Interested in RV Park (Colorado Springs, Woodland Park: RV parks, rentals, mobile home)

[froggin4colorado]

After moving to VA and having to stay a lot in our camper as we settled in, I realized the need for a great RV Park for COS. I am not talking mobile home park, but a true location for RVers to spend the night or three (etc.) when they take a vacation to COS. What do you think? It would need to be near I-25 or be easily accessible with big rigs. I know in the summer the one off Hwy 24 near 8th is packed and it doesn't look like it has that much appeal. There is also one in Manitou Sprgs. The KOA in Ftn is too close to the sewage plant-phewy, and Woodland Park has a couple. What do you think?

[COflower]

froggin4colorado RV parks are great in areas like Florida, Arizona and even places like the Great Lakes because of the draw for warmer weather...the Great Lakes region is great because of location to various east coast cities.

I honestly can't think that RV parks (some are RV resorts for the upper middle class and such where they buy into the land) have as much of a draw in Colorado let alone in C Springs proper. Also, I think that many people that enjoy RVing for all or most of their year avoid the mountain states. Have you ever been behind one going up the east bound side of Vail Pass? Those monsters (the big ones that are almost as expensive as a small house if not more) don't do well.

Besides, many that do RV traveling much of the year know that to get free RV parking (though minus water and other hookups) you go to Wal*Mart and park overnight.

[Falconlady]

COflower, I beg to differ. My husband and I RV all over the state. We belong to Family Campers and RVers which has 13 chapters in Colorado Springs alone. Their planned trips are primarily in-state. State rallies bring in 200+ rigs.

So, in Colorado Springs, you will find most of your options off I-25 and west on Hwy 24 toward Woodland Park. We had a reunion a couple of years ago at the Garden of the Gods campground that worked out well. Try Woodall's guide (RV Campgrounds, RV Camping, RV Rentals, RV Parks, RV Resorts - Woodalls) and RV Park reviews (RV Park Reviews :: Home) to help you decide . I've noticed our phone book is not much help. Are you driving a Class C or Class A? You might need to call ahead to see what their accommodations are if you have a 40' Class A as opposed to a 24' class C. There is also a new park south of town called Cheyenne Mountain State Park (Cheyenne Mountain Home - Colorado State Parks). They have some spots available. Hope that helps.

[treedonkey]

You mean like this one?

Colorado Heights Camping Resort

[SheridanL]

The one that treedonkey posted used to be called Colorado Pines. I stayed there as my parents parked their airstream there. It is nice and right off of I25 ( monument).
There is a KOA southwest of there right off of I25 also.

[Moman1]

I'd like to give you my input, but starting an RV campground in that area is on our short list of business opportunities once I retire from the Air Force in 3 years. I don't want to give anyone any ideas to change that. Yes, I'm being greedy and selfish. :-)

I can say that rving in Colorado is a seasonal issue. I don't see MANY people in their RVs from Nov-Apr.

[Mike from back east]

Originally Posted by Moman1

...I can say that rving in Colorado is a seasonal issue. I don't see MANY people in their RVs from Nov-Apr.

IIRC, the firms that rent RV's need to move then from COLO to SOCAL, AZ and NV for the winter season there; and offer very attractive rental rates to get people to drive them from here to those areas and then fly back to COLO.

[froggin4colorado]

Moman 1- maybe we should partner up eh?!
The RV spots in town just doesn't do the city any justice IMO. I would love to build a spot that didn't pack them in like sardines, was very family friendly, and hopefully easily accessible from I25. I stayed in a couple spots on the way out here (Williamsburg, VA) to include a really good one here in Williamsburg, VA that just puts COS to shame. There is so much to see and do in COS that I know adding one would be a great business decision due to how packed they are in the summer- and those aren't even that great!
Now, to find land...and to win the lotto I think ideally I would love to find a spot on the north end of town, possibly up in Monument. Doing one by Garden of the Gods would be great too. Hwy 24 going east is more flat and with mountain views but hmmm....something to think about huh?

[Moman1]

Originally Posted by froggin4colorado

Moman 1- maybe we should partner up eh?!
The RV spots in town just doesn't do the city any justice IMO. I would love to build a spot that didn't pack them in like sardines, was very family friendly, and hopefully easily accessible from I25. I stayed in a couple spots on the way out here (Williamsburg, VA) to include a really good one here in Williamsburg, VA that just puts COS to shame. There is so much to see and do in COS that I know adding one would be a great business decision due to how packed they are in the summer- and those aren't even that great!
Now, to find land...and to win the lotto I think ideally I would love to find a spot on the north end of town, possibly up in Monument. Doing one by Garden of the Gods would be great too. Hwy 24 going east is more flat and with mountain views but hmmm....something to think about huh?

Which one in Williamsburg, American Heritage or the KOA? I stayed at the AH one and it's not too bad. I rated it a 7 of 10.

I was thinking of Larkspur. It's close enough to Colorado Springs to have a draw, just north of a big city to catch people "just wanting to get through the city before stopping", and can grab people for the Renaissance Festival for 6-8 weeks every summer. If I decide to stop up an RV campground there, it wouldn't be for another 5 years or so at least.

[froggin4colorado]

I've actually done both now- both the KOA and American Heritage. I highly recommend the American Heritage over the KOA. When we first moved here, we lived out of the camper for 2 months and did a month at both. I can tell you that the KOA didn't clean their bathrooms so you showered with dead bugs and cobbwebbs. Yuck. American Heritage has custom tile work and takes pride in their clean bathrooms. It booked every weekend and has announced that it is expanding with 400 more sites and more cabins. Not a bad campground.
When we moved out here, we stayed a different KOAs and it was an experience. I think we would like to become owners someday. Keep in mind DH and I are only in our 30s and with 3 young children. We don't have the money to invest yet. Someday... but I think COS needs a good one.