Where Should I Stay In Colorado To See The Rocky Mountains?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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  • The Estes Park Resort.
  • The Landing at Estes Park.
  • Woodlands on Fall River.
  • The Maxwell Inn.
  • StoneBrook Resort.
  • Murphy’s Resort.
  • Boulder Brook on Fall River.
  • Murphy’s River Lodge.

Is it better to stay in Estes Park or Grand Lake?

Both Estes Park and Grand Lake are great options for where to stay when visiting Rocky Mountain National Park.

Estes Park is livelier and gives you better access to in particular the Bear Lake area

. On the other hand Grand Lake is the more peaceful option that feels further away from it all.

What towns are closest to Rocky Mountain National Park?

  • Estes Park, CO. 7.9 mi / 21 mins.
  • Lyons, CO. 28.7 mi / 51 mins.
  • Boulder, CO. 44.7 mi / 1 hour 15 mins.
  • Denver, CO. 78.5 mi / 1 hour 46 mins.
  • Winter Park, CO. 111 mi / 2 hours 44 mins.
  • Granby, CO. 131 mi / 3 hours 8 mins.
  • Grand Lake, CO. 147 mi / 3 hours 28 mins.

How many days do you need in Rocky Mountain National Park?

Ideally, plan on spending

at least three days

in Rocky Mountain National Park. This gives you enough time to drive Alpine Ridge Road, Old Fall River Road, and hike a few of the trails. If you are an avid hiker, I recommend spending five or more days in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Can you stay overnight in Rocky Mountain National Park?

Unlike some national parks,

there are no overnight accommodations in Rocky Mountain National Park

. There are many lodging options in the nearby communities of Estes Park and Grand Lake.

What is Estes Park Colorado known for?

Estes Park, just 90 minutes from Denver, is located at the eastern entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. A majestic mountain destination known for

outdoor adventure, watchable wildlife and scenic beauty

, Estes Park is Colorado’s quintessential mountain town.

Where should I stay in Denver to see the mountains?

Property The Crawford Hotel Best Boutique Resort Fee $68 Rooms 112 rooms WiFi Free Wi-Fi

Can you drive from Grand Lake to Estes Park?

It’s located within the Rocky Mountain National Park and connects Estes Park and Grand Lake. It has a total distance of 48 paved miles and

would require at least 2 hours of driving to complete

.

Is Breckenridge or Estes better?


Breck will be slightly less crowded and less touristy

. It has a wider variety of restaurants and shopping. It also has access to the Epic summer activities (mountain coaster, zip line, etc) There is hiking, but it’s less concentrated than Estes.

Is Trail Ridge Road scary to drive?

If you don’t like heights be warned, there are switch backs and steep sides with very few barriers on this route through the mountains. The road is actually

far less scary than many of Colorado’s famous mountain roads

.

Are there grizzly bears in Estes Park?

Are there grizzly bears in Rocky Mountain National Park?

No, there are no grizzly bears in Rocky Mountain National Park or the entire state of Colorado

, but at one time, there were. The Rocky Mountains of Colorado used to be home to an abundance of grizzly bears until they were declared extinct in Colorado in 1953.

How far is Breckenridge from Estes?

The direct drive from Breckenridge to Estes Park is

135 mi (218 km)

, and should have a drive time of 2 hrs 49 mins in normal traffic.

What is there to do around Rocky Mountain National Park?

  • Trail Ridge Road. #1 of 95 things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. …
  • Old Fall River Road. #3 of 95 things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. …
  • Alluvial Fan. …
  • Alpine Visitor Center. …
  • National Park Gateway Stables. …
  • Emerald Lake Trail. …
  • Cowpoke Corner Corral. …
  • Alberta Falls.

What’s the closest city to the Rocky Mountain National Park?

Rocky Mountain National Park is in northeast Colorado, flanked by the towns of

Estes Park

on the east and Grand Lake on the west. Other nearby towns include Lyons, Winter Park, Granby and Boulder.

Is Estes Park worth visiting?

Estes Park is an idyllic “base camp” town at the Eastern entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park and is

well worth exploring prior to your visit

. Of course, this is the ideal spot to purchase plenty of supplies before you head deep into the national park.

What is the best time of year to visit Rocky Mountain National Park?


November through April

is the best time to avoid crowds in Rocky Mountain National Park. Summer and fall weekends are the busiest in the park, and yearly visitation grows each year. In 2018, the park was visited by 4.5 million people, but just over . 6 million people visited during the months of November through April.

Can you just drive through Rocky Mountain National Park?

Trail Ridge Road is a high-alpine mountain road.

During the winter season, motorists cannot drive over the top of Trail Ridge Road

. Rocky Mountain National Park is open year-round on both the east and west side of the park.

Where should I stay on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park?

On the western side of Rocky Mountain National Park, stay at one of two yurt villages at

YMCA’s Snow Mountain Ranch

. The ranch is about a 45-minute drive from the park’s West Entrance.

Can I camp anywhere in Rocky Mountain National Park?

Types. Unlike many national parks and forests,

Rocky Mountain National Park has a range of backcountry camping options

. Designated backcountry campsites are exactly that, while cross-country backcountry campsites may be set up anywhere so long as they are in compliance with certain regulations.

Can you drive through Rocky Mountain National Park without a reservation?

For access to the park excluding Bear Lake,

reservations are required from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

That means you can still enjoy the drive over Trail Ridge Road, hike the Lumpy Ridge area or visit the beautiful Alluvial Fan without a reservation as long as you get there before 9 or after 3.

How long is the riverwalk in Estes Park?

Get to know this

5.0-mile

loop trail near Estes Park, Colorado. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 1 h 52 min to complete.

What is the best time to visit Estes Park?

The best time to visit Estes Park is from

June to September

. The four-month period of warm weather allows travelers to comfortably explore the area’s offerings.

What is the best month to visit Colorado?

The best time to visit Colorado is during the warm season which runs from

June to October

. In June, snow melts in the mountains, so it’s a high time to hike in Rocky Mountain National Park, Mount Elbert, Mount Bierstadt, and drive through some of the highest passes in the state.

Where should I not stay in Denver?

  • Highland. This is the bad part of Denver. …
  • Park Hill. This neighborhood has a population of 28,587 people and average livability of 68%. …
  • Lodo. 8,519 people have settlements all around this lower downtown of Denver. …
  • Southwestern Denver. …
  • Jefferson Park. …
  • Northwestern Denver.

What is the best part of Denver to stay in?

The best overall area to stay in Denver is the

Lower Downtown neighborhood, also known as “LoDo” or Union Station

. Other top areas to stay include Five Points and the Central Business District.

What is the best view of Denver?

THE VIEW:

The Anschutz Family Sky Terrace in the Denver Museum of Nature & Science

offers unparalleled views of The Mile High City. See well above the trees in City Park with the downtown skyline and the capitol dome in the distance. On a clear day, you will see views from Mt. Evans to Longs Peak.

Kim Nguyen
Author
Kim Nguyen
Kim Nguyen is a fitness expert and personal trainer with over 15 years of experience in the industry. She is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and has trained a variety of clients, from professional athletes to everyday fitness enthusiasts. Kim is passionate about helping people achieve their fitness goals and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.