The Comprehensive Car/Camper/RV Overnight Camping Locale Thread

[MCH]

Any beta on camping near Durango/Purgatory and Crested Butte as well. Will be towing a Aliner Trailer.

[Diesel]

I know there is a new (as of last year) RV park just outside of Crested Butte, however the last time I called, they told me it was $45 a night in winter with no access to bathrooms, trash, etc. I think they had power hookups, but you're basically paying for them to plow out a spot. When I told the owner that I'd paid $25 at the RV park in Steamboat the week before, which included bathroom access, she got pretty huffy and told me that they were the only place to 'camp' within 60 miles of CB. I suppose that makes it ok to charge so much. If you're hauling a trailer, the Gunnison Walmart may be the best option. I figured I'd try the Kebler pass trailhead the next time I go up, but I'm not sure about getting up there with a trailer.

I'd imagine that Durango would have more options.

[GeezerSteve]

Looking for current info re RV parking at or near Big Sky. 4WD + popup FWC camper. Big Sky website says "camping of any kind is not allowed."

Update on Big Sky. While officially you cannot park here, and I have heard stories from another frequent camper that people do get shooed off and even get a boot, seems enforcement is inconsistent. Was there on a busy weekend at the back of free lot and was left alone. Also the overfow lots are not private land I'm told and thus may be fair game.

Update on this?

[gonzo_lives]

Good job on HIDING this useful thread after 5 years in the right place on the ski forum

[ACH]

Bumping for mid Winter road trippers...

[Josefz]

My wife and I are heading to Salt Lake in early March. We're thinking of adding a leg up to Jackson Hole for four days and three nights. I'd like to park in the lot if at all possible. My rig is a 39' diesel pusher towing a Jeep TJ. Any hope, or am I crazy?

[ghosthop]

This thread delivers, here's what I have to add, all of this was done in an outback so ymmv

MT
Big Sky/Moonlight: huge thread this fall came to the conclusion thats its pretty hard, I've had good luck on the Moonlight side in the Madison lot for a night at a time.
Bridger: Never had to do it, but the lot for Grassy just north of BB at N. Bracket would be my first choice

WY
Jackson: went past the village and crashed at one of the first big pullouts in the NP. Not sure what plowing is like during a storm cycle but things were clear while I was there.

CO
Abasin: Only ever crashed in my car during the spring, found a nice trailhead off of Montezuma Rd, which is a left off of 6/35 right as you get back to keystone. NF trailhead right across 70 from the Frisco safeway worked well too.

WV
Canaan Valley(TL,CV, WG): Spent the night at the Park/Wildlife Preserve, was in the first parking lot to the right for what looked like a visitor info building. Had headlights shine on me and check me out at one point in the night but never got the tap on the window.

VT
MRG: Main lot, not sure about extended stays but was fine for a night
Sugarbush: poached the main parking lot, 50 feet to the lift, poached the wifi, scared the shit out of the mom in the minivan that pulled up beside me in the morning
Mad River Valley: There is a camping spot right off of 100 heading north out of town, ended up not using it but was pretty set up and had no one bothering me.
Smuggs: Overflow lot to the right past the base area heading towards the pass.
Jay: Stateside lot, poached the wifi and the hot tub, big ups to Becky and everyone at the Stateside rental shop. Let me keep my boots and gloves on the heated racks in the rental shop, toasty boots every morning.

Anyone with current info for Whitefish/Fernie/Castle/Red/Whitewater? Looking to do a trip over spring break if conditions warrant, imagine I won't have too much trouble finding a spot but its always nice to show up with solid info.

[yardsale2]

My wife and I are heading to Salt Lake in early March. We're thinking of adding a leg up to Jackson Hole for four days and three nights. I'd like to park in the lot if at all possible. My rig is a 39' diesel pusher towing a Jeep TJ. Any hope, or am I crazy?

