Camp Setup & Living

Making your campsite home for seven nights.

Table of Contents

  1. Arrival Day Sequence
    1. First 15 Minutes
    2. Site Setup Order
  2. The Multi-Site Family Camp
    1. Site Roles
    2. Shared Resources Layout
    3. Pathway Management
  3. Kitchen Setup
    1. The Cooking Triangle
    2. Cooler Management
    3. Food Safety at Altitude
  4. Water Management
    1. If Your Site Has Water Hookup
    2. If No Water Hookup
    3. Conservation Tips
  5. Power Management
    1. With Electrical Hookup
    2. Without Hookup
  6. Fire Management
    1. Fire Ring Setup
    2. Fire Building
    3. Fire Safety Rules
  7. Bathroom & Sanitation
    1. RV Systems
    2. Camp Bathroom Etiquette
    3. The Night Bathroom Situation
  8. Trash & Bear Safety
    1. Trash Management
    2. Dump Station Protocol
  9. Living Routines
    1. Morning Routine (Suggested)
    2. Evening Routine (Suggested)
    3. Quiet Hours
  10. Weather Preparedness
    1. Daily Pattern (June/July)
    2. Storm Protocol
  11. Breaking Camp (Last Day)
    1. Day Before Departure
    2. Departure Morning

Arrival Day Sequence

The order matters. Rushing leads to problems that last all week.

First 15 Minutes

  1. Stop. Don’t unhitch, don’t unload, don’t set up.
  2. Walk the site with all adults. Check for:
    • Level parking area
    • Fire ring location and condition
    • Picnic table position
    • Hookup locations (electric, if available)
    • Trees/obstacles for awning
    • Path to restrooms
  3. Identify issues. If site doesn’t match description or has problems, contact the camp host or park office immediately—before you set up.
  4. Plan the layout. Decide where RV goes, where cooking happens, where kids play.

Site Setup Order

Phase 1: RV Positioning (30–45 min)

  1. Position RV for optimal leveling (use leveling blocks if needed)
  2. Disconnect tow vehicle if applicable
  3. Extend stabilizer jacks
  4. Level the RV (front-to-back first, then side-to-side)
  5. Connect electrical hookup
  6. Connect water (if available at site)
  7. Verify all systems working

Phase 2: Camp Infrastructure (30 min)

  1. Set up outdoor rug at RV door
  2. Position camp chairs
  3. Set up canopy/shade structure (if using)
  4. Establish cooking area
  5. Set up camp table(s)

Phase 3: Interior Setup (20 min)

  1. Make beds
  2. Organize personal items
  3. Stock fridge/cabinets with food
  4. Establish bathroom supplies
  5. Set up entertainment area

Phase 4: Final Touches (15 min)

  1. String lights (if using)
  2. Position firewood near fire ring
  3. Fill water containers
  4. Test all equipment
  5. Brief everyone on camp layout

The Multi-Site Family Camp

When you have 3+ sites together, think of it as a small village.

Site Roles

The Hub Site:

  • Central location
  • Main cooking and eating area
  • Communal shade structure
  • Gathering point for activities
  • Usually the largest/flattest site

Sleeping Sites:

  • RVs positioned for privacy
  • Personal items stay here
  • Quiet retreats from group activity
  • Individual family control

Shared Resources Layout

Position these in or near the hub:

  • Main cooking station
  • Coolers (multiple, labeled)
  • Wash station
  • First aid kit
  • Activity equipment
  • Camp chairs circle

Pathway Management

With kids running between sites:

  • Clear paths of tripping hazards
  • Solar pathway lights for nighttime
  • Designate “running okay” and “walk carefully” zones
  • No running near fire ring areas

Kitchen Setup

The Cooking Triangle

Arrange your cooking area with three zones:

  1. Prep Zone: Cutting, mixing, organizing (needs table space)
  2. Cook Zone: Stove, fire, heat sources (needs clearance)
  3. Clean Zone: Wash basin, drying rack, trash (needs water access)

Keep these in a logical flow: Prep → Cook → Clean

Cooler Management

For a 7-night trip, cooler organization is critical.

