For those of us who have spent any significant time traveling the country in an RV, we know that some of the best-kept secrets are the small, family-owned businesses that just get it. They understand what we need and they provide it without a lot of fuss. Bill’s RV & Self Storage, located in the rapidly growing Woodmen-Powers corridor on the north side of Colorado Springs, is exactly one of those places. It’s more than just a storage lot; it's a full-service pit stop for RVers. This spot is a gem because it bundles together all the essential services in one convenient, secure location: a dump station, fresh water, an air compressor, and even discounted propane. In a busy city where the truck plazas on I-25 can get chaotic, knowing about a place like Bill’s is a serious advantage.
What makes this a particularly great find is its location. You are literally just ten minutes away from the world-famous Garden of the Gods. If you’ve never been, it’s a city-run park with towering red-rock formations that is completely free to enter. The trails are easy and the photo opportunities are absolutely world-class. It’s the kind of place you can visit multiple times and see something new each time. If you’re feeling more ambitious, the toll gate for the Pikes Peak Highway is only about a 30-minute drive from Bill's. This gives you the option to either drive your own vehicle to the summit or head over to Manitou Springs to catch the Cog Railway. Being able to base your operations near such iconic outdoor attractions, like the U.S. Air Force Academy or even the Royal Gorge Bridge a bit further south, makes Bill’s a strategically brilliant stop for anyone building a classic Front Range itinerary.
There's a different feel to a family-owned storage yard like Bill’s compared to the big national chains. It often feels more personal and a bit more casual. When you check in, you’ll likely deal directly with the staff who run the place. They’ll give you a gate code that provides access to a secure, well-fenced lot. The service area, with the dump station and propane tank, is typically located right near the main office, making it easy to find and use. A huge benefit of this kind of place is the human touch. If you’re a newer RVer and have a question about your valves or you run into a minor issue, the staff here are often more than willing to offer a bit of help or advice, which is something you’d never find at a large, impersonal truck stop.
Let’s break down the amenities, because this is where Bill’s really shines as a one-stop shop. They offer a dump station that is free for their long-term storage tenants. For those of us just passing through, they usually allow drive-in use for a very modest fee. Right alongside the dump station, you have access to fresh water, so you can rinse and refill in one go. But the real game-changers are the other two services. They have an on-site air station, which is incredibly important for ensuring your tires are properly inflated for safely navigating the steep mountain grades Colorado is famous for. The biggest and rarest perk, however, is the discounted propane. It’s so uncommon to find a storage yard that also offers propane fills, and they often price it 10 to 15 percent below what you’d pay at a big truck stop. This means you can empty your waste tanks, fill your fresh water, top off your tires, and fill your propane tanks all without ever leaving the gated lot. That is efficiency at its finest.
Of course, it’s not a full-blown campground, so you won’t find amenities like showers or laundry facilities. You’ll also need to be prepared to pack out your own trash, as there aren’t public dumpsters available. For those services, the nearest full-service campground is about five miles to the west. And, as is standard for most storage facilities, pets need to remain in your vehicle or be leashed for walks outside the main gate.
The value proposition here is excellent. While the dump station isn’t always free for the public, the fee is generally very reasonable. When you factor in the convenience and the potential savings on propane, a stop at Bill’s can be a very smart financial move. Because public pricing can fluctuate, it’s always the best policy to call ahead. You can confirm the current per-use dump fee, check their hours, and get the day’s rate for propane. It’s a quick call that ensures a smooth visit.
Here are a few insider tips to make your stop even better. Try to aim for the weekday lunch hour. This is when the facility is usually at its quietest, as most of the monthly storage tenants who might be coming and going are at work. Also, if you just need to fill smaller, portable propane cylinders, the staff can often take care of that for you on-demand without you having to wait in a long queue. One final piece of advice that is specific to the location: never forget about the elevation. Colorado Springs sits at over 6,000 feet. After you’ve dumped your tanks, it’s a good practice to run your roof vent fans for a little while. This will help pull any lingering sewer gases out of the rig, which can sometimes be more noticeable at higher altitudes.
To sum it up, Bill’s RV & Self Storage is a true RVer’s friend in Colorado Springs. It masterfully combines all the essential tank-related chores—dumping, water, air, and propane—into a single, secure, and convenient stop. It’s just minutes away from the city’s most beloved attractions, making it a perfect logistical piece of your travel puzzle. While you’ll need to bring your own rinse hose and pack out your trash, the incredible value, comprehensive services, and friendly atmosphere make it a top-tier choice that’s tough to beat.