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Post by wrongwayfeldman on Jun 18, 2018 17:51:10 GMT
I'm the trip planner in my circle of friends, and I'm usually great at it, but this trip to Colorado has me baffled and I'm in desperate need of help. I've gone back and forth between camping and hiking, an Airbnb vs a hotel, and every city in the eastern half of the state. Can someone please help me wrap up a 5 day trip with my kids, two of the three of them are drivers. All are active and good hikers, but me not so much, although I'd like to experience the mountains and hiking in some capacity. Our original thought was:
Drive from Missouri straight to Colorado Springs to see Pike's Peak and Garden of the Gods. Stay 2 days at a hotel that has a kitchen so we can save money on meals. That place is about 150/night.
Then drive to Denver early morning and spend the whole day exploring the city, all meals at restaurants in Denver, leaving there around dark to drive north to experience Rocky Mountain National Park for the remaining 3 nights, finding trails/lakes/waterfalls.
The road blocks I'm finding are: lodging in Estes Park areas are exceeding my budget of 150/night, as it's hard to find a place that has some minimal cooking facilities so that we can save money on meals. I have one that's vegan, and two others that are picky, so restaurants are always a chore.
I'm also not familiar enough with that area to determine where to stay that would not put us in the car every day for hours looking for mountains and trails, so none of these ideas are set in stone. Maybe there is another place or plan that would be better? I'm overthinking everything, and I have so many tabs open I can't see straight!! All I want is the chance to hang with my kids, see some mountains, eat on the cheap, and hike a little.
Any tips on what towns/itineraries fit this need? I'm flexible, and am willing to choose another area, I just feel overwhelmed as I haven't been to Colorado since I was a kid. DH has to work the week we're planning this road trip, so I'm the lone adult. Two of the kids are drivers, (16 and 20) so I'll have some help behind the wheel.
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Post by 950nancy on Jun 18, 2018 17:59:37 GMT
Estes Park has an enormous Safeway. You could easily grab meals there for breakfast and lunch and have dinner out. There are a fair amount of cheaper places to dine. Not sure about vegan choices though. The trails from Estes are quite close. You wouldn't have to spend 15-20 minutes or so to get get to them. You could also grill out at the park if you wanted to have a picnic. www.visitestespark.com/rocky-mountain-national-park/picnic-areas/ |
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freebird
Drama Llama
'cause I'm free as a bird now
Posts: 6,927 
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Post by freebird on Jun 18, 2018 18:21:10 GMT
I just googled, it looks like Estes Lake Lodge might be a good choice for you for Estes park.
I had the hardest time booking EP a few years back. Everything was too pricy and I accidentally booked the next town over. I was pissed, but it was paid for!
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Post by workingclassdog on Jun 18, 2018 18:33:14 GMT
Okay what about staying in Loveland? Still about an hour drive to Estes, but might be a little cheaper??
OR you could check out the other side of RMNP and look at Grand Lake area... You would be in the mountains just over Trail Ridge Road.. it is a lovely town, and you can definitely go to Estes for fun or just stay in the Grand Lake area. I think they have more cabin type places to stay at than Estes. It's not 'as' tourtisy as Estes though.. I mean there is still tons of people just a little less.. lol
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 21:19:12 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2018 19:27:10 GMT
I'm the trip planner in my circle of friends, and I'm usually great at it, but this trip to Colorado has me baffled and I'm in desperate need of help. I've gone back and forth between camping and hiking, an Airbnb vs a hotel, and every city in the eastern half of the state. Can someone please help me wrap up a 5 day trip with my kids, two of the three of them are drivers. All are active and good hikers, but me not so much, although I'd like to experience the mountains and hiking in some capacity. Our original thought was: Drive from Missouri straight to Colorado Springs to see Pike's Peak and Garden of the Gods. Stay 2 days at a hotel that has a kitchen so we can save money on meals. That place is about 150/night. Then drive to Denver early morning and spend the whole day exploring the city, all meals at restaurants in Denver, leaving there around dark to drive north to experience Rocky Mountain National Park for the remaining 3 nights, finding trails/lakes/waterfalls. The road blocks I'm finding are: lodging in Estes Park areas are exceeding my budget of 150/night, as it's hard to find a place that has some minimal cooking facilities so that we can save money on meals. I have one that's vegan, and two others that are picky, so restaurants are always a chore. I'm also not familiar enough with that area to determine where to stay that would not put us in the car every day for hours looking for mountains and trails, so none of these ideas are set in stone. Maybe there is another place or plan that would be better? I'm overthinking everything, and I have so many tabs open I can't see straight!! All I want is the chance to hang with my kids, see some mountains, eat on the cheap, and hike a little. Any tips on what towns/itineraries fit this need? I'm flexible, and am willing to choose another area, I just feel overwhelmed as I haven't been to Colorado since I was a kid. DH has to work the week we're planning this road trip, so I'm the lone adult. Two of the kids are drivers, (16 and 20) so I'll have some help behind the wheel. No advice, but sympathy. It seems this year there are no bargains for rentals near popular tourists sites. We're paying almost $200 a night for a tiny cabin with 1 room, fridge and microwave near Pala Dura canyon this week. It looks like it was once a horse stable. It's the season for the musical "Texas" which is very popular. I hope you find something that fits your needs and y'all have a great time. |
