What is glamping anyhow?
Simply put, it's what it sounds like; camping + glamour!
Glamping is taking the adventure and wonder of being in the wilderness while still enjoying comfort and opulence. Glamping satisfies those seeking a little refuge in nature without forgoing life's luxuries - a comfortable bed, cozy blankets, & hot coffee!!
Why is glamping in Colorado so special?
I grew up camping, adventuring, and exploring the beauty of the four corners my whole life. The beauty that is offered in this region is unparalleled by any I've experienced (and I've lived in Hawaii!). In this one small corner of the world, we can experience the rugged beauty of the desert, the majesty of the rocky mountains, and an abundance of waterfalls, alpine lakes, blankets of wildflowers, and bursting colors. This place truly causes a sense of wonder and adventure to blossom.
I began a mobile glamping business a year ago with the hope and dream to make the wonders of the four corners accessible, comfortable, and even luxurious for people. It makes the experiences in the wilderness all that much better.
When I've experienced my own glamping accommodations in the desert and in the mountain peaks, I find ultimate rest and awe watching the alpine glow as the sun sets, or seeing the sun rise over red cliffs while being wrapped in a fur blanket with a glass of wine or fresh coffee in hand. It is truly a place the soul finds rest.
What are the best places to Camp in the four corners?
Did you know the San Juan National forest covers 1.8 Million acres across southwest Colorado with over 500 trails? The four corners has the largest concentration of national parks and monuments in America and hundreds of campgrounds. In this place of wonder and exploration, sometimes the hard part is choosing where to stay and what to see. Being a Colorado native for 40 years (yikes) and a four corners resident for 20, it's a challenge to offer my top choices; there are so many.
I'll begin with Durango, my home town. My first recommendation is Molas Lake Campground on top of Molas pass. This area offers access to Molas Lake of course, views of the rugged San Juan Mountains, and is close to Andrews lake and Crater lake hike which I highly recommend. Molas Lake Campground has amenities such as hot showers, grills, picnic tables, and paddle board rentals. It's a great one stop shop campground. This campground fills up, so hurry and make your summer reservations!!
My Second recommendation is the national forest in the La Plata mountains outside Mancos, Colorado. This area is secluded enough to not get too crowded, offers breathtaking views and has an abundance of open camping options. Also, it's near one of my favorite hikes: Sharks Tooth Trail. Plus, it's just a stone's through away from Mesa Verde National Park. Not to mention Mancos is a gem of a town chock full of art, culture, and good food.
Third on the list is Hovenweep Campground in Hovenweep National Monument. This is located just on the border of Utah and Colorado. What is so great about Hovenweep is that it offers history and geological structures with multiple hiking trails and views of snow capped mountains, yet it is much less crowded than Mesa Verde. Hovenweep campground is open year round and has 31 first-come, first-served sites. The campground is designed for tent camping, though a few sites will accommodate RV's up to 36 feet long. Sites include tent pads, fire rings and picnic tables with shade structures; there are no hookups available.
And last but not least is Chaco Canyon! This place is amazing and absolutely worth visiting. The ingenuity of the historical ruins found at Chaco is mesmerizing. However, Chaco Canyon is hard to get to. There is one road in and one road out. This road is not maintained and has deep ruts and extensive washboards. I do not recommend driving a camper down this road unless it is an offroad camper. The campground is open year-round. It's tucked up against the cliffs of Gallo Wash and has trails right from the campsite that lead to petroglyphs, a cliff dwelling, and inscriptions. The Gallo Campground within Chaco Culture National Historic Park has 24 individual sites and 2 group sites. Reservations are required and can be made at www.recreation.gov.
These recommendations only scratch the surface of what the Four Corners has to offer. If you want more information or are interested in a glamping getaway at one of these locations, give us a ring or visit us at discoverdurangoco.com and check out our glamping and camping packages. We also offer guided experiences if selecting a hike, finding gear, or otherwise feeling ready to get out and about is something you want support in.
Want more recommendations and local intel? Don't hesitate to shoot us a line!! We love chatting with people and giving information and recommendations on how to best spend your time exploring Colorado and beyond!
Check out these other beautiful places to camp:
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