STEP FOUR: Book Your Lodging
>> Where should I stay? <<
Alright, you’re more than halfway there. Step Four is a fun one!
Let’s make your lodging reservations. I’m going to help you decide where you want to stay while visiting Rocky Mountain. After this task is complete, it’s official….you’re making your dream trip a reality!
So go ahead and get out the list you made in Step Three….the one that has the points of interest you want to visit divided up by region. Which region has the most activities? You’ll want to book your lodging near that area of the park.
You’ll find several campgrounds in Rocky Mountain, but there are no hotels within the national park. You’ll need to consider options outside of the park near the entrances if you don’t plan on camping.
Here’s what you can expect at each entrance:
Beaver Meadows Entrance (Estes Park)
The Beaver Meadows Entrance is a busy entrance, and due to its proximity to Estes Park, it’s likely the one you’ll use to access the park. From here, you’re just a few minutes from Bear Lake and the Trail Ridge Road.
You’ll love the exciting nearby town of Estes Park! It has plenty of amenities, hotels, activities, and restaurants while still accentuating the beauty of the nearby mountains.
Estes Park is the most popular place to stay while visiting Rocky Mountain National Park.
Fall River Entrance (Estes Park)
The Fall River Entrance is also accessed via Estes Park, but it is a quieter way to enter the national park. If you plan on searching for bighorn sheep near Sheep Lakes or driving to the Alpine Visitor Center via the unpaved Old Fall River Road, you may choose to enter the park here.
The Trail Ridge Road can also be accessed from this entrance.
Grand Lake Entrance (Grand Lake)
The Grand Lake Entrance provides easy access to the western section of the park and is close to the Holzwarth Historic Site, Coyote Valley, and various long hiking trails into the Never Summer Mountains. You’ll use this entrance if you plan on entering the park from the west side.
Grand Lake is a quaint and relaxing town just outside of the park entrance. Staying here means living the lake life, complete with boating, fishing, and picnicking by the three large lakes right by your door! Various lodging options, restaurants, shops, and activities are available here without all of the crowds of Estes Park.
Wild Basin Entrance (Allenspark)
This entrance is located along the southeastern portion of the park near the small mountain town of Allenspark. A dirt road is used to access a trailhead that leads to the stunning lakes and waterfalls of Wild Basin.
Parking is limited here, which contributes to the quiet solitude that is so treasured in this area. The road into Wild Basin doesn’t connect to any of the other roads through the park, so you won’t be able to access the Trail Ridge Road or other points of interest without driving back up to Estes Park.
Lodging and restaurants in Allenspark are limited, but if a peaceful mountain experience is what you’re looking for and you aren’t planning on visiting Rocky’s most popular spots, this could be just the place to recharge.
In a large and popular park like Rocky Mountain, finding lodging can be a complex process. Determine what area of the park/entrance you’d like to stay in first, then start digging for the lodging that will best suit your needs. Rooms sure can get snatched up fast so let’s book your lodging!
If you’re interested in my recommendations for places to stay, I’ve included a helpful lodging guide with these Rocky Mountain itineraries.
Alright, it’s time to tie up our loose ends so that you’ll have an awesome Rocky Mountain vacation plan under your belt.
Click NEXT to see Step Five — let’s put it all together!
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