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Post by mom on Jun 18, 2018 19:40:02 GMT
I'm the trip planner in my circle of friends, and I'm usually great at it, but this trip to Colorado has me baffled and I'm in desperate need of help. I've gone back and forth between camping and hiking, an Airbnb vs a hotel, and every city in the eastern half of the state. Can someone please help me wrap up a 5 day trip with my kids, two of the three of them are drivers. All are active and good hikers, but me not so much, although I'd like to experience the mountains and hiking in some capacity. Our original thought was: Drive from Missouri straight to Colorado Springs to see Pike's Peak and Garden of the Gods. Stay 2 days at a hotel that has a kitchen so we can save money on meals. That place is about 150/night. Then drive to Denver early morning and spend the whole day exploring the city, all meals at restaurants in Denver, leaving there around dark to drive north to experience Rocky Mountain National Park for the remaining 3 nights, finding trails/lakes/waterfalls. The road blocks I'm finding are: lodging in Estes Park areas are exceeding my budget of 150/night, as it's hard to find a place that has some minimal cooking facilities so that we can save money on meals. I have one that's vegan, and two others that are picky, so restaurants are always a chore. I'm also not familiar enough with that area to determine where to stay that would not put us in the car every day for hours looking for mountains and trails, so none of these ideas are set in stone. Maybe there is another place or plan that would be better? I'm overthinking everything, and I have so many tabs open I can't see straight!! All I want is the chance to hang with my kids, see some mountains, eat on the cheap, and hike a little. Any tips on what towns/itineraries fit this need? I'm flexible, and am willing to choose another area, I just feel overwhelmed as I haven't been to Colorado since I was a kid. DH has to work the week we're planning this road trip, so I'm the lone adult. Two of the kids are drivers, (16 and 20) so I'll have some help behind the wheel. No advice, but sympathy. It seems this year there are no bargains for rentals near popular tourists sites. We're paying almost $200 a night for a tiny cabin with 1 room, fridge and microwave near Pala Dura canyon this week. It looks like it was once a horse stable. It's the season for the musical "Texas" which is very popular. I hope you find something that fits your needs and y'all have a great time. *waving* you're in my backyard!! Hopefully it wont be raining at night when you're here for the play! SaveSave |
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Post by worrywart on Jun 19, 2018 3:21:33 GMT
Have you brought up the hotels/motels on trip advisor? You can put in your dates and get a list of hotels and prices.
I think it is a great place to spend a few days. There is tons of hiking, the downtown in an enjoyable place to walk through and the scenery is great. Hope you can find something in your budget!
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 21:19:12 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 19, 2018 4:39:22 GMT
Estes Park has an enormous Safeway. You could easily grab meals there for breakfast and lunch and have dinner out. There are a fair amount of cheaper places to dine. Not sure about vegan choices though. The trails from Estes are quite close. You wouldn't have to spend 15-20 minutes or so to get get to them. You could also grill out at the park if you wanted to have a picnic. www.visitestespark.com/rocky-mountain-national-park/picnic-areas/Safeway is very expensive, unless it is club card sale. They have a lot $5 breakfast treats tho. Don't eat the Chinese food in the deli. It isn't as good as it use to be. |
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Post by bwife on Jun 19, 2018 9:00:28 GMT
You will have a hard time finding lodging in Estes for less than $150 a night. When we went, we rented a tiny cabin on the river and it was close to $300 a night. that was just 3 yrs ago. You will have to stay a bit further out from estes or go to the west side of Rocky Mountain. Estes is a huge tourist town and anyone who has property to rent knows it. The safeway & restaurants also know it. I really dont know how locals afford to eat out there. seriously.
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Post by wrongwayfeldman on Jun 19, 2018 12:33:44 GMT
Sounds like maybe staying in Colorado Springs the entire time might be the better option, with maybe a day inDenver before heading home then? Are there plenty of mountains, lakes, trails and waterfalls in the Colorado Springs area that compare to the northern part of RMNP?
