Fall colors signal an end to the camping season

AUTUMN COLORS
SUMMIT COUNTY - After a Labor Day Weekend camping trip in the mountains, Jeff Santos and his wife Amy are busy wrapping up their campsite and, likely, their summer camping season.

"We're packing up and getting ready to go home," said Amy.

As they tuck in tents and wrap their tarps tight, Jeff can not help but notice the temperature has been dropping and other signs autumn are on the way.

"The water level is at its lowest right now," said Jeff.

The most obvious sign is speckled all over the campsite. The leaves are starting their fall flux, going from green to gold.

"It's the sure tell-tale sign that fall is coming everything is starting to turn yellow," said Jeff.

It is the time of year when a kaleidoscope of color covers the landscape of Colorado. It starts first in the high country, where wildflowers are an array of purples and the leaves transform into shades of red and gold.

For campground host like Jim Shepard, it marks a time for something else.

"A little peace and quiet," said Shepard.

It's been a busy summer for Shepard at the Blue River Campground just north of Silverthorne.

"We've been full since Memorial Weekend," said Shepard.

Now with the leaves turning, campgrounds will begin to close, except where Shepard works. They are staying open a little longer.

"We're not going to close till October 10," said Shepard.

Which means the Santoses should have just enough time to head back to see the turning leaves and get one more camping trip in.

"We might try to squeeze in one more," said Jeff.

After that it is a sure bet the winter season will send them packing.

If you want to see the leaves turn and get in one last camping trip make sure to call a U.S. Forest Service Office in the area you are heading to see what campgrounds are still open and where the leaves are turning.

To see some breathtaking photos of fall foliage, or to upload some of your own snapshots, click here to go to 9NEWS.com's Autumn Colors in Colorado page.