USA / Colorado
Rent a Camper in Colorado Rocky Mountains at Your Doorstep
Denver puts you 90 minutes from Rocky Mountain National Park and two hours from some of the best alpine camping in the country. All four major platforms operate here. Colorado's 300 days of sunshine make it one of the most reliable states for camper travel.
Colorado Rental Pricing
| Platform | Pricing | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoorsy | $80-$300/night | Strong 4x4 and overland rig selection in CO |
| RVshare | $75-$275/night | Good trailer and motorhome inventory, delivery available |
| Cruise America | $100-$250/night | Denver metro location |
| Escape Campervans | $85-$165/night | Denver pickup, one-way to Las Vegas available |
Denver as a Starting Point
Denver is the primary pickup city for Colorado camping. Denver International Airport is a major hub with cheap flights from most US cities. All four platforms have strong inventory here. The city sits at 5,280 feet — the mountains start 45 minutes west on I-70.
Colorado Springs (75 miles south) has fewer rental options but puts you closer to Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods and Great Sand Dunes.
Best Road Trips From Denver
Rocky Mountain National Park
90 minutes from Denver. 2-4 days minimum. Trail Ridge Road crosses the Continental Divide at 12,183 feet — the highest continuous paved road in the US. Moraine Park and Glacier Basin campgrounds take RVs up to 35 feet. Timed entry reservation required May through October. Book campgrounds 6 months ahead.
San Juan Skyway Loop
5-7 days from Denver. 236-mile loop through Ouray, Silverton, Telluride and Durango. Some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in the US. Million Dollar Highway between Ouray and Silverton has tight switchbacks — not for the faint of heart in a large RV. Keep it under 28 feet. Open mid-June through October.
Great Sand Dunes and Mesa Verde
4-5 days, southern Colorado loop. Great Sand Dunes has North America's tallest dunes — surreal landscape. Pinyon Flats campground has RV sites. Continue west to Mesa Verde National Park for ancient cliff dwellings. Morefield campground has full hookups.
I-70 Mountain Corridor
Weekend to 3 days. Denver west through the Eisenhower Tunnel to Vail, Glenwood Springs and Grand Junction. National forest campgrounds line the route. Hanging Lake Trail near Glenwood Springs is a highlight. Watch for Sunday afternoon I-70 traffic returning to Denver — legendary bottleneck.
Colorado-Specific Tips
- → Altitude matters. Denver is 5,280 feet. Mountain passes hit 10,000-12,000 feet. Your engine works harder, gas mileage drops and water boils at a lower temperature. Stay hydrated, take it slow the first day.
- → Mountain pass season is short. Trail Ridge Road opens late May, closes mid-October. Independence Pass opens late May. Million Dollar Highway stays open later but can close for snow. Check CDOT road conditions before any mountain route.
- → Afternoon thunderstorms. July and August bring almost daily afternoon storms above treeline. Plan mountain driving for mornings. Lightning above 11,000 feet is serious.
- → Free camping on national forest land. Colorado has vast BLM and national forest areas with free dispersed camping. The White River, Arapaho and Pike national forests are closest to Denver.
Back to US hub · all regions · platform rankings · budget tips