We might also try to add white water rafting since the kids lived when we did that on a Tennessee trip.
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Post by coloradocropper on Jun 19, 2018 12:51:16 GMT
I live in Colorado Springs. If you're kids like a good challenge let them do the Incline. You get rewarded when you reach the top with a beautiful view of Colorado Springs.
The Great Sand Dunes are a couple hours southwest of us. Very cool to see and go play on the dunes.
Bishop's Castle is really cool and interesting to see too. Only 30 or so minutes from CS
We have a really cool zoo on the side of Pikes Peak with a really successful giraffe breeding program. We just had our 200th baby born about 2 weeks ago.
Mueller State Park is beautiful and there is plenty to look at there.
When I think of more, I'll come back but feel free to msg me.
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Post by worrywart on Jun 19, 2018 13:48:07 GMT
The sand dunes near Mosca are awesome.
Bishops castle is a great place to stop maybe on your way in?
Have you been to canon city? Its about 40 minutes from CS and the royal gorge ($$ but cool to do once)..and that Skyline drive is close by(!!!!) scary but worth it.
and don't just see pikes peak - drive up pikes peak!
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Post by librarylady on Jun 19, 2018 14:08:28 GMT
Be aware that driving through the mountains takes a lot more time than flat lands.
We left Denver, looped through Estes Park and were headed south to ??
We thought it would be an hour or two, but instead it took half the day.
Purchase tickets and ride the train to the top of Pike's Peak. That way everyone can enjoy the scenery. Otherwise, whoever is driving will have to concentrate on the road and miss the scenery. I also think it is bad on the car's transmission.
Between Colorado Springs and ?? (Canyon City?) there is a beautiful drive called Phantom Creek drive. Scenery is pretty but the road is SCARY! SCARY!
Pop over to see the Royal Gorge.
It has been over 10 years since I made a trip to Colorado, thus the memory of names/places is fuzzy.
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used2scrap
Drama Llama
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Post by used2scrap on Jun 19, 2018 15:55:51 GMT
Be aware that driving through the mountains takes a lot more time than flat lands. We left Denver, looped through Estes Park and were headed south to ?? We thought it would be an hour or two, but instead it took half the day. Purchase tickets and ride the train to the top of Pike's Peak. That way everyone can enjoy the scenery. Otherwise, whoever is driving will have to concentrate on the road and miss the scenery. I also think it is bad on the car's transmission. Between Colorado Springs and ?? (Canyon City?) there is a beautiful drive called Phantom Creek drive. Scenery is pretty but the road is SCARY! SCARY! Pop over to see the Royal Gorge. It has been over 10 years since I made a trip to Colorado, thus the memory of names/places is fuzzy. I think the railroad up Pikes Peak has closed, and right now you have to take a shuttle to get to the summit? I think you could easily spend all your time in the Colorado Springs area. |
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Post by 950nancy on Jun 19, 2018 19:40:41 GMT
You will have a hard time finding lodging in Estes for less than $150 a night. When we went, we rented a tiny cabin on the river and it was close to $300 a night. that was just 3 yrs ago. You will have to stay a bit further out from estes or go to the west side of Rocky Mountain. Estes is a huge tourist town and anyone who has property to rent knows it. The safeway & restaurants also know it. I really dont know how locals afford to eat out there. seriously. We are going in a few weeks and I found quite a few places that were in the $140-$160. I can't speak for the quality of the places, but they were out there. |
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Post by kamper on Jun 19, 2018 22:52:02 GMT
Have you looked at staying in Golden? You could hike at Golden Gate Canyon State Park (they have cabins too) and drive the Peak to Peak highway over to Boulder. There is also good hiking in Boulder. Also, Jefferson County has extensive open spaces which are free.
You don't mention when this trip is or what day of the week you are planning on driving from the Springs to Denver. Be aware that traffic on I-25 during the week north bound will be very busy (especially from Castle Rock north).
With only 5 nights I would just stay in one place. From Golden you could make a loop through Rocky by heading west in the morning and entering from the Grand Lake side. You wouldn't be that far from Red Rocks, Idaho Springs or Mt. Evans.
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Post by kamper on Jun 19, 2018 22:58:50 GMT
Also, depending on when you are coming rafting might be over. With the low snow pack the peak was last month.
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Post by 950nancy on Jun 20, 2018 0:23:47 GMT
I do the trip from Colorado Springs to Estes at least once/twice a year. With good traffic, you can do it in under three hours. I'd definitely go to both places. They are wildly different and both fantastic.
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