Montrose - Daily Press

I would like to get some people's thoughts about camping now that we have reached the end of the  season.  We like to do a lot of camping during the summer, we have a tent that we all sleep in and we are trying to teach our children to rough it a bit.  There have been several camping trips where I have found our camping neighbors to be... well... rude.  One instance was back in July at Buckhorn Lakes, our first night there the people a little ways down from us were shoot guns in the air for about an hour, the guys across from us hooted, hollard and played very loud headbanger music till 1:15 a.m. and people from somewhere up there were racing ATV's and motorcycles till 1:30 a.m. up and down the road.  Really people, isnt part of the point of camping getting out to nature?  I can listen to music at home, where I cant hear the water trickling and the rest of the sounds of nature.  My two little kids were crying because they kept getting woke up.  It was ridiculous!  I really think a little respect for everyone trying to enjoy themselves isnt too much to ask.  I dont mind people staying up late sitting by their camfire chatting with some beer but being so loud nobody is sleeping on the top of the mountain is a bit much.  The people that were still there the next night were all thankful the loud people went home.  What have everyone elses camping experiences been or who thinks I am wrong for everyone showing some respect?

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Comments

Dave Roberts wrote on Oct 9, 2009 7:00 AM:

" If you camp in National Park campgrounds, such problems will be greatly diminished. Seems like the folks camping in those campgrounds are more apt to respect their camping neighbors. Examples of campgrounds to try might include East Portal and South Rim at Black Canyon National Park, and Ponderosa at Curecanti National Recreation Area. "




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bad choice wrote on Oct 6, 2009 2:16 PM:

" To the person who moved here from Minnesota.You probably did not know this,but Buckhorn Lakes is a terrible choice if you want a clean and beautiful Colorado experience.Please don't judge all of Colorado by that one place.We have places that are ten times better than that.Try Silverjack,everytime I have been there it was clean and beautiful.Only bad thing is arrogant out of towners who think they own the place. "




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Mary wrote on Sep 25, 2009 2:14 PM:

" My family and I just moved here from Minnesota, we were looking for a place to camp near Montrose. We took a drive up to Buckhorn Lakes to check it out for camping. I was suprised to see so much broken glass, and trash everywhere. What a shame to ruin such a beautiful setting. I am going to try a set up a cleanup crew if anyone is interested let me know. Thank You Mary "




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Happy Camper wrote on Sep 25, 2009 8:31 AM:

" Tara M. We discovered before we got in the water up there that there are leaches in the water. "




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fm wrote on Sep 24, 2009 7:49 PM:

" SURE you can do something.

Let the air out of all their tires by taking their stem-valves. Tape them valves on the lower corner of the drivers windshield with a note saying, "Quiet!!".

Don't worry, they won't hear you, they are making too much noise. "




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Tara M. wrote on Sep 24, 2009 11:57 AM:

" I loved going to Buckhorn as a kid to swim, fish & camp, I moved to Maine at the age of 9 & now 32 I moved my family here. I wanted to take them there, I realy regretted it after going up there twice with them. As a reply to "John's" comment, who would want to walk up to someone thats drunk in the middle of the night who has a gun & ask them "Excuse me sir, can you please keep the noise down as my kids are getting scared"? No I dont think so. "




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JudyJ wrote on Sep 23, 2009 5:54 PM:

" Over the years my family has made countless camping trips, virtually every campground has had at least a few rules. The major ones have involved:
1. Quiet hours, generally 7AM - 10 PM.
2. Leashed/controlled pets.
3. Controlled campfires.
4. Firearm use/non-use.

Those all are pretty much "Golden Rule" rules, aren't they? "




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JudyJ wrote on Sep 23, 2009 5:08 PM:

" While Lisa finds places to camp with nobody else nearby, most of us aren't that lucky, so we're stuck with what we can find, quite probably on a Friday night. Obviously, sleeping under the stars at the top of Black Bear Pass would be great, but most of us can't (or don't want to) camp there. We need to decide what we can afford vs. what we want, then find ways to make it work out for our families. More smores! "




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Lisa wrote on Sep 23, 2009 12:25 PM:

" Oh good grief, this is a no-brainer. Camp where there are no other people nearby. We look for the most out of the way place we can find. My family has gone on hundreds of camp-outs over the years and we've never once been within hearing range of any-one else. "




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camping lover wrote on Sep 23, 2009 12:09 PM:

" I was there that night and called the Montrose Sheriff who carted the underage drinkers off. My children were scared too! Shooting guns in the dark in a city park while drunk is a crime plain and simple. Another sign of our debased culture.... "




