Denver, Colorado’s capital and largest city, sits in a prime location on the state’s Front Range, allowing travelers to explore outdoor escapes and urban attractions. Discover more about the Mile-High City with this guide to spending two days in Denver.
A great way to see the city is with an RV rental. You’ll get to save on hotel and restaurant costs, and you’ll have your own private accommodations when you bed down for the night. Go where you want, and when you want, at your leisure when you have an RV for rent. The Denver metro area has plenty of campgrounds from which you can base your trip.
Search RV rentals in the Denver area.
Preparing for Your Denver RV Trip
With RVshare, you’ll have a plethora of options to consider for an RV rental in Denver. Motorized vehicles include Class A RVs, which are the largest and can sleep up to 10 people; Class C vehicles, smaller than the Class A but still able to sleep roughly four to eight passengers; and Class B RVs, which are the campervans that can cozily accommodate parties of two. If you prefer to tow your RV, there are travel trailers of various sizes and amenities from top brands like Coachmen and Keystone.
Use these helpful articles when planning your RV vacation:
• Learn Essential RV Packing Tips
• Find Out How to Select the Best Size of RV
• Avoid These Mistakes When Renting an RV
Once you’ve picked out your ideal RV, it’s time to find your perfect campground. Fortunately, there are plenty of great choices in and around Denver. A few options include Dakota Ridge RV Park, Prospect RV Park, Chatfield State Park, and Clear Creek RV Park. Depending on the campsite you pick, you can enjoy amenities like full hookups, showers, cell reception, pull-through and back-in spots, pools, and laundry facilities.
Find other campground options in our comprehensive list of top-rated campgrounds in Denver.
Day 1: Your Introduction to Denver
Morning: Get in Some Exercise on the Cherry Creek Trail
Located in the heart of Denver, the Cherry Creek Trail winds for several miles alongside Cherry Creek. This kid-friendly multiuse trail allows for walking, running, bike riding, and dog walking. Start at the confluence with the South Platte River and go as far as you like.
Lunch: One of the City’s Best Sandwich Places
If your morning trek has you feeling famished, stop by Bodega for a filling lunch. Try the Basic sandwich, consisting of American cheese, hashbrowns, bacon, and scrambled eggs on a Kaiser roll. For a more lunch-oriented sandwich, the Dirty Denver features a short rib braised in green chili along with beefy mayo, cheese curds, and salt and vinegar crispy onions. Bodega has a drink menu offering everything from coffee and tea to beer, wine, cider, and cocktails.
Afternoon: Family Fun at Denver’s Amusement Park
Elitch Gardens is the place to go for old-fashioned family entertainment. Elitch’s has both a theme park and a water park. Go around and around on the Half Pipe, get spinning on the Hollywood & Vine, and drop from serious heights on the Twister III: Storm Chase. Water park activities include family and thrill slides; you can also rent your own cabana. The main operating season for Elitch Gardens runs from April through October.
Setting Up Camp
Most RV parks and campgrounds in Denver will have their own check-in policies; it’s best to review these beforehand so you know what to expect when you arrive at your campsite. You’ll either back into your reserved spot or pull through, and you’ll also need to hook up the water, sewer, and electrical connections, depending on what’s available at the park. If you’re nervous about driving the RV to the campground and setting it up, you can relax as the vehicle’s owner can do all this for you. Just make sure to set this up beforehand when you make your reservation through RVshare.
Dinner: A Quiet Night In
After your big day of adventure in Denver, relax and have dinner inside your RV. Assuming you already shopped for what you need, use the vehicle’s oven to cook a meal for the family. If your spot has a fire ring, that’s even better; have a cookout and dine outside.
Day 2: Enjoy Denver’s Cultural Side
Morning: Catch Fine Art Exhibits at a Top Art Museum
The Denver Art Museum has over 70,000 pieces of art that comprise various collections, including Arts of Asia, Latin American Art, and Western American Art. The museum also hosts various exhibitions that range from paintings and ceramics to textiles. Pick up a book or unique gift at the museum’s on-site shop.
Lunch: Dine at The Ponti
While perusing the collection at the Denver Art Museum, take a break for lunch at The Ponti. Try the Grain Bowl salad, or order the Cheesy Grilled Cheese with tomato jam on sourdough bread. Pair your meal with a raspberry lemonade, a mango tea, or an espresso.
Afternoon: Science and Nature in City Park
Located in City Park, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science has permanent exhibitions on Egyptian mummies, gems and minerals, and wildlife. Stop by the planetarium to learn more about our solar system, black holes, and our own planet. The Infinity Theater shows films on its giant screen, with subjects ranging from dinosaurs and whales to cities of the future. Check the museum’s website for its schedule of fee-free days held throughout the year.
Evening: First Friday Art Walks
In the city’s Art District on Santa Fe, check out the numerous unique art galleries during First Friday Art Walks, held evenings on the first Friday of each month. Between browsing the collections, relax with a coffee at one of the area cafes or shop at one of the independent boutiques.
Day 3 and Beyond in Denver
If you can spend more than two days in Denver, you’ll likely want to see more of the city. Some additional attractions include the following:
• Walk the 16th Street Mall: The 16th Street Mall is the city’s 1.25-mile, pedestrian-only thoroughfare, lined with shops, restaurants, bars, and cafes. Stroll the mall at your leisure while you window shop, or sit outside with a drink and people-watch. If you get tired, hop on the free shuttle bus that runs the length of the mall.
• Catch a Show at Red Rocks Amphitheatre: Located in nearby Morrison, Red Rocks Amphitheatre hosts outdoor concerts in a natural setting that features reddish-colored sandstone rock formations. Well-known bands and artists like U2, Neil Young, Depeche Mode, and Dave Matthews have performed here.
Winter Activities
Downtown Denver’s Skyline Park hosts free ice skating at its on-site rink. The Denver Christkindlmarket offers an outdoor holiday market where you can eat German and European food as well as walk among Christmas trees and other holiday decorations and enjoy music performances.
Indoor Activities
Enjoy classical music concerts and Broadway shows at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. From early fall through late spring, cheer on the city’s NHL team, the Avalanche, or Denver’s NBA squad, the Nuggets, at Ball Arena.
It’s well worth your time spending two or three days exploring Denver. It’s even better when you have your own RV rental so that you can travel based on your own schedule. Reserve yours today to get started.
