Hey so I'm looking for some unofficial camping locations within about 30-45min of boulder colorado. what I mean by this is I don't want to set up my tent alongside others and near cars. I'd like to go off into the woods somewhere and set it up. so does anyone know of a good place for me to do this?
Answer
In the national forests near you and BLM lands you can camp in area's that are referred to as dispersed camping. You drive or hike into an area pick out a spot, some are posted for such with yellow posts. There is usually no fee and no water or toilet some may have a picnic table and fire ring. You may need to have an adventure pass if you bring a car that fee is $5. for a day $30. for the year. You can camp for up to 15 days in one place and then you have to move outside a 25 mile distance of where you were at. here is a link with the info near you.
http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/arnf/recreation/camping-picnicking/dispersed/index.shtml
In the national forests near you and BLM lands you can camp in area's that are referred to as dispersed camping. You drive or hike into an area pick out a spot, some are posted for such with yellow posts. There is usually no fee and no water or toilet some may have a picnic table and fire ring. You may need to have an adventure pass if you bring a car that fee is $5. for a day $30. for the year. You can camp for up to 15 days in one place and then you have to move outside a 25 mile distance of where you were at. here is a link with the info near you.
http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/arnf/recreation/camping-picnicking/dispersed/index.shtml
What are some tips for desert camping at the Grand Canyon?
whaleskull
Ok, a friend and I are planning a trip to the Grand Canyon for early June. We are staying in a tent for a week or maybe a little more, probably at Mather Campground. What are some good camping tips for that area? What is the wildlife situation? We are on a tight budget so does anyone know fun, cheap things to do within hiking distance? (We wont have a car as we are arriving by train.) We can only take so much on the train so is food cheap at the local store? ANY info, especially from people who previously stayed at Mather would be greatly appreciated!!
Answer
First off, if you are camping at Mather campground on the rim, than you will not really be camping in the desert. The South Rim is at an elevation of 7,000 feet (a half-mile higher than Denver Colorado) and so has very cold and snowy winters and mild summers. The area is covered with pine trees and high temperatures on the South Rim rarely top 90 degrees during the summer.
Mather Camground is a nice drive-up style developed campground with designated spots that each have a place to pull in your vehicle, a picnic table and fire pit. There is a bathhouse with showers and toilets. It is a large campground and spots are fairly close together, so you won't exactly feel like you are out in the solitude of the wilderness, but it is a nice area (lots of trees) and generally does not feel too crowded given its size. The South Rim is pretty developed (there is a whole little community there called 'Grand Canyon Village') and there is a free shuttle that runs in a loop and connects all the lodges, the visitor center, the shopping plaza and the campground and RV parks, so getting around the village area without a car is pretty easy.
Wildlife-wise... even though Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim is pretty developed, it is not uncommon for deer and elk and sometimes coyotes to wander about amoungst the buildings, but none of those generally cause trouble unless people deliberately try to approach them. Squirrels and chipmunks and ravens are also quite common. You don't need to worry about bears or mountain lions around the campground area, but you should not leave food out unattended as ravens, squirrels and chipmunks might take an interest in it.
There is a small shopping plaza area near Yavapai lodge that is a short walk from Mather campround (or you can ride the free shuttle) and it has a small grocery store. The prices are perhaps slightly higher than a grocery store in a big city, but it is definitely cheaper than eating at any of the South Rim restuarants (remember the South Rim is off the major supply lines and businesses have to provide employees with housing). If you do feel like a cooked meal while you are there, the cafeterias at Maswik Lodge and Yavapai Lodge are the cheapest.
As far as things to do... once you are in the park there are lots of things to do and most are free. Of course, hiking the big thing and you should try to do at least a short hike while you are there since being 'in' the canyon is a much different and deeper experience than just looking from the rim. My favorite short-n-easy day hike, is going the 1.4 miles down the South Kaibab trail to Cedar Ridge rest stop which has stunning views and a good chance to see condors and perhaps big horn sheep. Bright Angel and Hermit trails are also good for day hikes. Remember to wear comfortable shoes and a broad-brim hat, carry plenty of water and remember it is twice as much effort coming back up as it is going down. You should be careful how far down you go for a day hike - especially in summer - because temperatures get much warmer as you deeper into the canyon and at the bottom temps can easily break 110 degrees in summer (don't ever try to go to the bottom and back in a day).
