The area that would become Colorado Springs was part of the territory included in the 1803 Louisiana Purchase, and over the following century, it would, at various times, be considered part of the Kansas, Jefferson, and Colorado Territories. The town was originally named Fountain Colony, but it was renamed Colorado Springs and officially incorporated in 1886.
With its current population of around 480,000 people, Colorado Springs is the second-most populous city in Colorado. It lies right at the base of the towering Rocky Mountains and is revered for the abundance of natural beauty that surrounds it. You can see this beauty firsthand at the Garden of the Gods Park, which features incredible red sandstone formations overlooking lush groves. If you want to check out some of the beauty below the surface, you can head to Cave of the Winds Mountain Park, where you can explore the fascinating caves located underneath the Rockies.
You'll find many of the city's best dining, shopping, and nightlife destinations along North Tejon Street. In the area, you can grab a delicious lunch at Bingo Burger and then have a couple of drinks later at Jack Quinn's Irish Pub. Another wonderful option for charming shops and high-quality eateries is the Old Colorado City downtown area. In addition to its many stores and restaurants, the downtown area also boasts the Magic Town sculpture museum and the outdoor haven of Bancroft Park.
If you're in the mood for a live concert while visiting Colorado Springs, you can catch one at Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts. Or you could check out one of the shows put on at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, which also features a variety of galleries, libraries, and studios. Any museum buffs visiting the city will have plenty of attractions to choose from, including the National Museum of World War II Aviation, the Western Museum of Mining and Industry, and the Penrose Heritage Museum.
Pikes Peak Birding and Nature Festival – The annual Pikes Peak Birding and Nature Festival takes place in mid-May at the Fountain Creek Nature Center, 15 minutes southeast of Colorado Springs. Attendees can learn all about the area's native birds and even see some of them firsthand.
June Jubilee – Come out to Colorado Springs' annual June Jubilee at Acacia Park to enjoy a variety of visual arts and handcrafted goods.
Annual Heritage Brew Festival – If you're a beer lover, you'll want to come out to Soda Springs Park, which is 13 minutes northwest of Colorado Springs, in late September for the Annual Heritage Brew Festival. The fun event features craft beer from over 20 breweries and lots of great local food and music.
One of the nearest national parks to Colorado Springs is Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, which covers over 100,000 acres of land in the southern part of Colorado. Many visitors head to the park two and a half hours southwest of Colorado Springs to get a firsthand look at the impressive sand dunes, which are the tallest in all of North America. The preserve isn't just sand though; the area also boasts wetlands, conifer forests, grasslands, and alpine lakes. During your visit, you can hike, backpack, stargaze or cool off with a refreshing swim in Medano Creek.
Perhaps Colorado's most famous national park is Rocky Mountain National Park. Located about two and a half hours northwest of Colorado Springs, the breathtaking park contains majestic mountain peaks, over 300 miles of scenic trails, and a variety of interesting wildlife species. The most significant landmark in the park is Longs Peak, which stands higher than 14,000 feet. While you explore the gorgeous park, make sure you're on the lookout for moose and black bears!
Another incredible national park in Colorado is the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, which comprises 12 miles of the amazing Black Canyon and is four hours and 15 minutes southwest of Colorado Springs. The canyon was carved over thousands and thousands of years by the Gunnison River. In addition to observing the stunning views of the canyon and surrounding landscape, visitors to the park can partake in hiking, rock climbing, kayaking, fishing, and more.
Cheyenne Mountain State Park lies just 12 minutes southwest of Colorado Springs and covers 2,701 acres of scenic land. The park features 27 miles of beautiful hiking trails, several peaceful picnic areas, campsites, and a visitor center. The area is also a fantastic destination for wildlife viewing. Deer, elk, black bears, cougars, coyotes, foxes, prairie dogs, red-tailed hawks, golden eagles, and wild turkeys are all known to inhabit the park.
Mueller State Park is located 37 minutes northwest of Colorado Springs in the foothills of Pikes Peak. The stunning mountain retreat covers just over 5,000 acres of majestic peaks, massive rock formations, forested ridges, and spring-fed ponds. There are more than 50 miles of trails winding through the mountainous park, and visitors can explore them by hiking, biking, or horseback riding. During winter, the park is an awesome haven for snowshoeing, sledding, and cross-country skiing.
Eleven Mile State Park lies on the shores of the vast Eleven Mile Reservoir about an hour northwest of Colorado Springs. The 7,622-acre lake is a popular destination for fishing, boating, and swimming. There are also hundreds of campsites around the reservoir and many miles of picturesque hiking and biking trails.
Consider visiting a few of Colorado's most interesting monuments and landmarks while you're traveling in the region. You can start by checking out the incredible Red Rocks Amphitheatre, which is located in the suburbs of Denver an hour northwest of Colorado Springs. The breathtaking open-air amphitheater is carved into the sandstone and is one of the most unforgettable places to view a live concert.
While you're in the Colorado Springs area, you should definitely stop by the Manitou Incline, which is only 11 minutes northwest of Colorado Springs. If you've got the energy, you can climb the 2,768 steps to the top, and you'll be rewarded with a fantastic view of the surrounding landscape.
If you head an hour southwest of Colorado Springs toward Pueblo, you can also visit the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park. The amazing suspension bridge is one of the most famous bridges in the country. You can walk across the incredible landmark, and if you're brave enough, you can even zip-line across the wide gorge as well.
You shouldn't have any problem finding a lovely campground or RV park to stay overnight near Colorado Springs. For example, 27 minutes southwest of Colorado Springs is the Mountaindale Cabins and RV Resort, which is a beautiful camping area with full-hookup RV sites, attentive staff, and convenient access to many peaceful hiking trails.
You could also camp at the Diamond Campground and RV Park, which is 27 minutes northwest of Colorado Springs. You can stay in one of the 130 full-hookup RV campsites and make use of the newly renovated bathhouse. The campground is also close to a fantastic aquatic center and a system of scenic multipurpose nature trails.
Just 16 minutes south of Colorado Springs is the Golden Eagle Campground, which boasts 125 pull-through RV campsites with full hookups. As a guest, you'll also have access to free Wi-Fi, fishing ponds stocked with trout, and a beautiful five-mile hiking trail.
Motorhomes are divided into Class A, B, and C vehicles. On average expect to pay $185 per night for Class A, $149 per night for Class B and $179 per night for Class C. Towable RVs include 5th Wheel, Travel Trailers, Popups, and Toy Hauler. On average, in Colorado Springs, CO, the 5th Wheel trailer starts at $70 per night. Pricing for the Travel Trailer begins at $60 per night, and the Popup Trailer starts at $65 per night.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Colorado Springs?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Colorado Springs from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in Colorado Springs?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.