Roadtrip with RVshare Fort Collins to Birmingham

If driving from the foot of the Rockies to the heart of Alabama sounds like your cup of tea, then you should consider taking a Fort Collins to Birmingham road trip. Along the way, you’ll get to visit some great national parks featuring everything from rivers and canyons to hot springs and man-made marvels. You’ll also get to explore some lovely state parks and cities on your journey. There are plenty of fantastic points of interest to add to your road trip itinerary from Fort Collins to Birmingham, so you won’t have any problem setting up an exciting schedule.

Nearby National Parks

Rocky Mountain National Park  

Before you get too far into your road trip from Fort Collins to Birmingham, you’ll want to travel 50 minutes west of Longmont, Colorado, to check out Rocky Mountain National Park. You simply can’t visit this part of the country without exploring some of the Rockies, and there aren’t many better places to do so than here. You’ll be able to hike on 300 miles of trails that take you to the tops of peaks, to the bases of waterfalls, and along the banks of lakes. Moose, elk, black bears, wildflowers, waterfalls, and more await you at Rocky Mountain National Park. 

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park  

If you’re willing to drive five hours west of the Denver area, then you’ll get to explore the stunning Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. The striking dark basalt rock of the Black Canyon is some of North America’s oldest exposed rock, and the canyon itself is great for hiking, rock climbing, and, of course, river rafting and kayaking. Even if you’re not much of an adventurer, you can still go fishing, stargazing, and hiking on easy trails here. 

Great Sand Dunes National Park  

If you want to visit some sand dunes on your Fort Collins to Birmingham RV road trip, then you’ll need to travel four hours and 20 minutes southwest of the Denver area to Great Sand Dunes National Park. This unique national park is home to North America’s tallest sand dunes, as well as part of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The dunes themselves are free for guests to explore at will; visitors like to hike, sled, and backpack in the 30-mile dune field. You’ll also be able to explore wetlands, alpine lakes, grasslands, conifer forests, and more here. 

Gateway Arch National Park  

You can easily hop onto Interstate 70 in Kansas City and head east for three hours and 45 minutes so you can take in Gateway Arch National Park. This national park is located in the heart of St. Louis on the banks of the Mississippi River. The iconic 630-foot arch itself is the main attraction here, but you can also stop by multiple historic buildings and museums. Once you’re finished touring the park, you can head out into St. Louis itself for some outstanding dining, shopping, and entertainment opportunities. 

Hot Springs National Park  

Hot Springs National Park is two hours and 50 minutes southwest of Walnut Ridge, Arkansas. People come here to soak in the natural thermal baths, but they also have an on-site spa that provides further pampering. There’s more to do here than sit around, however; you can hike on the multiple trails in the park that take you through the mountains and woods around Hot Springs, Arkansas. There are plenty of great restaurants and shops in Hot Springs, so you’ll have plenty to do once you’ve checked out Hot Springs National Park. 

Nearby State Parks

Chatfield State Park  

Chatfield State Park is only half an hour from your route as it skirts around Denver, so it’s an excellent addition to your road trip itinerary from Fort Collins to Birmingham. Chatfield Reservoir is ideal for swimming, boating, fishing, and water sports. There are 26 miles of trails in the park that take you through part of the Platte River Valley and its surrounding environs. You can even fly a model airplane or launch a balloon here if you want.

Kanopolis State Park  

Thirty minutes from Sherman, Kansas, you’ll find Kanopolis State Park. Lovely Kanopolis Lake provides visitors with 3,500 acres of space for fishing, boating, and more. Mountain bikers, horseback riders, and hikers can take advantage of the 30 miles of trails in the park. You can also explore the Faris Caves, which were excavated in the 1880s by a Colorado miner. 

Ha Ha Tonka State Park  

You’ll be able to reach Ha Ha Tonka State Park by traveling an hour east of Osceola, Arkansas. There's much to explore here, so be sure to check out the castle ruins, the natural stone bridge, and the park’s multiple caves. You’ll also be able to visit the park’s natural springs, bluffs, sinkholes, and streams.

