This campground on the west side of Rocky Mountain NP is a great base for touring the entire park. And you'll most likely see a herd of elk behind the campground because the Colorado headwaters are right out back. Elk wandered through the campground in the early evening. The west side of RMNP is less crowded and has many opportunities for close views of wildlife. You still need to get up early...for wildlife and to beat the crowds.

Our site 30 was nothing special but there weren't many sites available at 8 am. Getting there early is good, but sometimes too early works against you because you're not sure who's leaving. I don't like to bother people by looking at the permit on their post unless there aren't any open sites or if they look like they're packing.

Campsite observations

• No reservations so checking in early is a necessity in July.

• The walkin tent only clusters are what I liked most although I'm not tent canping anymore.

• Most sites are back in, but there are some pull through. Some back ins are very short and seem to be designed for a vehicle with a tent. A few double wide back ins accommodate a vehicle and trailer.

• Scattered food storage lockers are more prevalent in clustered tent areas.

One of the best and fairly close attractions on the west side of RMNP is the hike to Cascade Falls in Grand Lake. It's just under 7 miles roundtrip and not difficult. We saw moose 4 times. Two bulls were in a meadow less than one mile in, but you should go all the way to the falls. It's beautiful! There are lots of great hikes with wildlife potential on the west side. The Kauweneeche Trail Guide that's available at the Visitor Center has more info than the standard RMNP brochure and newspaper you get when you enter the park.

If you need a shower, Elk View RV in Grand Lake offers extremely clean, private shower rooms with a dressing area from 1 to 3 pm for $7. The people in the office were so nice, and they let us in outside of those hours.