More than 3,000 elk, 800 bighorn sheep and herds of mule deer and moose live in the park. For the best photography lighting and opportunities to spot massive bugling elk, head to Moraine Park just after sunrise. View bighorn sheep at Sheep Lakes May through mid-August and catch a glimpse of RMNP’s ever-elusive moose population along the Colorado River in the Kawuneeche Valley on the park's west side.
There’s no need to travel far from Denver unless you really want to. Boulder is less than an hour’s drive away and is home to the luxurious St. Julien Hotel and Spa. One of the state’s most romantic properties, by booking the St. Julien Suite you’ll enjoy an opulent two-room suite with a balcony, deep soaking tub and plenty of room and relax, unwind and enjoy your time together. You can even order up an in-room couples’ massage. When you do want to venture outside of your room, you’ll find lots to do in town and nearby. Hike the scenic trails that skirt its famous Flatirons Mountains, stroll through legendary open-air mall on Pearl Street, and dine at some fabulous restaurants like The Med, with its Greek Island-themed interior, fine wine and sumptuous Mediterranean small plates.
Known for its prominence in the movie ‘The Shining,’ the historic Stanley Hotel is the centerpiece of Estes Park. But for a more secluded, romantic stay, choose an intimate place like the Dunraven Inn, where a friendly and casual ambiance puts a soul at rest. If you’re looking for a place in the woods with fabulous mountain views and a warmly bubbling jetted tub that’s just a short walk to town, choose a Prospect cabin. Just outside the door of your vacation rental and along the scenic drives, you’ll catch wildlife frolicking in the fresh air.
Have a company outing, family reunion or just a bunch of friends that want to get together on the mountain? E-Tow Cabin is the perfect place for your next outing. Reserve the E-Tow Cabin and you and your group will have exclusive access to the cabin for the day. Cook lunch on the propane grill, warm up next to the wood burning stove and enjoy the view from the deck with friends and family. Advance reservations are required. No taxi rides up or down for guests or supplies. All guests must ride lift up with skis or snowboard. Not for overnight use. Rental for groups of 10 or more.
Colorado's biggest city is also its cultural hub. While you can go just about anywhere in Colorado to find outdoor adventures galore, in Denver you get the best of both worlds. The city is filled with top-notch museums, lively sports venues, prime shopping streets and an unmatched brewery scene. Meanwhile, just outside city limits, travelers have easy access to the Rockies as well as the photogenic Mount Evans Scenic Byway. Read More »
At 265,000 acres, Rocky Mountain National Park isn't the country's largest national park, nor is it the most-frequented with about 4 million annual visitors (compared to Great Smoky Mountains National Park's more than 11 million visitors). But there is something definitively magical about RMNP, which rises 12,183 feet into the Colorado sky. The main attraction is hiking its 350-some miles of trails that wind through pine and spruce forests, glittering alpine lakes, swaths of wildflowers and if you're lucky, some elk or bighorn sheep. And maybe it's the thinner atmosphere that goes to visitors' heads, but even the most jaded report feelings of awe and wonder after a day or two of breathing in that refreshing mountain air.
Nestled below Colorado's radiant mountaintops is beautiful Lazy R Cottages in Estes Park. Just one mile from Rocky Mountain National Park, we offer one-, two- and three-bedroom cabins perfect for romantic escapes and family vacations. Our cabins have kitchens or kitchenettes, fireplaces, decks with mountain views, and some with personal hot tubs … perfect for relaxing after a day enjoying Estes Park and the National Park. Dog-friendly units available ($15 per dog/per night). Free Wi-Fi. View more about our Estes Park cabins.
Would you like to stay in a historic red barn, a former milk room, or an original historic log cabin and get an idea of how the original Colorado settlers lived? Converted to the luxury Four Mile Creek Bed and Breakfast, this former 1885 homestead is a quaint reminder of the area’s adventurous past. With its main lodge building, old converted barn, and two log cabins, the Bed and Breakfast today offers rustic luxury and unparalleled comfort. The rooms are furnished with antique pieces and fireplaces, with luxurious bathrooms featuring claw foot tubs, conveying a sense of times gone by while providing entirely modern comfort and amenities.
