RV Rental Longmont, CO

Longmont is a city located in Boulder and Weld counties in Colorado. It sits 36 miles north of Denver and has a population of 98,885 residents as of the 2020 US Census. Longs Peak, one of Colorado's 14,000-foot peaks visible west of the city, is what the city is named after. RVers will appreciate close-by access to Interstate 25, which is two miles east of town. U.S. Highway 287 runs through the center of Longmont.

In 1871, Chicago transplants established the Chicago-Colorado Colony. They were led by Robert Collyer, with membership in the town available for purchase. The population grew steadily, especially after World War II when IBM built a campus southwest of the city off of Colorado 119.

Colorado is known for its outdoor scenery, and the 5,000-acre Heil Valley Ranch Open Space provides miles of trails you can explore on a bike or by foot in Longmont. Visitors can also download a mobile app and take the Longmont Downtown History Walking Tour, helping them explore over a dozen historical locations. The Longmont Museum & Cultural Center on Quail Road showcases art, history, and science exhibits.

If you are looking for a cafe setting with American dishes, try Lucile's Creole Cafe. Georgia Boys BBQ gets high marks from locals, as does the Sugarbeet from patrons looking for steak or seafood. Longmont is known as a microbrewery hub, so take some time to visit 300 Suns Brewing, Longs Peak Pub, and the Pumphouse Restaurant & Brewery. Visitors are spoiled with so many popular food options.

Campgrounds Near Longmont, Colorado

A popular nearby facility is the Manor RV Park, located in Estes Park. You can lounge around with scenic mountain views as a backdrop, and paved roads help reduce dust as vehicles move around your site. There are 110 back-in or pull-through sites with full RV hookups, 30- and 50-amp power, cable, Wi-Fi, and strong cell signal.

Clear Creek RV park is southwest of Longmont, in Golden. It is a smaller site nestled along Clear Creek. It offers a free dump station to guests. You will find 36 back-in or pull-through sites with full RV hookups, 30- and 50-amp power, cell phone, Wi-Fi, and laundry facilities. Rates start at $40 per night.

Another campground in nearby Golden is the Dakota Ridge RV Park. The facility offers excellent views of the surrounding area and includes a clubhouse with a fitness room and fireplace. Its back-in and pull-through sites offer 30- and 50-amp power, full RV hookups, cell reception, Wi-Fi, and propane in a pet-friendly environment.

State Parks Near Longmont, Colorado

Boyd Lake State Park is approximately 21 miles north of Longmont, near Loveland. Visitors can enjoy 2,000 acres of natural space, with summer temperatures nearing 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Winters here, however, are quite frigid. The park has 140 paved camping pads to park your RV on. These spots have electrical hookups only and start at $36 per night. The lake offers boating, fishing, skiing, and swimming. There are also several trails across the park that you can explore on a bike or foot. 

Golden Gate Canyon State Park sits 38 miles southwest of Longmont, near the mountain town of Black Hawk. This state park covers 11,998 acres and offers panoramic views of nearby mountain peaks and tree-covered valleys. The park's elevation creates cooler temperatures compared to the nearby plains, and the weather can change quickly with fronts moving down the eastern slopes of the continental divide. You will find 152 designated camping spots with electricity, fire pits, picnic tables, and nearby restrooms. There are 36 miles of trails to explore on foot, with 22 miles of this system designated multi-use for bikes and horseback riding in addition to foot traffic. You can fish the ponds and streams in the park, except for the Visitor's Center show pond. Rock climbers will find plenty of opportunities within the park.

Cherry Creek State Park is 56 miles south of Longmont, located in the southern part of the Denver metropolitan area. The area is known for moderate temperatures, but you will find cold temperatures here in the winter. RV-friendly campgrounds include electricity and access to a dump station. The park's main feature is the 880-acre reservoir for water activities like boating, fishing, skiing, kayaking, and swimming. There are 35 miles of trails to explore. Some of those trails are paved. Birding is popular here with bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, songbirds, and waterfowl being common to the area.

National Sites Near Longmont, Colorado

Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument is 140 miles south of Longmont. It is west of Colorado Springs. The monument features petrified redwood exhibits that showcase the prehistoric history of Colorado. You will see 1,700 species preserved here, including giant 14-foot-wide Sequoia trees. Most of the displays are impression fossils of things like insects and plants. There is a short hiking trail that is wheelchair accessible that offers a look at modern pine forests, or you can take the 1.1-mile Petrified Forest Loop that leads to the silicon-rich Lake Florissant.

Scotts Bluff National Monument is 172 miles northeast of Longmont, near Scottsbluff, NE. The 3,000-acre site showcases the area's geological, paleontological, and human history. Its bluff hovers 800 feet over the North Platte River, making it a noticeable navigation landmark for travelers in the past. It was used by Native Americans and settlers heading west. Stop into the visitor center, and if you are up to it, the strenuous 1.6-mile hike on Saddle Rock Trail will get you to the top of Scotts Bluff.

Agate Fossil Beds National Monument is another Nebraska destination 208 miles northeast of Longmont. The visitor center showcases creatures from the Miocene Epoch, like bear dogs, small camels, and North American rhinos the size of ponies. It also covers the culture of the Lakota Sioux and settlers like rancher James H. Cook. Three easy-rated trails provide routes from 1.0 to 2.7 miles in length to explore the site in more detail.

National Forests Near Longmont, Colorado

A 54-mile road trip to the northwest will get you to Roosevelt National Forest. It is found along the east and north sides of Rocky Mountain National Park and was once part of the Medicine Bow Forest Reserve. The area encompasses 815,000 acres. It contains 183 named mountains and offers the Peak-to-Peak Highway for motorists to cross the continental divide. You can hike several moderate-intensity trails, fish, explore through geocaching, enjoy nature watching and fauna identification, or stargaze at night.

Arapaho National Forest is a 133-mile road trip west of Longmont. It covers more than 700,000 acres of mountainous terrain. There are 30 routes you can hike within the forest and miles of scenic drives accessible in your RV. Some of the more popular activities include biking, fishing, hiking, and picnicking. There are 208 species of birds, elk, moose, long-tailed weasels, and red foxes in the forest.

San Isabel National Forest is a 75-mile drive south of Longmont. It is northwest of Colorado Springs. Several notable Colorado summits, like Pikes Peak, are found within its 1.1 million acres. Explore biking and hiking trails that rate from easy to difficult across this massive, forested area, or take scenic drives on the many roads within its boundaries. You can also enjoy camping, geocaching, fauna and wildlife viewing, and stargazing. You might find late spring and early fall to be ideal times to visit, avoiding both the summer crowds and winter weather.