Cow Creek Campground ~ White River National Forest

The best way to experience the Colorado Rocky Mountains is to plan a lengthy camping tour that includes a variety of adventurous outdoor activities. Contending with the overcrowding problem in the Rocky Mountain National Park definitely is not the top choice when an easy going vacation is far overdue for obvious reasons. The better plan actually is to explore the numerous National Forests in this region, which offer the same dramatic alpine views and plenty of fun activities. To top it all off, open National Forest campsites can actually be found without having to make a reservation way ahead of time, which is most often is a hopeless dream in the local National Park. To add to the allure, the developed National Forest campgrounds tend to be located near popular recreation areas, reservoir lakes and along popular Jeep trails, so a visitor will be in pure Rocky Mountain adventure land upon arrival!   

The White River National Forest Cow Creek Campground is a prime example of a great spot for setting up a basecamp for adventures in the Rocky Mountains, which is far enough away from the big crowds to find some peace and quiet. Of course, holiday weekends will be the exception, but this goes with the territory. The Cow Creek Campground is located north of Silverthorne and Interstate Highway 70 a little more than a one hour drive away from Rocky Mountain National Park, so it is within range of commuting to this world famous destination. The terrain is basically the same as the south end of the National Park, so there will be no shortage of dramatic views of towering mountain peaks. Even better, the Cow Creek Campground is located on the banks of the Green Mountain Reservoir, so it is easy to find relief from the heat when July rolls around!

There are two lakeside camping areas at the Cow Creek Campground and both are in the White River National Forest reservation system. Light craft boating and paddle boarding are the main local activities and the fishing is good too. There are several hiking, biking and 4x4 trails in this area, so the exploring this vast alpine wilderness is easy to do. Seasonal birding is popular along the shoreline and a variety of raptors hunt fish in this lake. The wildlife viewing in the mountains is equally as good, so be sure to pack some binoculars for the trip. For those who prefer modern amenities, lakeside cabins can be found across the water and there are general stores to be found nearby. The White River National Forest Cow Creek Campground certainly is what vacation dreams are made of, so be sure to make note of this unique spot when planning a Rocky Mountain venture!