A Beginner’s Guide to RVing in Colorado Part 1: Eastern Highlights

On this week’s episode of The RV Atlas Podcast, we’re taking you to one of the absolute best RV vacation spots in the whole country: Colorado. If you think Rocky Mountain National Park is the only thing to see there, pay attention because our friend Kerri Cox from Travels with Birdy is here to give us an introduction to RVing in Colorado in this two-part series.

In this episode, we’ll cover Denver, Colorado Springs, and locations in Eastern Colorado. Then, come back for Part 2 to hear about the mountain towns, national parks, and other highlights from Western Colorado.

Here is a guest post from Kerri complete with all the information and links you’ll need as you begin thinking about RVing in Colorado:

Deciding Where to Start

Home to some of the highest peaks in the U.S., the tallest sand dunes in North America, charming mountain towns, epic outdoor adventures, AND cool cities, Colorado is just brimming with RV vacation potential. But, where do you begin when planning an RV trip to a state that is packed with as much potential as Colorado?

Luckily, the Colorado Tourism Office gives us a head start by dividing the state into 8 regions, which I will use as a road map for sharing travel highlights and great campgrounds from each part of the state, going from east to west. Plus, I dug deep into the RV Atlas archives for some blast-from-the-past campground reviews!

Getting the Lay of the Land

First, let’s first get a grasp of Colorado’s layout and geography. Most travelers cross the state using interstate I-70, which cuts across Colorado somewhat north of the midline. The Rocky Mountains run perpendicular to the highway, bisecting the state. 

While the mountains dominate the middle of the state, the eastern half seems more like Kansas and the western half is more like Utah. Even within the mountains themselves, there is a lot of geographic diversity and plenty to explore outside of Rocky Mountain National Park.

To hear more about RVing in Colorado, including travel highlights and campgrounds, click play on the media player above or look for The RV Atlas wherever you find your favorite podcasts.

General Colorado RV Travel Tips

• Research roadways if you’ll be traveling through the mountains. Some are nice and wide with broad curves, while others have extreme switchbacks and open drop-offs. My pro tips: Use the Street View option in Google Maps to check out any roadways that resemble intestines, and if you see a “pass” marked on the map, do a little extra research. 
• Cell phone coverage can be sketchy, especially deep in the mountains. Even with cell signal, you don’t always have reliable internet access. 
• Many state or national park campgrounds book soon after reservations open. Pro tip: Being able to stay in popular parks during the week and not on weekends will help, as will being able to split your stay across multiple campsites. Otherwise, find out when reservations open and book immediately, if possible.

• The state offers a lot of free and cheap camping if you are willing/able to venture off grid. Check out BLM lands and national forests for dispersed camping. While most don’t offer hookups, the national forest campgrounds offer excellent views and some amenities.
• The weather varies by both season and by elevation. Fall leaf peeping usually starts in September for the golden aspens at higher elevations. Summer in the mountains is nice and cool, though daily rainstorms are common during the July/August monsoon season. Snow and freezing temperatures can persist during spring and fall at higher elevations. Winter camping requires extra prep due to extreme temperatures and precipitation, and be aware that roadways may be shut down, even I-70 at times.
• Take the elevation seriously! Read tips for avoiding altitude sickness. We usually drink a lot of water as we cross Kansas and then stay in Colorado Springs or Denver for a night or two before heading into higher elevations.

Now, let’s begin look at RV travel attractions and campgrounds in Eastern Colorado. Remember, you can check out this map to see an overview of all 8 regions.

1) Pioneering Plains (Northeast CO)

Bordering Kansas, this region is home to wide-open plains. If you’re driving along I-70 heading west, you won’t feel like you’re heading to the mountains for at least an hour past the border, though your RV will definitely be tilted skyward due to the incline. You may notice your gas stops gradually increasing in frequency well before you see any of Colorado’s famed mountains, but eventually, the silhouette of the Rockies will be barely visible on the horizon. Until then, explore the grasslands and pioneer history of northeast Colorado.

