Ultimate Guide to RVing in Colorado

1. Million Dollar Highway

Driving the Million Dollar Highway, also known as U.S. Route 550, is a rich experience and lives up to the name. Twenty-five miles worth of Cliffs, hairpin turns, and sweeping panoramas make for one unforgettable route and one you’ll want to come back to—but beware, it is a dangerous road to travel on, so make sure you’re well-equipped to take on the road. Although it’s a tedious journey, it’s worth it, and it even takes you through several historic mining towns. 

The latest updates include Wi-Fi access—a significant improvement—and panoramic spots for photographing the San Juan peaks. The renowned Ouray hot springs have also expanded, now featuring family-friendly swimming areas.

If you plan your trip between July and September, you can avoid the need for snow chains and heavy coats. Don’t forget to stop in Silverton for a slice of cherry pie at the Pickle Barrel. After that, take a ghost-town hike with a phone app that shows old photos along the trail; kids especially love these interactive tools that bring history to life.

2. Great Sand Dunes & San Luis Valley

The Great Sand Dunes still amaze, but now they shine even brighter: almost like a scene from Arrakis. Sandsled rentals are available right onsite, and the new “Starlight Beach” chill zone offers shaded loungers under the Milky Way. You can park your RV at Blanca Vista Park, which offers creekside hookups. It’s the perfect base for exploring the dunes and their history. The Sand Dunes offer a variety of fun activities, including hiking, fishing, and horseback riding.

Alamosa, home to the Sand Dunes, has elevated its culinary offerings with the addition of food trucks and local coffee roasters, who brew fresh bean blends daily. And don’t skip the quick trip to Frontier Drive-Inn for outdoor movies, yurt stays, and popcorn under the stars.

3. Estes Park & Bear Lake

Estes Park remains a modern classic and is a fantastic visit in the summertime, as wildflowers are in full bloom. If you visit during the summer months, you can opt for activities such as hiking and kayaking, and even catch a glimpse of wildlife like deer, elk, and marmots. A timed-entry reservation system is available from May to October, a new feature as of 2025, so plan accordingly. 

RV sites near Bear Lake now offer shuttle access, eliminating the need to participate in the parking lottery. Bear Lake’s gentle loop is stroller-friendly and perfect for early-morning wildlife sightings. Evenings now feature outdoor ranger programs under the stars, accompanied by your choice of marshmallows or microbrews. And in Estes Park itself, a riverside hot springs spa is open, offering a day pass, and features nearby light hiking trails.

4. Dinosaur National Monument and Western Slope

Looking for some science and history? Dinosaur National Monument is your spot, with fossils discovered millions of years ago, and guided fossil walks led by local paleontologists. This park has recently undergone an upgrade, now featuring clearer trails, more interpretive displays, and a pet-friendly RV area. Kids can join fossil digs and touch real dinosaur bones, making this a top STEM adventure.

If you’re dinosaur-ed out, there are also trails to check out, as well as the opportunity to go white water rafting on the Green or Yampa rivers.

Fruita and Rangely, located along the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway, are also RV-friendly and feature kid-focused dinosaur parks. And if you're looking to check out the local scene, local coffee shops in Fruita roast beans right onsite for a caffeine pit stop. Mesa Verde RV Resort recently enhanced its loop sites, making it even easier to camp nearby.

5. Best RV resorts and campgrounds in Colorado

Jellystone Park at Larkspur is a standout family spot near Denver. It offers spacious 20/30/50 AMP hookup sites, up to 45 feet long, plus two heated pools, water slides, mini golf, an arcade alley, pickleball, basketball courts, wagon rides, yoga lawns, and a variety of planned activities year-round.

Electric vehicle awareness among campgrounds is also growing, as the state prepares for this alternative form of vehicle. Colorado is installing statewide Level‑2 EV chargers at state parks in partnership with Rivian, and private parks like Riverbend RV in Montrose allow charging at RV pedestals (with a small daily fee).

6. Great campgrounds close to Denver

For Denver access, Cherry Creek and Clear Creek State Parks remain our top park choices. The Denver West KOA in Central City recently added EV charging. It also features playgrounds, hot tubs, free pizza deliveries during peak season—wait, what?—to your site, and it is just 35 miles west of Denver.

Newer parks near Boulder and Englewood offer full hookups, EV access, and shuttles into the city. Pikes Peak Park in Manitou Springs stands 14,000 feet tall, combining creekside sites with shuttles to the historic Garden of the Gods, a nationally recognized natural site that offers unforgettable scenery. Towering 300-foot sandstone formations rise dramatically with Pikes Peak and the vibrant Colorado sky as the perfect backdrop.

7. Family-friendly RVing in Colorado

Traveling with kids? These parks are suitable for all ages. Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park at Larkspur is built for families, with pools, water zones, sports courts, wagon rides, and character meet-and-greets. Sun Outdoors Granby offers boating, pools, sports fields, and golf-cart rentals. Cutty’s Hayden Creek Resort near Royal Gorge includes indoor and outdoor pools, mini golf, tennis, and weekend BBQ and karaoke events.

