Remember guys... Trip of a lifetime!! Here is my O2...
This is not the cheapest vacation you will have, not by a long shot. We are trying to save $$ by camping, but this also allows us to experience the outdoors in a group as well, and part of it. This is one of the reasons we start planning so far out, so we can save, wrench, and do what it takes to get here, and enjoy ourselves. If it was easy, and cheap, we would be there once a month. Cutting corners and not saving properly is just taking the experience away from yourself.
The most expensive KOA in the country, is the one in Ouray. It is also one of the nicest in the country. Primitive or RV sites, it doesn't matter as this IS the cheapest option in the area. This is a tourist town. This is still tourist season.
I personally wouldn't attempt to remote camp anywhere in this area unless I was in a large group, armed to the teeth. Vast amounts of People & Hungry Black bears are main reasons. Back in 09, 8 bears had to be shot while we was there, due to a lady feeding them. One day, she ran out of food, so they ate her. Then they started venturing further than her home, looking for more food. Rangers stepped in, and trapped them, shot them, and hung around for a long time, as nobody knew how long or how many bears she had fed. This was in town, just imagine what it's like up in the wooded Mtn sides around there.
KOA is a perfect choice for a group such as ours, IMO. Great location, close to town, nice grounds, large sites, supplies sold in the store, even has a nice Breakfast diner. You can rent a small cabin if you dislike tents or don't have a camper.
