Here’s the second blog installment from our professional campervanner (that a thing?) Sophie Lott. She’s taking us on the road trip of a life time, so get ready to hit the Rocky Mountain high trail, no looking back…
Want to experience the freedom of America’s open roads, but fancy getting away from the East and West coast tourist trails? Well, we’ve found a route that is perfect for you! The Rocky Mountain High road trip allows you to immerse yourself in the rustic charms of the Native American soil, whilst plunging you into the fresh alpine landscapes of Colorado and New Mexico. This route offers a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of busy tourist attractions and offers you a more authentic experience of America’s environmental beauties.
First stop Denver!
If you’re looking for electric nights out filled with great food, mind-blowing music, and after-hour parties at local museums, then Denver is the ultimate first stop on your alternative American campervan adventure. From Shakespeare performances to comic con events, outdoor movies to gigantic food festivals, Denver contains a thriving nightlife for visitors of all ages. Not only this, but the day time activities around Denver’s Red Rock Park are limitless, offering hiking trails, tranquil yoga sessions and live bands, all with magnificent views of its glorious mountain range. Sounding good?
Recommended Campervan Park: Clear Creek RV Park
Next up Colorado Springs
Image: www.weather.gov
Next stop on your campervan quest is the second largest of the state’s cities, but the first in many of its visitor’s hearts. Colorado Springs is just one big natural splendour! Travel up Pikes Peak via the unique Cog Train and witness the natural wonder that is Broadmoor’s Seven Falls or marvel at breath taking panoramic views from one of the world’s highest suspension bridges, hanging 956 feet above the Arkansas River! What’s more, you can’t stay in the springs without visiting Cheyenne Zoo, America’s first ever mountain zoo and the exquisite Garden of the Gods!
Recommended campervan park: Garden of the Gods RV Resort
Stop off at Santa Fe
Image: www.blouinartinfo.com
With its extremely European vibe, the Spanish charm of this celebrated destination has been enchanting sightseers for over 400 years, and does not show any signs of slowing down. This city is all about the culture. It’s home to the oldest house and church in the USA and over 200 art galleries! If you’re bit of an art lover, strolling down the city’s Canyon Road is a MUST, it’s just one long stretch of art galleries, boutiques and restaurants – what more could you want?
Recommended Campervan Park: Santa Fe Skies RV Park
All about Albuquerque
Image: www.tuicool.com
If you loved the television series Breaking Bad, then the next location on your roadtrippin’ bucket list needs to be Albuquerque. Not only is it home to the restaurant for which Los Pollos Hermanos was based, but also you could be the lucky fan to find Tuco’s grill that is rumoured to still be floating around the Albuquerque River. Aside from the exciting sites of television series’, this beautiful city is where Native American, Hispanic, Latino and Anglo cultures join as one. Making it a crime not to dine at one of their many traditional New Mexican restaurants and with the city’s fantastic weather, you can take to the skies, either by romantic hot air balloon rides, up the aerial tramway or by airplanes!
Recommended Campervan Park: Enchanted Trails RV Park & Trading Post
Don’t miss Durango!
With more restaurants per capita than San Francisco, Durango is certainly a place worth discovering. Indulge your appetite in the town that holds 80 distinctive independent restaurants, 2 distilleries and 6 craft breweries. But it’s not all pigging out, this picturesque mountain town is also brimming with adventure, offering zip lining, mountain biking, rock climbing, rafting and skiing – so don’t worry you’ll have plenty of opportunity to work off all that amazing food you’ve just eaten!
Recommended Campervan Park: Durango Riverside Resort & RV Park
Gorge yourself in Grand Junction
Image: www.atyourpacebiking.com
Surrounded by lakes, mountains and towering red rock structures, Colorado’s very own wine country offers you first-class booze and so much more. Park up in Grand Junction, head to a vineyard and spend the day wine tasting – with 22 wineries you just can’t not! Along the indulgence theme, Downtown Grand Junction is home to over 100 amazing public art installations and plenty of quaint little boutiques. Still craving morenatural beauty? As if you could take any more! Head to Grand Mesa National Forest and the Colorado National Monument – these two are not to be missed, you’ll find out why.
Recommended Campervan Park: Junction West RV Park
Ending in Estes Park
Image: starsamongmoons.tumblr.com
With mountain views as pretty as postcards, roaring campfires, roasted marshmallows and kipping under the stars, the Estes Park campgrounds will make you feel as though you’re at a genuine American summer camp. With tonnes of FREE, yes free, activities to take part in, this beautiful park is perfect for the last stop when funds are likely to be running low – especially after all that fancy wine you’ve been drinking at Grand Junction! Take your pick from nature hikes, free park festivals, movies and picnics at outdoor concerts. You may even be lucky enough to have a singsong with the one and only Cowboy Brad who has been performing at the park for over 20 years! After a fabulous road trip through the gems of the Rocky Mountain High trail, this is the perfect place to unwind before heading back home
Recommended Campervan Park: The Estes Park Campground at Mary’s Lake