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 contemporary powder.
However let’s face it, carry passes may be expensive! And shelling out the dough for that costly resort lodging can undoubtedly break the financial institution. Why sacrifice what may have been a number of further days on the slopes? Give winter tenting a attempt!
Winter tenting in Colorado could seem daunting at first. However with the precise 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 feels like your subsequent huge journey, we’re right here to assist. Learn on for some ideas and methods on how one can correctly put together for these chilly Rocky Mountain nights.
Getting Began
Selecting a Website
There are a selection of essential components to think about when figuring out the place to arrange camp in winter circumstances.
Mountain precipitation is unpredictable all yr spherical in Colorado, and navigating a snowstorm is not any joke. While you first arrive at your vacation spot, it’s essential to establish a number of landmarks close to your website that can stay identifiable even after heavy snowfall.
Tall rock formations and distinctive timber may be your pals when white out circumstances blur your imaginative and prescient.
When deciding on the placement in your tent, be strategic in using your setting. Be cautious of organising camp underneath something that’s prone to falling underneath the burden of accumulating snow.
Although timber and surrounding foliage may be useful in defending you from sturdy winds, overhead branches pose a danger to anybody standing under.
Moreover, organising camp in uncovered areas permits for extra solar publicity, conserving your tent a bit hotter on breezy winter days.
Organising Camp within the Snow
Earlier than organising, it’s integral to take the time to pack down any snow beneath the perimeter of your tent. If this essential step is missed, chances are you’ll get up to search 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.
Be sure your tent opening just isn’t going through the route of incoming wind. If there may be restricted protecting protection round your website, prioritize going through the doorway of your tent in the direction of something out there.
If all else fails, you’ll be able to all the time use the one useful resource you’ll have loads of… snow! Many winter campers discover that constructing a snow wall round their tent may be a good way to interrupt up sturdy winds.
You’ll wish to be sure you’re conserving your tent firmly pitched into the bottom. If there’s a honest quantity of snow protection, regular tent stakes aren’t going to do the job. Snow stakes are constructed broader, longer, and lighter to assist hold your tent securely planted into the snowy floor.
Should you’re in search of one thing reasonably priced and efficient, we suggest the Co-op snow stakes from REI to get the job accomplished.
Along with securely anchoring down your tent, it’s essential to maintain the partitions of the tent itself as taught as attainable so as to stop them from being weighed down by falling snow.
Lastly, make sure that to retailer important gear similar to telephones, batteries, gasoline, and lighters in your sleeping bag to stop them from freezing. Although it might appear a bit unusual, cozying up with these essential objects in your sleeping bag in a single day is a good way to maintain them secure.
Crucial Gear
Winter tenting in Colorado requires a really particular set of substances. To make sure you’re correctly shielded from the weather, take a look at a few of our suggestions for winter tenting gear:
Tent
A 4 season tent is extremely really useful as they’re geared up with studier poles and heavier materials to assist insulate warmth and fight heavy winds.
Should you don’t really feel able to put money into a 4 season tent simply but, your present three season tent may be muscled up by throwing a tent footprint beneath your present tent’s base. It will assist stop 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 preventing off breeze and snow.
Backpack
Needless to say winter tenting requires sturdier gear and thicker clothes, which can name for extra space for storing than sometimes wanted in the summertime months. We suggest taking alongside a 80 liter backpack at minimal.
Should you plan on taking skis or snowshoes, a backpack with lash factors will probably be notably useful. We just like the ALPS Mountaineering Pink Tail 80 Pack from REI for its sturdiness, light-weight design, and sensible rain cowl.
Sleeping Bag
A very good rule of thumb with sleeping luggage is to select one rated 10 levels decrease than the bottom temperature you anticipate to come across. Typically talking, the Rocky Mountain area drops all the way down to a median of 13F at night time throughout the winter months. For winter tenting in Colorado, your finest wager is a 0F rated bag. That mentioned, in case 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 gasoline stoves are usually preferable to canister stoves as they carry out higher in chilly temperatures and are general extra environment friendly.
Simply make sure that you place the range on one thing strong slightly than on high of fallen snow, as to keep away from melting the snow under. An unstable range may result in a cooking disaster!