Rocky Mountain National Park is an American national park located approximately 76 mi (122 km) northwest of Denver International Airport[4] in north-central Colorado, within the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. The park is situated between the towns of Estes Park to the east and Grand Lake to the west. The eastern and westerns slopes of the Continental Divide run directly through the center of the park with the headwaters of the Colorado River located in the park's northwestern region.[5] The main features of the park include mountains, alpine lakes and a wide variety of wildlife within various climates and environments, from wooded forests to mountain tundra.
Daily bus service into Rocky Mountain National Park is available weekends beginning in Memorial Weekend and then daily from June 27, 2016 to September 7, 2016 and weekends until the end of September, 2016. There are two more routes to help you once you are in the Park for Moraine Park and Glacier Basin (Bear Lake). Sorry, there are no bus routes for Trail Ridge Road or Horseshoe Park.
Considered the base camp for the Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park is less than a 2-hour drive from Denver. Located near the east entrance to the Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park is a quiet area surrounded by protected land. Here you’ll find pristine wilderness with a myriad of both indoor and outdoor activities, from scenic hikes and bike trails to wine tasting and spa treatments. Take the Estes Park Aerial Tramway to the top of a small peak and soak in breathtaking panoramic views of the valley and downtown area, take a walk along the Riverwalk in Downtown Estes Park or take the kids to the Estes Park Ride-A-Kart & Cascade Creek Mini-Golf.
In the winter, try the “Ski-In/Ski-Out” Treatment—the only one of its kind at a ski resort. In 30 minutes, professionals submerge your feet in a warm, exfoliating bath and go to work to increase circulation. They relieve the tension with a hot stone massage to get you back into action. This treatment is designed perfectly to soothe you after a day of adrenaline and activity, and vamp you back up for more.
During the winter most of Trail Ridge Road is closed due to heavy snow, limiting motorized access to the edges of the park.[68] Winter activities include snowshoeing and cross-country skiing which are possible from either the Estes Park or Grand Lake entrances. On the east side near Estes Park, skiing and snowshoeing trails are available off Bear Lake Road, such as the Bear Lake, Bierstadt Lake, and Sprague Lake trails and at Hidden Valley. Slopes for sledding are also available at Hidden Valley. The west side of the park near Grand Lake also has viable snowshoeing trails.[68][88] Backcountry skiing and snowboarding can be enjoyed after climbing up one of the higher slopes, especially late in the snow season after avalanche danger has subsided[89], and technical climbing remains also a possibility, although typically differing in style from the summer months[90].
Guests have the freedom to come and go via a keypad code to the house and can enjoy a number of things to see and do in Golden on their own. The Silk Pincushion is within easy walking distance of downtown Golden with a variety of museums, galleries, shops and restaurants to explore. The Golden Gate Canyon National Park and Red Rocks National Park are also close by.
For the ultimate mountain getaway, stay in one of our updated vintage 1, 2, or 3 bedroom cabins! Just 1 mile from the entrance to RMNP on the quiet side of town. Walk to a Park trailhead, fish for stocked trout in front of your cabin, soak in the hot tub, relax around the campfire. Experience the Estes of yesteryear! Idlewilde by the River Details
Devil's Thumb Ranch Resort & Spa - Devil's Thumb Ranch Resort is really a special place for active couples. There's 3 types of accommodation (Bunkhouse, Lodge and Cabin), and outside an opportunity to experience some very romantic adventures like wagon & sleigh rides, zip-lining, horseback riding and evening campfires. As well, there's two restaurants, a wine cellar and a coffee shop. Oh, a word about their pool: it's heated geothermally, and since you actually enter it indoors and swim to the outdoor part, it's great on colder days and evenings. 2017 ERV Rating* for Couples - Romantic Colorado Ranch Resorts: 88% - Very Good. (3530 Country Rd 83, Tabernash, CO 970-726-5632)
Estes Park vacation rentals are always worth considering, but be sure to check the calendar before you book and you could enjoy something even more special. Estes Park hosts a variety of events throughout the year, any of which would make a great addition to your vacation itinerary. For example, in early June, the Estes Park Jazz Fest takes place and features jazz musicians from across the country and beyond.
