Is Estes Park Worth Visiting for Rocky Mountain National Park?

[GreyGhost]

We have done most of our exploring on the west side of the mountains but are looking at Estes Park and trying to get some advise, suggestions and opinions on the park and is it worth it? Thanks for any info you may wish to share! Oh, be safe out there!!!!!!

 

[mlh]

I guess you are asking about RMNP. Is it worth it oh heck yeah. It is beautiful and will take your breath away. At 12,000 feet you will be huffing and puffing. The last time I was there there was more elk than in Yellowstone.
Go see it.
Lynwood

 

[Mikendebbie]

Have not been to Rocky Mountain since Aug 2019, and we were staying in Fort Collins KOA. IIRC, I did not want to tow the Monte up Hwy 34 and Big Thompson canyon, but also we did not want to stay in the Estes area due to cost and small sites that we remembered. We lived in Greeley in the 80s and early 90s and spent lots of time in the park with our 3 little kids. We tent camped and later had a popup. I recall thinking the private RV park sites were VERY tight - even for a popup…and the term LEVEL was apparently not used to construct sites back then. We never stayed inside the park…always stayed outside the park in Estes and drove in to explore. I have no idea if the places we stayed are still like they were back then…but this was our experience from years ago…therefore we chose to stay in Fort Collins in 2019…also because the KOA was close to one of our favorite cafes…Vern’s. The Park is beautiful…bugling elks in Sept…the Fall River Road…big ol’ mosquitos…all well worth the visit. I don’t think the rules were in place in 2019 (reservations for entry or whatever?). Maybe someone will post a more current review of RV parks in the area.

 

[RetiredandRollin]

We were there in June of 2022. We stayed literally 1/2 mile from entrance to NP at a CG called Elk Meadow Lodge & RV Resort. Big sites, easy to maneuver around, pool, dog park, convenient store on site and a mile or so from Downtown Estes which is rich with restaurants, bars and things to do. The sites were grassy, gravel nothing spectacular, but the location was worth every penny.

 

[MJohnston]

Heading there in August. I recommend RMNP and a tour of the Stanley Hotel

 

[Mark77]

Heading there in August. I recommend RMNP and a tour of the Stanley Hotel

Did you stay overnight there? Room 217 maybe?