Heat Garments
Perhaps an aged beloved one has advised you this one earlier than, however we’re right here to remind you… Costume heat! Three layers of garments are really useful 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 very good center layer consists of insulating clothes, ideally with excessive maneuverability. A light-weight down jacket can work wonders whereas conserving you heat with out feeling stiff.
Your outer layer needs to be targeted on the perform of waterproofing and windbreak. A very good 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 extremely 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 secure in the case of winter tenting! Climate may be unpredictable within the mountains and white out circumstances can typically present up with out warning.
Communications
A hand crank radio can all the time be an asset when caught in a sticky state of affairs. Information of incoming climate can inform whether or not it’s safer to go residence or briefly search shelter. Furthermore, park rangers all the time have their receiving radios readily available, ready to answer any emergency communications.
Signaling
Should 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 just 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 all the time helpful to stop frostbite in addition to conserving your fingers nimble in freezing temperatures.
The Finest Spots for Winter Tenting in Colorado
It’s tough to boil all of Colorado’s beautiful winter tenting areas down to five spots, however we did our greatest to supply an inventory of our private favorites.
Whereas it could be an understatement to say we love these areas, you would possibly 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 just love that we could have missed, be happy to shoot us some recommendations.
Our Record
1. Glacier Basin
With beautiful views of Longs Peak and the encompassing mountains, the all the time clear and well-maintained Glacier Basin Campground options spotless loos with plumbing.
Glamping, proper?
Campsites at Glacier Basin are way more spacious than generally dense campgrounds across the Rocky Mountain area. This rings notably true throughout the winter months when campgrounds are much less populated.
Presently of yr, camp employees are usually fairly accommodating, notably when putting you in essentially the most coveted spots the campground has to supply.
Glacier Basin could 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 one among 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 practically 100 miles of fishable streams.
This properly wooded campground is chalk stuffed with facilities similar to: wi-fi, clear loos, a bathe home, and full hook-ups for RV campers.
3. Eleven Mile State Park
Pay attention fastidiously fishermen! Eleven Mile State Park hosts one among Colorado’s largest reservoirs, boasting award successful trout, pike, and kokanee fishing. (Simply keep in mind to verify on the Colorado State fishing laws earlier than you go emptying out the entire lake!)
The reservoir is superb 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 shielded from winter gusts.
Should you’re in search of a water exercise targeted 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, notably within the winter season.
4. Arapaho Nationwide Forest
Tucked away in Arapaho Nationwide Forest, Denver Creek Campground is sunny and sprawling. Campsites are massive and provide loads of house between you and your neighbors.
As a primary come, first serve campground, many campers are sometimes exhausting pressed to search out open websites throughout the summer season months. So winter tenting is an excellent option to see what the Arapaho Nationwide Forest is all about.
You’lll discover glorious backwoods climbing close by in addition to nice fishing at Willow Creek.
That mentioned, don’t be afraid to hop in your automotive and discover a bit of additional exterior the campground. Within the Arapaho Nationwide Forest, there are not any unsuitable turns. Each route 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 unbelievable climbing trails earlier than wandering too far out from camp.
5. Navajo State Park
With 150 miles of shoreline, you’ll battle to get caught in a crowd on Navajo Lake. The lake gives some unbelievable fishing and spectacular alternatives for wildlife recognizing. The realm 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 unbelievable 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 via spots for RVs. That’s fairly uncommon for a public campground!
Dispersed Tenting
In search of one thing a bit tougher? Dispersed tenting may be a good way to expertise the unbelievable tranquility winter tenting in Colorado has to supply.
Dispersed tenting, by definition, is any tenting that takes place exterior of a chosen campground. This implies no loos, operating water, premade fireplace pits, or trash elimination. That is actually roughing it, of us!
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
- Medication 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 with the ability to camp practically anyplace you want inside any of Colorado’s astonishing nationwide forests, there are nonetheless some import laws to remember earlier than organising camp.
Dispersed tenting just isn’t permitted inside a 1 mile radius of any campgrounds, trailheads, or picnic areas.
It’s extremely really useful that you just 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.
Should you’re apprehensive about organising camp the place you shouldn’t be, we suggest dropping into a close-by ranger station. Park rangers are all the time pleasant, useful, and should even have some nice recommendations for beautiful little spots across the space.
