RV Rental Colorado Springs, CO

Colorado Springs RV Rentals

At an elevation of 6,035 feet, Colorado Springs, Colorado is nestled into the eastern foot of the Rocky Mountains, very close to the famous glacier-carved Pikes Peak. Many travelers are drawn to this city for its stunning vistas and easy access to year-round outdoor activities. That makes Colorado Springs one of the funkiest and fun towns in a state already known for its laid-back and athletic vibe.

The Colorado Springs area draws upwards of 85 million visitors every year who are looking to ski, hike, snowshoe, mountain bike, ice climb, and much more. With a surprisingly large number of attractions from zoos to museums to world-class restaurants, you'll be hard-pressed to fit all that you want to do into just one trip. That’s why considering an RV rental in Colorado Springs is a great idea. You can travel to all the hot spots or park in one of Colorado Springs' many convenient RV parks and campgrounds.

Colorado Springs RV Rentals

Colorado Springs is actually the second-largest city in Colorado, with a population of almost 440,000. It’s nicknamed “Olympic City USA,” since it’s the headquarters of the US Olympic Committee, which should tell you something about the region’s focus on health and exercise.

With over 300 days of sunshine in Colorado Springs annually, you’re sure to enjoy some great weather opportunities, no matter what time of year you visit. The city features an almost idyllic climate of warm summers, and moderate falls, winters, and springs, thanks to its alpine desert environment which minimizes humidity and promotes a pristine “clean air” atmosphere.

This climate and temperature is perfect for promoting year-round outdoor recreation, from whitewater rafting, fishing, hiking, biking, horseback riding, and nearby world-class skiing and snowboarding.

Outdoor activities are definitely not all there is to do in Colorado Springs. The city features a whopping 55 natural and human-made attractions, including the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum, Royal Gorge Bridge and Park, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Cave of the Winds, numerous festivals, and so much more. There’s also a lot of restaurants that boast every cuisine imaginable.

With so many visitors and tourists recognizing the appeal of Colorado Springs, the city has begun to see an increase in the large number of RVers that come to visit each year. If you don’t have an RV of your own, you can conveniently rent one from a number of providers that are conveniently located throughout the city. Choose from an extensive list of RV rentals in Colorado Springs, including campers and travel trailers to suit your needs.

Popular RV Destinations in Colorado Springs

Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center

The renowned and aptly named Garden of the Gods is a registered National Natural Landmark that boasts 1,323 acres of both incredible recreational and scenic opportunities. From 300-foot imposing sandstone rock formations to dramatic and stunning views of the famed snowy Pikes Peak, the highest summit of the southern front of the Rocky Mountain range, there’s no way you won’t be in awe.

Here you can enjoy guided nature walks, free presentations, guided van tours, rock climbing expeditions, and over 30 interactive high-tech exhibits. Conveniently, some of the most impressive and breathtaking views of the Garden of the Gods are accessed right from the terrace of the Visitor and Nature Center. So if you just want to go and sit and absorb nature, that’s also totally doable.

The inside of the Visitor and Nature Center is also very impressive, with award-winning gift shops that offer intricate Native American pottery and jewelry, books, geological artifacts, apparel and souvenirs. You can also enjoy a delicious meal on the terrace or in the glassed-in cafe.

Pikes Peak

Of course, if you’re coming to Colorado Springs, you have to fit in a visit to the famous Pikes Peak. The highway entrance is located just 15 minutes away. You can drive the scenic and stunning highway on a 2-3 hour leisurely round trip journey. 

Begin at the gateway to the mountain at an elevation of 7,400 feet and cruise past breathtaking vistas and mountain reservoirs to go beyond the timberline and above the clouds all the way up to a mind-boggling 14,115 foot summit.

Along this winding and amazing route, you’ll encounter numerous gift shops, hiking trails, scenic overlooks, and lakes for fishing and picnicking. You can even stop to watch a “Meet the Ranger'' interpretive program to learn more about the area’s history, flora and fauna, and some myths swirling around this historic region.

