Peyton is a census-designated place in El Paso County and is part of the Colorado Springs Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population of Peyton was 214 as of the 2020 U.S. Census. George Peyton settled here in 1888, and Peyton took on his name after the post office rejected the original name of Mayfield. Horses and livestock dominate the culture in the area.
If you want to spend some time outdoors, Homestead Ranch Park off Gollihar Road gets good reviews from locals. They enjoy access to the playground, fishing pond, and trails used for hiking and horseback riding. You can also explore the nearby Paint Mines Interpretive Park. It has four miles of trails that meander through rock formations with layers of distinct colors. The Ramah State Wildlife Area off U.S. Route 24 covers 400 acres. The grasslands and a reservoir offer an opportunity to view migrant birds, shorebirds, and waterbirds.
Many visitors to Peyton enjoy stopping by Whispering Spirit Ranch, which offers trail rides on horses, and kids can enjoy interacting with the animals there. There are few options for shopping in census-designated places like Peyton, so locals get what they need at Maggie's General Store and Stagecoach Wine and Liquor. A stop at Peyton Junction Mercantile offers a coffee shop where you can gather knowledge about the past and buy local goods.
When it comes to dining in Peyton, China Recipe off McLaughlin Road can help satisfy your cravings for Asian or Szechuan dishes. The Purple Toad Social Tap and Grill serves American cuisine in a pub atmosphere, or if you want some dessert, try Swirly Cow Frozen Yogurt.
Peyton's Falcon Meadow RV Campground is a family-owned and -operated facility off U.S. Route 24. The pull-through sites have full hookups, laundry facility access, and Wi-Fi. A convenience food store adds to the amenities, and you can buy firewood, gas, and propane. This facility also has restrooms and showers that are conveniently accessible 24 hours a day.
The nearby Colorado Springs KOA is another popular facility, with spaces that offer 50-amp power and can accommodate RVs up to 75 feet in length. Amenities at this RV park include cable, Wi-Fi, hot tub and sauna access, and a swimming pool open between May and September. A snack bar, kitchen, firewood, propane, and bike rentals are also available to guests.
Another facility that is close by is the Garden of the Gods RV Resort. The sites at this RV park include full hookups, 30- and 50-amp service, and water. This pet-friendly location also offers guests picnic tables, an arcade, two heated pools, and a playground for the kids.
A visit to Cheyenne Mountain State Park is only a 32-mile road trip southwest of Peyton, on the southwestern edge of Colorado Springs. This park provides 2,701 acres of terrain to explore. Experience the transition between mountains and plains, with the park sitting along the eastern flank of Cheyenne Mountain. The park offers 21 trails that stretch over 27 miles that you can explore by foot or ride your bike along 19 of these trails. One unique feature you might want to try is the archery range. There are also several educational programs for all ages. You will have access to 51 RV sites with full hookups and additional seasonal amenities.
You can take U.S. Route 24 west for 58 miles and reach Mueller State Park, near Divide, Colorado. The inspiring mountain views at this 5,112-acre park are the top draw for guests, with the giant rocks of Pikes Peak a stand-out feature. There are 99 sites with electrical hookups, and the park has two equestrian campsites for those with horses. Popular summer activities include biking, hiking, and horseback riding, while winter guests enjoy cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and sledding. You can also take a ranger-guided hike or a fly-fishing lesson while staying at the park.
Cherry Creek State Park is 54 miles north of Peyton, in Aurora. Its location in the Denver metropolitan area makes it a popular destination, especially during holidays between May and September. The main attraction here is the 880-acre reservoir, providing the water needed for boating, canoeing, fishing, kayaking, and water skiing. Birding is popular here, thanks to the bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, songbirds, and various waterfowl that are home to the area. You can explore 35 miles of trails, 12 of which have pavement. One unique attraction you might enjoy is the horses at 12 Mile Stables at Cherry Creek. The facility offers day camps, hay rides, lessons, and trail rides.
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument is a 59-mile road trip west of Peyton on U.S. Route 24. It showcases the prehistory of Colorado through exhibits of 1,700 plants and insects, many of which are impression fossils. Attention-grabbing displays include the giant petrified redwood exhibits and 14-foot-wide Sequoia trees. Start with the orientation video at the visitor center, then talk with the rangers or participate in the fossil lab. When you finish, take the mile-long Petrified Forest Loop to the ancient Lake Florissant or the Ponderosa Loop through modern forests.
Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site is 133 miles southeast of Peyton, near La Junta, Colorado. Known as the Castle of the Plains, the original structure became abandoned after a cholera outbreak in 1849. The reconstructed Pueblo-style fort accurately depicts the original architecture and is open for exploration. Start by watching the introductory documentary, and then make sure you get a pamphlet from a period-dressed employee to help you along your self-guided tour.
A more somber and reflective experience awaits you at Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site, located 137 miles east of Peyton near the town of Eads, Colorado. It highlights the events of the November 29, 1864, surprise attack by the U.S. Calvary against Cheyenne and Arapahoe Native Americans living here. Start your visit at the visitor's center before moving on to a ranger-led tour to learn about events. Pay tribute to those killed at the Repatriation Area before walking the 0.5-mile Monument Trail and 1.5-mile Ridge Trail to see the entire area.
The San Isabel National Forest is only a 43-minute drive west of Peyton and covers over 1.1 million acres of terrain. Alpine meadows and mountain summits are scattered across the lush woods here, offering fantastic photo opportunities. You can enjoy dispersed camping while you explore the 170 trails found within the forest. You can summit one or more of the 19 peaks that exceed 14,000 feet or take a less strenuous path as you ride your mountain bike. Other popular activities include identifying flora and fauna, fishing, and wildlife viewing.
Pike National Forest is another place to visit less than an hour west of Peyton. It covers 1,106,604 acres of terrain in the Rocky Mountains. Stand-out features here include 23 mountain peaks greater than 14,000 feet in elevation. Fishing is popular within the forest at places like Bear Lake, Manitou Lake, and Twin Lakes. You can geocache outside designated wilderness areas, and the dark skies in the western portions of the forest are ideal for star gazing. The forest has over 250 hiking trails to explore, and you can keep an eye out for black bears, bighorn sheep, eagles, elk, mountain goats, and pronghorn sheep.
A 137-mile road trip along I-25 north then I-70 west will bring you to Arapaho National Forest. It covers over 700,000 acres of varied landscape, including deep evergreen forests, wildflower-filled meadows, clear-running rivers, and snow-covered peaks in the Rocky Mountain Range. You can use your RV to explore several scenic routes before selecting a location to camp or hike. Other popular activities in the forest include mountain biking, road cycling, and horseback riding.
The Great Sand Dunes National Park is a 185-mile road trip south and west of Peyton. You will find a variety of landscapes at the 100,000-acre park, including conifer forests, grasslands, tundra, and wetlands. The stand-out terrain here is the 30-square-mile field of dunes. These are the tallest dunes in North America, with some reaching as high as 750 feet. You can sled down the dunes on a sandboard or sleigh and explore them on foot. Be prepared for the temperature extremes during your visit. The air temperature during summer climbs into the 80s while the sand temperature can reach 150 degrees Fahrenheit. Several nearby RV campgrounds offer a place to stay after playing in the sand.
A two-and-a-half-hour drive north of Peyton puts you at Rocky Mountain National Park, 140 miles away. The 265,461-acre park is dominated by Longs Peak at 14,259 feet in height. Explore the area in your RV by driving Trail Ridge Road or walking along 300 miles of hiking trails. Wildflower blooms and the changing fall colors attract many visitors annually, but you will find people enjoying the area year-round. Be prepared for quick changes in the weather as snow in July is not unheard of in this part of the Rocky Mountains. You will have access to five campgrounds, four of which require a reservation in advance.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park sits 252 miles west of Peyton and is one of the newer national parks in the nation. It holds some of the oldest exposed rocks in North America, with the stand-out feature being the 12-mile-long deep Black Canyon. This geologic marvel was carved over the millennia by the Gunnison River. You can take your RV along Rim Drive and use one of the two designated campgrounds in the 30,750-acre park. The North Rim Campground can accommodate RVs up to 22 feet in length, and the South Rim Campground has access to electricity. Guests enjoy hiking, climbing, fishing, and kayaking.
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 Peyton, 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 Peyton?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Peyton 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 Peyton?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.
