Colorado
Tired of crowded campgrounds? Colorado company taps businesses to host RV travelers overnight
Ann Danielson is expecting a steady stream of visitors this summer to her alpaca ranch southeast of Longmont. The ranch is one of roughly 120 small businesses in Colorado that open up their property overnight to people camping in recreational vehicles in exchange for a little patronage.
This will be the third summer that Danielson, co-owner of Annie’s Alpaca Ranch, has participated in the program by Harvest Hosts, a Colorado-based company that coordinates with businesses across the country, listing more than 5,000 sites as potential stopovers. Campers pay Harvest Hosts an annual membership fee and agree to buy something or contribute in some way to the wineries, breweries, farms, roadside attractions and other locations that provide space for travelers.
Danielson sells products made with alpaca fiber in a small store next to her house at the ranch.
“My first year, I didn’t have that many people. Last year, I had a lot and it’s starting to be a lot again this year,” Danielson said. “If i wanted, I could probably have somebody almost every day.”
Danielson uses an app to let people know when she’s willing to host campers and to keep in touch with guests about their arrival time, the kind of vehicle they’re driving and information about themselves.
Harvest Hosts has grown as more people are hitting the road. Travel by RV boomed in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic when many avoided air travel and staying in hotels. More than 11 million households own RVs, up 62% from 2001, according to the RV Industry Association’s website.
Post-pandemic, higher interest rates have been a speed bump for the industry, with sales falling significantly since 2021, but remaining above pre-pandemic levels, Reuters reported. The RV Industry Association said the median age of a first-time buyer dropped to 32 in 2022, down from 41 in 2020.
Harvest Hosts owner Joel Holland is part of the younger demographic that discovered the RV life. Now 39, he and his wife left the Washington, D.C., area when he was 30 and toured the country by motor home for two years.
“I had built a video tech company and was completely burned out. I was sick and tired of cubicles, concrete jungles and driving to work in traffic,” Holland said. “My wife and I didn’t have kids yet. We impulsively purchased an RV and just hit the road. The idea was, ‘Let’s just do the great American road trip until we get sick of it.’”
The couple loved the “proverbial wind in your hair, freedom of the open road,” but didn’t always enjoy the campgrounds. “You’re parked 5 feet away from another RV. The campgrounds are nothing special,” Holland said.
Other campers told Holland about Harvest Hosts, then a mom-and-pop business in Arizona. After settling in Vail, Holland offered to buy the company. He invested heavily in technology to grow the network of sites from around 600 to a few thousand. The majority of his 20 employees are in Colorado.
Annual memberships for campers range from about $84 to $143. The higher level comes with access to more sites. Hosts don’t pay anything. The company said it does background checks on the hosts.
Campers aren’t charged fees, but they’re encouraged to patronize hosts’ stores, restaurants or wineries. Holland said businesses report averaging $13,000 in additional yearly revenue from the overnight guests.
Treat it like your grandmother’s property
One of Harvest Hosts’ code of conduct is to treat the sites “like it’s your grandmother’s property,” Holland said.
“And No. 2 is support the business you visit,” Holland said. “These locations are letting you stay for free. Otherwise you’d be paying quite a lot of money.”
Harvest Hosts checks with businesses to track how things are going. The experience for Valley View Christian Church in Douglas County has been positive, lead pastor Phillip Holland said.
“Harvest Hosts reached out to us a few years ago looking for a location. It looked like something that could be a benefit to our community and to those that are traveling,” Holland said. “It’s not easy to reserve locations to place your camper and RV and it’s incredibly expensive.”
People staying on the property, which is south of Highlands Ranch, often make donations to the church. If they’re around on a Sunday morning, they usually attend the service.
“We are very blessed with the property and the facility that we have available to us,” Holland said. “Monetarily it’s not moving the needle for us, but it does increase awareness of our ministry and to me that’s a great thing.”
Campers must have self-contained vehicles. The hosts don’t provide hook-ups or other services. The stays are intended to be just overnight.
A blog posted by Cruise America, which rents and sells RVs, said a Harvest Hosts membership can quickly pay for itself, considering that campgrounds typically charge $30 and more per night. There are a variety of sites “away from the hustle and bustle of traditional campgrounds.”
However, the blog advises that campers can’t show up at a Harvest Hosts location unannounced. And the campsite surfaces might vary: from concrete to asphalt to gravel, dirt or grass.
The site at Annie’s Alpaca Ranch is a mix of gravel and grass near Danielson’s house and the animals’ pens. She lets people know that her driveway can’t handle some of the bigger rigs.
Many of Danielson’s guests like to mingle with the alpacas. Some will feed the animals grain pellets she puts out. The alpacas know that vans or RVs pulling up mean that treats are in store.