SouthwestOuray has been a special destination of world travelers for more than 100 years. This small intimate community is nestled in some of the most rugged and towering peaks of the Rockies. Set at the narrow head of a valley at 7,792 feet and surrounded on three sides with 13,000 foot snowcapped peaks - Ouray has been eloquently nicknamed the "Switzerland of America."
Good morning, I am Judy Hall my family and I just stayed at Brynwood June 8th – 14th. We stayed in the Bunkhouse. We had a great time. Your place is absolutely wonderful. The grounds are beautiful. I will definitely recommend Brynwood to others. All of the employees were so friendly and kind. Took care of all of our needs. I wish I was still there!
The Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra, the High Desert Opera, the Mesa State College Theatre and the Avalon Theatre provide a great selection of entertainment. Nature lovers can explore the diverse landscape along many miles of hiking and biking trails, try an off-road adventure, climb the marvelous red rock formations, or take to the rivers for some rafting, kayaking and paddling. Leave plenty of time to taste your way around the 22 wineries and tasting rooms. Things to Do in Grand Junction
Located near the towns of Cortez and Mancos, Mesa Verde is reached by a long road that leads high up above the surrounding landscape. The drive from the highway up to the site takes about 45 minutes. Near the highway is one of the visitor centers, where you can get information on the park and road conditions before driving up. You can book a ranger-led tour of Cliff Palace when you arrive so you know what time to show up for the one-hour tour.
Need to take a break, warm up or find that perfect place to have a picnic? All of Loveland’s on-mountain cabins are equipped with propane BBQ’s. What’s the catch? Nothing, these cabins are free to use. Loveland’s on-mountain cabins are just another reason why skiers and snowboarders love Loveland. Make sure you stop by and check one out on your next visit to Loveland.
Fall River provides a beautiful backdrop for our lodging resort. After your hiking, snowshoeing or back-country skiing adventure, spend an intimate evening in a luxurious Spa Suite or relax in a spacious 1 Bedroom Suite. Enjoy sounds of the river from your private cabin/condo deck. All the conveniences of home in each suite. Boulder Brook on Fall River Details
The Mummy Range is a short mountain range in the north of the park. The Mummies tend to be gentler and more forested than the other peaks in the park, though some slopes are rugged and heavily glaciated, particularly around Ypsilon Mountain and Mummy Mountain. Bridal Veil Falls is a scenic point and trail accessible from the Cow Creek trailhead, at the Continental Divide Research Center.[41] West Creek Falls and Chasm Falls, near Old Fall River Road, are also in this region. The Alluvial Fan trail leads to a bridge over the river that had been the site of the Lawn Lake Flood.[42]
Trail Ridge Road will not open until at least Memorial Weekend but there are many amazing areas open year round in the park. Heavenly Valley is the one place in the park where sledding is allowed but you must bring your own tube or sled. Cross-country skiing is incredible with so many trails to choose from and snow shoeing is a great way to explore new areas. Stop at one of the visitor centers as you enter the park to find out what areas are open and it is always best to call ahead for weather and road conditions. Check forecasts before you go at weather.gov and insert "Trail Ridge, CO" for the location. For information about Rocky Mountain National Park call 970-586-1206 daily 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Mountain Time).
A small town in the southwest corner of Colorado, Durango offers visitors a wealth of fun-filled activities to fill up a weekend away. Explore the downtown area to see a National Historic District lined with charming shops, eateries and hotels in 19th-century buildings. The area also boasts an array of outdoor adventures, including excellent opportunities to hike, bike, fish, while those wanting to kick it up a notch can also indulge in snowboarding, horseback riding and white water rafting. A ride on the famous Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is a must, where visitors can soak in breathtaking mountain views from a steam-powered engine train.
