Boyd Lake State Park in Loveland, Colorado, was only about an hour drive from where were in Poudre Canyon, making our move day an easy one. We were packed up and on our way by about 1pm, after hugs and “see you soon’s” with Brian & Sue.
I had snagged us a site right across the campground “street” from our fellow RV Dreams family members, David & Sharon. Nearby in the next loop, Gene & Eileen, (more fellow RV Dreamers) were also staying at Boyd Lake. We were having a mini reunion!
Throughout our stay, we enjoyed Happy hours, meals, and campfires. Jo & Ben came to hang out too!
One day Bill and I went on a bike ride around Loveland. There are bike paths all over the place!
Gene & Eileen hosted a BBQ at their son Mark’s house one evening. David had brought his ukulele and Mark has several guitars and also a handmade bongo type drum, so David, Mark and Bill entertained us well into the night. What a great time! Thanks again, Mark, for opening your home to us and a wonderful evening!
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Our big adventure day, six of us took a ride through Rocky Mountain National Park. Aside from seeing the amazing sites in the park, our goal was to find a nice boondock spot for Bill to do an install. David & Sharon will be joining us, as will Jo & Ben. The weather was perfect and the views were awesome everywhere we looked! We had packed a picnic lunch and found a perfect spot in Grand Lake to enjoy it. Before continuing our mission, we found some delicious locally made ice cream for dessert.
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After investigating many sites, we found the perfect place at Williams Fork Reservoir. It is amazing! Jo & Ben, while living in CO before becoming full-timers, had camped there a lot and were happy to show it to us! We can’t wait to return and enjoy the quiet peacefulness.
The eight of us headed into Ft. Collins for lunch at Back Porch Cafe and a brewery tour at O’Dell Brewing Company. The food was delish, the tour was great and the company was the BEST!
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Boyd Lake is a very nice park, and has a great day use area, with a beach and boating. One thing I wanted to mention though, for anyone considering a stay at this or any state park in Colorado: be wary of fees. At first glance, their camping fees seem a reasonable $24 per night (for water/50amp electric), BUT, they charge you an extra day use fee for each vehicle. So, the reasonable $24 per night quickly became $40. How’s that, you ask? The extra vehicle fee is a whooping $8 per day! We have the truck and the car and they charge for each separately! Needless to say, we will not be staying in Colorado State Parks again! (they do offer a annual day pass for $70 per vehicle, but we would need two and it’s not worth it since we aren’t staying in a state park again)
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Texas State Parks have a day use fee too. We bought a pass while we were there and stayed in 5 parks for a total of 8 days so it was worth it. Not sure if it is per car since we only have 1. It is good for a calendar year so we can go back and us it this fall if we want.
You will always remember to check now!
Mary
We ran into that in Feb 2016 – that pissed me off also! I asked the ranger how can we camp unless we enter the park – camp fee should include at least one person! It’s just not nice – very deceiving!
Yikes on the extra vehicle fees! We will have to remember that one, Kelly!
It’s crazy – whatever happened to a “camping unit”? I ALMOST can understand the extra vehicle for my car but how do they think I’m getting the 5th Wheel to the site without the TRUCK?
I feel your pain! We booked 3 days at Salisbury Beach State Park in MA. $149. Started out at $35 a night and then they add on fees and a booking charge.
Campsite Fees at Salisbury Beach State Reservation $22 for MA resident / $35 non-resident; PLUS $4 water and $6 electric hookups at all sites; PLUS $2 surcharge to benefit the Salisbury Beach Trust Fund and a $8.69 booking fee.
In VA one of their state parks advertises 5% Good Sam discount which we all know is 10%. At a NP in VA which is operated by a concession they don’t accept the National Passes.
Pictures were great and we had a great time while you were all here.
We always love spending time with you, Eileen and Maxie!
The whole breaking fees down thing is ridiculous! Especially when it isn’t an option to opt out of some of things they charge separate for! How can someone get a 5er to a site without a TRUCK?
Very pretty part of the country.
Thanks for reading Dave! Colorado is beautiful for sure!
I feel your pain on the extra fees Wisconsin is the same way.
It’s good to know in advance of going to other states to be on the lookout for these extra fees! I remember when I was researching this lifestyle before we left, state parks were supposed to be more reasonable than private parks – seems that is no longer the case.
Hi, This is a great website, thank you for sharing it with us. Have a great day.
Thanks for reading!