🚐 Colorado Road Trip Adventures: Gardens, Grit & Great Views 🌼🌄

Switching Gears RV Diary
Jan 17, 2024
4 min read

January 17, 2024

Travel doesn't always go as planned—and that’s half the fun! On this leg of our Colorado road trip, we found ourselves switching gears, embracing the unexpected, and finding beauty in every detour. From visiting family in northern Colorado to wandering through the Denver Botanical Gardens, this trip offered a refreshing mix of urban calm and scenic outdoor escapes.

Along the way, we explored unconventional camping options, biked scenic trails in Greeley, and tested the flexibility that comes with RV life. If you're curious about visiting Denver, staying at Harvest Hosts, or simply discovering new spots across Colorado, this guide is for you!

🗺️ A Change of Plans: Road-Tripping with Flexibility in Mind (0:00)

If there’s one lesson RV travel teaches you again and again, it’s the importance of flexibility. Weather shifts, family schedules, or unexpected closures often lead to a change in plans—and this trip was no different. Originally, we had our sights set on Colorado's backcountry, but plans changed, and we headed toward Denver and Northern Colorado to spend time with family and explore some urban green spaces.

Instead of mountain trails and boondocking in the wilderness, we embraced a slower, more comfortable pace, giving us time to recharge and explore local gems.

🏕️ A Night with a View: Staying at a Harvest Host (2:41) 🌾

One of the highlights of this trip was our stay with a Harvest Host—a unique RV membership program that allows travelers to camp overnight at wineries, farms, breweries, and more.

We parked at a peaceful property surrounded by open skies and quiet views—a welcome contrast from busy campgrounds. There were no hookups, but the tranquility and charm more than made up for it.

💡 What We Loved:

Zero crowds
Peaceful, private atmosphere
Friendly hosts
Supporting small, local businesses

👉 Pro Tip: Make sure your rig is self-contained, and always call ahead to confirm your stay.

🌿 Denver Botanical Gardens: A Lush Urban Oasis (3:22) 🌸

Our next stop was a highlight we won’t soon forget—the Denver Botanical Gardens. Located in the heart of the city, this 24-acre paradise is one of the most impressive botanical gardens in the U.S.

We wandered through:

🌵 Desert landscapes filled with cacti and succulents
💧 Japanese water gardens with koi and tranquil waterfalls
🌻 Seasonal blooms that seemed to go on forever
🍃 Shaded pathways perfect for relaxing strolls

Even if you’re not a “plant person,” the serene beauty and careful design of the gardens make it a must-see. It’s a great way to slow down, breathe deep, and soak in nature—even in the middle of a bustling city.

🎟️ Admission Tip: Consider visiting on a weekday morning to beat the crowds, and don’t forget to bring your camera.

🛻 Parking the Rig: Staying at an RV Park (4:16)

While we often prefer boondocking or national forest camping, sometimes a full-hookup RV park is exactly what you need—especially in more urban areas. During our time in the Denver metro, we opted for a nearby RV park that offered:

Full hookups 🚿
Laundry facilities 🧺
Easy access to shopping, restaurants, and bike trails
A chance to recharge our batteries—literally and figuratively

RV parks may not have the romance of wilderness camping, but they offer a level of convenience that’s sometimes necessary—especially when you're traveling to visit family or spend time in the city.

🚴‍♂️ Greeley Bike Trails: Unexpected Outdoor Joy (4:58)

Our adventure didn’t end in Denver! As we made our way north to Greeley to visit family, we discovered an amazing network of bike and walking trails. We took full advantage of the paved and gravel paths, riding through:

🐦 Wildlife-rich wetlands
🌾 Open plains and farmland
🚴‍♀️ Quiet greenways tucked through town

It was a welcome surprise—especially since we hadn’t planned to bike at all on this leg of the trip. Greeley’s trail system offered a perfect chance to stretch our legs and enjoy outdoor time without crowds.

🔁 Embracing the Detour: What This Trip Taught Us

This wasn’t our most remote or extreme adventure. We didn’t summit peaks or camp deep in the wilderness. But in many ways, this leg of our trip was a reminder of why we travel in the first place: to connect, to breathe, and to explore what’s around us—even when plans change.

✨ Takeaways:

Sometimes a city stop is just what you need to reset
Urban green spaces can be just as magical as backcountry trails
RV travel is as much about comfort and connection as it is about exploration
Always keep your plans flexible and your mind open

🧳 What to Pack for a Denver/Northern Colorado Road Trip

Here’s a quick packing list to make your urban/outdoor mix trip easy:

✔️ Comfortable walking shoes (for gardens & city strolls)✔️ Lightweight jackets (weather can change fast!)✔️ Bike gear if you plan to explore trails 🚲✔️ National and state park passes if you’re extending your trip✔️ RV essentials (levelers, sewer hose, fresh water fill kits)✔️ Camera or smartphone with extra storage for all those garden shots 📸✔️ Reusable water bottle—you’ll be doing a lot of walking!

🌟 Final Thoughts: Nature, Flexibility & Finding Joy in the Unexpected

This portion of our Colorado road trip reminded us that not all adventures have to be extreme to be meaningful. From the peaceful solitude of a Harvest Host to the manicured beauty of Denver’s Botanical Gardens, this experience was all about appreciating the small things—and finding joy in the unexpected.

Whether you're traveling to reconnect with family, explore new landscapes, or simply take a break from the usual routine, Colorado delivers every time.