More Colorado Freshwater Fishing Destinations

This is a follow up to a previous post - Colorado Freshwater Fishing Destinations.

Rio Grande River: The legendary Rio Grande River flows through the San Juan Mountain Range and Rio Grande National Forest, boasting enormous brown trout just waiting for cagey fly fishermen. Near the towns of South Fork and Del Norte, in particular, you'll find government leases on private land that allow you easy access to the Rio Grande. This website offers a nice assortment of links to Del Norte area motorhome campgrounds.

North Delaney Butte: Three bodies of water boasting great trout fishing can be found near Walden in Northern Colorado. North Delaney Butte Lake, East Delaney and South Delaney Butte Lakes form a fisherman's paradise that will tempt you to stay for weeks. North Delaney is actually one of a handful of "Gold Medal" rated trout lakes in the state. By the way, the North Platte River winds through the canyons in this area and also offers tremendous trout fishing possibilities.

There are areas for wakeless boat fishing on these lakes, and those willing to do a little hiking can also find quiet bank or bellyboat fishing areas. Plan to fish primarily for brown trout here, but also be on the lookout for rainbow and cutthroats. A nice RV campground, Lake John Resort, is available on the shores of nearby Lake John, also known for its trophy trout fishing.

There are hundreds of great freshwater fishing destinations in Colorado, and most of them have comfortable RV campsites nearby. As you're putting your vacation plans together this year, why not schedule a trip to the Rockies for some serious fishing action? To keep your trip very affordable, gather a few of your fishing buddies and split the cost of RV rental, food and campground fees.

You're not going to want to come in off the water once you've learned the joys of fishing in Colorado. Why not find out why thousands of RV campers drop a hook in the Centennial State each year?

Colorado Freshwater Fishing Destinations

You may be traveling to Colorado for the mountain views, but did you know there's a wealth of fishing to be found there, as well? Colorado freshwater fishing is the perfect activity for RV camping fans, because it blends the thrill of "catching the big one" with an unforgettable mountain camping experience. Follow these tips to find the best Colorado freshwater fishing destination for your next RV trip.

Red Feather Lakes: North of Fort Collins, trout fishing enthusiasts will find a wonderful collection of small lakes well worth fishing. The Red Feather Lakes area is famous for easy access to lake trout, and was the site of the 2007 National Fly Fishing Championships.

Get ready to experience Dowdy, Parvin, Bellaire and West Lakes, all open to the public. Trout fishing at each offers unique thrills and challenges in a gorgeous mountain setting. Here's a listing of popular RV campgrounds in the area to help you plan your trip.

Lake Pueblo: With sixty miles of shoreline and a mild climate, Lake Pueblo offers almost everyone the chance to fish for trout, bass, channel cat, bluegill, and walleye. Well-known as an angler's paradise, this South Central Colorado lake is sure to please the most demanding lake-fishing diehards. There are numerous RV campgrounds operated there by the State Parks Department. Use this Colorado State Parks webpage to make RV campground reservations.

Blue River: Flowing above and below Lake Dillon about sixty miles west of Denver, the Blue River will thrill fly fishing enthusiasts with trophy-size rainbow trout. If fly fishing is your sport, you definitely deserve a trip to the Blue River. This is your chance to fish for rainbow, brown and brook trout while surrounded by some of the prettiest mountain views possible. Tiger Run RV Resort is one highly-recommended RV campground in the area.

If you need to rent an RV for your Colorado fishing adventure, check out our Denver RV Rentals location.

Cruising Colorado Ghost Towns by RV

We have been sharing reports from friends about great ghost town destinations to include on your RV adventures. While you're planning the itinerary for your next trip, don't miss Colorado's ghost towns. The Centennial State is home to dozens of former towns filled with artifacts, empty shacks and terrific Wild West history!

Let's do a quick cruise of some of the ghost towns you can easily visit on your RV camping trip.

• Florrisant: Thirty miles west of Colorado Springs, this former mining town has a school house and cemetery still in place, plus plenty of historical artifacts to discover. Stay at Lost Burro Campground in nearby Cripple Creek where you'll find scenic RV campsites creek side.
  
• Cripple Creek: While you're in the area, don't miss Cripple Creek itself. It's one of Colorado's most famous mining towns and area gold mines produced hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of gold before 1930. Although Cripple Creek is now home to numerous casinos, there are plenty of mines, ghost towns and cemeteries to explore in the immediate area.
  
• King: Turn your RV up the road to Park County and visit King, site of two major mining disasters in the late 1800s. Artifacts and ruins still exist in King, and the surrounding scenery is awesome.
  
• Fairplay: Don't leave Park County without visiting this once thriving gold mining town, where many of the original buildings still exist. Visit the grave of Prunes, the burro who worked the mines for decades and let locals tell you the story of Silver Heels the dance hall girl who nursed many small pox victims back to health. While visiting King and Fairplay, be sure to stay in Horseshoe RV campground in Pike National Forest.
  
• Gold Hill: Northwest of Boulder is a cluster of former mining towns that will fascinate ghost town fans. Gold Hill was one of the first places in Colorado where miners actually put down roots. Like a lot of other mining towns, a large fire took its toll in the late 1800s, but the hotel, general store and many cabins are still in place. Stay in the area to visit Sunset, Crisman and Gold Hill Station and spend the night at Olive Ridge Campground located in the shadow of Longs Peak.
  