Danielson grew up on a cattle farm north of Ames, Iowa. She moved to the Denver area to work for an accounting firm, which closed in 2000. After visiting an alpaca farm and learning more about them, Danielson said she was “taken by the animals.”
Danielson bought her first alpaca, which is smaller than a llama, in the summer of 2004 and bought the property near Longmont in December of that year. The herd has grown to 21 alpacas and two llamas, which ward off predators. She sells some of the fiber to a small mill in Utah and individuals and takes some of the animals to shows while still doing accounting work.
Based on her experience, Danielson said she would recommend the hosting gig to people who likes socializing. “I enjoy talking to people and knowing the story of where they’ve been, where they’re going.”
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Colorado
Where to watch Miami Marlins vs Colorado Rockies: TV channel, start time, streaming for July 1
What to know about MLB’s ABS robot umpire strike zone system
MLB launches ABS challenge system as players test robot umpire calls in a groundbreaking season.
The 2026 MLB season has surpassed the quarter mark, and after each team’s first 40 games, there’s plenty of reasons to tune in all summer long.
Chicago White Sox slugger Munetaka Murakami has already proven doubters wrong by launching 17 home runs, Pittsburgh’s Paul Skenes consistently looks like the best version of himself on the mound and Milwaukee ace Jacob Misiorowski is throwing harder than any starter in the majors.
The MLB action continues on Wednesday as the Miami Marlins visit the Colorado Rockies.
Here’s everything you need to know to tune in for the first pitch.
See USA TODAY’s sortable MLB schedule to filter by team or division.
What time is Miami Marlins vs Colorado Rockies?
First pitch between the Colorado Rockies and Miami Marlins is scheduled for 8:40 p.m. (ET) on Wednesday, July 1.
How to watch Miami Marlins vs Colorado Rockies on Wednesday
All times Eastern and accurate as of Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at 6:34 a.m.
- Matchup: MIA at COL
- Date: Wednesday, July 1
- Time: 8:40 p.m. (ET)
- Venue: Coors Field
- Location: Denver, Colorado
- TV: Rockies.TV and Marlins.TV
- Streaming: MLB.TV on Fubo
Watch MLB all season long with Fubo
MLB regional blackout restrictions apply
MLB scores, results
MLB scores for July 1 games are available on usatoday.com . Here’s how to access today’s results:
See scores, results for all of today’s games.
- Very hot and dry ahead
- Fire weather highlights issued
- Fire danger continues into Independence Day
TUESDAY NIGHT: Winds will slow down a little bit into the overnight hours letting elevated fire conditions ease slightly. Overnight lows will be in the 50s and 60s.
WEDNESDAY: The morning will be less hazy, but that will quickly change with more smoke being dragged across the I-25 corridor with gusts up the 45 MPH. Hot temperatures in the 80s and 90s are expected with very low humidity too. Red flag warnings are active from 10 AM until 10 PM.
Download the KKTV 11 Alert Weather App here:
THURSDAY: Fire weather watches are active for now, but I think those will be upgraded to red flag warnings. Gusty winds, low humidity and temperatures in the 90s and triple digits are expected for some.
FRIDAY: Very similar conditions are expected for Friday compared to Thursday. Very hot temperatures still stick around with gusty winds and low humidity.
THE WEEKEND: The Fourth of July will be hot, windy and dry. Sunday will be the first day that southern Colorado sees any sort of chance for moisture on the horizon.
Copyright 2026 KKTV. All rights reserved.
From towering red-rock formations and wildflower-filled meadows to waterfall hikes and rugged mountain scenery, the best Colorado state parks showcase the state’s geographic diversity.
Colorado’s national parks often get the spotlight, but many of Colorado’s top state parks are vying for attention, too, and offer just as memorable outdoor adventures, often with fewer crowds. Across the state’s 43 parks, visitors can hike or bike scenic trails, paddle lakes, spot moose and elk, rock climb world-class routes and camp beneath star-filled skies. Whether you’re planning a quick day trip to a park from Denver or a multi-day road trip to see multiple sites, Colorado’s state parks offer something for every type of outdoor traveler.
Colorado’s Top State Parks
Colorado is a top state for parks because of outdoor engagement. Many host programming, including guided wildflower hikes, yoga classes, wildlife talks and stargazing events. The state park system also showcases the beauty of Colorado, introducing travelers to lesser-known canyons, grasslands, reservoirs, rivers and prairies that often get overshadowed by the state’s famous mountain destinations.
Colorado’s largest state park is State Forest State Park, which encompasses 71,000 acres of rugged mountains, alpine lakes, wildflower-filled meadows and dense forests in the northern part of the state near the Wyoming border. Nicknamed the “Moose Viewing Capital of Colorado,” the park is home to an estimated 600 moose, making wildlife watching one of its most enticing draws. Meanwhile, the smallest park is Rifle Falls, which is just 48 acres and is the closest thing you’ll get to the tropics in this landlocked state. The park’s main draw is a triple waterfall, with the falls each cascading 60 feet.