Auto and racing enthusiasts from around the world visit each summer for the famous Pike's Peak International Hill Climb. With more than 156 turns in just 12 miles and climbing more than 10,000 feet to the summit, it's one of the most exhilarating race experiences in the world.

Cripple Creek and Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad

Take a scenic and historic four-mile round trip on a 15-ton iron horse steam locomotive that’s modeled after the mining trains that were so important in opening up and winning over the Wild, Wild West. History buffs, kids, and adults alike will love this stunning and informative attraction that’s open from mid-May through Labor Day.

The train heads south out of Cripple Creek and meanders through the old Midland Terminal Wye over a reconstructed train trestle, past historic gold mines, and culminates near Anaconda, a deserted mining camp, before traveling back to Cripple Creek. The entire trip takes about 45 minutes, which is perfect for keeping little ones and those with short attention spans entertained.

Of course, the trip comes complete with informative and interesting narration that enlightens you about the rich history of this once-bustling gold town. It also stops at fun points of interest and gorgeous views that are ideal for photo ops.

Manitou Cliff Dwellings

The Manitou Cliff Dwellings is a unique and rare historical find that you won’t see almost anywhere else. It consists of authentic Anasazi cliff dwellings that are over 800 years old and have been preserved under a protective red sandstone overhang. They are the awe-inspiring and fascinating architectural remains from an American Indian culture that inhabited the Four Corners area of the Southwest from 1200 B.C. to 1300 A.D.

Overlooking Manitou Springs, at the foot of Pikes Peak, you’re encouraged to explore and enjoy not only the stunning vista, but also the dwellings themselves. Wander leisurely from room to room and examine the amazing architecture of the ancient Puebloan people. This is one of the best maintained examples of the Anasazi architecture in all of Colorado and New Mexico.

Of course there is also a museum and gift shop to explore in the three-story Pueblo-style building that was built in 1904 after the style of the Anasazi. This building actually housed a family of local Native Americans up until 1984.

U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum

Another unique attraction that you won’t have the opportunity to experience anywhere else, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum is not to be missed. Capturing all the history of Team USA, the museum offers a high-tech interactive experience that commemorates the long and lustrous path of one of the world’s top Olympic nations.

Named the “Nation’s Best New Attraction” in 2020, the museum boasts some of the most state-of-the-art interactive exhibits that include automatically triggered media, audio descriptions, wheelchair accessibility throughout, interactive touchscreens, open captioning and American Sign Language, and even low sensory versions of many presentations and exhibits to create an environment that truly welcomes all.

The 60,000-square-foot building is dedicated to showcasing the compelling and gritty stories of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic athletes that have competed throughout history. You will leave inspired, proud, and in awe of what all of these talented individuals and teams have been able to achieve. And to round out your visit, you can check out the well-outfitted gift shop and cafe.

Events and Entertainment in Colorado Springs

Starlight Spectacular

The well-renowned and stunning annual Starlight Spectacular takes place one evening during the month of June. It began back in 1994 when a group of cycling enthusiasts fed up with the heat of the day met up in the middle of the cool evening to ride bikes by starlight and watch the sunrise. This led to the start of an annual tradition that has now become one of the area’s biggest fundraisers. 

Proceeds from this unique and fun event are used to advocate for trails and open space in the Pikes Peak region. This event consists of families and friends beginning at the Garden of the Gods and riding a number of bike trails that range between 10-25 miles long. It includes tons of fun food, entertainment and rest stops along the way that are all generously provided by local sponsors. 

Prizes are given out for the best illuminated bike, best costume, and largest group. The event is definitely not a race, but continues all night long and culminates with a fun and filling pancake breakfast. It’s certainly an event that you won’t find elsewhere.

