Things to do west of Denver

[Four22]

We book 9 days at the Denver west KOA next summer and looking for suggestions of things to do in the area.

We’re active outdoor people so looking for any suggestions. Trails to hike, activities, restaurants...... anything 🙂

Thanks!!!

[bubbles]

Are you meaning Denver West/Central City KOA Holiday?

[Four22]

Originally Posted by bubbles

Are you meaning Denver West/Central City KOA Holiday?

That would be the spot!

[bubbles]

I have only stayed there one time (recently) and in my opinion (everyone has one) it is not a premier KOA and a long way from being classified as a resort. The KOA is the closest to Black Hawk and its casinos and Central City, which has lost a lot of its charm since the casino's being built. As far as outdoor activities, I cannot comment on that but hey, it is Colorado. I would mention that you might look at Dakota Ridge RV Park in Golden. Typically, camping in Colorado most anywhere is great but some of the commercial campgrounds (I don't boondock) can be a big let down. Only one's personal experience will be the deciding factor. Finally, if everything is back to normal when your Colorado camping begins you should enjoy the trip no matter where you stay.

[TheWolfPaq82]

Google is your friend. Did an entire SD trip....that covid cancelled, but set up the entire 2 week trip using nothing but Google.

[bubbles]

I do have one restaurant recommendation worth at least a look. Buckhorn Exchange restaurant in Denver. Not cheap but have not had a bad meal there. Fare includes several different game entrées and appetizers including the ever popular rocky mountain oysters. It is the oldest (circa 1893) restaurant in Denver. Not necessarily a must just on the list of different things to do. A Coors Brewery tour is kind of interesting also.

[JimMorrell]

Granby Lake area and the Rocky Mountain National Park are wonderful areas. Going south, theres Pikes Peak and surrounding areas and then there's Denver itself. We used to live in Southwest Denver area (Littleton) and never tired of the state.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by bubbles

I do have one restaurant recommendation worth at least a look. Buckhorn Exchange restaurant in Denver. Not cheap but have not had a bad meal there. Fare includes several different game entrées and appetizers including the ever popular rocky mountain oysters. It is the oldest (circa 1893) restaurant in Denver. Not necessarily a must just on the list of different things to do. A Coors Brewery tour is kind of interesting also.

Buckhorn is good and worth the experience.

Another restaurant with scenery and old west ambience is "The Fort"

https://thefort.com/

Reservations required and not cheap but variety of game entree's is wide. Also a courtyard and building resembling the old Bent's Fort built in 1833 in SE Colorado.

Also, near Colorado Springs is Garden of the Gods. Plenty of hiking trails and one can look at all the balancing rocks and try to figure out how they stay there/

[robsshots]

What's the need to stay in/near the city? Family? If you are outdoor oriented - hiking, sightseeing, etc - Colorado has FOUR national parks. All worth a visit. Then there's Million$ highway out of Durango...frankly, too much to mention. You could easily spend the entire 9 days in Rocky Mountain National Park and you would feel you should have spent 9 weeks

[Four22]

Originally Posted by robsshots

What's the need to stay in/near the city? Family? If you are outdoor oriented - hiking, sightseeing, etc - Colorado has FOUR national parks. All worth a visit. Then there's Million$ highway out of Durango...frankly, too much to mention. You could easily spend the entire 9 days in Rocky Mountain National Park and you would feel you should have spent 9 weeks

We picked there to be convenient to a lot of things. The roads into Estes park and grand lake seemed pretty curvy so went with a little easier approach pulling out trailer. Rig is completely capable but wanted a little easier approach with the trailer

We’ll be traveling with 2 kids, 6 and 8 at that time.

[Thomas ho]

go to black canyon of the gunnisom. boat itour

[Four22]

I’m also to suggestions of different campgrounds... We like KOA and have had good experiences with them.

I will say, we want water a sewer as we’ll be on such a long trip.

[robsshots]

Where are you traveling from - your home base?

[Four22]

Originally Posted by robsshots

Where are you traveling from - your home base?

Southwest Ohio

[bubbles]

Tiger Run Resort, Breckenridge/Spruce Lake RV resort, Estes Park/Durango North Riverside KOA, Durango/Oasis RV resort, Durango/ If your retired military (DOD), The Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs and many many more throughout the Colorado Rockies.

[JOhn_R_C]

Take a drive up Mt. Evan's, 14,250 and the highest paved road in the US. Nice stop to eat just before the entrance point. Makes a great day trip from the Denver area.

[MtBiker]

The last place I would go in Colorado would be Denver. Your kids are 6 and 8? Go out and see the woods.
No kid wants to spend the day sitting in the back seat driving up and down Pikes Peak after driving from Ohio.
Boondock in Colorado. Rocky Mountain Nat Park is a great place.

[Bikemobile]

Keep going west. Get off i-70 and head south. Take hwy 285 or hwy 91 south to the great sand dunes. Once in a lifetime place to visit and the kids will love it. Head west to Grand Mesa National Park then hit Black Canyon on the way back to i-70.

Sorry but Central City isnt that great unless you like drunk drivers and slot machines.

I live in Gunnison, I can help with more info

[johnlochbuie]

All kinds of things to do lived there for 50years just depends on how far you want to drive Idaho Springs and Georgetown are nice nice steam train ride in Georgetown both former mining towns Estes Park is nice and a lot of shops and good places to eat highway 34 up the big Thompson canyon to Estes Park is nice not to curvy and is the gate way to Rocky National Park.

[Chuckinca]

Kids that age love Yogi Bear Campgrounds - there's one in Estes Park and a lot of other things to do in that area, our preteen grandsons loved it. The road in and out from Loveland is a snap with an RV.