Travel Highlights in Northeast Colorado

Great Towns

• Limon – this is a good layover while crossing I-70
• Sterling – one of the region’s largest towns, offers insight into the Overland Trail history

Attractions & Adventures

• Colorado Welcome Center at Burlington – If you want a photo with the iconic “Colorful Colorado” state sign without endangering yourself on the side of the highway, make a pit stop here, which has its own sign. Plus, it has clean bathrooms, tons of brochures, and a giant map of Colorado. The nearby Old Town Museum looks like another great spot
• Pawnee National Grassland & Buttes – get out and explore the open prairie and trails surrounding the 300-foot-tall buttes for the best taste of Eastern Colorado’s landscapes
• South Platte River Trail – a 19-mile byway with many historic sites from pioneer days

Great Campgrounds in Northeast Colorado

• Jackson Lake State Park: Certified by the International Dark-Sky Association, the park’s lakeside campgrounds offer a peaceful retreat. Sandy beaches line the reservoir, making this a good spot to cool off in the summer. Plus, some sites have hammock poles.
• Love’s RV Hookup-Burlington: Great for a super convenient resting spot on I-70. We have enjoyed our stays at Love’s new RV Hookup sites. Instead of simply being a side area of the parking lot, this one is a gated mini-RV park.

2) Canyons & Plains (Southeast CO)

This is another wide-open landscape, with small towns dotting the plains. This area borders Kansas, the OK Panhandle, and northern New Mexico. It is a strong agricultural region, with historical highlights related to the Santa Fe Trail and frontiersman Kit Carson. 

Travel Highlights in Southeast Colorado

Great towns: 

• La Junta – explore railroad history, Native American culture, and dinosaur tracks
• Lamar – popular with birding enthusiasts, has a historic downtown

Attractions & Adventures:

• Santa Fe Trail Byway – this 188-mile route connects several historic sites and helps you imagine the wagon trains of the 1800s
• Comanche National Grassland – explore 500,000 acres of grasslands
• Tarantula Trek – visit during the fall for the best chance to see tarantulas exploring the grasslands looking for mates
• Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site and Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site – Explore Native American and pioneer history

Great Campgrounds in Southeast Colorado

• John Martin Reservoir State Park – located between La Junta and Lamar; has waterfront sites

To hear more about these Colorado RV travel highlights and campgrounds, click play on the media player above or look for The RV Atlas wherever you find your favorite podcasts.

3) Denver City & the Rockies (North Central CO)

If you want the perfect mixture of urban adventures and natural wonders, a trip to Denver and Rocky Mountain National Park can’t be beat. You get the best of both worlds! This region lies northeast of the state’s center, where the Rocky Mountains bisect the state. If you are heading east to the higher elevations, spend some time in Denver to get acclimated before you begin the climb into Estes Park. Also, if RMNP is too packed, there’s plenty of scenery to explore outside the park.

Travel Highlights in Denver & the Rockies

Great towns

• Denver – with attractions like museums, Red Rocks Amphitheater, Meow Wolf, the Denver Botanical Gardens, a historic downtown, and more, you can easily spend a week exploring and eating in this hip town
• Fort Collins – beer lovers already know Fort Collins as a brewery hotspot, but this cool college town has more to offer
• Boulder – another cool college town with easy access to outdoor adventures in the Flatirons rock formations
• Estes Park – you’ll hear this as the primary basecamp for entering RMNP from the east; the town itself is very cute, with the Big Thompson River creating a scenic focal point along the stroll-able shops and restaurants

Attractions & Adventures

• This region is a popular spot for hiking, fishing, paddling, and more. 
• Rocky Mountain National Park – known for its views, outdoor recreation, and high peaks (explore some of my favorites here); reservations required in the peak seasons
• Golden Gate Canyon State Park – 35 miles of trails in the foothills of the Rockies (very good for a taste of the mountains if you want to stay close to Denver or cannot get reservations to RMNP)
• Eldorado Canyon State Park – dramatic sandstone cliff walls; 100 miles of trails

Great Campgrounds in Denver & the Rockies

• Moraine Campground in RMNP – Recently renovated, this gorgeous campground is the first to offer electric hookups right in RMNP, which is a game-changer! Of course, the other NPS campgrounds offer beauty and accessibility to the park. Plus, if you stay in the park, you don’t have to deal with timed-entry reservations or the crowds at the entrance gates
• Estes Park Campground at Mary’s Lake – If you want hookups and easy access to RMNP and Estes parks, this is one of the best spots in town (explore my full review). 