We can't wait to hear your stories about your Colorado ghost town tour by RV! Let us know which ones become your favorites, and be sure to get in touch with our Denver RV Rentals location for the perfect RV rental for a Colorado ghost town vacation.

More Great Colorado RV Camping Adventures

Also see: Colorado Vacation Adventures.

One of my favorite things about traveling cross country is seeing the beauty of nature roll by. The State of Colorado is definitely one of the best places I know to see glorious scenery at every turn. RV campers from all over have shared their favorite Colorado RV camping destinations with Monty's Musings. Here are some "don't-miss" Colorado vacation ideas from my fellow motorhome campers.

Rollin' Through the Rockies…
RV camping enthusiasts looking for the ultimate Rocky Mountain experience should head for Leadville and Turquoise Lake! Sitting high in the Rockies (two miles high, in fact!) Turquoise Lake is surrounded by beauty, history and unbelievable outdoor adventures.

Hiking, biking and horseback riding trails abound in this mountain camping paradise. Canoe or fish the lake, and then be sure to take a day trip into nearby Leadville, a rough and rowdy Old West mining town with plenty of modern attractions. Make reservations at Sugar Loafin' RV Camp and get ready for some Rocky Mountain fun.

Colorado RV Camping for Families…
If your family's looking for a place to vacation that offers plenty of outdoor sports, Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area (AHRA) is your spot. Six scenic RV campgrounds make the area perfect for motorhome campers, and the river itself draws kayakers, river rafters and fishermen from around the globe.

Take the kids gold panning on the Arkansas River, or hike hundreds of miles of trails through meadows and mountain passes. From Pueblo to the mountains around Leadville, the AHRA offers one hundred fifty miles of family vacation fun.

And If Your RV Camping Trip Includes Fishing…
Motorhome camping enthusiasts who also love fly fishing should head for South Fork, Colorado, where eleven nearby lakes plus the Rio Grande River offer some of the best brown and rainbow trout fishing in the U.S.

Fellow campers tell me Ute Bluff Lodge & RV Camp, adjacent to Rio Grande National Forest, is the perfect base camp for trout fishing adventures. Why not head for South Fork with your favorite fishing gear in the comfort of a recreational vehicle? That's the recipe for fishing memories for years to come.

Now that I've convinced you to make Colorado your next RV camping destination, I'd like to make it even easier. El Monte RV Rental's Denver RV rentals location is a great jumping off spot for a motorhome vacation in the Rockies. The friendly folks there can help you plan your next Colorado trip and choose the perfect RV to get you there.

I'm looking forward to hearing about your Colorado RV camping trip. Stay tuned for more great motorhome camping ideas right here at Monty's Musings!

Denver RV Camping Ideas

Any trip to the Mile High City is a great one, but travelling there by RV opens a whole new dimension of fun. Here's a list of traveler's top picks for ways to enjoy the Denver area in the comfort of an RV.

Waking Up to Nature

Waking up in a scenic mountain meadow will thrill even the most jaded vacationer. The scent of pines in the air, water rushing through a stream nearby - who could stay cranky with all that natural beauty outside your door? The Denver area has more than its share of scenic RV campgrounds. Campers especially love the Colorado State Parks within easy driving distance of the Denver metro area. Whether it's Cherry Creek, Chatfield or Golden Gate Canyon State Park, there are plenty of scenic vacation memories in store.

Camping in the Heart of the Party

The people of North Central Colorado love to party, and they throw great festivals year-round! Make tracks in your RV to the Capitol Hill People's Fair, an eclectic arts celebration of Denver's diverse neighborhoods each June. Here's another thought; if hot air balloons perk up your senses, head for the Rocky Mountain Balloon Festival at Chatfield State Park in August (just remember to reserve your campsite early!).

For a swan dive into Asian culture, be sure to visit the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival at Sloan Lake Park in Denver. Held each July, this huge festival offers Asian food, arts and music and, best of all, colorful dragon boat races on the lake. Your kids will love this one, so pack the RV, reserve a nearby campsite and take the plunge into the Dragon Boat Festival.

Before we move on to more RV vacation ideas, we can't forget the Colorado Renaissance Festival. Held weekends in July and August in Larkspur, it's full of medieval fun and foolishness, plus some great food adventures! Camp at nearby campgrounds and enjoy the area's natural beauty as well as discovering Old World magic.

Outdoor Adventures Galore

Active vacationers are going to love the Denver area, with outdoor adventure opportunities in abundance. One you should definitely investigate is whitewater rafting. With two major rivers and Clear Creek within easy driving distance, Denver vacationers can experience every level of rafting excitement, from gentle drifting down the river to heart-stopping Level Five adventures.

If you've never experienced the Rockies on horseback, sign yourself up for one of the many area trail rides. Numerous horseback riding venues exist within thirty minutes of Denver, so don't miss this opportunity for a front-row seat to nature. Another great way to see the best of Denver's natural beauty is to try your hand at fly-fishing in nearby scenic rivers.

Whether fishing the mountain streams, rafting down whitewater rapids or travelling mountain meadows on horseback, the Denver area offers RV campers plenty of outdoor adventure. Set up base camp at one of the area RV campgrounds, then get out and enjoy yourself in nature!

As you can see, the Denver metro area is the perfect spot for vacationers travelling by RV. Pick a festival, pack your fishing gear and get ready to wake up to the Rockies. Your first Denver vacation won't be your last!

El Monte RV offers RV rentals for your Denver RV vacation from our Denver RV Rentals location.