The first settlement in the area that would become Loveland was built by Mariano Medina in 1858. That settlement was called Fort Namaqua, and it served as a trading post and stage station. The city of Loveland was officially founded in 1877 along a line of the Colorado Central Railroad, which had recently been constructed. The city was named to honor William A.H. Loveland, who was the president of the railroad. During the first half of the 20th century, Loveland was heavily dependent on agriculture. However, the economy started to diversify during the next few decades, with manufacturing facilities, a medical center, and other major businesses arriving.
These days, Loveland has a population of roughly 77,000 and is known for its beautiful downtown area, magnificent sculpture garden, and many diverse cultural attractions. Anyone visiting the city should make a point to check out the Benson Park Sculpture Garden, which features impressive works of wood, glass, stone, bronze, ceramic, and other materials. Another great destination for the arts is the Loveland Museum and Gallery, which was founded in 1937 and boasts a fantastic collection of works. If you prefer the performing arts, you can head over to the Rialto Theater Center to watch a live show.
Loveland is known for its natural beauty, featuring many scenic parks and other outdoor havens worth exploring. There's the Bobcat Ridge Natural Area, where you can enjoy some fantastic wildlife viewing. There's also the Devil's Backbone Open Space, which is a popular spot for activities like biking, hiking, and horseback riding. If you're in the mood for water-based recreation, you could instead visit the Pinewood Reservoir for a pleasant day of fishing or boating.
Like much of Colorado, Loveland is also revered for its breweries and wineries. While you're in town, a few spots you may want to check out are the Grimm Brothers Brewhouse, the Sweet Heart Winery, and Big Beaver Brewing Co.
July 4 Festival and Fireworks - There's no better way to celebrate the 4th of July than to visit Loveland's North Lake Park for this annual event. Admission is free, and attendees will get to enjoy fireworks, live music, food trucks, vendors, and much more.
Applewood Fall Festival - The annual Applewood Fall Festival takes place at the Ranch Events Complex in early October. The festival features over 100 artisans including fine art, take-home foods, clothing, handmade crafts, and more.
Art in the Park Loveland - Art in the Park has become an iconic Loveland tradition, happening every year in mid-August at North Lake Park. The fundraising event features over 175 artisans showing a diverse collection of amazing art.
Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most iconic destinations in Colorado, known primarily for its majestic mountain peaks. The most notable of the park's mountains is Longs Peak, which is one of the state's "fourteeners," standing at an incredible 14,259 feet. If you visit the breathtaking area, you can explore some of the 300 miles of hiking trails while watching out for the awesome wildlife inhabitants, which include moose and black bears. There are also some excellent opportunities for fishing in the park's many lakes and streams.
Great Sand Dunes National Park is another unique natural area found in Colorado. The park, which comprises over 100,000 acres, boasts the tallest sand dunes on the continent, with some reaching as high as 750 feet. The diverse park also boasts forests, wetlands, lakes, and grass fields. In addition to sliding down some of the amazing dunes on sleds or sandboards, you can hike the area's scenic trails or make use of the exceptionally dark sky for stargazing.
Located in western Colorado, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park gets its name from the awe-inspiring canyon it contains, which was carved out over many years by the mighty flow of the Gunnison River. The park, which features some of the oldest exposed rock in North America, offers visitors the chance to partake in activities like hiking, rock climbing, kayaking, fishing, and stargazing.
You'll find Boyd Lake State Park within a few miles of Loveland, and it covers about 2,000 acres of picturesque land and water. You can hike or bike along the scenic trails, or you can head out into the lake for a peaceful day of swimming, fishing, or boating.
Golden Gate Canyon State Park lies just northwest of Golden, Colorado, and covers a whopping 11,998 acres. The lovely outdoor haven offers 36 miles of hiking trails and 22 miles of biking and equestrian trails. Plus, there's an on-site visitor's center and more than 100 campsites and picnic areas. In addition to all that, the area is a great spot for wildlife viewing; you may be lucky enough to spot a mule deer, elk, mountain lion, black bear, or moose.
Jackson Lake State Park is a serene oasis located within the Great Plains of northeastern Colorado. The park's prominent feature is its namesake reservoir, which is ripe for fishing, boating, and swimming. During the winter, the lake is popular for both ice fishing and ice skating. The natural area also features volleyball courts, a short nature trail, and park roads that are perfect for biking.
Colorado features many unique monuments and landmarks that you can visit, and one good example is the incredible Red Rocks Amphitheatre outside of Denver. The iconic open-air amphitheater was carved into the sandstone to form one of the most amazing music venues in the world. If you're lucky enough to catch a show there, you should definitely seize the opportunity. However, even walking around the site when nothing's going on is an unforgettable experience.
If you find yourself near Colorado Springs, you can visit the unique Manitou Incline. The landmark comprises an outdoor staircase of 2,768 steps, which total roughly 2,000 feet of elevation gain for anyone who climbs them. That said, if you have the endurance to make it to the top, the spectacular view will make it all worthwhile.
Another amazing destination worth checking out is the Colorado National Monument, located just outside Grand Junction, Colorado near the state's western border. The breathtaking desert landscape features deep canyons, incredible rock formations, and lots of shrubs and other vegetation. If you want to truly experience the area, take the time to hike or backpack through it.
If you need a peaceful place to camp overnight, you could go with the Fort Collins North/Wellington KOA. The campground offers 75 RV campsites with full hookups available, and during your stay, you'll be able to use the pool, pavilion, and camp kitchen. The campsites are a whopping 80 feet long, and Fort Collins is located conveniently close by.
Another top-notch option is the Loveland RV Resort, which boasts 175 RV campsites available for $56-$62 per night or $350-$375 per week. The campground features a swimming pool and a large canopy of shady trees, which will keep you cool during a summertime stay. Nearby, you'll find several sporting arenas, breweries, and retail outlets.
You also can't go wrong staying at the Fireside Cabins and RV Park, where the 35 full-hookup RV campsites are available for only $35 per night. The park, which offers discounts for military and AARP members, offers laundry facilities, cable television, and Wi-Fi. Plus, there are wonderful nearby opportunities for all sorts of outdoor recreation.
Motorhomes are divided into Class A, B, and C vehicles. On average expect to pay $185 per night for Class A, $149 per night for Class B and $179 per night for Class C. Towable RVs include 5th Wheel, Travel Trailers, Popups, and Toy Hauler. On average, in Loveland, CO, the 5th Wheel trailer starts at $70 per night. Pricing for the Travel Trailer begins at $60 per night, and the Popup Trailer starts at $65 per night.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Loveland?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Loveland from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in Loveland?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.