Nothing in JH but there is a nice new full service campground in Tetonia on the west side called Teton Peaks Lodge and RV. I am not sure they have an internet presence yet but you can email new owners Josh and Misty at TetonPeaks@outlook.com or call them at 208456-2969

[Josefz]

Thanks guys for the prompt response. I just got back into town and hadn't had internet. I will email Teton Peaks.

[MileHigh]

I bought a truck camper after staying at an overpriced hostel in Aspen CO. one weekend. I have yet to return to Aspen with the camper in the winter. Does anyone know of a place near the Aspen resorts?

I Love having the camper as a base for skiing. I don't like hotel rooms anymore and I wish there were more resorts that have RV parking. These are the Colorado and New Mexico free camp spots I've used in the winter for the following resorts:
Loveland-- Bakerville or Herman Gulch exit have small trailhead lots.
Arapahoe Basin or Keystone--Montezuma road just past the Keystone parking lot has pull outs and a trailhead lot for Peru Creek.
Monarch--I've heard of some people overnighting in the lot but not confirmed myself. Wal-Mart in Salida is RV friendly. Mt. Princeton Hot Springs for showers.
Crested Butte--Kebler Pass trailhead. High, cold and dark. Used as a staging area and storage for snowmobilers. A sign in the lot says overnight parking allowed. Great view of the Butte from there.
Wolf Creek--Overflow parking lot. Awesome skiing a short distance from the parking lot. Pagosa Springs Hot Springs for showers.
Silverton--The parking lot attendant said he thinks overnight parking is not allowed in front of the resort but many camp there anyway and there are a lot of places to pull over on the road before and after the resort. Also in town at the rec center parking lot at the base of Kendall. Orvis Hot Springs in Ridgeway, kind of out of the way but well worth it, nude bathing optional.
Taos NM--They have an entire parking row dedicated to RV's. Dirtbag truck campers and Class A RV's right next to each other. Casino's and Hot Springs, and world class Mexican food nearby.
Viva La RV-skiing!

[Diesel]

I've spoken to the parking lot guys at Monarch, and while overnight parking is allowed, they say they'll probably roust you at around 3am to plow the lot.

Silverton - they say they don't allow people to camp in their lot, but I know a lot of folks who've done it. I've just parked the pop up truck camper on a side street in Silverton, and no one bothered me.

Wolf Creek...as of last season they allow overnight parking in the main lot, but as a word of caution...they will move snow all fucking night long with a frontloader, within inches of your rig. All night long. Inches. Earplugs don't help when your camper is vibrating and lit up like christmas.

CB: I called a couple of weeks ago, and they're cracking down on Kebler right now. Brush Creek TH was recommended instead.

[DanoT]

My wife and I are heading to Salt Lake in early March. We're thinking of adding a leg up to Jackson Hole for four days and three nights. I'd like to park in the lot if at all possible. My rig is a 39' diesel pusher towing a Jeep TJ. Any hope, or am I crazy?

There is a campground open in winter near JH that charges $59/ night for electric only. The Motel 6 in Jackson (20 minutes from the skiing) charges $46/ night for a room.

[slideforlife]

anyone know if you can get away with sleeping at the satellite lot, rv parking at Breck?

[beer30]

So anyone know something about wiring? I found a nice little pop up camper for 800 bucks. Guy says everthing works but it has electrical issues. Pop ups arent cheap so if I bought it, think it would cost much to have it rewired or fixed. Figure that will be well under the 3k plus guys are asking for fully functioning campers

[MakersTeleMark]

Sure. I can wire one in my sleep. Where are you? Do you have any skills?

[beer30]

Sure. I can wire one in my sleep. Where are you? Do you have any skills?

Im in Jackson, not sure about skills

[MakersTeleMark]

Buy the thing for that price if it is in good shape, and we can sort out the wiring through photographs down the road.

[beer30]

Buy the thing for that price if it is in good shape, and we can sort out the wiring through photographs down the road.

