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My summer road trip through Colorado with my faithful canine companion, Radcliff, was as magical as I hoped. It’s usually all about the journey, but where we stayed each night played a big part in this trip. I’m usually not picky about where we sleep. I’ve slept in rest area parking lots plenty of nights. But when planning this trip, I wanted most of my accommodations to be destinations.
Our stays were a combination of camping, glamping and traditional branded hotels. We stayed a couple of nights in Choice Hotels and took advantage of their 2025 summer promotion. Doing so, I earned a $50 gift card, which I redeemed for a Shell gift card. (Sidebar: their summer promotion is over. However, members of the Choice Hotels frequent guest program – Choice Privileges – can earn an extra perk for midweek stays. I opt for $5 Starbucks gift cards.)
June and early July seem to be off-season in Colorado, or at least in comparison to Florida. Hotel rates in the Centennial State are more affordable. In Silverthorne, I stayed at a Choice property that had a fireplace and whirlpool tub. It was around $100, plus taxes and pet fee. We also rested our heads at dog-friendly Red Roof Inns along the way.
Dog-Friendly Camping in a State Park
Our first night in Colorado was spent camping at Lake Jackson State Park. It was a Sunday, so the campground wasn’t completely full. After setting up camp in Pelican Loop, we wandered through the grounds. The sound of wind rustling through the cottonwood leaves was relaxing and the perfect white noise at night. After spending two solid days on the road, walking through the calmness of nature was grounding and revitalizing.
The closest bathroom facility is the no-running-water-hold-your-nose-kind. Near the camp store, there is a bathroom with running water. It even has hot showers. A welcome relief! Thankfully, the camp store is in the loop we camped in.
Lake Jackson State Park is Colorado’s first state park to be certified by the International Dark Sky Association. Unfortunately, the sky was overcast so I couldn’t stargaze but awoke early to catch the sunrise over the lake. It was beautiful except for swarms of pesky non-biting flies. (26363 County Road 3, Orchard, CO 80649)
Dog-Friendly HipCamp Accommodations
Since 2020, I’ve been booking stays through HipCamp and it’s the first place I look for unique accommodations. Think of the site as the AirBnB version of camping. Find spacious RV spots, primitive camping sites, and unique lodging like glamping tents and cozy cabins.
Over the years, I stayed at a variety of farms and campsites, all offering their own eclectic experiences. On this trip, Radcliff and I stayed at three different locations for a total of five nights. Each of the accommodations was different from the other, comfortable, and would rebook, given the opportunity.
Glamping at ZenZen Gardens in Paonia
I chose ZenZen Gardens in Paonia as our first glamping spot of the trip because’ it’s relatively close (about a 40-minute drive) to the South Rim of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. This serene farm is surrounded by mountain, meadow, and farmland views. One morning, I watched a family of mule deer grazing.
We stayed in one of the glamping tents. It’s set up with the essentials, a comfy bed and cozy bedding, desk, a pitcher of water, and noise-canceling fan. This stay was a welcome reprieve from sleeping on the ground or in my car. A hot shower was steps away, although the toilets are port-a-johns. The site has a couple of cabins along with primitive camping sites.
I enjoyed a glass of wine and charcuterie board at the venue’s wine tasting area. This is next to the owner’s residence. Radcliff joined me, and other glampers and campers had their pups, too. I chatted with the lovely owner, who also has an adventurous spirit. Because of the area’s climate, camping is seasonal.
You can’t drive up to the glamping tent but the unloading area is walkable with gear. I travel with my handy, dandy collapsible wagon, which was useful for toting overnight essentials. It rained the first night, and the tent was equipped for a cozy stay. The next night, a wicked windstorm whipped through. I thought Radcliff and I would end up in Oz like Dorothy and Toto. But, we survived the night, and all was well.
This stay was the perfect reset my soul was seeking. Like all visits, this was too short. After two nights, we hit the road. Up next, North Rim of Black Canyon of the Gunnison and our next destination.
