The Arapaho and Ute tribes first inhabited the area now known as Thornton. In 1858, settlers began to arrive in the Eastern Plains. The area around present-day Thornton remained mostly rural farmlands until the early 1950s when a construction company announced plans to build 5000 new homes. Like many American cities at the time, Thornton was born out of a post-war economic boom and the transitioning of a more rural lifestyle into a more suburban one, with a growing demand for single-family housing. The first few families moved into these new homes in 1954, and by the time the town was first incorporated in 1956, it had a population of 8,640.
Today, Thornton is home to a number of large employers, including Comcast, Walmart, and the Food and Drug Administration. The city is also home to the Denver Broncos practice facility and Extraction Oil and Gas headquarters.
Pass by Springvale Park Disc Golf Course to play golf when you come to Thornton. Trail Winds Recreation Center and Margaret W Carpenter Recreation Center are other top sites for outdoor recreation. Don't forget to visit this city's many fantastic eateries and downtown-area shops.
Thorntonfest – Have a memorable day at this annual Thornton event in June. Rock out to local music, take a carnival ride, watch the car show, and enjoy the petting zoo.
Harvest Fest – Join other members of the Thornton community at this August event. Expect free entertainment, tasty food, and lots of family-friendly fun.
Winterfest – Have fun at this three-day party in December when it is snowing. Fireworks shows and ice-skating stunts will impress you.
With only 61 miles between them, Rocky Mountain National Park is the closest national park to Thornton. Spend the first few hours of your tour hiking a few of the trails which snake their way through this beautiful park. Take a scenic drive over winding Trail Ridge Road and look for elk and bighorn sheep. Take advantage of the multiple designated sites in the park to picnic.
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is 244 miles away from Thornton. Tour this park in the summer months to swim in Medano Creek. Stretch your legs on a hiking or backpacking expedition on the park's trails. Sandboarding and sand sledding are also favorite activities here, and be sure to catch a legendary sunset over the dunes.
257 miles separate Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Thornton. Find your way to one of the overlooks in the park to view the awe-inspiring vistas. If you want a challenging activity, you can try climbing the inner sides of the canyon. Carry your fishing kit to test your luck in the Gunnison River. You can also hire a boat to take you out on the river.
Cherry Creek State Park in Denver offers many incredible things. You can hike and bike this expansive park's many trails or participate in swimming, boating, and fishing in the 88-acre reservoir. If your RV travels take you here during the winter months, you can enjoy ice fishing, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. Carry a camera in case you spot any bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, or one of the other birds native to this region.
Chatfield State Park offers tons of activities for the entire family. You can enjoy fishing, kayaking, and sailing on the vast Chatfield Reservoir. The 26 miles of trails crisscrossing the park provide a good spot for biking, hiking, and horseback riding. Guests can get the opportunity to see many wildlife animals inhabiting this area, including bald eagles, mule deer, and prairie dogs.
Golden Gate Canyon State Park is in northwest Golden. This park has a total of 58 miles of trails for hiking, cycling, and horseback riding. Picnic in one of the numerous designated areas in the park, or spend a night or two in one of the 100 maintained campsites. Apply for a Colorado fishing license ahead of your tour if you plan on fishing in one of the various streams and ponds at the park.
RV travelers may want to stop by Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, to see the massive petrified redwood exhibits. This national monument is home to roughly 1,700 plant species, including the famous 14-foot-wide sequoia trees. Another monument to visit is the Scotts Bluff National Monument. It has a visitor center showcasing artwork collections relating to American history. Don't forget to visit Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site, where Native American tribes used to trade in the 19th century. Spend some time exploring the Pueblo-style fort in the heart of the park.
The Prospect RV Park is a nice facility with fishing and hiking amenities. It boasts 70 RV sites and charges $36.50 per day and $775 per month. Dakota Ridge RV Resort is in a great location with 141 RV sites, a swimming pool, laundry facilities, and propane refill service. The cost of accessing this area is between $56 and $77 per day. RV Ranch at Grand Junction is a state-of-the-art facility with a heated pool and a horseshoe pit. This campground has 139 sites, and its prices range between $35 and $50 per day.
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 Thornton, 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 Thornton?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Thornton 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 Thornton?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.