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Happy Camper wrote on Sep 22, 2009 10:36 PM:

" JudyJ and Haha said it for me, thanks! "




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Haha wrote on Sep 22, 2009 5:04 PM:

" John, you must have been one of the inconsiderate people up there. The problem with dealing with people in a situation like that is who knows how drunk they are, it is dark and many people acting like that carry guns along with a bad attitude like yourself. I personally dont want to be shot because I was telling someone that is drunk and acting like a jerk to tone it down, they obviously dont care about anyone else. "




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JudyJ wrote on Sep 22, 2009 4:46 PM:

" Dear John,

So, you think those among us who want to party into the night and disrupt others should run the show? And anybody who's offended should leave at 2AM when your yelling and music become intolerable? Rules are made for the common good. Who should grow up? Just look in the mirror . . . . "




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John wrote on Sep 22, 2009 11:08 AM:

" The interweb is great, except that it has become a forum for cowards to whine and complain about issues that they do not have the fortitude to deal with!

If you have a problem with an individual's behavior, talk to him or her about it. Try to resolve the issue. Or go elsewhere.

What-- you'd rather have more laws and regulations dictating to everyone how to act???

Grow up!!!!! "




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Happy Camper wrote on Sep 22, 2009 10:13 AM:

" Thanks for everyones responses. Our delema is we like to camp next to a lake so the kids can fish at will and my husband and I can night fish for some alone time after the kids have gone to bed. There arent many places that we have found where you can camp next to the lake and not have to make a drive or hike hauling fishing gear, playpen and such stuff. We have been to Miramonte but there are no trees and its always windy. Anyone know of any places that arent too far, we have a jeep? "




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dj wrote on Sep 22, 2009 9:58 AM:

" I had this happen to me when I went camping last summer in cimmaron. It was horible but I delt with it the first night and the next morning at about 0600 I fired up the chain saw very near there camp and started cutting fire wood. When they came complaining that they were trying to sleep I explained to them that I had also been trying to sleep durring there party and was not at all impressed. They got the pont and were much more well behaved the next three nights. "




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Barista wrote on Sep 22, 2009 7:24 AM:

" JudyJ,
I like that idea! That was one thing we tried hard to find out when we first moved here, would love to see a weekly article!

Seasoned camper,
I too came from a big family and camping was our vacation, the only kind we could afford. It is funny how much it seems to cost to to go now... is it that we have so much more we are expected to have or just that the cost of the simple things has risen so much?
I know the gas just to get there has been an obstaclel :( "




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HappyinMontrose wrote on Sep 21, 2009 11:58 AM:

" We just got back from 4 days of camping in Ridgway and it was wonderful! I like to camp where there are rangers nearby to keep the peace. If you go up into the unimproved areas to camp, you take a risk of running into jerks who can't control themselves. I'm sorry you had a bad experience but please, don't give up. There are some nice primitive sites in Ridgway where you can "rough it." "




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Camper wrote on Sep 20, 2009 7:03 PM:

" Its just common courtesy, if you dont have it in town, you sure wont have it camping, boating, 4 wheeling, dirt biking, etc. We always camp up in the mountains, away from everyone. "




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Seasoned camper wrote on Sep 20, 2009 5:20 PM:

" It seems that it has come down to either a "party all night" campground, or an"older persons in their RV's" campground, nothing in-between. It's really a shame. I grew up in a very large family, and thank God that back then people were civil and camping was enjoyable. Nothing is left for low income families who just want an inexpensive weekend or week. "




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JudyJ wrote on Sep 19, 2009 7:18 PM:

" Hey Montrose Press,

Why not start some sort of outdoor- oriented column that could run near the weekend to give people ideas of places to go nearby that aren't too expensive? Maybe it could be just short day-drives. Or it might be camping ideas. I'm sure there are those of us who can suggest places more oriented to party-guys or families? Ideas, anyone? "




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fella wrote on Sep 19, 2009 1:07 AM:

" Buckhorn is notorious for being a party place. try the West Fork or the more Southern part of the Middle Fork in Cimmarron. a little further away but more remote means less crazy partiers and more mellow campers. "




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Patty wrote on Sep 18, 2009 2:28 PM:

" As an older single lady, I like to camping at Ridgway State Park. The Rangers have always been friendly to me and I know that I am pretty safe from the things you have experienced. It cost more then just going off to the woods somewhere. "