• Chatfield and Cherry Creek State Parks – Both of these exceptional state parks are located right in the Denver suburbs, offering easy access to the city, as well as outdoor activities (check out Gretchen Holcombe’s full review of Cherry Creek and my review of Chatfield to find campground descriptions and learn about our favorite Denver attractions)
• Clear Creek RV Park – Located in the town of Golden, this city-run campground earns high marks for accessibility to the creek, mountains, and Denver.

4) Pikes Peak Wonders (South Central CO)

Located in the southern Front Range, Colorado Springs makes a great hub for a Colorado vacation with much to see in and around the city, including one of the nation’s most iconic spots, Pikes Peak. To the west, you’ll find dramatic elevation changes, Old West towns, and many beautiful places to explore.

Travel Highlights in the Pikes Peak Region

Great towns

• Colorado Springs – Colorado’s 2nd-largest city is a hub of activity. Our favorite spot is Old Colorado City, a historic area with galleries and restaurants.
• Manitou Springs – located at the base of Pikes Peak, this is a charming spot to stroll. Don’t miss the Penny Arcade
• Cripple Creek – get a taste of the Gold Rush days, look for the roaming burros, or enjoy gambling
• Salida – notable as an artsy hub, with tons of galleries and a great whitewater park running along the downtown 

Attractions & Adventures

• Garden of the Gods – as beautiful as most national parks; walk amid towering red rock formations
• Pikes Peak Cog Railway – Dare I say this is the best way to reach the top of Pikes Peak? It is much more relaxed than driving, plus you can learn about the history and geology along the way. Make sure to get donuts at the top. (Warning: Altitude sickness is very common since you rise to such a great height at 14,000 feet)

• Royal Gorge Bridge – Not only does this pedestrian bridge cross the Arkansas River Canyon, with the waters 1000 feet below, but there are also tons of things to do onsite, including a gondola ride across the canyon, an amusement park, and more
• Eleven Mile Canyon Recreation Area – get away from the Colorado crowds in this gorgeous spot where the South Platte River tumbles through giant boulders
• Rita the Rock Planter – Artist Thomas Dambo has created massive troll sculptures using recycled materials across the whole world, and you can find one near the town of Victor.  
• Whitewater rafting is huge across the region, along with hiking, fishing, and all the outdoor activities

Great Campgrounds in the Pikes Peak Region

• Cheyenne Mountain State Park – It is almost unbelievable that a park this pretty is so close to the city! Many sites are situated along the mountainside, offering panoramic views of the city below. Sites are huge, and some have full hookups. Reservations can be difficult to snag! (Find a full review here.)
• Mueller State Park – As cheesy as it sounds, this place is magical to me. It has pine trees and peak views. Plus, it’s less than an hour from Colorado Springs (find full review here)
• Cripple Creek KOA – This park is situated in a broad open expanse with views of the surrounding mountains. It has a badge of honor for being the highest elevation KOA in the world, at 10,000 feet

Final Thoughts

Are you excited about great possibilities for RVing in Colorado? We’ve told you about two of the largest cities and the most popular national park, but that’s not all! We have a lot more to come in part 2, where we will talk about the travel highlights and great campgrounds in Western Colorado. We haven’t talked about the fascinating cliff dwellings, the Little Switzerland of America, or the highest sand dunes in North America. Make sure to check it out to hear about these attractions and more when we continue our discussion about RVing in Colorado with Kerri next time.

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