Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most popular of the US national parks. It’s on many a bucket list. Getting there from Denver, is totally doable, but if you want to spend some time really exploring the park and not just bear lake you need to find a place to stay. If you’re looking for other lodging options perhaps upgrading a bit to a cabin will still give you that immersive nature feel without needing to sleep in a tent.
There are no cabins that you can rent directly inside the park, but there are plenty of options just outside the park where you can catch a shuttle into the park and not have to worry about driving anywhere. Below are a couple of options to consider, depending on your needs for your trip to Rocky Mountain National Park.
Decide what you are looking for and when you plan to visit because there are a lot of options. Some offer plenty of space and all the cabin amenities you could want with a full kitchen, fireplace, hot tubs and more. These will likely cost over $200 a night, more in the peak season. Many within Estes park are open year-round and provide a convenient location to the downtown area with a small grocery store just outside of the entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park.
Estes park cabins
Estes park is a short drive to Rocky Mountain National park and heading to downtown Estes Park after a day of hiking is the perfect place to unwind.
Luxury cabins
Estes park is a popular place for a family vacation and many people who have the money may want to consider a more upscale cabin. Rocky mountain resorts offers a variety of options, including dog friendly accommodations, rooms at inns, and cabins.
Rustic cabin
Fewer amenities but a good value, the YMCA of the rockies has a number of cabins that get great reviews. Some do not have cell service or tv, so keep that in mind when planning your trip. In my opinion, if you are going there to hike, your evenings are probably going to be relaxing around a fire or exploring downtown Estes park.
If you are into staying at AirB&Bs or Vrbo there are a lot of rocky mountain cabins available that are unique and offer something different to the traditional companies.
Concluding Thoughts
Estes Park is the perfect distance from Rocky Mountain National Park and is a convenient location when planning you visit. From Estes Park into the park itself is a beautiful scenic drive and no matter what time of year there is beautiful scenery. With the park being open year-round Estes Park offers beautiful scenery along the scenic drive to the park and popular cabin options.
If you are looking for the best hikes, including bear lake, check out my post on visiting bear lake road.
