Roadsurfer Launches in 8 US Cities: Our Colorado Camper Van Story

New to the US, Roadsurfer offers fully equipped Sprinter vans and RVs for rent in 8 cities—including one-way trips. Here’s how our Colorado adventure went.

Roadsurfer, Europe’s camper van and RV rental favorite, has recently launched in seven US cities (with an 8th coming this Fall in Miami), bringing their fleet of easy-to-drive, fully equipped vehicles stateside. We took one of their vans for a spin around Colorado to see if the experience lives up to the hype.

TLDR: We loved it!

We’ve camped in everything from a 40-ft fifth-wheel to tents, but this trip in a Roadsurfer van opened up a whole new side roadtripping.

We picked up our Sprinter in Denver and drove to the Southwest area of the state to check off a national park visit, see amazing wildflowers, and stare at the Milky Way in a Designated Dark Sky location.

Throughout the entire trip I made note of all the reasons we loved it (maybe a few small things we didn’t love) in an effort to give you the honest scoop.

Effortless Maneuvering

Our first stop was at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. It was just stunning!

Most people drive along the rim, and that’s what we did too. Very windy roads with sharp turns were not an issue with the van. But, here’s the kicker…. we were also able to take East Portal Road. That’s the only way down to the canyon’s water (except hiking) and it is a doozy at 16% grade with winding switchbacks.

Yes, if we were staying in a hotel, we could have easily taken our SUV. But we wanted camping! We wanted to make our own meals and enjoy the outdoors. Not to mention that hotels in the area – the cheaper ones – start at about $800/night. Waaaaayyyyy cheaper than the van.

Also, driving into downtown Crested Butte during peak wildflower season, I braced myself for a parking nightmare. But the van slipped into a regular parking spot without a hitch. No circling, no stress. That might sound small, but for anyone who’s ever driven a big rig, it’s a game changer.

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Access to Hidden Gems

The van’s compact size let us camp in stunning spots inaccessible to big rigs—think secluded lakesides, scenic overlooks, and tucked-away campgrounds. I mean, look at that picture at San Cristobal Lake. No hotel in the world can offer that!

This is the second largest natural lake in the state, with paved roads on one side and gravel roads on the other, where the campgrounds are. This, my friends, is the very definition of relaxation!

We also camped next to a river so Elliot could fish non-stop… and we also splurged at a KOA to enjoy the pool. It felt so freeing to basically camp in whatever conditions we wanted!

For the record, this lake is worth a trip to Colorado, alone. It’s fantastic in the day, and at night it’s a Dark Sky location where you can see the Milky Way in the early summer months.

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Everyday Convenience

Cooking and cleaning were a breeze thanks to the included kitchen kit and clever layout. No need to pack or prep much—everything we needed was already onboard. This is what makes Roadsurfer so ideal. The turnkey simplicity of the all-in-one rental package (with kitchen kit and linens) makes it ideal for both locals of any of the eight rental cities and fly-in travelers—just pack your clothes and hit the road!

You can see in the photo above that the bedding is so adorable! It included a mattress cover, a duvet and duvet cover, pillows and pillow covers.

Above is a hint of the things in the kitchen kit. The rolled up package is our silverware, knives, etc. There are plates for adults and for small children, a salad bowl, 4 pots and pans, a colander, 4 glasses, 4 mugs, 2 plastic cups for kids, a peeler, and a wine opener.

I’m not even photographing everything… there is still a wash basin, a French press, a stiring spoon and spatula… I’m sure I’m leaving something out. It was amazing – and it all fit nicely in a small little bin!

The fridge ran on solar power, so it kept our creamers, deli ham, eggs, and other perishables cold whether we were driving or parked.  One funny hiccup: we planned microwave meals for the boys based on the online van video, but our actual van didn’t have a microwave. So, pro tip—always check your specific van’s features before planning meals.

The included camping chairs and foldable table became our go-to spots for meals, games, and evening firesides. I loved how quickly everything folded away, leaving us more room to move inside.

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Living in the Van: Comfort and Surprises

I was pleasantly surprised by how comfortable the van was. The queen-sized bed downstairs felt supportive and cozy—definitely better than I expected. The boys loved their pop-up top, which became their little hideout. It had its own reading lights, ventilation, and phone charging ports. Elliot, my 12-year-old, was in charge of popping it up and down every day, and it was so easy he could do it solo. (Don’t worry, Dan double checked each time.)

Regular AC works when driving, but the van also has a cooling unit for stops which can be run when plugged in to shore power, or you can use the built-in generator to run the AC and get power to all of the receptacles.