Lake Charles State Park  

Less than 10 minutes from Black Rock, Arkansas, is Lake Charles State Park. Lake Charles is a great place to go fishing, swimming, boating, and more; you might even be able to catch some crappie, catfish, bass, and bream. Four hiking trails ranging from easy to moderate take you around the lake and through its surrounding areas. 

Tombigbee State Park  

Since Tombigbee State Park is only 10 minutes from the outskirts of Tupelo, Mississippi, you should stop by on your Fort Collins to Birmingham RV road trip. Lake Lee is 90 acres large and is an ideal location for many different water activities. Multiple trails are available for hiking and mountain biking; other amenities include two disc golf courses and basketball and volleyball courts.

Along the Way

Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge  

Before you drive past Denver International Airport, you should head 10 minutes south of your route and tour the lovely Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge. This refuge is home to a 45-minute driving tour, 20 miles of hiking trails, and multiple cycling trails. If you keep your eyes peeled, you might see some bison, prairie dogs, coyotes, hawks, and more. 

Gage Park  

Gage Park is practically right off of your route as it goes through Topeka, Kansas. Gage Park is home to multiple great Topeka attractions, including the Topeka Zoo, the Carousel in the Park, and the Kansas Children’s Discovery Theater. Other places to visit in the park are the Blaisdale Family Aquatic Center, the Reinisch Rose Garden, and the Doran Rock Garden.

Kansas City Zoo  

Another great zoo worth adding to your road trip itinerary from Fort Collins to Birmingham is the Kansas City Zoo. You can reach it by traveling only 10 minutes north of your route, so you should definitely drop by to see this park’s more than 1,700 animals in person. Exhibits like Helzberg Penguin Plaza, Stingray Bay, and Orangutan Canopy are among the most popular.

Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium  

In the heart of Springfield, about a dozen minutes from your route, is the Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium. It’s more than 350,000 square feet large and is known for its immersive habitats that educate visitors about conservation and good stewardship of the land. The aquarium is home to more than 800 species, as well as wildlife galleries and special exhibits. 

Graceland  

Your route takes you within three minutes of Elvis Presley’s storied mansion and grounds, so how could you pass up the chance to visit it on your road trip from Fort Collins to Birmingham? Graceland Mansion, Elvis’s custom planes, Chapel in the Woods, and more await you here. There’s even an RV park on the premises, so you’ll be able to park your camper right off of Elvis Presley Boulevard while you’re learning more about the King.

Main Cities You Will Pass Through

Denver, Colorado  

The Denver Art Museum, Union Station, the Denver Botanic Gardens, and more beckon in this large Colorado city. Given how popular this area is, you won’t have any problem finding great dump stations and campgrounds nearby.

Topeka, Kansas

Take some time to explore the capital of Kansas on your road trip from Fort Collins to Birmingham by visiting places like the Evel Knievel Museum, Lake Shawnee, and the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site. Numerous quality dump stations and campgrounds are available nearby.

Kansas City, Missouri  

In this large city that sprawls across the Missouri River in both Missouri and Kansas, you can find interesting locations like Country Club Plaza, the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, and the Arabia Steamboat Museum. Plenty of excellent dump stations and campgrounds are close by.

Springfield, Missouri  

In Springfield, you’ll be able to tour places like the Fantastic Caverns, the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden, and the Springfield Conservation Nature Center. You’ll easily be able to find top-notch dump stations and campgrounds in the Springfield area.

Memphis, Tennessee  

Beale Street, Graceland, and the Peabody are among the meccas that make up the birthplace of the blues, soul, and rock ‘n’ roll. Many good dump stations and campgrounds call this city home.

Find Adventure from Fort Collins to Birmingham

Find your One-Way Rental

When you follow this road trip itinerary from Fort Collins to Birmingham, 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 Fort Collins or Birmingham.