Cooler #1: Drinks

  • Opens frequently, drains ice fast
  • Stock with beverages only
  • Replenish ice daily

Cooler #2: Daily Food

  • Today’s meals and snacks
  • Opened regularly but not constantly
  • Replenish from Cooler #3 each evening

Cooler #3: Cold Storage

  • Raw meats (in sealed containers)
  • Future days’ food
  • Opened once daily maximum
  • Keeps ice longest

Cooler Rules:

  • Close lids immediately
  • Keep in shade
  • Elevate off hot ground
  • Drain water (keep ice from floating)
  • Know who’s responsible for ice runs

Food Safety at Altitude

At 8,600 feet, water boils at about 196°F (not 212°F). This affects cooking:

  • Boiling takes longer (pasta, potatoes, eggs)
  • Add 25% more cooking time for boiled foods
  • Baked goods may overflow (altitude baking is tricky)
  • Water evaporates faster—add liquid to recipes

Food spoilage happens faster in thin air too. When in doubt, throw it out.

Water Management

If Your Site Has Water Hookup

  • Connect pressure regulator to protect RV plumbing
  • Use potable water hose only
  • Check for leaks at connections
  • Know where the shutoff is

If No Water Hookup

  • Fill RV fresh tank before parking
  • Know tank capacity and usage
  • Plan water runs to fill stations
  • Carry collapsible water containers for camp use

Conservation Tips

  • Navy showers (wet, soap, rinse)
  • Catch rinse water for dish pre-wash
  • Use paper products sparingly but strategically
  • Don’t leave water running

Power Management

With Electrical Hookup

Rocky Ridge electrical sites typically offer 30-amp service. Know your load:

  • Air conditioning: 12–15 amps
  • Microwave: 8–12 amps
  • Refrigerator: 2–4 amps
  • TV/Entertainment: 1–3 amps
  • Lights: 1–2 amps total
  • Charging devices: negligible

Running AC and microwave simultaneously may trip breakers. Manage usage.

Without Hookup

If in non-electric sites or during outages:

  • Generator hours may be restricted (check park rules)
  • Conserve battery with LED lights
  • Charge devices in vehicles while driving
  • Bring backup batteries/power banks
  • Propane for cooking, not electric

Fire Management

Fire Ring Setup

  1. Clear debris 10 feet around fire ring
  2. Check for overhead branches
  3. Position chairs safely (sparks travel)
  4. Keep bucket of water nearby
  5. Have fire extinguisher accessible

Fire Building

For Cooking:

  • Build fire 45+ minutes before cooking
  • Let it burn down to coals
  • Coals = consistent heat, flames = burned outside/raw inside
  • Use grate for pots, hold skewers over coals

For Ambiance:

  • Build after dinner when cooking is done
  • Teepee structure for tall flames
  • Add logs gradually
  • Never leave unattended

Fire Safety Rules

Everyone in camp should know:

  • Never leave fire unattended
  • No running near fire
  • Long hair tied back
  • Loose clothing tucked in
  • Water bucket before lighting, always
  • Fire completely out before bed (drowned, stirred, drowned again)

Fire Restrictions: Check current conditions. Colorado has fire bans during dry periods. When in effect, no fires—not even camp stoves in some cases.