For this list, parks were selected based on scenic value, recreation opportunities, accessibility, my experience as a long-time parks pass holder, uniqueness and their ability to appeal to different types of travelers.
1. Golden Gate State Park
A scenic landscape in Golden Gate Canyon State Park near Golden, Colorado.
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Thirty miles west of Denver, Golden Gate Canyon State Park offers travelers an easy mountain escape without a long drive. Spanning more than 12,000 acres of forests, meadows and rocky peaks, the park is best known for its Panorama Point Scenic Overlook, where visitors can see the Continental Divide.
Established in 1960, the park offers more than 35 miles of hiking trails, including routes that wind through aspen groves, wildflower-filled meadows and dense pine forests.
Summer and fall are especially popular, with colorful wildflowers and autumn turns the Aspens a brilliant gold, drawing visitors and showing off why the state is nicknamed “Colorful Colorado.” Winter brings opportunities for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and sledding and hunting for the perfect Christmas tree.
The park’s proximity to Denver makes it ideal for day-trippers, while cabins, yurts, campgrounds, and backcountry campsites invite longer stays. Nearby, visitors can explore the historic mountain towns of Black Hawk, a casino destination, or check out Golden, which has shops, restaurants, Coors Brewery tours, and kayaking at the Clear Creek Whitewater Park. This is my go-to park that I take out-of-town friends and family members to because it gives them a nice snapshot of Colorado’s scenery, and we can take a quick day hike, ending in downtown Golden with happy hour or an early dinner.
2. State Forest State Park
Located northwest of Fort Collins near Walden and close to the Wyoming border, State Forest State Park is Colorado’s largest state park, spanning more than 70,000 acres. Nicknamed the “Moose Viewing Capital of Colorado,” it’s one of the best places in the state to spot wildlife, with an estimated 600 moose calling the area home.
Established in 1938 through a land exchange between the state of Colorado and the U.S. Forest Service, the park remains a haven for outdoor enthusiasts seeking wide-open spaces and fewer crowds. Visitors can hike to alpine lakes, drive scenic mountain roads, fish, camp, horseback ride and watch for moose, elk, black bears, river otters and bald eagles.
Summer and early fall are ideal for hiking and wildlife viewing, while winter brings snowmobiling, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Campgrounds, cabins, yurts, and nearby lodging in Walden make it easy to extend a stay. The park also pairs well with a trip to nearby Rocky Mountain National Park, offering a quieter and more remote complement to one of Colorado’s most visited destinations.
3. Ridgway State Park
Sunset on the Uncompahgre River at Ridgway State Park, Colorado with the snow capped San Juan Mountains.
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Travelers looking to combine lake recreation with mountain adventures will find plenty to love here. In southwestern Colorado, Ridgway State Park pairs the dramatic peaks of the San Juan Mountains with one of the state’s top recreation reservoirs. Opened to the public in 1989, the park is known for boating, paddling, fishing and camping.
Centered around Ridgway Reservoir, the park offers swimming, paddleboarding, sailing, water skiing and excellent fishing for trout. Or, fly fish along the Uncompahgre River in the fall for a chance to catch Kokanee Salmon.
More than 14 miles of trails wind through the park, while wildlife watchers may spot elk, deer, foxes, osprey, bald eagles and other bird species. Summer is the busiest season, but the park serves as a year-round base camp for exploring nearby Ouray (15 miles away), famous for its hot springs, ice climbing and via ferrata routes and nicknamed “Switzerland of America.” Park visitors can camp in tent and RV sites, stay in one of the park’s heated yurts or book a hotel in Ouray.
4. Chatfield State Park
One of Colorado’s most popular state parks, Chatfield State Park sits just 20 miles south of Denver, where a sprawling reservoir draws boaters, water skiers, paddlers and anglers. Its easy access and wide range of outdoor activities make it a favorite escape for both locals and visitors seeking nature close to the city.
Established in 1975, the park sits where the South Platte River emerges from the foothills at the mouth of Waterton Canyon. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built the dam after a flood 10 years earlier. Today, the mix of prairie, wetlands and reservoir habitat makes Chatfield a standout for wildlife viewing and birdwatching, with more than 345 documented bird species, including bald eagles, American white pelicans and burrowing owls. Visitors can enjoy 26 miles of hiking, biking and horseback riding trails, and a large off-leash dog park, boat rentals, a marina and campgrounds.
With a sandy beach, Chatfield is a popular spot to cool down in the warmer months. Summer is by far the busiest season for water recreation, with paddleboarding available at both the reservoir and a nearby “Gravel Pond,” which is my favorite spot in the park. I love bringing my dog here, putting a life jacket on him, and renting a dog-friendly paddleboard that he can captain. I suggest going on a weekday summer evenings when the crowds thin out.