If I can get over to where hes at soon I will. Thanks for the offer of help dude

[goldengatestinx]

[QUOTE=MileHigh;4448957]I bought a truck camper after staying at an overpriced hostel in Aspen CO. one weekend. I have yet to return to Aspen with the camper in the winter. Does anyone know of a place near the Aspen resorts?


We took our truck camper to the X-Games a few years ago. Parked 3 nights at the winter closure up Hwy 82 south out of town towards Independence Pass. No one bothered us. There was another camper there a night or two also.

Did 3 nights at Monarch 2 weeks ago. Ryan the guest services supervisor gave us the scoop. Make sure to call the maintenance voice mail number on the main board at the bottom of the stairs leading to the lodge so they know it's not someone missing. Leave a message with maintenance including number of nights, make/model/license plate of the vehicle. We parked in the upper lot. No one else parked up there. Quiet. Awesome views. And ski in/out. If t snows there'll likely be plowing but park smart and they might leave you alone.

Say hey if you see us in the front row at Loveland. F-250 with a beater Northland on it.

[beer30]

If I can get over to where hes at soon I will. Thanks for the offer of help dude

couldnt get there quick enough, sold

[Vitamin I]

CO
Loveland:
I like the Herman Gulch trailhead parking lot at Exit 218 on I-70. Pit toilet, no running water, some loud trucks on freeway, and snowplows can be loud early in the morning.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/He...5e355176c917cf

MT
Big Sky:
I like the Porcupine Creek trailhead parking lot 3 miles south on Hwy-191. Pit toilet, no running water, and the dirt road might sometimes get deep ruts unsuitable for very low clearance cars.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/30...da5d09f555c922

WY
Jackson Hole:
I didn't find any great legal spots, so I slept illegally at a Fish Hatchery day use area, kept a low profile, and no one bothered me.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/14...89bdec55e91d70

UT
Alta / Snowbird:
I didn't find any great legal spots, so I slept at the Walmart parking lot. Lame, but legal.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Wa...f2e981f184cf78

BC
Whistler:
I like the logging roads / trailheads away from Village. No facilities (some have a picnic table), and sometimes a loud train or logging truck might wake you up.
Gravel Pit Road at https://www.google.com/maps/place/Wh...daf3c479b05d46
or
Cal-Cheak at https://www.google.com/maps/place/Ca...3de1b82df7b4bd

CA
Mammoth
Hot Creek Hatchery dirt roads. No facilities. Not sure if legal, but I never get bothered there.
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Mamm...d37.648546!1m0
or
"Crestview" Highway Rest Area parking lot. Toilets, running water, payphone, etc.
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Mamm...648546!1m0!3e0

Squaw Valley / Alpine Meadows
I've slept at a Prosser trailhead parking lot a few times. Pit toilet, no running water. Once a cop/sheriff said "hello" to me there, and he said that spot is perfectly legal as long as you sleep INSIDE your car there, but would be ILLEGAL to sleep outside in a tent there. I can't remember if it's open during the very snowiest months of the year, though.
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Squa...d39.195444!1m0

.

[WestCoastPDR]

Just checking in. Just got a old school camper kit for the back of my truck. Feel free to pm me for beta in the Tahoe to mammoth corridor. If I thought long and hard enough I could provide beta for the Whiteface and jay peak areas.

[WestCoastPDR]

Just leaving this little gem of place here for everyone. Just south of Westport, CA off US1. I would suggest not camping there over July 4th weekend but 4wd and air down your tires and you will be fine

[paulnptld]

Just leaving this little gem of place here for everyone. Just south of Westport, CA off US1. I would suggest not camping there over July 4th weekend but 4wd and air down your tires and you will be fine

Looks fantastic! Can you link to it on Google Maps? We head down that way from Portland quite a bit.

[WestCoastPDR]

I can. Pm me with email address Paul


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