Should you intend to check out dispersed tenting, please pay attention to the Go away No Hint Pointers set by the US Forest Service to assist hold our nationwide parks secure.
Car Tenting
In search of one thing a bit of extra comfy with out having to empty out your pockets for a cabin? Spending the night time in a automotive or an RV may be a good way to expertise winter tenting in Colorado.
Past offering a bit of further safety from the weather, vehicular tenting will hold you cellular. With out the effort of organising a tent, you’ll have the chance to discover much more of Colorado’s stunning wilderness.
Highway journey!
Automotive Tenting
Imagine it or not, preparation for winter automotive tenting isn’t so completely different from that of tent tenting. If something, it might probably even be a bit simpler!
Nonetheless, don’t overestimate how a lot your car can defend you from freezing temperatures. Although chances are you’ll not want to fret about wind and snow as a lot as you’ll in a tent, the inside of your car can nonetheless attain freezing temperatures in a single day.
Because of this, we suggest the identical gear we talked about above to maintain you secure and heat whereas tenting within the winter season.
Nonetheless, the addition of some insulation panels positioned in your car’s home windows might help to protect warmth and supply some further privateness.
Should you’re simply getting again to camp after an extended day of adventuring, we suggest blasting your automotive’s central warmth for a short time earlier than heading to mattress. Simply make sure that to show off your car earlier than falling asleep. Leaving your car’s engine on in a single day may be hazardous.
Should you don’t have correct snow tires, Colorado’s slippery mountain passes may be hazardous. Guarantee you may have all season tires put in in your car for these wintery drives.
So far as automotive tenting goes, excluding walk-in solely websites, you might be free to camp in any campground a tent can be permitted in. This leaves you with loads 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 throughout the winter. Nonetheless, the luxuries that come together with an RV name for some extra obligatory precautions so as to correctly defend your car.
When not actively operating the engine, make sure that you empty all the 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 flippantly operating all through the night time can even present safety towards bursts.
Similar to in your automotive, leaving your RV’s onboard heating on in a single day is neither secure or sensible. Should you’re at a campsite the place you’ll be able to hook as much as electrical energy, an electrical heater is right. If not, a small propane heater is your finest wager.
Insulation is crucial in bigger autos similar to RVs given the additional warmth essential to hold a bigger space heat. It is suggested that you just depart window shades closed all through the night time or when exterior of the car to protect warmth.
When you have slide outs, foam insulation boards underneath the slides will assist warmth from escaping.
Should you don’t have your individual RV, we love RV Share’s reasonably priced and cozy leases. You possibly can simply select between all kinds of their completely different autos positioned in Denver if you need a fast and simple choice for cellular winter tenting in Colorado.
Of the above spots talked about, RV tenting is out there 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 beautiful wintery mountainscapes include some dangers. Though it’s unlikely that you can find your self caught in an avalanche, it’s all the time finest to be ready for the worst.
One of the best ways to make sure your individual security is to keep away from placing your self in harmful circumstances within the first place. You could not notice it, however most avalanche survivors triggered the very disasters they themselves turned victims of.
That being mentioned, it’s essential to regulate your environment throughout mountain hikes or journeys down the ski slopes. A great way to identify hazard areas is to establish any proof of sliding snow or areas the place timber and foliage have been torn down.
A very good rule of thumb when climbing in heavy snow is to remain close to closely wooded areas and ridge tops the place snow is extra stabilized by the encompassing setting.
Should 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.
- Should you start to maneuver downward or get caught within the snow, use a swimming movement to remain on the floor whereas making an attempt to maneuver your self to the aspect of the avalanche’s wake.
Because the avalanche slows and stops:
- If attainable, push your self in the direction of the floor.
- Make an air pocket in entrance of your face.
- Should you can’t dig your self out, chill out your respiration and preserve power.
- Solely shout once you imagine rescue is close by.
In search of some extra ideas and methods for safeguarding your self from this pure catastrophe? Try The way 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 may be rewarding and splendidly serene. Witnessing Colorado’s beautiful panorama underneath a blanket of contemporary snow is unbeatable.
The most effective half? Colorado’s quieter winter months draw out its considerable wildlife in droves. A particular deal with for nature lovers prepared 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.