Along U.S. 50 on the road to the Royal Gorge, a retro-themed campground has opened its doors as Starlite Vintage RV Resort, offering visitors a stay inside restored camper from the 1940s through the 1970s.
The 10-acre property, which has operated as a campground since the 1960s, was purchased last year by its current owners and has since been reimagined into a year-round “glampground” designed to celebrate midcentury Americana.
The resort features 20 vintage campers, each with period-specific styling and modern amenities.The resort was recently named “Best Vintage Trailer Hotel” by USA Today.
“When they bought the campground, at that point, there were only maybe two or three campers there, and since then, our owners have traveled all over the country, getting new campers and bringing them to the resort, and then renovating and updating them and getting them ready for guests,” Laurie Petrone, spokesperson for the resort, said, as reported by The Gazette on September 12.
Each camper on the property is themed to reflect a specific era, with restored interiors that highlight retro design.
One of the most popular, Petrone said, is The Long, Long Trailer, a 36-foot RV identical in make, model and year to the one featured in the 1953 film starring Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz.
“We have a ton of people who just really identify with the Lucy and Desi iconography,” Petrone said.
Another favorite among guests is the 1957 Band Bus, once used by a Colorado bluegrass group while on tour. Inside, visitors find posters of The Beatles and Johnny Cash, neon signs, and a purple velvet couch.
“It’s just this purple paradise inside, and it’s just so cool to say that you can camp in a band bus,” Petrone said.
The latest addition to the lineup is Surfer’s Paradise, a baby-blue Dodge Travco styled with 1970s California beach decor, complete with surfboards, a record player, and light coastal touches.
In addition to the themed campers, the resort offers two apartments and three cottages. The apartments, decorated with 1960s furnishings and appliances, include features like a vintage pinball machine.
“Whether you’re craving cozy or the great outdoors, we’ve got you covered. Choose from 20 uniquely styled vintage campers—each with its own retro charm and modern comforts—or claim your slice of nature with spacious tent sites and full hook-up RV spots,” the property indicates.
