--Ok, Guys/Gals We have our towns picked out for Co vacation. Need advice please!!--

[aggieland]

Well, we finally got everything figured out for our trip. It took a while to decide on what towns we wanted to stay in and what all we wanted to see. But I think we have the towns figured out, now looking on advice on where to stay. "
So here we go, First day we are driving from (NE, Texas to -Raton,- NM) and spending the night. Then the following morning we're headed North to See a Dinosaur exhibit in -Colorado Springs- and then on up to -Denver-, to swing by -Kifaru International- for a quick tour and meet the World famous Aron Snyder.
From Kifaru we're headed to -Estes park- for 3 nights. (Any suggestions on where to stay in the Estes Park area?) After seeing RMNP, etc we are headed down to the -Crested Butte/Almont- area for 2 or 3 nights. (Taylor park trading post has been suggested in this area, are their any other places you guys liked? I have not checked availability yet.)
From Almont/Crested Butte area we are headed to -Ouray- for a night or two.- Then on over to -Pagosa Springs- for a night, after that we are headed back towards home staying in -Amarillo- and then back to the -House.-

Thanks for any and all advice it is very much appreciated even the wife is excited to see what the RokSlide crew can come up with.. Oh and these guys said thanks as well.

 

[hockeymudd]

Sounds like a great trip. Raton is a little limited in places to stay so keep that in mind. FYI the dinosaur museum is about 30 min west of the springs in Woodland Park. There is literally tons of things to do on the way you can't go wrong with any of them. RMNP is hard to beat. There are a bunch of people on this site that are up in that neck of the woods that can speak about the park better than I can. Do you have a tag for 55 this year? As for the gunnison basin goes I can point you in the right direction here are some links to places in CB and Almont. Feel free to PM if you have any questions.
http://www.harmels.com/
http://www.elkmountainlodge.com/

 

[aggieland]

Yes, Hockey, I was lucky enough to draw an archery deer tag for 55 this year.

 

[bigeasygator]

Raton is a little limited in places to stay so keep that in mind

Sounds like a great trip! I stayed in Raton last year on my way to hunt in Unit 43 from New Orleans last year. I remember there being quite a few name brand hotels there with ample availability. Probably wouldn't be a bad idea to pick one and book it anyway. Spent quite a bit of time in Crested Butte on that hunt and absolutely loved it...some great eating in that town!

 

[aggieland]

I think the stay in Raton will be an easy and we will be staying somewhere pretty much as cheap as possible. Not planning on staying their, just a place to sleep and then take off. I'm thinking Crested Butte/Almont is looking like a place we might want to stay longer and cut back a little on the stay at Ouray. Ouray, is a beautiful town but I think the kids will enjoy both Estes Park & CB/Almont activities more.

 

[JoshTX]

I don't know where in NE Texas you are but we recently drove from Dallas and stayed in Pueblo, Co at a Hampton Inn. We left at 8am cst and got there around 6:15 local time.The free breakfast is nice with the little ones and you will be quite a bit closer to RMNP for the 2nd leg.

 

[Ranger619]

We stayed at Silver Moon Inn in Estes Park. It was good. It is within walking distance to downtown, which is handy there because of parking.
Todd

 

[bz_711]

aggie,
We have always stayed at the Rocky Mountain Park Inn (formerly it was Holiday Inn) because it has indoor pool which all the kids enjoyed late each night. Nice place, plenty of parking, kids eat free at attached diner, and short walk to downtown. Went for a run with my wife one morning last summer around Lake Estes and when we returned there were about 40 Elk behind the hotel...we rushed up to get the kids who were with our parents...and everyone came out to watch them.

I will give some other options for day trips/hikes in RMNP when I have a moment...

 

[SHTF]

K here is the place. http://rusticrivercabins.com/

 

[SHTF]

I mis spoke. its 4 miles from Town but well worth the stay to enjoy Colorado River running through your area your staying. Nothing like hearing the water from the river at night. and the Canyon views.

 

[aggieland]

Thanks SHTF, I just called and left a message. They should call back soon.