Camping at Campfire Ranch on the Taylor in Almont
Campfire Ranch on the Taylor in Almont was our second and final tent camping spot during the trip. Our stay was peaceful, and two nights afforded me the opportunity to recharge my soul and spirit. The scenery is stunning and across the road is the Taylor River where some campers swam.
I got a kick out of pumping my own drinking water from the campground’s well. And I have to say, it’s mighty delicious water. (My Southwest Florida well water tastes terrible.) Toilets are primitive and the closest shower is in Gunnison, about 15 miles away.
While Radcliff dug holes (which I filled), I sat in my camp chair admiring the slender aspen trees and their shimmering leaves dancing in the wind. There are nice dog-friendly walking areas and watching sunlight paint colors on the granite Taylor Canyon was mesmerizing.
I’m guessing the activity and elevation tuckered Radcliff out. When I didn’t have my collapsible wagon handy, I used a provided wheelbarrow to wheel him from the trail entrance to our campsite. (The wheelbarrows are intended to tote gear from the parking area and complimentary firewood.)
I love the campground’s welcome bag. It contains stickers, a protein bar, coffee, coupons – including a voucher for a free shower in Gunnison – and a box of matches. They also offer your choice of lemonade or beer upon arrival.
As a solo camper, with a dog, the site was perfect. Other campers were either couples or groups of friends. On my second night, the campground’s pavilion was rented out to a wedding party. They seemed to have a grand time but didn’t party too late. Several of the guests stayed in the campground and the pavilion was lit up beautifully.
I chose Campfire Ranch on the Taylor for its proximity to Crested Butte and ease on my pocketbook. Driving through Crested Butte to admire wildflowers was enchanting, but the area seemed a little bit too commercialized for me. The campground was the perfect pace I needed.
Cabining at S.L.umber Yard Cabins in Leadville
The third and final HipCamp accommodation was also the final night in Colorado. It probably has the most unique backstory. Located a stone’s throw from Leadville’s walkable downtown, S.Lumber Yard at FREIGHT is a reimagined historic lumber yard. Today, it’s a haven for travelers who crave connections to nature, story, and comfort.
Each cabin honors one of Leadville’s legendary “ladies of the evening.” It’s a way of paying tribute to the women whose stories shaped this mining town’s wild and resilient past. We stayed in the Cora Cabin, and according to a story in the cabin, she made the newspaper in 1880. She refereed a duel between two men fighting over her at the parlor she worked. Following a fistfight that left both suitors caked in blood, the winner won her hand. The couple disappeared into the night.
Built from recycled materials, these cabins are a beautiful contradiction: rustic and refined.
Radcliff was treated like royalty. A comfy dog bed and food and water bowls waited for him in the cabin. I appreciated the comfy bed, hot shower and nostalgia of a record player with vintage (late 20th century) vinyls.
And to top it off, from the front desk, I purchased a locally made clay mug. It’s stamped with “Cora,” a handmade keepsake to sip from and remember this soulful stay.
All Good Things Come to an End
I wish we stayed two nights in Leadville. I fell in love with the historic downtown, especially the vintage advertisements sprinkled throughout. At an elevation of 10,158 feet, it’s North America’s highest incorporated city. It was a nice walk for Radcliff and me, and we found a small park to take a break. I did, however, feel the elevation. Not sure if it worked, but I purchased cans of oxygen from Amazon and brought them along. I inhaled the oxygen once back in the cabin and before bedtime. I also placed the can’s cup around Radcliff’s nose and not sure if he inhaled. (Note: the cans are extremely light because oxygen is light.)
Leadville boomed in 1860 with the gold rush and again in 1877 with the silver rush. I thought there would be time to visit an abandoned mine on our way out the next morning. But after looking at a map and calculating our next day’s destination – Roswell, New Mexico and then friends in Texas – I passed. The chapter on Colorado closed for this road trip and another adventure called.
Give HipCamp a Try
HipCamp did not disappoint during this adventure. These stays, along with the camping at Lake Jackson State Park, provided perfect opportunities to connect with nature and calm my soul. If you want to give it a try, use my HipCamp affiliate link and earn a $10 credit towards your first stay.
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