RV parks near Cascade, Colorado provide mountain access and outdoor recreation opportunities throughout the Rockies at elevations of 7,000-9,000 feet. Seasonal operation typically runs May through October with many facilities closing during winter snowfall. Temperature variations can exceed 30°F between day and night even in summer months.
What to do
Hiking trails access: Many RV parks offer direct trail access, with Blue Spruce RV Park featuring "a short hiking trail" and proximity to mountain recreation. According to one camper, "We stayed at blue spruce for a week while working remotely which required good cell coverage. We have Verizon and despite having no service on the drive to blue spruce, once we arrived the bars lit up!"
Fishing opportunities: Riverside locations provide angling access at several campgrounds. At Westerly RV Park, "Excellent access to streams for anglers" makes it popular among fishing enthusiasts. The park sits "about 5 miles north of Durango right off hwy 550" with "Beautiful view of mountains."
Hot springs visits: Some RV parks offer convenient hot springs access. Westerly RV Park is positioned "right across from the hot springs" with "a short drive to purgatory ski resort." As one visitor noted, "Durango was a fun time and would recommend if looking for a spot close to all the fun."
What campers like
Mountain views: Panoramic mountain scenery surrounds many RV parks in the region. At 4J + 1+ 1 RV Park, guests appreciate being "directly beneath cliffs" where "the CG is in the shadows early which was nice in cooling our trailer from temps near 90." One camper described it as "Primo campground right in the city of Ouray. Our site is next to the river so we've got the sounds of the river and Mountain Views on all sides."
Riverside locations: Several parks feature riverfront camping with natural sound barriers. According to a visitor at Priest Gulch Campground, "We found it to be extremely calm and relaxing with our spot right on the Animas River." Another noted, "All the tent sites are great, but my favorite is T4 if your tent is on the smaller side. T4 is tucked away perfectly in the trees, on the bank of the Dolores river."
Walking accessibility: Many RV parks near Cascade provide walkable access to nearby towns. At 4J + 1+ 1 RV Park, "This park is within walking distance of Ouray's most popular sight seeing. It's only a few blocks from breweries, restaurants, and just down the road from the town hot springs!" As one visitor confirmed, "Once settled in we didn't use the truck to travel anywhere for three days."
What you should know
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies significantly between RV parks around Cascade. A Blue Spruce RV Park & Cabins visitor reported having "two bars of Verizon, beautiful location, and excellent management." However, connectivity often changes with terrain, as another noted: "No Verizon service at all."
Campsite spacing: Sites at many RV parks can be closely positioned. One camper at Westerly RV Park described the situation as "Campers stacked on top of each other. No showers or bathrooms. Very urban feeling." Similarly, at Blue Spruce RV Park, a visitor observed "many sites were too close to each other... We like our space and are used to state parks."
Winter closures: Most Cascade area RV parks close seasonally. Stoner RV Resort operates only from "May 1 to December 1" while Blue Spruce RV Park's season runs "May 1 to October 30." Silver Summit RV Park has an even shorter window from "May 15 to October 15" due to high elevation conditions.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly facilities: Several RV parks feature dedicated play areas and activities. At Stoner RV Resort, "Large grassy area in the center for kids to play, pavilion with live music plus group fire pits to sit around in the large swing seating." One visitor described finding "lots of toys for the kids and adults to play with."
Swimming access: Hot springs and water features provide family entertainment options. The Ouray Riverside Resort offers "an easy walk to the hot springs pool or to grab something to eat." A camper noted the value of "the trail into town - an easy walk to the hot springs pool or to grab something to eat."
Budget considerations: Costs vary significantly between full-service RV parks and more basic facilities. A traveler at Ouray Riverside Resort observed it's "a very nice RV park, and it's four stars because it's definitely priced as such, in their defense it's a small mountain town, everything is over priced. That's how mountain towns stay in business."
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: Many RV sites in the Cascade region require leveling equipment. At Silver Summit RV Park, visitors find "Tight back in sites on gravel. Fairly level. 30 amp power." According to another RVer at Red Mountain Motel & RV Park, "We were here in mid-September and the temps got down into the 30's at night. Owners required disconnecting water at night to prevent their water pipes from freezing and bursting."
Hookup variations: Electrical service varies between parks with both 30-amp and 50-amp options available. At Priest Gulch Campground, "They have 98 RV sites with full hookups along with tent spaces and 8 cabins available for rent." Most parks provide water and sewer connections, though quality differs, as one visitor to Westerly RV Park noted: "These people had pedestals with faulty wiring. Fried my $300 surge protector."
Early reservations: Advance booking is essential during peak seasons, particularly for specific site requests. One RVer cautioned about Alpen Rose RV Park: "All big rig sites line up along the entrance/exit and people are arriving as late as 8pm" and "Not all big rig sites are created equal. All are buddy sites, so you can face a friend."