 

[mplane72]

We did RMNP as a family the last two summers, as I did with my parents as a kid. First time we pushed straight through and gave the kids a night in a hotel with a pool before heading into the park to tent it for 6 days. We stayed at Murphy's River Lodge. Decent place, close to downtown Estes but on the west side so it was quieter but it's not the Stanley. We did see some elk and a bear from the parking lot. Next year I was able to get away with a two hour stop in Estes on our way home.
If you need to be close to Estes, I prefer not but your with family so I understand, being up 34 towards the park is a bit nicer to me. There are some other hotels up there.
Another suggestion for the Estes area is the YMCA of the Rockies. Google it, you want the Estes Park Center. Great family place.

 

[aggieland]

Got a call back from the Rustic River Cabins. Sounds like they have one place open for 2 of the nights we would be there. The price is $135.00 a night, kinda high but i'm guessing most places in Estes will be expensive. Haven't made a decision yet....

 

[SHTF]

Yeah 135 is pretty decent price really. Most places will run you 150+

 

[hflier]

Make sure you drive up 34 in the west side of RNP and look for Moose on the West side of the road. Just came back from a Yellowstone, Teton and RNP trip. The Moose in RNP were a highlight. Only topped by the Grizz we saw in Yellowstone.

 

[aggieland]

Anyone else have any good places ie: cabins etc around Almond or crested butte?

 

[Trout bum]

There are two different sets of cabins in Almont; by Almont anglers and Three rivers outfitters. Harmels (super kid friendly) just up the road towards Taylor reservoir is a fishing resort with private water access. There are some other nice cabins on the Gunny halfway between Almont and Gunnison as well. Estes park has numerous nice riverfront cabins (Fall river is nicer than Big T in my opinion) but they fill up fast in the summer. Trout pond on the big T side in Estes Park may be fun for the kids. You may want to stop at Bierwerks across from the Dinosaur museum in Woodland Park for some good bavarian style local brew and root beer for the little ones. If you like to fish I can make a few more recommendations as well.

Enjoy Colorado!

 

[aggieland]

Ok, we're booked up for 3 nights at Estes Park staying at the Rustic River Cabins suggested by SHTF. Now I'm going to start focusing on the Crested Butte/Almont/Gunnison area.

 

[bz_711]

aggie,
Here are few suggestions for your days in RMNP.
As with most wildlife, early and late typically offer the most animals sighted.
-one day, start out early and take Old Fall River road (1 lane gravel road) up to the Alpine Visitor center. This road has some great spots to pull over such as Chasm Falls and some great lookouts once above treeline. We always see elk above tree line on this drive. Visitor Center is another great place to take your scope and pick out some elk in the valley below. From there you can either drop over into the West side of park, which we always do and have lunch along the Colorado River and let kids play (I believe picnic area is call Coyote Pass), or when you head back east on Trail Ridge Road, make sure to pull into the pull off spots for some simply awesome views. Many elk typically spotted along Trail Ridge Road also, and if you are up at dawn one day - some very large herds can be found by shooting up this road before the crowds.
-For hikes, I'd suggest the 3 easiest for sure as they have a good bang for your buck and good photos: Bear Lake, Alberta Falls (the sound and power of these falls is worthy of sitting by for a while), and Sprague Lake. Sprague Lake has it's own parking and worth the stop, the view from the far side of lake with mountain backdrop may be the best view in the park.
-For slightly longer hike, I'd recommend from Bear lake access hiking up to Nymph and Dream Lake - if still wanting to go further proceed on to Emerald Lake.
-One evening I'd suggest stopping at the Sheep Lakes lookout at North entrance. This is a great viewing area for your optics, and a likely place to spot some bighorns. They usually post on the small ranger hut the last times Bighorn were spotted.
-Another quick Must do is to stop at the Alluvial Fan (at base of fall river road). This is a large rokslide created by a dam break 30 some years ago. Family favorite spot for kids to climb large rocks and get feet wet. Another great photo op.

These are some of my favorites I'd take people to if only a few days at RMNP. I think you will find that there is enough to do for many repeat trips back.
Have an awesome time...my family was looking at our pics last night from last years trip...they all want to go back immediately. (and I have to mention everyone loves the go-karts on the southwest side of town)

 

[Jarhead]

Ridgway Lodge and Suites is just north of Ouray on 550. 10 min from Ouray. Nice hotel w/ indoor pool for the kids. Great prices and very nice people. True Grit cafe in Ridgway has one of the best hamburgers I've had and some beautiful mounts for the kids to check out.