Having all our gear always with us meant spontaneous stops were easy. If the boys spotted a fishing hole or a swimming spot, we just pulled over and went for it. The van’s size let us camp in places inaccessible to big rigs, which made the trip feel like a true adventure.

Heating and cooling kept us comfortable no matter the weather, but remember, the basic van doesn’t have four-wheel drive. If you’re planning a winter trip in Colorado, be sure to rent the 4WD.

I should also note that we drove from Denver to Crested Butte on a single tank—comparable to our SUV, and worlds better than the 8 mpg we got towing a 40ft fifth wheel!

Setup was as simple as parking and plugging in (or not—boondocking is easy too). No leveling, no slides, no hassle. The included camping chairs and foldable table made it easy to eat, play games, or just relax by the fire.

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For Fly-In Travelers: Just Pack and Go

One of Roadsurfer’s best features is how easy it is for out-of-towners. Fly into any of their US cities (Hello Denver), Uber to the rental location, and you’re set. The kitchen kit, chairs, and table are included; linens can be rented. Your first stop is the grocery store, and then you’re ready for adventure.

The check-in process was straightforward. The staff gave us a quick tour, but when we had questions about the van’s quirks, there was a QR code inside that linked to a video for our exact model. That saved us more than once—especially when we couldn’t figure out how to turn on the outside light.

I never expected that we’d be able to visit Crested Butte during peak wildflower season, when hotels are charging double. But with the van, we didn’t have to worry about booking or prices. We scored a front-row seat to Colorado’s wildflower capital during peak bloom, without worrying about price hikes or availability. In fact, that city was our cheapest overnight: We parked right along the Taylor River for about $25.

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Cleanup and Practical Tips

Cleaning up was straightforward but did take some attention. We wiped counters, swept out dirt (we camped in dusty spots), washed dishes, and emptied the fridge.

All Roadsurfer vans come with a toilet and shower, but we chose not to use the toilet, relying on campground facilities instead. If you do use the onboard toilet, you’ll need to empty the black tank, ideally at each overnight stop (bring gloves)

After we emptied all our stuff, the clean up process inside took about 30 min (remember…. 2 kids were with us). Outside was quick; Dan just emptied the grey and fresh water tanks.

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Why Roadsurfer Beats Peer-to-Peer Rentals

We’ve rented through Outdoorsy before, and while it can work, Roadsurfer’s fleet ownership and maintenance gave me peace of mind. No worries about blown tires or broken generators (yes, these are true stories.) Unlimited miles, included insurance, and a free second driver made the rental feel straightforward and fair.

On both of our previous peer-to-peer rental experiences, we didn’t get much of an overview so we had to wing it. In fact, on our very first ever RV experience, the guy just left us the keys. We never even met him. But with Roadsurfer we had a guided tour, a detailed video whenever we needed it, and the ability to phone in for help.

The option for one-way rentals is a game changer. Imagine flying into Denver, exploring Colorado, then driving north to Seattle or west to Salt Lake City, and flying home from there. That flexibility is huge.

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What Makes Roadsurfer Different?

• Fleet Variety: Roadsurfer offers more than just classic camper vans. Their lineup includes compact Class B vans (like the Sprinter-based Liberty Lodge and Couple Condo), family-friendly Class C motorhomes (Family Freedom), and even all-wheel-drive adventure vans (Horizon Hopper).
• Turnkey Simplicity: Rentals come fully equipped with a kitchen kit, camping chairs, and a foldable table. You can add linens and bedding—perfect for fly-in travelers.
• Unlimited Miles: No daily mileage caps.
• One-Way Rentals: Start your trip in one city and drop off in another (within the US).
• Pet-Friendly: Dogs are welcome for a flat fee.
• Transparent Pricing: Daily rates start at $99 for most models, $129 for the off-road Horizon Hopper.
• Well-Maintained Fleet: All vehicles are company-owned and professionally serviced, unlike peer-to-peer rentals.

NA Roadsurfer Locations

• Los Angeles (since 2022)
• San Francisco, Las Vegas (since 2024)
• Phoenix, Denver, Salt Lake City, Seattle (2025)
• Miami (opening Fall 2025)
• Vancouver & Calgary (Canada)

Roadsurfer began in Europe, so if you plan on visit there consider that Roadsurfer has 90 stations in 14 countries in that area of the world.

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Final Thoughts: Who Should Try Roadsurfer?

This trip reminded me that sometimes, less really is more. The Roadsurfer camper van gave us freedom to explore places we’d never camped before, with none of the usual hassles. If you want a flexible, affordable, and genuinely fun way to hit the road—whether you’re a seasoned RVer or a first-timer—this is a rental worth trying. Explore a city near you, or fly into one you’ve only dreamed of visiting!