Pikes Peak Or Bust Rodeo and Days

For five days in either July or August each year, you can experience that quintessential of all Western traditions, the rodeo. This is an invitational PRCA-sanctioned championship rodeo that has been held since 1937.

It features bareback riding, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, team roping, tie-down roping, barrel racing, and of course, bull riding. There’s also a great Wild West show that features longhorn steers. Kids can take part in gold panning, pony rides, mechanical bulls, and more.

The best athletes in the business compete for top prize money at the scenic Norris-Penrose Event Center. After all the high-energy festivities of the day, there’s plenty of food and live music to enjoy in the evenings. It’s a party you won’t want to miss.

Colorado Springs Labor Day Lift-Off

Every year over Labor Day weekend Colorado Springs celebrates the culmination of an amazing summer with a spectacular and super fun festival at Memorial Park that starts with the early morning launch of upwards of 70 hot air balloons. You can choose to participate in a hot air balloon ride or enjoy all the festivities from the safety of the ground.

The festivities continue all through the weekend with planned events, vendors, concerts, and entertainment. Take part in the funny and unusual donut eating contest, lake events, and field activities, or just enjoy people watching at one of the largest hot air ballooning events in the nation. It’s a special way to say good-bye to summer.

Emma Crawford Coffin Races and Festival

Emma Crawford was a Manitou resident that passed away in 1891. She was buried at the top of Red Mountain, but during a large rainstorm in 1929, her coffin became unearthed and slid all the way down the mountainside. For over 25 years, the community has honored her memory with a coffin race and festival around the town.

The festival takes place around late October each year, near Halloween and includes some very interesting and spooky events and attractions, like the coffin race itself, but also ghost tours of Old Manitou, the Skeleton Craze in which you can vote for your favorite decorated skeleton from around town, a buffet dinner known as “Emma’s Wake” at the famed Miramont castle, and many other fun, themed events.

Of course you’ll also see lots of awesome costumes, exhibits, and food vendors, as well as entertainment.

Again, with so many awesome events happening almost all the time in Colorado Springs, from music festivals, to art shows, wine festivals, food festivals, parades, concerts, and more, it’s tough to only showcase a few. No matter what time of year you land in Colorado Springs, you’re guaranteed to have something fun to experience or participate in.

FAQs

Q. What are RV rentals?

RV rentals work much like any other vehicle rentals. You pay a daily or weekly rate for your RV rental. You can expect these rates to fluctuate based on the time of year and the geographical location that you're renting. Naturally, rates tend to increase during peak season. They allow you to get an RV for a certain period and enjoy all its benefits while traveling without the hassles and large cost of owning your own RV. It’s also a great way to try out some different RV models if you are considering purchasing your own.

Q. How much are RV Rentals?

RV rentals in Colorado Springs can range between $75-150 per night for most small to moderately sized trailers and campervans. Larger RVs and travel trailers can cost between $100-250 per night, depending on the season and the year, make and model of the RV. Some companies also offer a slight discount if you rent for longer than a week.

Q. Do I need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Colorado Springs?

While most states require you to be at least 25 years old to rent an RV, Colorado’s legal age to rent an RV is 21 years old. This may not be the policy of your RV rental agency, however. Most companies require you to be at least 25 to rent one of their RVs.

Q. Do I need insurance when I rent an RV?

Yes, you'll need insurance to rent an RV in Colorado. It's meant to cover the vehicle in case of an accident and is mandatory in most states. Most RV rental companies will have RV-specific insurance that you can purchase.

Q. Do I need to return my rental RV with a full tank?

This policy varies between rental agencies, but most RV rental facilities in Colorado Springs will expect you to return the vehicle with a full tank of gas. At the very least, the fuel should be at the same level as when you got the vehicle.

Q. Are RVs pet-friendly in Colorado Springs?

Many RV and camper rentals in Colorado Springs are pet-friendly, and there are even vehicles specially designed for accommodating animals. Still, it’s important to double-check the policy with your chosen rental agency before renting a particular vehicle.