Just one of the many recreational activities one can enjoy within an hour of Fort Collins: camping. We call it “car camping” now that our backpacking days are on hold with little girls. In less than an hour, we found the Ansel Watrous upper campground and found the greatest campsite I’ve come across in my many years of camping.

There are about a dozen campgrounds up the Poudre River Canyon. Each offers different amenities, but all offer the one dynamic aspect: the Poudre River. Gorgeous, rapid, wild, and these days, rising, the river is infamous in many ways, but what it really comes down to is the simple beauty.

Camping along the Poudre River offers the rushing sound of the water (a built-in sound machine important for those with kids!). The highway, right above the campgrounds is present, but not traveled widely and mostly drowned out by the rapids. The high canyon walls lining the river, the pines encompassing the landscape, the clean air—they all offer peace not found even in the calm town of Fort Collins.

We hiked the Young Gulch trail, which was easy for our six year old, but proved tough for the three year old (and the parents who carried her half the way)! Fun for kids, the trail extends five miles and crosses many streams. There are lots of great rocks to jump on and off of, and spectacular scenery throughout.

Our kids got the biggest kick out of watching the river rats traveling down the Poudre. Both freelance paddlers and outfitted rafters are continuous entertainment. They also remind us of why the Poudre is so special. Amazing rapids, clean water, and a perfect width for traveling…it’s no wonder why the many residents of the area are trying to “save the Poudre.”

I say camp the Poudre and find out why so many want to save it.