to supply. Strewn with volcanic cliffs and alpine tundra, this area is a geology fanatic’s dream.
Tucked between the White River Plateau’s flat topped cliffs, campers can take pleasure in over 160 miles of path and almost 100 miles of fishable streams.
This properly wooded campground is chalk stuffed with facilities similar to: wi-fi, clear bogs, a bathe home, and full hook-ups for RV campers.
3. Eleven Mile State Park
Pay attention fastidiously fishermen! Eleven Mile State Park hosts considered one of Colorado’s largest reservoirs, boasting award successful trout, pike, and kokanee fishing. (Simply bear in mind to examine on the Colorado State fishing laws earlier than you go emptying out the entire lake!)
The reservoir is great for iceboating while having fun with sweeping views of the encompassing boulder formations and distant mountain views. Though the open reservoir can get comparatively windy, close by campgrounds are sometimes properly wooded and protected against winter gusts.
In case you’re searching for a water exercise centered tenting expertise, Eleven Mile State Park is an underrated gem. Neglected by many vacationers, this space by no means fails to have open tenting areas, significantly within the winter season.
4. Arapaho Nationwide Forest
Tucked away in Arapaho Nationwide Forest, Denver Creek Campground is sunny and sprawling. Campsites are giant and supply loads of house between you and your neighbors.
As a primary come, first serve campground, many campers are sometimes arduous pressed to seek out open websites through the summer time months. So winter tenting is an excellent solution to see what the Arapaho Nationwide Forest is all about.
You’lll discover wonderful backwoods mountaineering close by in addition to nice fishing at Willow Creek.
That mentioned, don’t be afraid to hop in your automotive and discover just a little additional outdoors the campground. Within the Arapaho Nationwide Forest, there aren’t any fallacious turns. Each path gives spectacular, sweeping views for a shocking Sunday drive.
Simply don’t overlook to take a look at a few of this nationwide forest’s unimaginable mountaineering trails earlier than wandering too far out from camp.
5. Navajo State Park
With 150 miles of shoreline, you’ll wrestle to get caught in a crowd on Navajo Lake. The lake gives some unimaginable fishing and spectacular alternatives for wildlife recognizing. The world is virtually teeming with foxes, deer, and turkeys.
We’ve heard that bald eagle sightings within the space are much more frequent within the winter months as these unimaginable birds search to heat up on the sunny, open lake.
Although there are 118 campsites all through the park, we extremely suggest Rosa Campground Loop which gives direct lake views in addition to full hookups and pull by spots for RVs. That’s fairly uncommon for a public campground!
Dispersed Tenting
On the lookout for one thing a bit more difficult? Dispersed tenting might be a good way to expertise the unimaginable tranquility winter tenting in Colorado has to supply.
Dispersed tenting, by definition, is any tenting that takes place outdoors of a chosen campground. This implies no bogs, working water, premade hearth pits, or trash removing. That is actually roughing it, people!
Colorado is a perfect space for dispersed tenting as you might be fully free to camp in any of Colorado’s 11 nationwide forests:
- Arapaho Nationwide Forest
- Rio Grande Nationwide Forest
- Grand Mesa Nationwide Forest
- White River Nationwide Forest
- San Juan Nationwide Forest
- Gunnison Nationwide Forest
- Drugs Bow-Routt Nationwide Forest
- Pike Nationwide Forest
- Roosevelt Nationwide Forest
- San Isabel Nationwide Forest
- Uncompahgre Nationwide Forest
Whereas there’s a great quantity of freedom in having the ability to camp almost anyplace you want inside any of Colorado’s astonishing nationwide forests, there are nonetheless some import laws to remember earlier than establishing camp.
Dispersed tenting shouldn’t be permitted inside a 1 mile radius of any campgrounds, trailheads, or picnic areas.
It’s extremely beneficial that you simply keep 100 toes away from any pure water sources and inside 150 toes of a close-by roadway. That is for each your security, and for the preservation of the wildlife round you.
In case you’re fearful about establishing camp the place you shouldn’t be, we suggest dropping into a close-by ranger station. Park rangers are at all times pleasant, useful, and will even have some nice options for gorgeous little spots across the space.
In case you intend to check out dispersed tenting, please concentrate on the Go away No Hint Tips set by the US Forest Service to assist preserve our nationwide parks protected.
Automobile Tenting
On the lookout for one thing just a little extra comfy with out having to empty out your pockets for a cabin? Spending the night time in a automotive or an RV might be a good way to expertise winter tenting in Colorado.
Past offering just a little further safety from the weather, vehicular tenting will preserve you cellular. With out the trouble of establishing a tent, you’ll have the chance to discover much more of Colorado’s lovely wilderness.
Street journey!
