We grabbed a one night reservation here after a space popped up on recreation.gov and thankfully ended up on loop D. I always check recreation.gov for openings within a week of when we'll be someplace. Openings are difficult to find in national parks, but people do cancel. And if you don't find a space, there are plenty of Forest Service campgrounds in Colorado.

Campsite observations:

• This looks like paradise for tenters as you can pitch your tent pretty far back from the road at many sites. I was a bit obsessed with great tent sites, so there are photos attached. (Note: Nearby Longs Peak Campground is tents only.)

• Although generators are not allowed on loop D, there is still room for RVs. Our teardrop and Honda Pilot fit well on D159.

• Of the 3 campgrounds we stayed in within Rocky Mountain NP (Glacier Basin, Timber Creek and here), the checkin attendant here strongly emphasized bear safety. This park had 350 incidents in 2017. I suspect the tents in the woodsy areas might have something to do with that. In any case, there are plenty of storage lockers. The attendant said to be sure to lock the car because bears look for evidence of food (coolers, etc) and have mastered door handles and occasionally smash windows.

• The bathrooms have flush toilets but were the worst smelling bathrooms we've had in quite a while. Given that most of our stays have been at Forest Service campgrounds with vault toilets, that's bad.

• The bathrooms also have faucets that you have to hold in the on position with one hand while you wash the other hand, i.e. instant off faucets. I understand the need to conserve water, but there are other types that ensure people can't leave a faucet on.

• Rangers patrol the park looking for unattended sites with smoldering fires or food left out. They can issue tickets.

You're in a good place to get to Sprague Lake and Bear Lake via car or shuttle bus, but don't forget Fern Lake and Fern Falls. Fern Falls is definitely worth the climb. If you don't want to come back the same way, stop at Cub Lake. (Photo of a moose in Cub Lake and video of Fern Falls are attached.) You can see Fern Falls and Cub Lake on an 8 mile hike leaving from the Cub Lake trailhead, but you can add on Fern Lake to make it 10. Your total distance depends on where you end up parking.