For a calmer vibe, Molly Brown Campground at Turquoise Lake offers a relaxed lakeside feel, perfect for fishing and leisurely walks along the lake. Remote spots around Eleven Mile and Steamboat Lake State Parks bring epic stargazing, wildlife viewing, and impromptu scavenger hunts.

8. Colorado festivals, events, and roadside oddities

If you like your road trips weird, you’re in the right state. Some of Colorado’s scenic routes come with a twist: think frozen corpses, alien sightings, and castles made of beer cans.

For your weird side quest: start with Frozen Dead Guy Days in Estes Park, where locals race coffins and celebrate a cryogenically frozen man in a shed. Head south to the UFO Watchtower near the San Luis Valley, where guests leave trinkets for aliens and swap close-encounter stories. Then roll by Cano’s Castle in Antonito, a towering, gleaming tribute to scrap metal and beer can architecture.

In August, the Palisade Peach Festival is well worth planning around, offering fruit-fueled fun with pie contests, parades, and peach-themed activities. Add a pit stop at the Colorado Gators Reptile Park, where you can feed a gator and then keep your phone camera ready for cowboy-hat–wearing dinos—giddy up—and giant metal creatures in towns like Berthoud and Trinidad.

Strange? Oh yes. Skippable? No way.

9. Colorado’s best food stops and local eats

Hungry? We’ve got you. Colorado’s roads are a playground for foodies, packed with cozy diners, craft distilleries, and mouthwatering food truck stops you won’t want to miss.

In Salida, stop by Moonlight Pizza for mouth-watering, homemade cheesy garlic knots, wings, and build-your-own pizza. Buena Vista has Eddyline Brewery and House Rock Kitchen, both of which are perfect for a casual lunch with a mountain view from the windows. Over in Crested Butte, Secret Stash Pizza serves up delicious slices and boasts an eclectic punk-rock vibe upon entering. If you’re not feeling pizza, over at Steuben's Uptown, a popular diner in Denver, offers "Gravy Fries," which are a favorite among many locals—and us.

Craving something sweet? Try Fort Collins for an ice cream flight at Walrus Ice Cream. Small-town coffee spots like Yeti’s Grind in Vail or Switchback Coffee Roasters in Colorado Springs serve espresso that will give you the boost you need during a busy travel day, often accompanied by a homemade Pop-Tart or pastry on the side. 

10. Tech travel and apps

Remember to pack your tech gear and keep your travels stress-free and easy. Use apps like Roadtrippers, Campendium, AllTrails, and RV Trip Wizard to plan your route, find nearby spots such as campgrounds or rest areas, and stay updated on the weather, both now and later in the week. Always better to plan ahead, we say. Also, keep in mind that cell service can get patchy in more remote areas of the state, especially on the Western Slope. It's never a bad idea to pack a paper map as a backup.

Solar panels are also a game-changer for boondocking; EV campers can take advantage of the increasing charger networks, where they can locate charging stations on the way and store up some power. State parks with electric vehicle (EV) charging stations are rolling out steadily. Colorado plans to add 168 fast-charge ports at 29 locations this year.

For private parks, always call ahead before plugging in unless chargers are officially listed.

12. Colorado RV packing checklist

The weather in Colorado can change from sunny to snowy very quickly, especially at higher elevations, where weather patterns are more unpredictable. Here’s a packing list to help you stay prepared and comfortable throughout the entire trip.

Clothing and gear

• Lightweight layers for hiking and chilly nights
• Insulated jacket (even in summer)
• Hiking boots and water shoes
• Hat, gloves, and rain gear

RV essentials

• Surge protector and extension cord
• Leveling blocks and wheel chocks
• Freshwater hose with filter
• Sewer hose kit with gloves
• Camp chairs and an outdoor rug

Tech + tools

• Phone mount or RV-specific GPS
• Solar charger or power bank
• Headlamps and lanterns
• National Park pass or state park permits
• Printed backup map (just in case)

Comfort + extras

• Altitude adjustment meds (helpful above 8,000 ft)
• Binoculars for wildlife spotting
• S’mores supplies and grilling gear
• Games or cards for downtime
• Travel journal or instant photo printer for memories

What’s next?

Well, that’s up to you!

Colorado’s RV travel scene is waiting for you to come and explore on your next adventure. So, whether you want cliffside views, desert sledding, alpine lakes, or fossil hunting—or possible alien encounters—this guide has the stops that will get you started in the right direction.

Before heading out on your next RV adventure, we recommend mapping out your route, securing campsite reservations, checking the dates and hours of your planned stops, and preparing to hit the road. If you need help booking an RV, finding a new one to take out on the open road, or both, Transwest can assist.

Here’s to open roads and new memories!