I need to get out of this city. I am no city boy and I am needing time in the woods to get my sanity back. Sadly, I am missing out on another hunting season...killing me!
Denver is like water to my fire. I sure would love to find a good job in a small country town again.

I am having trouble finding a place to go camping, away from all the people.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I usually hike off the beaten path to go camping, but with an infant, I prefer to car camp. Anywhere under a 5 hour trip? Any suggestions?

What kind of car?

Even though I live in the middle of nowhere, I still avoid camping & backcountry trips into popular areas. I know its a long haul, but it seems anything west of Monarch Pass & south of HWY 50 is crowd free. I stay away from Taylor Park & Crested Butte until after tourist season.

Lake City is beautiful and after the middle of August mostly empty. Check out my Engineer & Cinnamon Pass pics from last week, in the "Staging Area". Your 4 Runner could do the whole trip I made.

Creede is awesome, but probably too far away.

Let me know if you are interested in coming down in this area. I'm happy to lend my advice.

Loch Lomond and Chinns Lake are both spots that take about 1.5 hours to get to from Denver and are my go to for the backcountry/car camping trip. Both have hiking, fishing, and great views. You are gonna see other people up there so it's not "off the grid" but you can usually find a camping spot that will keep you away from the neighbor. Good luck and have fun-- if you haven't been in CO for a labor day weekend, the mountains get pretty hectic no matter where you venture.

Thank you Eck and Gunni! I will look into those areas! I figured the mountains would be during the holiday weekend. Not planning on heading there this weekend. Maybe taking a day or two off another weekend and heading out. I will let you all know where I decide! Can't wait to get away!

I think you probably have to travel a bit from Denver during the summer, not so far in the fall. I was just in Evergreen this weekend, lots and lots more people than what I see even when it's crowded here on the Western slope.

J.E.

You are describing exactly why I got into wheelin'. Small town boy came to Denver for school, got stuck there for a good job, but needed to get away from the crowds and the rest is history. I have a list somewhere I was compiling, so let me see if I can dig that up.

Thank you all so much for the advice and information! Truly helped this small town country boy out! Would love to see you all out there one of these times! Definitely hit me up if you all plan on heading out anytime soon.