Automotive Tenting
Consider it or not, preparation for winter automotive tenting isn’t so totally different from that of tent tenting. If something, it might even be a bit simpler!
Nevertheless, don’t overestimate how a lot your car can defend you from freezing temperatures. Although you might not want to fret about wind and snow as a lot as you’d in a tent, the inside of your car can nonetheless attain freezing temperatures in a single day.
For that reason, we suggest the identical gear we talked about above to maintain you protected and heat whereas tenting within the winter season.
Nevertheless, the addition of some insulation panels positioned in your car’s home windows might help to protect warmth and supply some further privateness.
In case you’re simply getting again to camp after an extended day of adventuring, we suggest blasting your automotive’s central warmth for a short while earlier than heading to mattress. Simply be certain that to show off your car earlier than falling asleep. Leaving your car’s engine on in a single day might be hazardous.
In case you don’t have correct snow tires, Colorado’s slippery mountain passes might be hazardous. Guarantee you could have all season tires put in in your car for these wintery drives.
So far as automotive tenting goes, aside from walk-in solely websites, you might be free to camp in any campground a tent can be permitted in. This leaves you with quite a lot of choices when in comparison with tenting in a bigger car like an RV.
RV Tenting
RV tenting has the potential to be an much more comfy choice than automotive tenting through the winter. Nevertheless, the luxuries that come together with an RV name for some extra mandatory precautions in an effort to correctly defend your car.
When not actively working the engine, be certain that you empty the entire water tanks, drain the water heater, water traces, and disable onboard plumbing to keep away from bursting pipes. Many campers discover that leaving a supply of water calmly working all through the night time may also present safety in opposition to bursts.
Identical to in your automotive, leaving your RV’s onboard heating on in a single day is neither protected or sensible. In case you’re at a campsite the place you’ll be able to hook as much as electrical energy, an electrical heater is good. If not, a small propane heater is your finest wager.
Insulation is important in bigger automobiles similar to RVs given the additional warmth essential to preserve a bigger space heat. It is strongly recommended that you simply go away window shades closed all through the night time or when outdoors of the car to protect warmth.
When you have slide outs, foam insulation boards beneath the slides will assist warmth from escaping.
In case you don’t have your personal RV, we love RV Share’s inexpensive and comfy leases. You possibly can simply select between all kinds of their totally different automobiles positioned in Denver if you need a fast and straightforward choice for cellular winter tenting in Colorado.
Of the above spots talked about, RV tenting is obtainable on the following areas: Glacier Basin, South Fork Campground, Denver Creek Campground, in addition to Navajo State Park’s Rosa and Carracas loops.
Avalanche Security
It’s essential to acknowledge that Colorado’s gorgeous wintery mountainscapes include some dangers. Though it’s unlikely that you can see your self caught in an avalanche, it’s at all times finest to be ready for the worst.
One of the best ways to make sure your personal security is to keep away from placing your self in harmful circumstances within the first place. You could not understand it, however most avalanche survivors triggered the very disasters they themselves turned victims of.
That being mentioned, it’s essential to control your environment throughout mountain hikes or journeys down the ski slopes. A great way to identify hazard areas is to determine any proof of sliding snow or areas the place bushes and foliage have been torn down.
A superb rule of thumb when mountaineering in heavy snow is to remain close to closely wooded areas and ridge tops the place snow is extra stabilized by the encompassing atmosphere.
In case you get caught in an avalanche:
- Don’t panic. Attempt to keep calm.
- Tightly maintain on to the closest rock, tree, or strong object.
- Preserve your mouth closed.
- In case you start to maneuver downward or get caught within the snow, use a swimming movement to remain on the floor whereas attempting to maneuver your self to the aspect of the avalanche’s wake.
Because the avalanche slows and stops:
- If doable, push your self in direction of the floor.
- Make an air pocket in entrance of your face.
- In case you can’t dig your self out, chill out your respiratory and preserve power.
- Solely shout once you consider rescue is close by.
On the lookout for some extra ideas and tips for safeguarding your self from this pure catastrophe? Try Learn how to Survive an Avalanche at our associate web site, Survival World.
Wrapping up Winter Tenting in Colorado
Although winter tenting could current a number of extra challenges than within the hotter months, winter tenting in Colorado might be rewarding and splendidly serene. Witnessing Colorado’s gorgeous panorama beneath a blanket of recent snow is unbeatable.
The very best half? Colorado’s quieter winter months draw out its ample wildlife in droves. A particular deal with for nature lovers keen to robust it out within the ice and snow.
So strap on these snowshoes! We’ll see you on the market.
Having a tricky time selecting your first four-season tent for the upcoming winter season? Try our publish on The Finest Winter Tents for Chilly Climate Tenting.
