I rented C172s for recreational VFR flying from Colorado Flight Centre, Grand Junction, in 2010. Good availability, plenty of cheap, good, hotel accomodation and restaurants nearby, and modern, well-equipped, IFR compliant aircraft. I've also rented at Rapid City, South Dakota. You can find bargains at smaller places - but you'ld have to look. I've done so at Poteau, Oklahoma and Burns, Oregon, but that was long ago.