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My college aged son and friends are flatlanders wanting to do some camping in Colorado beginning about May 15th. I've only had experience with summer conditions in Colorado, mostly the San Juans. I know there has been much recent snowfall and that anything above 10-11K will be out. They won't have equipment or experience with snow hiking or camping.

Can anyone recommend a campground (probably not dispersed) that would offer some good no snow hiking? They'll be in 2WD probably low clearance vehicles. More specifically, MY 2WD vehicle so good roads are a plus. Would RMNP likely be melted out by then? Are they likely facing lots and lots of mud?

Thanks for any help.

Colorado National Monument and Rifle Gap are snow free, dry, and have really nice campgrounds if that is a part of Colorado you wouldn't mind visiting.

Definitely plenty of mud in the lower elevation trails, ~6,000' in the front range.

I was in the foothills today, things are soggy, lots of surface runoff and little streams.. I would not want to put a tent down in it.

Rocky Mountain National Park has one camground open on the Estes Park side before Memorial Day - Moraine Park. Its $18 if the water is still off or $26 if on. I like to camp mid May to avoid the summer zoo. I like to drive to the Trail Ridge road closure at Many Rainbows Curve and hike or run the partially plowed road without vehicle traffic. Other modest hikes like Chasm Lake or Bear Lake area are likely to have significant snow in May.

Eastern Utah national parks have pretty good weather now, although I had wet snow in Needles on May Day this year. Needles, Canyonlands, and Colorado River have first-come first-curve camping which may be availble on weekdays, but difficult on weekends. Arches is fully reserved for next few months. There is some dispersed camping before the Canyonlands entrance and on 191 the few miles north og the Canyonlands access road.
We also hit Colorado National Monument was snow free and camped in Highland Park in Fruita.

Great Sand Dunes National Park
https://www.nps.gov/grsa/planyourvisit/camping.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks, everyone. That was very helpful. Bear Lake reportedly still has 42 inches. May try for northern New Mexico.

Try Buena Vista. Nice and dry, warmer temps, lots of hiking, scrambling and biking in area. Have fun!

Yeah, would have to agree with Scott P, Colorado National Monument and the Western Slope area would be worth while.

piolet wrote:Great Sand Dunes National Park
https://www.nps.gov/grsa/planyourvisit/camping.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Would it be a problem crossing the creek to the dunes now, you think?

Also, does anyone know the conditions to Willow Lake? Still lots of snow?

CoulKurt wrote:Try Buena Vista. Nice and dry, warmer temps, lots of hiking, scrambling and biking in area. Have fun!

Looks like the only campground currently open there is Cottonwood Lakes (opens tomorrow), which is largely the problem statewide. It's been 6 or so years since I've been there though. I forget: Is CR 344 paved or dirt?

Thanks again to everyone.

I second the idea of Buena Vista or Salida. Hard to beat the collegiates and there is tons to do in that area. Colorado trail is right there too with numerous 14ers to enjoy.