Camper van Ski Trip to Utah and Colorado! Advice!

BroSkiBrianMy fiancé and I are planning a 10 day road trip from January 4-14. We are coming from California and are planning on hitting a few vail resorts since we are pass holders. We are finishing up converting our E350 into a camper. So I'm wondering if anyone has any advice as to where to park near the ski resorts? We plan on going to park city and then to Colorado. Our rough tentative schedule is...

Jan. 4 Leave Cali to Park City
Jan. 5-6 Ski
Jan. 7 Drive to Colorado & get a hotel go out
Jan. 8,9,10 Ski
Jan. 11 Drive to Salt Lake
Jan. 12 Drive to South Lake Tahoe & get hotel
Jan. 13-14 Ski Kirkwood and go home

Any advice where to park or just advice in general is greatly appreciated!

Are you camping or hotel? Not totally clear from above. Are you trying to totally dirtbag or park in a place with some hookups/etc?

Sorry! Mostly dirt bagging it on the side of roads/parking lots in the van! Only want a hotel for one night so we can shower and get a nice dinner! Don't need hook ups, van has solar!

BroSkiBrianSorry! Mostly dirt bagging it on the side of roads/parking lots in the van! Only want a hotel for one night so we can shower and get a nice dinner! Don't need hook ups, van has solar!

I've seen one or two camper vans at the entrance of Keystone Gulch road (before the gate), but that seems high-risk. They've basically nixed most of the camping between Keystone and Montezuma (Montezuma Rd), but I've seen an RV (big ass one) up there long-term.There are maybe 1 or 2 pullouts other than his. I've also seen a few bolder players camp overnight in the pullouts up on the right heading up to the Basin (Hwy 6).

Honestly, your best bet may be to contact the Dillon Ranger District (or White River National Forest) and see where it is legal in and around the Summit County resorts and in Vail/BC. Plowing seems to affect everything so at least they can tell you where you are good to go and where to stay away from. And you'd know you are official. They may even have permit that may make you doubly-so.

The town of Breck will bust your balls and although there are plenty of overnight lots in Dillon and a few other towns you may get woken up at midnight saying to get lost - that would sort of suck.

Oh really? Yeah I was thinking of trying to find a parking lot in Breckinridge to park in, but if they are sticklers about it then hmmm...

BroSkiBrianOh really? Yeah I was thinking of trying to find a parking lot in Breckinridge to park in, but if they are sticklers about it then hmmm...

In Breck would be tough. They crack skulls on that for sure in town. There may be places up Tiger Road or into Blue River (higher up Boreas or Baldy Rd?). Possibly Peak 7 area or Airport. Or maybe shop around for folks on craigslist that might let you park in their driveway. Again, I really think the ranger district could give you a straight answer on places you could be legal and maybe point out legal spots with some big views or something you'd enjoy.

If your van looks like a "van" more than a camper van you may get lucky, but you'd have to choose wisely grasshopper.

There's always Walmart... I know PC has one, and think Frisco, CO does too. And VRBO/AirBnB rent out RV parking pretty frequently too, although not sure how you search for it. And you found yourself a good bride if she's down for a trip like this; good work!

dylholeThere's always Walmart... I know PC has one, and think Frisco, CO does too. And VRBO/AirBnB rent out RV parking pretty frequently too, although not sure how you search for it. And you found yourself a good bride if she's down for a trip like this; good work!

Came in here to say this. When I was in Summit last year, a storm came through that dumped 2.5ft over two days. I had to walk through Frisco to get back to the spot I was staying and noticed literally like 20 RV's posted up in the Frisco Walmart.

207Came in here to say this. When I was in Summit last year, a storm came through that dumped 2.5ft over two days. I had to walk through Frisco to get back to the spot I was staying and noticed literally like 20 RV's posted up in the Frisco Walmart.

To add to this: When you want to show your lady a good time - post up in the Walmart parking lot. If she's still with you after those three days - it's love.

Breaking_RadThey've basically nixed most of the camping between Keystone and Montezuma (Montezuma Rd), but I've seen an RV (big ass one) up there long-term.There are maybe 1 or 2 pullouts other than his. I've also seen a few bolder players camp overnight in the pullouts up on the right heading up to the Basin (Hwy 6).
.

Where did you hear they nixed the camping on Montezuma rd? Winter van camped there last February at a backpacking friendly trailhead. It was filled with many others doing the same (camper vans etc).

Would not recommend the turnouts on 6 that time of year AT ALL. Camped here, but only in late late spring/summer.

I've also camped at breck's free parking lot overnight a few times (two years ago about?). Others were doing the same. There was a 5 dollar charge. Not sure they still allow this.

Three years ago camped at Copper's far parking lot with the bus station. There was a bathroom and many others camping (rvs and such). Not sure if they shut that down though.I would absolutely look into this option. There might be info from other dirtbaggers on the mountain project or tgr.

*geezer*Where did you hear they nixed the camping on Montezuma rd? Winter van camped there last February at a backpacking friendly trailhead. It was filled with many others doing the same (camper vans etc).

Would not recommend the turnouts on 6 that time of year AT ALL. Camped here, but only in late late spring/summer.

I've also camped at breck's free parking lot overnight a few times (two years ago about?). Others were doing the same. There was a 5 dollar charge. Not sure they still allow this.

Three years ago camped at Copper's far parking lot with the bus station. There was a bathroom and many others camping (rvs and such). Not sure if they shut that down though.I would absolutely look into this option. There might be info from other dirtbaggers on the mountain project or tgr.

http://www.summitdaily.com/news/u-s-forest-service-moves-to-end-popular-squatting-site-near-keystone/.

Although there may be options farther from the road.

I'd be super interested in anything else known regarding the other two options you noted.

Breaking_Radhttp://www.summitdaily.com/news/u-s-forest-service-moves-to-end-popular-squatting-site-near-keystone/.

Although there may be options farther from the road.

I'd be super interested in anything else known regarding the other two options you noted.

well shit. damn - that is really good to know. Thank you for the article and the heads up!

I will try to do some research and let you guys know what I find! Thinking there would also be some places near Breck on 9 towards hoosier.

*geezer*well shit. damn - that is really good to know. Thank you for the article and the heads up!

I will try to do some research and let you guys know what I find! Thinking there would also be some places near Breck on 9 towards hoosier.

What sucks is they totally just nixed it. Instead of setting up a designated area that a ranger maybe drove through once or twice a day and charged a small fee ($5-10 a day in honor system method) they totally killed it. I get that it got too popular and people were basically screwing it up for themselves, but instead of a more balanced solution they just cut it off totally.

I agree on the Hwy 6. There was this one camper that sat a few weeks up near the last turnoff before A-Basin. I never got how that guy managed that. Both from the legality of it and how he avoided the plow issue. Can't see that he parked there each morning, but maybe? Possibly just dropped the trailer there as A-Basin doesn't allow in their lots? Has to be.