Fort Fun is a family-oriented amusement park on the eastern edge of Fort Collins, Colorado, sitting along East Mulberry Street in a commercial corridor flanked by chain restaurants, auto shops, and mid-range retail. Staying close to Fort Fun puts you within reach of the Budweiser Events Center, the Anheuser-Busch Tour Center, and quick access to I-25 heading toward Denver or Cheyenne. Budget hotels in this zone tend to cluster along East Mulberry Street and South College Avenue, offering straightforward highway access without the walkability of Old Town.
What It's Like Staying Near Fort Fun
The area around Fort Fun sits in a car-dependent commercial strip on Fort Collins' eastern side, roughly 3 miles from the walkable core of Old Town. East Mulberry Street is the main artery here - a wide, fast-moving road lined with gas stations, fast food chains, and budget lodging. Guests without a car will find limited pedestrian options, but those driving can reach Fort Fun, the Budweiser Events Center, and Horsetooth Reservoir efficiently from this corridor.
The trade-off is clear: you sacrifice urban atmosphere for lower nightly rates and easy parking. Crowd levels near Fort Fun spike during summer weekends and event nights at the Budweiser Events Center, so noise from nearby venues is worth factoring into your stay.
Pros:
Direct access to Fort Fun, Budweiser Events Center, and I-25 by car
Budget hotel rates noticeably lower than Old Town-area properties
Free parking available at all nearby budget properties
Minimal walkability - a car is essential for nearly all activities
Commercial strip atmosphere with no dining or nightlife on foot
Traffic on East Mulberry Street can cause road noise at budget-tier properties
Why Choose Budget Hotels Near Fort Fun
Budget hotels in this part of Fort Collins typically run around 40% less per night than comparable stays near Old Town or the CSU campus area, making them a practical anchor for families visiting Fort Fun or attendees heading to multi-night events at the Budweiser Events Center. Room sizes at this tier are modest but functional - most include a desk, seating area, and in-room coffee, though expect standard double or queen configurations rather than suites at the lowest price points.
Free parking and grab-and-go breakfast are nearly universal at budget properties along East Mulberry, which meaningfully offsets the nightly rate when traveling with family or arriving by car. The main trade-off is noise management: rooms facing the street on this corridor can pick up traffic sounds, so requesting an interior or rear-facing room at check-in is worth doing at any property here.
Pros:
Consistently lower nightly rates versus Fort Collins' central districts
Free parking for cars, trucks, and RVs at multiple properties
Breakfast included (grab-and-go or hot) at most budget options
Street-facing rooms can suffer from East Mulberry traffic noise
Fewer on-site amenities compared to mid-range Fort Collins hotels
Limited restaurant options within walking distance after checkout
Practical Booking & Area Strategy
The tightest cluster of budget hotels relative to Fort Fun sits along East Mulberry Street between Lemay Avenue and I-25, where distances to the park run under 2 miles and driving time is under 5 minutes. A second viable corridor runs along South College Avenue, which adds around 10 minutes of driving but opens up access to CSU, Old Town, and the New Belgium Brewing Company in one connected route.
For transport, Transfort bus Route 8 runs along Mulberry Street and connects to the broader Fort Collins network, but service frequency is limited - a car or rideshare remains the practical default for reaching Fort Fun. Book at least 3 weeks ahead during summer weekends, Budweiser Events Center concert dates, and CSU move-in periods in late August, when budget inventory in this corridor sells out faster than most visitors expect. Nearby attractions beyond Fort Fun include Horsetooth Reservoir (about 15 minutes west), the Anheuser-Busch Tour Center (5 minutes by car), and the Discovery Science Center on Mason Court.
Best Value Stays
These three properties offer the lowest nightly rates in the Fort Fun corridor, each with free parking and basic breakfast included - covering the core needs of budget travelers without unnecessary extras.
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1. Days Inn By Wyndham Fort Collins
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2. Super 8 By Wyndham Fort Collins
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3. Clarion Inn
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Best Premium Budget Stay
This property sits above the basic budget tier in amenities and room quality, offering more for travelers who want a step up - particularly families staying multiple nights near Fort Fun.
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4. Comfort Suites Fort Collins Near University
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Smart Travel & Timing Advice
Fort Fun operates seasonally, with peak activity running from Memorial Day through Labor Day - roughly June through August. During this window, budget hotel rates along East Mulberry rise noticeably, and availability at the lowest price points can disappear within days of a booking search. July is the most competitive month, combining family summer travel, outdoor festival season in Fort Collins, and event programming at the Budweiser Events Center.
For the lowest rates, target shoulder periods in May or September, when Fort Fun is still operating weekends but demand from summer travelers has eased. A 2-night stay covers a full Fort Fun visit plus one of the nearby brewery tours or a trip to Horsetooth Reservoir without feeling rushed. Booking 4 weeks in advance during summer is the minimum buffer for securing budget-tier rooms; last-minute availability in July and August is limited and priced higher. The fall and spring months offer quieter road conditions, lower rates, and less congestion on East Mulberry - practical advantages for anyone whose trip isn't tied to Fort Fun's seasonal schedule.
