Hear that? Lub dub, lub dub, lub dub. It's the sound of your very own heart beat. Standing in the pristine area of the San Juan Mountain Range overlooking Lake San Cristobal , the air is crisp, clear, and quiet. An occasional squawk of a passing bird may raise goose bumps along your spine as you are brought back to realization that these are the sights which Alferd Packer once gazed upon. More than likely your RV is parked on the very place where he walked. He and twenty-one other men from Utah who blistered with gold fever; whose tragic story weaves a local interest into making Lake City, Colorado just part of the fascination of this destination vacation area.

Lake City , Colorado is surrounded by 14'ers (mountain peaks ranging over 14,000 ft in height) such as Uncompahgre at 14,309, Handies 14,048, Redcloud 14,034, Wetterhorn 14,015, Sunshine 14,001, as well as more than twenty-five 13er's. So the area is perfect for those RVer's who love to hike and climb! Spring brings an abundance of wildlife up close and personal and the countryside is infused with a kaleidoscope of flora. A paradise of mountain ranges sprinkled with a dash of snow surrounds the city. Here you'll forget about the rat race of city life and ease into a hypnotic mindset. The local citizens are friendly and welcome guests year round. When you've had all the relaxation you need, get moving outdoors on the ATV's or jeeping. There are outdoor activities to accommodate every age and physical level. Backpacking, hiking, boating, lake fishing and fly fishing (Lake Fork of the Gunnison River), horseback riding, historic tours, mini golf, and traveling the Alpine Loop, and mountain biking are just a few of the varied activities you can find yourself immersed in.

Shopping is a favored activity for any RVer who enjoys exploring the unique cities and byways across America and beyond. Here in Lake City , shopping affords the traveler an exciting experience. Books, collectibles, home furnishings native to Colorado , outdoor gear, photography, and more antiques are waiting to be discovered. More information can be obtained on tours, other scenic byways and events by going to www.lakecity.com

Lodging for the RVer is limited due to the terrain. Highlander RV Campground is located overlooking the sun-drenched Lake Fork of the Gunnison River , encompassed by the towering San Juan Mountains . Don and Diane Campbell, hosts, are third generation Lake City residents. The Highlander was built by them in 1993 to provide as many amenities as possible at a reasonable price. The Highlander receives the highest ratings from “Trailer Life” magazine publication and a four star rating from “Woodalls.”

Highlander Campground now has a big rig with slide-out available for nightly rental. For more information on this RV site and others, call 1-970-944-2878 or go to their website at www.ithat.com/highlandercampground.htm . Call ahead due to limited number of sites. (Photos courtesy of Highlander Campground and RV Park).

Another beautiful RV park is T-Bear's Campground and RV Park. A serene, multi-functional campground able to accommodate the big rigs with quad slides! This campground and RV park has premium sites operational beginning May 2004. There are limited pull through spaces. Hot showers, laundry facilities, and a five minute walk to downtown make this a popular place for all campers. For more information, call Stan or Susie Broome at 1-970-944-2920 or log onto their website at www.tbearscampground.com and see for yourself just how fantastic this place looks. Sites are limited so call ahead of time for reservations. (Photos courtesy of T-Bear's Campground and RV Park).

Lake City may have used the past history of the notorious Alferd Packer, a hungry gold miner who ate his comrades to stay alive while snowed in by blizzards in the San Juan Mountains back in the 1800's, however, the beauty of the present outweighs the beast of the past, and the beauty is what will continue to bring the RV'er to peaceful retreats and destinations such as Lake City, Colorado (Lake City, Co. photos courtesy of Lake City CVB). When you get to Lake City , before leveling down, I'd just ask for curiosity where Alferd Packer is buried. If it was me, I'd sleep better knowing he wasn't close by! Yum! Happy Traveling!

If you have questions contact me at:

Rhonda@photoandtravel.com