According to our travel journals, in 2008 we stopped overnight in Florence CO, near the Royal Gorge area in the cool and rainy month of April. We spoke of wishing to return in warmer weather. After a visit in Grand Junction and Buena Vista, we drove to Florence. Paul’s campground search led us to a brand new RV park where we reserved 2 nights (adding 3 more nights in the end). The name is High Garden RV Park in Florence, Colorado on Moore Ave, not far from the historic district of town. the URL; https://www.campendium.com/high-gardens-rv-park. It sits on top of a knoll with a “big Sky panoramic view; pivot to view Pike’s Peak and more mountains in the distance. The big sky goes from all blue to storm clouds over the mountains in the matter of minutes, often at mid afternoon as the dark skies drop rain somewhere and only once during our stay.
Tahmra, (an incredible woman) is the owner, creator, developer and builder of this brand new Campground. Her dream began over 5 years ago as she researched and drew up her plans for a user friendly site design with full hookups, 50 amp electric and sizeable spaces. She drives the Bobcat moving dirt into place to lay the groundwork for future sites and to plant trees and some flowers in raised stone beds. She has help, her assistant Bev (also an incredible woman) is a mom of 4 children. We were greeted by two of her granddaughters soon to be 8 and 2 and adorable. The two women met while Bev was work camping and very unhappy in that job. Tahmra lured her away to work as her assistant at High Garden, a happy place.
Joe is also on staff and another gem. I met Joe just as we were setting up. He came by to position the artificial turf (as used on NFL football fields) under our steps. He is easy going with a knack for appearing at the right moment to help and giving advice on what to see with a big smile. Ask him about his motor cycle days.
Why visit Florence, Colorado? For our purposes, it was on the way to the Escapade (an Escapees rally) in Mid July 2021 in Rock Springs, Wyoming and appealed because it is a small town compared to Canon City or Colorado Springs and offered a new campground secluded from but only 2-3 blocks to town. We strive to support new facilities. It is a Good Sam park.
Lots to do; The Royal Gorge is 45 minutes away, a beautiful area, a popular tourist area but that is the point. You can choose rafting, zip lining, ATV rides, Jeep rides, walk across the pedestrian bridge (it was too darn hot that day), take a train ride, ride biking trails, jog on the river walk, drive the skyline drive, visit nearby parks, take in the Dinosaur museum, Museum of Colorado Prisons, the Florence Pioneer Museum, buy tickets in Florence, Canon City or Colorado Springs for live theatre, music, choose from many restaurants, visit the Indian craft shops, and enjoy a Helicopter tour which was our choice. Phew, maybe a 2 week stay is best. The 14 minutes Heli ride was beautiful and well narrated by our pilot, Jessica. We met the founder of the Heli business a delightful Vietnam Vet, full of stories about the helicopters he flew.
Sadly, in 2013, a massive fire destroyed everything in the area. It has been rebuilt with some work still ongoing. Here is an URL for more info on the area; https://royalgorgeregion.com/. For non RVers or family reunions, there are luxury cabins, inns and lodges available or elect to stay in a yurt or pitch a tent. BTW, we have enjoyed the stay here and added 3 more nights.