There’s a special kind of magic to Colorado Springs. It sits right at the foot of the Rockies, a place where the plains meet the mountains, and adventure feels like it’s just around the corner. If you’re rolling into town with your RV, chances are you’ve got places like Garden of the Gods or Pikes Peak on your mind. But before the adventure can begin, you’ve got to take care of the basics. That’s where a place like Goldfield RV Park comes in. Situated in the charmingly historic Old Colorado City district, this park offers a fantastic and affordable pay-to-dump option that’s just minutes away from some of the area’s most iconic sights.
This isn’t your typical roadside truck stop or sterile rest area. Goldfield RV Park has character. The first thing you’ll notice is the office, a quaint, Victorian-style building that gives you a little taste of the area’s gold rush history. Pulling in feels less like a chore and more like arriving at a destination. The park markets itself as the "best value in Colorado Springs," and for non-guests who just need to use the dump station, that claim holds up. For a modest ten-dollar fee, you can empty your grey and black tanks and, just as importantly, take on fresh, potable water. The entrance is paved and clearly designed to handle big rigs, so you won’t have to worry about tight turns or low-hanging branches.
Dumping at a private RV park like Goldfield is a whole different experience from a busy travel center. It’s calmer. It’s quieter. You check in at the office first, and the staff are typically friendly and helpful. They’ll point you in the right direction, usually to a sanitary station located conveniently near the park’s exit. Because the vast majority of people there are overnight guests who have their own full hookup sites, the standalone dump station sees very little traffic. You likely won’t have to wait in line. There’s no rush, no pressure from a line of other RVs forming behind you. You can take your time, make sure you get a thorough flush, and do the job right. The staff might even guide you to the concrete pad and give you the go-ahead once you’re all set up. It’s a more personal and relaxed process.
Of course, the real draw of stopping here is what’s just outside the park gates. You are literally in the heart of Old Colorado City. After you’ve taken care of your tanks, you can park the rig and take a stroll down Colorado Avenue, which is brimming with boutique shops, art galleries, and fantastic little restaurants. You can step back in time at the Ghost Town Museum, which is an amazing indoor exhibit featuring reconstructed buildings from the 1800s. A ten-minute drive from the park, and you are at the entrance to Garden of the Gods. This place is simply breathtaking, with its towering red sandstone monoliths set against the backdrop of Pikes Peak. You can spend hours hiking the trails, and the best part is, it’s completely free to enter. If you’re feeling more adventurous, the Pikes Peak Cog Railway departs from nearby Manitou Springs, ready to take you on a spectacular journey to the 14,115 foot summit.
Let’s talk about the amenities Goldfield offers, because the ten dollar fee gets you more than just a sewer inlet. You get access to potable water, which is a huge benefit. You can fill your freshwater tank with confidence. If you’re traveling with a pet, you’ll love the fenced-in dog run, a perfect spot for your furry friend to get some off-leash exercise safely. For a small additional fee, you can even use their laundry facilities and tiled showers. After a long, dusty hike in Garden of the Gods, being able to wash your clothes and take a hot shower is an incredible perk. And of course, there are trash dumpsters available, so you can offload your waste. What you won’t find here is a fuel or propane station, so you’ll need to plan for that at a nearby gas station on US-24.
The value proposition here is outstanding. Ten dollars is a bargain in a major tourist destination like Colorado Springs. Many national park campgrounds, if they even allow non-campers to dump, will charge fifteen or twenty dollars for the privilege, often without potable water. Here, you get the dump, the fresh water, the trash disposal, and the option for a shower and laundry, all in a quiet, pleasant environment. It’s an easy choice.
There are a few insider tips to make your visit seamless. First and foremost, call ahead. The office closes around 6 p.m., and after-hours dumping for non-guests is generally not permitted. A quick phone call can save you a wasted trip. Second, if you’re pulling a large trailer, consider using 26th Street to access the park instead of Colorado Avenue. The grade is a bit gentler and easier to manage. If you do happen to arrive and the staff are momentarily away from the desk, they sometimes have a self-pay envelope system, so having ten dollars in cash on hand is a smart idea.
In short, Goldfield RV Park is more than just a dump station; it’s a strategic stop. It delivers a quiet, affordable, and feature-rich solution right in the middle of the action. It’s the perfect place to reset before diving into all the natural beauty and history that Colorado Springs has to offer. The limited after-hours access is really the only thing to be mindful of, so just plan your arrival accordingly.