A Solo Campervan Trip to Mueller State Park in Colorado with Kerri Cox from Travels with Birdy

Ponderosa pines, Rocky Mountain peaks, gorgeous campsites…Colorado’s Mueller State Park just might be one of the nation’s prettiest campgrounds. It is classic camping at its best. Our longtime correspondent Kerri Cox is with us to share a campground review of Mueller State Park, which has become a favorite home away from home for her over the years. And, she selected this familiar favorite for her very first solo van trip.
Here’s a guest post from Kerri. To hear our full conversation, including Kerri’s top campsite picks, click play on the media player above or look for The RV Atlas on your favorite podcast app.
Though I don’t live in Colorado, it’s become my favorite place to visit due to the easy drive to the mountains from my home in Missouri. You might have heard me talk about it again and again and again on the podcast over the years. I first fell in love with Mueller State Park nearly 10 years ago and have returned five or six times as a place to enjoy nature and relaxation. I consider it my annual “reset” before the school year begins.
Since Russell and I didn’t have a good chance for a getaway together this summer, when he was heading off to a game convention in Indianapolis, I decided it would be the perfect time for my first solo van trip in my beloved Class B van, AKA “Birdy.” It was a familiar place to practice the unfamiliar experience of a big solo drive and full setup. Since I booked late, I ended up with a different campsite for each night, giving me even more of an opportunity to explore the park.
First, here are 5 things make Mueller State Park especially special:
Amazing panoramic views of Pikes Peak and surrounding mountains
Elevation is truly IN the mountains
Large campsites with some privacy
Surrounded by pines, aspens, and wildlife
True classic camping experience!
Where is Mueller State Park?
Some campgrounds work best as basecamps you use to explore other destinations, but Mueller State Park is a campground I go to just to stay in the campground. It encompasses all of the mountain vibes without requiring driving on mountainous roadway (when coming in from Colorado Springs).
Mueller State Park is located approximately 45 minutes west of Colorado Springs, making it close enough for a day trip but a little too far away to drive in and grab a meal. The drive “up” Highway 24 from Colorado Springs is pretty interesting, passing by some of the city’s iconic red rocks and a few small mountain towns.
The main reason I go to Mueller State Park has less to do with its geographic location and more to do with its elevation. The park is located at app. 9,500 feet in elevation (pro tip: it’s not advisable to go directly to the park from the flatlands if you aren’t used to elevation; consider a stay in Colorado Springs for a night before continuing on).
Because of the elevation, the weather is much cooler in the summer, with highs in the 70s and low 80s. Monsoon rains hit daily in July and August but rarely wash out an entire day. Mueller is a great spot to experience Colorado’s golden aspens in the fall (with trees changing in September), and it offers camping and activities even in the snowy winter.
What Amenities Does Mueller State Park Offer?
The Visitor Center shares details about the local wildlife, geology, and park amenties
A large camper services station offers a playground, a laundry room, and showers. All are well maintained. There are picnic tables inside and out, providing a nice place to rest while waiting, and the outside seats offer good views of the park.
2 important things to note about the comfort stations:
You may have to walk quite a ways uphill to reach them if you aren’t driving
The showers require quarters!
The park has nearly 50 miles of trails with varying degrees of difficulty (this website has good trail details with personal descriptions and lots of photos). The trails are mostly open to mountain biking and horseback riding but not to dogs.
My favorite is Grouse Mountain Trail, which is ...