An excellent vacation destination for visitors who are ready to hit the slopes, winter enthusiasts flock to Telluride every year for its 1,700 skiable acres that cater to both experts and novices alike. Visitors flock to Town Park on the southeast edge of town for its abundance of activities available, such as swimming pools, tennis courts, fishing ponds and campgrounds that are popular for the city’s annual festivals and events. Bear Creek Falls and Bridal Veil Falls offer a variety of scenic hiking trails, while the Telluride Historical Museum and Historic Sheridan Opera House are two cultural attractions that shouldn’t be overlooked.
You can get maps and info at the Estes Park Visitors Center and catch a free shuttle bus to most main attractions. Intrepid adventurers will find an almost endless list of outdoor activities to try, including mountaineering on Longs Peak, thrilling white water rafting, hiking, biking, backpacking, skiing and snowshoeing. Less daring visitors can enjoy the River Walk, take a scenic drive, play a round of golf, or do some wildlife watching. Things to Do in Estes Park
Update on Jan. 14, 2019: A Rocky Mountain National Park spokesman said Monday the park began using recreation fees to temporarily pay about 10 percent of furloughed workers to clean up the park. They’ve been plowing roads, cleaning restrooms and collecting trash since Saturday. Other staff, such as law enforcement rangers, continue to work without pay during the shutdown. The park is expected to reopen to vehicle traffic on Tuesday, said Kyle Patterson, a Park spokesman who is on furlough.
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In Estes Park, nearly half of the accommodations are house rentals, which represent 43.29% of its available accommodations. Additionally, house rentals in Estes Park have an average cost of $453 per night as well as an average size of 2,030 ft². Moreover, these rentals are optimal if you're going in a group of 8, as that is the average number of vacationers house rentals can host in Estes Park. If you would like to rent something else, you can search many other offers, such as apartment rentals, which are another typical type of property in Estes Park. The average size of apartment rentals in Estes Park is 1,310 ft², and the average price is $331 per night.
Escape from the city with a romantic getaway just 30 minutes west of Denver to the Highland Haven Creekside Inn in Evergreen. This family-owned and operated Colorado Mountain B&B will charm you upon the moment of entering the wooded grounds. Their website describes it as an opportunity to create your own “Colorado Woodland Fairytale.” And it is that adorable. Rustic. Quiet. Charming. And far enough away from it all to feel like a romantic getaway.
Fishing was a popular pastime for early visitors to the park, and it remains so today, with anglers catching several types of trout, including brown, brook, rainbow and cutthroat. Note: A valid Colorado fishing license is required for all persons 16 years of age or older to fish in Rocky Mountain National Park. For current Colorado fishing license fees visit the Colorado Division of Wildlife website.
Loveland, dubbed as the ‘Sweetheart City’ and known nationwide for its Valentine’s Day Love Stamp Program, is near the college town of Fort Collins in northern Colorado. Rent a charmingly restored 1903 Victorian cottage for your love nest, or snuggle together in a neighborhood home just minutes from hiking in the Rocky Mountain National Park. A visit to the Sweetheart City Winery is a great opportunity to sample some local wines while checking out original oil paintings inspired by a trip to Tuscany. Voted by locals as one of the most romantic places in Loveland, South Shore Parkway is certain to aid in a stolen kiss or two. Sample small plates and incredible desserts at Door 222 Food and Drink, a downtown gem not to be missed.
Region 4 is the heart of the park with easy road and trail access, great views, and lake hikes including the most popular trails.[35] Flattop Mountain is a tundra hike and the easiest hike to the Continental Divide in the park. Crossing over Flattop Mountain, the hike to Hallett Peak passes through three climate zones, traversing the ridge that supports Tyndall Glacier and finally ascending to the summit of Hallett Peak.[44]
The town has a lively arts and culture scene, reflected by several galleries and a busy live theater schedule. Outdoors, the fun never stops; you can hike over 70 spectacular trails, have fun on a Jeep, snow-mobile or OHV tour, bike the Ridgway Area Trail System or go rock climbing, canyoneering, fishing, skiing, and hot air ballooning. Keep reading for more Colorado points of interest. Things to Do in Ouray
The Experience: If Aspen isn't quite your mountain town scene, head to Vail instead. It's equally as idyllic (it was modeled after European mountain resorts), pedestrian-friendly, and lovely, but the town itself is more of a square in a village with a small collection of boutiques and restaurants for visitors. Ride up and down the gondolas for mountain views in every direction and ski the unique back bowls. It's also closer to Denver, making it easier to get to and, therefore, a little more crowded during peak seasons.