Other fun and cheap activities include taking the free shuttle out to Hermit Rest and back (you can get on and off at various stops and overlooks along the way), listening to the ranger talks (which are usually pretty good) that are held along the rim and at the Shrine of Ages (near Yavapai Lodge), vegging out along the rim (especially at sunrise and sunset when the canyon looks most dramatic) and checking out the many historic buildings like the famous 1905 grand El Tovar lodge, the 1905 Hopi House curio shop (made to look like an indian pueblo) and the Lookout Studio (which often has free art exhibits). There is also a nice little geology museum and overlook at Yavapai Point (which can be reached via either the rim trail or by the free shuttle).
Lastly, keep in mind that Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak tourist season at the canyon and it can get crowded. You can make reservations for Mather campground (see link below) and it is highly recommended that you do so long before you leave as the odds of just showing up and finding an open spot in June are small.
Have fun!
First off, if you are camping at Mather campground on the rim, than you will not really be camping in the desert. The South Rim is at an elevation of 7,000 feet (a half-mile higher than Denver Colorado) and so has very cold and snowy winters and mild summers. The area is covered with pine trees and high temperatures on the South Rim rarely top 90 degrees during the summer.
Mather Camground is a nice drive-up style developed campground with designated spots that each have a place to pull in your vehicle, a picnic table and fire pit. There is a bathhouse with showers and toilets. It is a large campground and spots are fairly close together, so you won't exactly feel like you are out in the solitude of the wilderness, but it is a nice area (lots of trees) and generally does not feel too crowded given its size. The South Rim is pretty developed (there is a whole little community there called 'Grand Canyon Village') and there is a free shuttle that runs in a loop and connects all the lodges, the visitor center, the shopping plaza and the campground and RV parks, so getting around the village area without a car is pretty easy.
Wildlife-wise... even though Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim is pretty developed, it is not uncommon for deer and elk and sometimes coyotes to wander about amoungst the buildings, but none of those generally cause trouble unless people deliberately try to approach them. Squirrels and chipmunks and ravens are also quite common. You don't need to worry about bears or mountain lions around the campground area, but you should not leave food out unattended as ravens, squirrels and chipmunks might take an interest in it.
There is a small shopping plaza area near Yavapai lodge that is a short walk from Mather campround (or you can ride the free shuttle) and it has a small grocery store. The prices are perhaps slightly higher than a grocery store in a big city, but it is definitely cheaper than eating at any of the South Rim restuarants (remember the South Rim is off the major supply lines and businesses have to provide employees with housing). If you do feel like a cooked meal while you are there, the cafeterias at Maswik Lodge and Yavapai Lodge are the cheapest.
As far as things to do... once you are in the park there are lots of things to do and most are free. Of course, hiking the big thing and you should try to do at least a short hike while you are there since being 'in' the canyon is a much different and deeper experience than just looking from the rim. My favorite short-n-easy day hike, is going the 1.4 miles down the South Kaibab trail to Cedar Ridge rest stop which has stunning views and a good chance to see condors and perhaps big horn sheep. Bright Angel and Hermit trails are also good for day hikes. Remember to wear comfortable shoes and a broad-brim hat, carry plenty of water and remember it is twice as much effort coming back up as it is going down. You should be careful how far down you go for a day hike - especially in summer - because temperatures get much warmer as you deeper into the canyon and at the bottom temps can easily break 110 degrees in summer (don't ever try to go to the bottom and back in a day).
Other fun and cheap activities include taking the free shuttle out to Hermit Rest and back (you can get on and off at various stops and overlooks along the way), listening to the ranger talks (which are usually pretty good) that are held along the rim and at the Shrine of Ages (near Yavapai Lodge), vegging out along the rim (especially at sunrise and sunset when the canyon looks most dramatic) and checking out the many historic buildings like the famous 1905 grand El Tovar lodge, the 1905 Hopi House curio shop (made to look like an indian pueblo) and the Lookout Studio (which often has free art exhibits). There is also a nice little geology museum and overlook at Yavapai Point (which can be reached via either the rim trail or by the free shuttle).
Lastly, keep in mind that Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak tourist season at the canyon and it can get crowded. You can make reservations for Mather campground (see link below) and it is highly recommended that you do so long before you leave as the odds of just showing up and finding an open spot in June are small.
Have fun!
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