5. Roxborough State Park
Sunset at Roxborough State Park in Colorado.
Getty
Roxborough State Park is best known for its towering red-rock formations that rival those at nearby Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Its dramatic sandstone fins, abundant wildlife and scenic trail network make it one of Colorado’s premier day-trip destinations for hikers, birdwatchers and photographers.
Established as a state park in 1975, Roxborough protects nearly 4,000 acres where the Great Plains meet the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. That unique landscape supports a rich diversity of plant and animal life, including mule deer, foxes and more than 140 bird species.
Hiking is the main draw, with trails ranging from easy nature walks to the 6.2-mile round-trip climb to Carpenter Peak, which rewards visitors with sweeping Front Range views. Spring brings vibrant wildflowers, while fall offers crisp temperatures and golden grasslands that beautifully complement the park’s red-rock scenery.
To protect its fragile ecosystem, Roxborough limits recreation more than many Colorado parks. Pets are not allowed on trails, rock climbing is prohibited and bicycles are restricted to designated routes. The result is a remarkably peaceful natural setting that feels far removed from the city, despite being less than an hour from downtown Denver.
6. Eldorado Canyon State Park
Eldorado Canyon State Park is best known for its world-class rock climbing, with more than 500 routes scaling the park’s steep sandstone walls. Just nine miles south of Boulder (the new home of the Sundance Film Festival) the dramatic canyon also attracts hikers, photographers and wildlife watchers drawn to its towering cliffs and scenic beauty.
The state park is in the same area as one of my favorite swimming spots in Colorado: The historic Eldorado Springs Pool. If you’re visiting between Memorial Day and Labor Day, I recommend an afternoon at the pool after a morning in the park. The swimming destination, which first opened in 1905, is spring-fed and has gorgeous mountain views.
Established as a state park in 1978, Eldorado Canyon protects a landscape shaped by more than 1.6 billion years of geologic history. While climbers come from around the world to tackle iconic formations like the Bastille, Wind Tower and Whale’s Tail, the park’s 17 miles of trails offer plenty for non-climbers, too. Visitors can hike among soaring sandstone cliffs, fish in South Boulder Creek, spot mule deer and golden eagles or enjoy a picnic beside the water. Summer is the busiest season, particularly on weekends, while spring and fall bring pleasant temperatures for hiking and climbing.
Because of its popularity and limited capacity, timed-entry reservations are required on weekends and select holidays from May through September. The park is day-use only, but if you’re looking to camp you could do so in metro area parks such as Golden Gate Canyon State Park or St. Vrain State Park.
Tips For Visiting Colorado And Its State Parks
Ready to visit a state park in Colorado? Plan ahead for reservations, be ready for the state’s high altitude and changing weather, and follow Leave No Trace principles to help protect Colorado’s landscapes for future visitors.
Here are some tips for making the most of your visit:
1. Give yourself time to adjust to the altitude: Many visitors arrive from lower elevations and are surprised by how quickly Colorado’s high altitude can affect them. To adjust to the altitude, drink plenty of water, take it easy on your first day and limit alcohol.
2. Pack for changing weather: It’s not uncommon to experience sunshine, wind, rain and even snow (well into late spring!) on the same day, especially in the mountains. Layers are a good idea year round.
3. Reserve campsites early: Popular parks such as Chatfield, Ridgway and Golden Gate Canyon can book up far in advance during the busy summer and fall months. Colorado’s state parks let you book campsites up to six months in advance.
4. Pack your sunscreen: Colorado’s high elevation means stronger UV exposure. Sunscreen and sunglasses are must-haves when you’re venturing into the parks. Consider a wide-brimmed hat, too.
5. Respect wildlife: Watch animals from a safe distance, and never feed or touch them. Here’s some more tips for what you should do if you encounter wildlife while in the parks.
6. Stay on designated trails: Many parks protect fragile ecosystems and remaining on designated trails helps preserve the landscape.
7. Check conditions before you go. Weather, wildfire activity, seasonal road closures and trail conditions can prompt closures or affect your travel plans.
8. Consider a state park pass. If you’re planning to visit multiple parks, an annual park pass can save money on entrance fees.
9. Pair parks with nearby destinations: Many state parks are close to mountain towns, hot springs, scenic byways and national parks, making them easy additions to a larger Colorado road trip.
10. Know the pet rules: Policies vary by park. While many parks welcome dogs on trails others like Roxborough prohibit them to protect sensitive wildlife habitat.
Whether you’re looking for a wildflower-filled hike, a red-rock adventure, world-class rock climbing, a chance to spot wildlife or a reservoir packed with water sports, Colorado’s state parks offer an impressive variety of outdoor experiences. Better yet, they often deliver the same scenery and recreation as national parks, but with fewer crowds.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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