3 nights Denver area - help please
Apr 26th, 2014, 04:49 PM
#1
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3 nights Denver area - help please
We will be coming to the Denver area in mid-August and need suggestions. We are a group of 4 adults.
My thoughts were - Day 1 arrive and hopefully get rental car and luggage by noon.
Stop at Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge or Denver Botanical Gardens.
Drive around and see the city.
Day 2 - Echo Lake State Park and Mount Evans
Day 3 - ??? 1/2 day river raft trip (any suggestions which company to use?)
??? no idea what else to do
Day 4 - have to be at the airport by 1:30 pm so what is something reasonable to do in the morning?
We want our trip to focus on the outdoors and seeing the mountains.
Is it better to go to Echo Lake and Mount Evans or should we go to Rocky Mountain National Park? Is it possible to do both in two days?
Any other suggestions for things to do?
Is hiking a bit too much to consider since we aren't used to the altitude?
I ordered some brochures for the area but am overwhelmed with options when we have such a short amount of time to be there. I also don't want to spend the whole trip driving around in the car.
Thanks so much for your help!
My thoughts were - Day 1 arrive and hopefully get rental car and luggage by noon.
Stop at Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge or Denver Botanical Gardens.
Drive around and see the city.
Day 2 - Echo Lake State Park and Mount Evans
Day 3 - ??? 1/2 day river raft trip (any suggestions which company to use?)
??? no idea what else to do
Day 4 - have to be at the airport by 1:30 pm so what is something reasonable to do in the morning?
We want our trip to focus on the outdoors and seeing the mountains.
Is it better to go to Echo Lake and Mount Evans or should we go to Rocky Mountain National Park? Is it possible to do both in two days?
Any other suggestions for things to do?
Is hiking a bit too much to consider since we aren't used to the altitude?
I ordered some brochures for the area but am overwhelmed with options when we have such a short amount of time to be there. I also don't want to spend the whole trip driving around in the car.
Thanks so much for your help!
Apr 26th, 2014, 05:09 PM
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I would go to the Park.
Where are you planning on staying?
There won't be any water/river rafting at that time probably.
With all due respect, how did you become "overwhelmed" with coming to the area for things to do if you chose to come there? Ordering brochures doesn't seem like a great way to do a trip.
Yes, "hiking" may be too much to expect in a short period.
Where are you planning on staying?
There won't be any water/river rafting at that time probably.
With all due respect, how did you become "overwhelmed" with coming to the area for things to do if you chose to come there? Ordering brochures doesn't seem like a great way to do a trip.
Yes, "hiking" may be too much to expect in a short period.
Apr 26th, 2014, 08:14 PM
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I personally prefer RMNP but a lot depends and what YOU want to do. I also don't think ordering brochures is a bad idea and certainly understand one being a bit overwhelmed. There is a lot to see and do in the area and limiting choices can be daunting especially with such little time.
Gretchen is right in that there is little chance for river rafting mid- August. They often have rafting on the Colorado River at that time, but it's more like a float trip and too far for you to manage in your time frame.
The Denver Botanical Gardens are wonderful and may be a good option on arrival day. As to the viability of hiking, it mostly depends on where you'll be staying. There are plenty of trails in RMNP that are suitable for short hikes. I wouldn't worry too much about altitude for short hikes in the park just keep hydrated.
It would be helpful to know where you plan to stay.
Gretchen is right in that there is little chance for river rafting mid- August. They often have rafting on the Colorado River at that time, but it's more like a float trip and too far for you to manage in your time frame.
The Denver Botanical Gardens are wonderful and may be a good option on arrival day. As to the viability of hiking, it mostly depends on where you'll be staying. There are plenty of trails in RMNP that are suitable for short hikes. I wouldn't worry too much about altitude for short hikes in the park just keep hydrated.
It would be helpful to know where you plan to stay.
Apr 27th, 2014, 05:07 AM
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Sorry I didn't give enough information.
I don't have set plans. We have a reservation at a Comfort Suites in Evergreen, Colorado but that can be changed.
I went to the Colorado tourism department website and asked for information on the area. I've been getting booklets and brochures and emails from all sorts of places. Some look really nice but I know we have time constraints that are out of my control.
None of us have been to Colorado before. The city looks beautiful so I wanted to get a taste of it the first and last day but my main point of the trip was to really see the mountains. (we live near Chicago - flat lands)
We love to be outdoors. From what I've seen of online photos, both Mount Evans and Rocky Mountain National Park look beautiful, though I'm guessing we should do the national park. Is that do-able in 2 days?
I don't have set plans. We have a reservation at a Comfort Suites in Evergreen, Colorado but that can be changed.
