Last week’s windstorm resulted in some major damage requiring a lot of cleanup at Cheyenne Mountain State Park – and lessons learned from the situation are sure to be helpful to campers setting up shop around the state during windy spring and summer days.

According to an X post by Colorado Parks and Wildlife Southeast Region, a wind storm on Monday, May 6 knocked over five RVs at campsites in the park. The fallen RVs left one injured and caused water and electrical issues at some campsites in the park.

CPW staff worked to restore power and water to the affected campsites. The wind had also damaged many trees in the area. CPW encouraged guests to use caution on the trails and watch for trees.

According to the National Weather Service, high winds developed across the Front Range early on May 6 and spread to the adjacent plains throughout the day, with some gusts reaching over 90 mph. The wind damaged trees, planes, homes, and other structures.

Wind is something to keep in mind when setting up a campsite – whether you’re camping in a tent or a recreational vehicle.

As far as tent camping in wind goes, fastening a tent to the ground securely is key, and if it gets too windy, you may want to take your tent down completely. It’s also important to be on the lookout for potential hazards, such as trees that may fall during a windstorm, when setting up your campsite.

When it comes to recreational vehicles, many of these high-profile vehicles can become problematic when wind speeds increase, whether they’re on the road or parked. Angle the vehicle so that the side of the vehicle isn’t being hit by crosswinds that might topple it, but know that this might not be enough to prevent a flip. Pick your weekend for recreational vehicle camping wisely and heed warnings posted by the National Weather Service.