Bathroom & Sanitation

RV Systems

  • Gray water (sinks, shower): Monitor tank levels
  • Black water (toilet): Same, more important
  • Dump station locations: Near North Shore and Witcher’s Cove entrances
  • Schedule mid-week dump to avoid overflow

Camp Bathroom Etiquette

The camper services building (near Rocky Ridge) offers:

  • Flush toilets
  • Hot showers
  • Laundry facilities
  • Available Memorial Day through Labor Day

Pro tips:

  • Shower early morning or late evening (less crowded)
  • Bring flip-flops for showers
  • Bring quarters for laundry
  • Teach kids where bathrooms are on Day 1

The Night Bathroom Situation

For kids especially:

  • Headlamp on their pillow (they’ll need it)
  • Clear path to bathroom/RV steps
  • Buddy system for young kids at night
  • Consider keeping a discreet container in RV for emergencies

Trash & Bear Safety

Trash Management

No bears have been commonly reported at Eleven Mile, but coyotes and other animals are present.

  • Never leave food out overnight
  • Secure trash in vehicles or bear-resistant containers
  • Dispose of fish entrails properly (designated areas)
  • Clean cooking area completely before bed

Dump Station Protocol

Both trash and waste require proper disposal:

  • Bag all trash, tied securely
  • Use park dumpsters (not fire rings)
  • Dump RV tanks at designated stations only
  • Clean up any spills

Living Routines

Morning Routine (Suggested)

Time Activity
6:30 AM Early risers up (quietly), start coffee
7:00 AM Sunrise, fishing folks depart
7:30 AM Breakfast prep begins
8:00 AM Family breakfast
8:30 AM Cleanup, dishes, day prep
9:00 AM Day activities begin

Evening Routine (Suggested)

Time Activity
5:00 PM Return from activities, wash up
5:30 PM Dinner prep
6:30 PM Dinner
7:30 PM Cleanup
8:00 PM Fire lit, evening activities
9:30 PM Kids wind down
10:00 PM Quiet hours begin, kids to bed
10:30 PM Stargazing, quiet adult time
11:00 PM Fire out, all in bed

Quiet Hours

Park-enforced quiet hours: 10 PM to 6 AM

This means:

  • No generators
  • Music off or inaudible outside your site
  • Voices at conversational level
  • No arriving/departing vehicles
  • Respect neighboring campers

Weather Preparedness

Daily Pattern (June/July)

  • Morning: Cool (40s–50s°F), clear, calm
  • Midday: Warm (70s–80s°F), building clouds
  • Afternoon: Hot, possible thunderstorms (typically 2–5 PM)
  • Evening: Cooling, clearing
  • Night: Cold (40s°F), clear

Storm Protocol

When thunderstorms approach:

  1. Get off the water immediately
  2. Return to camp or vehicles
  3. Secure loose items
  4. Lower awnings
  5. Get inside RV or hardtop vehicle
  6. Stay away from tall isolated trees
  7. Wait 30 minutes after last thunder before resuming outdoor activities

Lightning is the primary danger. The reservoir is the worst place to be during a storm.

Breaking Camp (Last Day)

Day Before Departure

  • Use remaining perishables
  • Do final laundry
  • Begin organizing “take home” vs “throw away”
  • Final dump station run
  • Return any borrowed/rented equipment

Departure Morning

Phase 1: Interior

  1. Strip beds, consolidate linens
  2. Empty fridge, wipe down
  3. Secure all cabinet contents
  4. Clean bathroom
  5. Final sweep

Phase 2: Exterior

  1. Pack all gear into vehicles
  2. Clean fire ring (scatter cold ashes)
  3. Police campsite for all trash
  4. Return picnic table to original position
  5. Roll up rugs, collapse furniture

Phase 3: RV

  1. Retract awnings
  2. Disconnect hookups
  3. Raise stabilizers
  4. Check underneath and behind RV
  5. Hitch tow vehicle

Phase 4: Final Check Walk the site once more. Look for:

  • Forgotten items under tables/chairs
  • Trash in grass or brush
  • Anything hanging from trees
  • Kids’ toys

Leave the site better than you found it.

The Camp Host: Most campgrounds have a volunteer camp host. They’re a resource for questions, concerns, and local knowledge. Introduce yourself on arrival—they often know the best fishing spots and sunset views.

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