I went to the Colorado tourism department website and asked for information on the area. I've been getting booklets and brochures and emails from all sorts of places. Some look really nice but I know we have time constraints that are out of my control.
None of us have been to Colorado before. The city looks beautiful so I wanted to get a taste of it the first and last day but my main point of the trip was to really see the mountains. (we live near Chicago - flat lands)
We love to be outdoors. From what I've seen of online photos, both Mount Evans and Rocky Mountain National Park look beautiful, though I'm guessing we should do the national park. Is that do-able in 2 days?
Apr 27th, 2014, 08:02 AM
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Just a couple of quick notes.
Evergreen is a nice area and will be part way to Mt. Evens and Echo Lake, but I'm not sure it's the best choice as to having things to do nearby. I think there are cabins near Mt. Evens and they have trails for walking. Echo Lake is close. Maybe not a bad choice.
Denver is a beautiful city with enough activities to keep you busy for several days, but if your priority is to spend time in the mountains, I would skip Denver. The mountains are about 40/45 minutes away.
For places to stay near RMNP consider Estes Park. Not my favorite place but there are a number of nice cabins even a couple of motels along Fall River between Estes and the entrance to the park.
Evergreen is a nice area and will be part way to Mt. Evens and Echo Lake, but I'm not sure it's the best choice as to having things to do nearby. I think there are cabins near Mt. Evens and they have trails for walking. Echo Lake is close. Maybe not a bad choice.
Denver is a beautiful city with enough activities to keep you busy for several days, but if your priority is to spend time in the mountains, I would skip Denver. The mountains are about 40/45 minutes away.
For places to stay near RMNP consider Estes Park. Not my favorite place but there are a number of nice cabins even a couple of motels along Fall River between Estes and the entrance to the park.
Apr 27th, 2014, 09:20 AM
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My issue with Rocky Mt Nat Park at that time of year is that it is over run with tourist and Estes Park is big tourist trap. If you want to spend time in the mountains with a little bit of driving here would be my quick suggest.
Day 1 - Arrive in Denver, do either as you suggest and keep your reservation for Evergreen. You could an elegant dinner that night at the Fort in Morrison which is near by.
Day 2 - Three hour drive to Glenwood Springs with stops in Georgetown - perhaps the Georgetown Railroad and especially the silver mine, could hit Vail for a quick look if interested. Stay Hotel Colorado or Hotel Denver. From GS drive into the canyon for a hike to Hanging Lake. Glenwood Canyon is pretty spectacular. Time permitting - either bicycle the canyon or do a float on the Colorado.
Day 3 - Head south to Aspen for a quick look and take Independence Pass into Leadville. Hike or bike the 12 mile Mineral Loop Trail in Leadville which takes you back into the mining history of Leadville. A real gem seldom seen by tourists. And head back to Denver. You could catch Georgetown if you missed it on the first leg. You could stay somewhere in Denver on the west or towards the airport.
Day 4 - You don't have lot of time with a 1:30 departure. If on the west you could spend a couple hours in downtown Denver. The 16th Mall has a free shuttle bus that runs the length. The new Union Station transportation hub will be open. You could quick catch the Brown Hotel, even the Molly Brown house but need 30 mins to get from downtown Denver to the airport.
I have list a bunch of options which you can do all. But that would give you a far better exposure to our mountains than just RMNP or Mt. Evens. There really is very little at Mt. Evens other than the road up and down.
Day 1 - Arrive in Denver, do either as you suggest and keep your reservation for Evergreen. You could an elegant dinner that night at the Fort in Morrison which is near by.
Day 2 - Three hour drive to Glenwood Springs with stops in Georgetown - perhaps the Georgetown Railroad and especially the silver mine, could hit Vail for a quick look if interested. Stay Hotel Colorado or Hotel Denver. From GS drive into the canyon for a hike to Hanging Lake. Glenwood Canyon is pretty spectacular. Time permitting - either bicycle the canyon or do a float on the Colorado.
Day 3 - Head south to Aspen for a quick look and take Independence Pass into Leadville. Hike or bike the 12 mile Mineral Loop Trail in Leadville which takes you back into the mining history of Leadville. A real gem seldom seen by tourists. And head back to Denver. You could catch Georgetown if you missed it on the first leg. You could stay somewhere in Denver on the west or towards the airport.
Day 4 - You don't have lot of time with a 1:30 departure. If on the west you could spend a couple hours in downtown Denver. The 16th Mall has a free shuttle bus that runs the length. The new Union Station transportation hub will be open. You could quick catch the Brown Hotel, even the Molly Brown house but need 30 mins to get from downtown Denver to the airport.
I have list a bunch of options which you can do all. But that would give you a far better exposure to our mountains than just RMNP or Mt. Evens. There really is very little at Mt. Evens other than the road up and down.