You can explore eight other designated Historic Neighborhoods before swapping history for nature as you hike or cycle the numerous scenic trails. Families can have fun at the Splash Water Park while adults can taste their way around small craft breweries and visit the largest American brewery on the Coors Tour. Keep reading for more Colorado points of interest. Things to Do in Golden
The park's climate is also affected by the Continental Divide, which runs northwest to southeast through the center of the park atop the high peaks. The Continental Divide creates two distinct climate patterns - one typical of the east side near Estes Park and the other associated with the Grand Lake area on the park's west side.[49] The west side of the park experiences more snow, less wind, and clear cold days during the winter months.[49]
With elevations ranging from 8,000 feet in the wet, grassy valleys to 14,259 feet at the weather-ravaged top of Longs Peak, a visitor to the park has opportunities for countless breathtaking experiences and adventures. For those wishing to experience the tundra without hiking miles above tree line, the Alpine Visitor’s Center atop Trail Ridge Road is the highest visitor’s center in the entire National Park System!
The Experience: Everywhere you look in Aspen, the views will take your breath away, especially if you stay at the historic Hotel Jerome. It's the ultimate mountain resort town every time of year, with world-class shopping, delicious food spots, and, as we mentioned, gorgeous scenery. Ski in Snowmass or Highland Bowl. In the summer, try to plan your trip to attend the wine and food festival or the annual jazz festival. Catch a show at Belly Up, party on the mountain at Cloud Nine, eat at Matsuhisa, or cross-country ski to dinner at the remote Pine Creek Lodge.
Couples can share snowy adventures together, try out new activities, or split up and go different directions during the day. Meals with other engaging guests liven the conversation, and the dining room is always filled with laughter. Leisurely afternoon naps or late night soak in the hot tub give couples a chance to retreat from it all and focus on each other.
If you wish to have a romantic dinner outside of the hotel or resort you are staying at in Colorado Springs, you have to go to the Pepper Tree Restaurant. Its stylish architecture makes the restaurant one of the most beautiful in Colorado. You can enjoy spectacular views of the city skyline from the restaurant while feasting on a romantic dinner with your love. The restaurant serves high quality seafood, steak,s and legendary wines. Dining at the Pepper Tree Restaurant is a romantic and memorable culinary experience.
The house also features a hot tub on the second-floor deck, a modern entertainment living room with a large, flat screen television for movie watching and a lovely terraced back garden with a gazebo. Winter Park Chateau enjoys a prime downtown location within walking distance to many restaurants, cafés, and bars, as well as nightclubs. It is within walking distance of the ski mountain and close to four championship golf courses and Rocky Mountain National Park.
Would you like to stay in a historic red barn, a former milk room, or an original historic log cabin and get an idea of how the original Colorado settlers lived? Converted to the luxury Four Mile Creek Bed and Breakfast, this former 1885 homestead is a quaint reminder of the area’s adventurous past. With its main lodge building, old converted barn, and two log cabins, the Bed and Breakfast today offers rustic luxury and unparalleled comfort. The rooms are furnished with antique pieces and fireplaces, with luxurious bathrooms featuring claw foot tubs, conveying a sense of times gone by while providing entirely modern comfort and amenities. 
The 179 guest rooms are furnished in a relaxed Rocky Mountain style, featuring overstuffed leather chairs, suede pillows, wool throws, and leather tabletops. For guests who require additional space, the hotel offers two Presidential suites and 11 One-bedroom suites. The Club Floor, accessible by key-activated elevator, provides guests with additional privacy, complimentary food and beverage presentations, and personal concierge service.