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Unhappy camper wrote on Sep 18, 2009 11:13 AM:

" We used to camp all the time around here, but about 8 years ago we were camping at Cimmiron, everyone around us had dogs, all running wild, barking at everything, then at about 11: pm one of the dogs started tearing at the tent. We packed up and haven't been camping since, unless it's boat camping on Powel or Navajo. People have no camping etiquette or respect of others. "




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Ask a Local wrote on Sep 17, 2009 7:41 PM:

" Sorry about your experience! But you have to remember, campsites are just like little cities, only with no sound barriers. All all people are different, like "HA" said. Go to places only local's know of. Seriously, go to Ouray, ask a local and they will tell you where they go. I've done it and have found spots that NO ONE was within a mile of me. Although, you also have to remember... NO ONE is within a mile of you (if there is a problem). Good luck and happy camping! "




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JudyG wrote on Sep 17, 2009 7:25 PM:

" My husband and I have always camped and we have found that this problem mostly occurs at State Parks, National Parks and more remote areas where there is not enough manpower to patrol and enforce rules. Less rudeness and lack of consideration occurs at private run campgrounds (usually). We've found that foam ear plugs can decrease some of the noise but it involves you sacrificing while others can be "themselves" and inconsiderate, rude imbeciles. Everytime you camp you take that chance though..can't pick your neighbors... I feel for you though! "




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JudyJ wrote on Sep 17, 2009 6:54 PM:

" So, will all the libertarians among us argue for the right to shoot their gunsand blast their music, thereby frightening small children trying to enjoiy their first night under the stars?

Isn't It really is time for everybody to recognize that YOUR fun shouldn't negate somebody else's?

It IS possible to have fun without disturbing those nearby. Really . . . . "




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JudyJ wrote on Sep 17, 2009 6:46 PM:

" My husband of 45 years and I have been camping for practically all the years we've been married. Our greatest pet peeve has always been campers who've had no regard for the rights of other people nearby.

Why is it that there are people who believe that, because they paid their dollars, they're somehow entitled to make all the noise they want? Guns? !!! "




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Justme wrote on Sep 17, 2009 5:30 PM:

" I would never camp where the crowd is for all the reasons you have stated. Cheers to all, but I think I will camp where I can be alone. I don't find the behavior rude, its almost expected. Young adults (and old) like to let loose and get away, where can they go but into the woods. Check out Fat Freds sometime, talk about crazy. It looks like everybody is having a great time, just not my style. Don't be a downer and a curfew monger, go somewhere more to your expectations. "




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JWeee wrote on Sep 17, 2009 1:22 PM:

" I agree with you, that is ridiculous these jerks should respect others... Problem is Buckhorn is a no fee park, therefore no camp host, little maintenance, etc. We've been there an couple times and had good experiences, nothing like your's. If I were you (camping with kids), I'd stay in BLM, State, etc. parks. You can't really call the cops at Buckhorn if someone's being roudy out there. "




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Cyd wrote on Sep 17, 2009 10:04 AM:

" Oh my! We have had some of the same problems. Some folks are just rude. We try to do most of our camping in places where other campers cannot get too close. Sometimes WAY out in the wild. Of course a 4x4 helps get to those places. Hint....Buckhorn is one of the worst for younger campers and partiers. "




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HA wrote on Sep 17, 2009 8:51 AM:

" Sorry you didn’t have a good experience! And as for the shooting thing, I’d have left immediately (what goes up, must come down). But like society, people behave in different ways and what is fun to you may not be to others (and vice versa). For example the worst experience I ever had camping was when the couple in the next campsite had one screaming kid and another kid they let run wild. But just like in the big city, you’re going to run into bad neighbors even when you camp. "




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flipper wrote on Sep 17, 2009 8:36 AM:

" I've been camping for more than 50 years. Because of similar and worse experiences (idiots who leave food laying around camps in bear country), I have found that the only way to enjoy a more natural experience is to avoid locating my camps anywhere near humans. After all, why should I go to all the effort to escape the human condition by camping near the infernal problem? "




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lifelongMontrosecamper wrote on Sep 17, 2009 7:17 AM:

" This argument has been going on for ages. While young families like peace and quiet, not everyones idea of having fun on a camping trip is the same. They have that right to fun, just as you do to want quiet. My advice- You are trying to camp in a metropolitan campworld! Of course its noisy! Everybody and their dog goes there!! Try being a little more creative about where you go. There are lots of books and maps out there. Or just ask a local!! There are thousands of great little camp spots. Get off the beaten path! "




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