Roadtrip with RVshare Colorado Springs to Sturgis

On your trip from Colorado Springs to Sturgis, you'll experience some mile-high fun in the exciting city of Denver and a few tasty craft brews on your visit to Fort Collins. Phenomenal national parks on your route have you sand sledding and boarding at Great Sand Dunes National Park and trapesing through the wilderness at Rocky Mountain National Park. A few must-experience points of interest take you to see the iconic Devil's Tower National Monument, an active dig location at The Mammoth Site, and strolling the historical paths of Mount Rushmore National Memorial.

Nearby National Parks

A visit to some national parks will turn this trip into a bonafide outdoor adventure.

Great Sand Dunes National Park

Great Sand Dunes National Park is a must-experience park that's just two hours and 40 minutes south of Colorado Springs. Here, you can sandboard, sled, or hike a few of the park's most gnarly dunes with maximum peaks of 750 feet at High Dune. You can ride a fat bike on one of the only bike trails in the park on the Medano Primitive Road. For a day of water-filled fun, head to Medano Creek and then get ready to enjoy a starry night sky on the dunes.

Rocky Mountain National Park

On your way out of Denver, stop at Rocky Mountain National Park for a few fantastic days of hiking, rock climbing, biking, and soaking up the alpine vibes of this majestic mountain range. Check out a few unforgettable destinations at Longs Peak, the most famous and highest summit in the park, Glacier Gorge, Sky Pond, and Chasm Lake, located at the base of a sheer wall on Longs Peak called The Diamond. You should also visit the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center for park information along with the Sharkstooth, Dream Lake, and Mummy Mountain.

Wind Cave National Park

Wind Cave National Park is only one hour and 20 minutes away from Sturgis in the Black Hills of South Dakota. At this park, you can go on several different tours of the third-longest cave system in the U.S. on the Candlelight, Garden of Eden, and Natural Entrance Cave Tours. Continue exploring the park's 33,000 acres on more than 30 miles of hiking trails where you'll likely see bison, pronghorn antelopes, and elk. The animals are wild, so keep your distance and use caution.

Nearby State Parks

Consider including a few state parks to your Colorado Springs to Sturgis road trip itinerary for more outdoor fun than you can shake a stick at.

Castlewood Canyon State Park

Castlewood Canyon State Park is located near Franktown, CO, and is just outside the city of Castle Rock, where you can take your pick of 15 mild to moderately difficult trails for excellent views of the park and of local wildlife. Rock climbing is available for all skill levels up to heights of 60 feet, and you'll find picnic areas throughout the park when you're ready to kick back and relax. Be sure to check out the ruins of the Castlewood Canyon Dam that burst in the early 20th century for a bit of Colorado history.

Boyd Lake State Park

Boyd Lake State Park is a great place to experience the beauty of Loveland, CO, while paddleboarding on picturesque Boyd Lake or trekking the park's 22 miles of trails. Enjoying the lake is the main attraction around here, so you can pick your watercraft at the marina, where they have everything from pontoon boats to paddle bikes available for rent. This park also offers swimming, fishing, and year-round camping, along with seasonal waterfowl hunting.

Keyhole State Park

Keyhole State Park is one of Wyoming's hidden gems with plenty to see and explore. Located near Pine Haven, the park's reservoir has over 14,000 acres of water to enjoy and a marina that sells groceries and fishing supplies. Land-based activities abound with two scenic hiking trails and endless opportunities for bird watching and geocaching. If you've ever wanted to stay in a treehouse, you can do that here. RV camping with full hookups is available only at the Tatanka Campground, so make sure to reserve a spot at this site before your arrival. 

Along the Way

The Mammoth Site

Take an adventurous turn towards Hot Springs, South Dakota, to for a prehistoric journey to The Mammoth Site on your Colorado Springs to Sturgis road trip. This active archaeological dig site has the largest concentration of mammoth bones in the world, with a combined total of 61 Columbian and woolly mammoths. You'll see other Ice Age fossils of prehistoric mammals and birds as well as imprints of mollusks and fish within in the dry 26,000-year-old sinkhole.

Devils Tower National Monument

Devils Tower is America's first national monument and has a rich cultural and spiritual connection to the Native American tribes that have inhabited the area for centuries. You may notice small bundles and Native American prayer cloths tied to the trees while you're hiking on the most popular trail in the park, Tower Trail. Be sure to stop by the Devils Tower Visitor Center's bookstore and gift shop for climbing information and souvenirs, and join one of the park's Night Sky programs to experience the beauty of Devils Tower at sunset.

Mount Rushmore National Memorial

Mount Rushmore National Memorial is located in the lush woods of the Black Hills National Forest. At this historical destination, you can walk along the Avenue of Flags, marvel at the incredible detail of Mount Rushmore, and watch the Evening Sculpture Lighting Ceremony. Don't forget to nosh on some historic ice cream at the Memorial Team Ice Cream Station and taste some of the local fares at Carver's Marketplace that features bison burgers and bison stew.

Main Cities You Will Pass Through

Denver, Colorado

Denver is all about mountainy good times and chilling at some of the best craft breweries in the country. Stop by the Great Divide and The Grateful Gnome for a pint or two of an exclusive special imperial Yeti or a double hazy IPA, which is only available in the Centennial State. A wander around D-Town takes you to a few locals hotspots on Blake Street for some truly amazing margaritas at Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant and the tastiest guacamole in the city at the Blue Bonnet. Make sure to check out the Denver Art Museum, Larimer Square, 16th Street Mall, and the Denver Mint while you're downtown.

Clear Creek RV Park is within walking distance to downtown Golden and is just 20 minutes away from Denver. This small park is a great place to relax and features a dump station, showers, and laundry facilities.

Fort Collins, Colorado

Fort Collins is another craft brewery mecca with a historical site that you can explore at cafes, boutiques, and art galleries in Old Town. If you have a penchant for playing the piano, you'll find 65 painted pianos around town, so you can play your heart out or listen to the musical stylings of a few passersby. Take a trip down memory lane at the Holiday Twin Drive-In, and check out the cargo containers at The Exchange. You'll want to hit up Vatos Tacos and Tequila for tasty street tacos and finish the outing with mini-golf at Old Town Putt.

Fort Collins KOA Lakeside gives you access to fantastic outdoor activities and amenities that include a snack bar, mini-golf, and bumper boats. There's also an on-site dump station for your convenience.

Cheyenne, Wyoming

Let your visit to Cheyenne surprise you with fancy afternoon tea and delectable nibbles at the late 19th-century Nagle Warren Mansion. In the evening, you can sip craft cocktails at the Paramount Ballroom or belly up to the bar for a real country music experience at the Outlaw Saloon. Take a gander at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum and then catch a ride on the Cheyenne Street Railway Trolley Tour to see the sights. Pose for a pic in front of the big, painted cowboy boot. 

AB Camping RV Park welcomes you with an on-site barbecue restaurant and excellent year-round amenities that include a dump station. For extended Wyoming stays, there are many more campgrounds to explore throughout the state.

Find Adventure from Colorado Springs to Sturgis

Find your One-Way Rental

When you follow this road trip itinerary from Colorado Springs to Sturgis, you will enjoy historic locations and beautiful scenery along the way. If you want to travel in comfort and style, consider an RV rental from RVshare. From large motorhomes to compact campervans, there is a rig that will meet your travel and budget needs. Once you hit the road, you are protected by our renter guarantee and 24/7 roadside assistance. Find the perfect vehicle for your travel needs in Colorado Springs or Sturgis.