The only thing you can count on, is that Colorado weather is unpredictable. So I suggest you plan on coming as late in July as possible. We have had snow on July 4 in Winter Park, CO, so you never know. But, that being said, it's not a big problem. However, Trail Ridge Road isn't open until they can clear the snow off it. This season we have not had much snow, so that could be earlier than usual. But you just never know! Choose your dates, cross you fingers, and enjoy whatever weather, because you will be in gorgeous Colorado.

Estes is the town for Rocky Mountain Park visitors, on one side. And Grand Lake is the town on the back side. Both are cute, with shops and restaurants. Lodging will fill up, but if you look early enough you'll be fine. I am sorry I don't know the names of any to recommend, but other Fodorites will have some for you.

Yes, downtown hotels will charge for parking in Denver. I prefer the Cherry Creek neighborhood to send visitors. Right in Cherry Creek North, the hotels are pricey and do charge for parking. The Inn at Cherry Creek is a cute boutique hotel. JW Marriott is the big high-end hotel there.

Or you can go a tad out of that area and get inexpensive and nice chain hotels on Colorado Boulevard, where parking will be free.

If you are saying you are also going to CoSprings from Denver you might be able to stay down south at the TEch Center area for a really low rate for the hotel. You can drive into town if you want and then just park for the day--or maybe even on the street.

Trail Ridge Road doesn't normally open until last week in May(I think I'm right about that-and even then can be iffy). My daughter and I tent camped there the first week of August 2011 and the weather was perfect. I think the longer you can wait, probably the better. I would avoid 4th of July.

spirobulldog...you are correct about Trail Ridge Road.

I agree that the later you wait, the better. There are lots of chain hotels in Estes Park which I'm sure provide breakfast. This site will tell you everything you want to know about Estes Park. I would also check their activities schedule to avoid being there during any big festivals.

www.estesparkcvb.com

How long will you have to visit RMNP?

Estes Park is on the east side which is more scenic and has most of the really good easy hikes. There are a few easy hikes on the west side but they aren't as scenic. In general, the hikes on the west side are much longer with less payoff in terms of scenery. So, typically first-time visitors should concentrate on the east side especially if they only have a few days.

Having said that, a drive over Trail Ridge Road is a must-do. It is scheduled to open Memorial Day weekend every year, sometimes earlier and occasionally later. Old Fall River Road is almost never open until 4th of July weekend but isn't as scenic, just a different route over to the west side so not a must-do unless you happen to be there when it's open and you want to avoid backtracking over TRR.

If you aren't planning on doing a lot of hiking or want to stick with the easy hikes, and are only going for 2-3 days, I'd vote for early June. It is not as busy as late July, the waterfalls will be more dramatic (which also happen to be several of the easiest hikes) and there's more snow on the mountains so it's a bit more scenic to look at.

It's possible to have snow on TRR any day of the year, it's not at all unusual to have rain/sleet during summer. In fact, during the summer months it's typical to have thunderstorms roll through almost every afternoon - that threat is more significant in July than in June.

So, if you're looking mainly for easy hikes, great scenery and fewer crowds, go early to mid-June. Late July is better for wildflowers at high elevations and less chance of TRR being temporarily closed, but generally once it's open for the season it stays open until fall with rare temporary (hours to a day or so) closures if there's a really bad storm. If you have several days, it's highly unlikely TRR would be closed for your entire visit whether you go in June or July.

For something totally different, I stayed at the Ameristar Hotel and Casino in Blackhawk. This may not be your cup of tea but I went all over Colorado and used this as central basecamp. 35 story hotel with swimming pool and spa on the roof. 4 star hotel was $79.00 a night. 40 casinos all with food deals. Steak and eggs $7.99. About an hour from Estes park with a awesome drive though Boulder. Idaho springs has a natural hot springs. Just suggestions.

We did a trip to RMNP where we stayed for several days in Estes Park and focused on that side of the park. We spent a day driving and exploring/hiking off the Trail Ridge Road. For the rest of the week, we stayed at the Grand Lake Lodge on the other side of the park. We enjoyed splitting the trip and not feeling like we were backtracking across the park.

I wouldn't stay in Black Hawk to go to RMNP but I also wouldn't drive all the way to Boulder to get to Estes Park either.

Take CO 119 to Nederland, CO 72 from Nederland to its junction with CO 7, then 7 to Estes Park. Fabulous views the whole way!

The suggestion of the AMeristar is an interesting one; the road to RMNP could be through Nederland to Estes via the Peak to Peak hwy; stunning drive (119 to 72, to 7).
The Oh My God highway from Colorado Springs to Blackhawk/Central City has been repaved, and is also very scenic.

http://www.coloradodirectory.com/maps/peak.html

sorry, Ackislander, looks like I repeated your Peak to Peak route.

Well, Sylvia it is worth repeating!

And I am interested in your note on the Oh My God highway, but I think it's from Idaho Springs not Colorado Springs.

I have never driven it, but I have seen videos and it is not for the faint of heart. But maybe they put up a guardrail or two while they were paving. Is it paved all the way?

All this info is terrific and I much appreciate you took the time to write! Just one more question - upon leaving the WEST side of Rocky Mountain park, we will be heading back to Denver. If we did an overnite on the way, what town or city would you choose as far as scenic and fun to walk around in the evening? Was considering Black Hawk or Central City, but wasn't sure if there are other activities there, because we would be content with an hr. or so on slot machines. Thanks again for all the input.

Ackislander: Of course Idaho, not Colorado Springs! (only lived here for 30 years...). Yes, the OMG road is quite nice now, well worth a (warm weather) tour.
TravelinVic, you could take Hwy 40 (past Grand lake) back through Winter Park (about 2 hours from Denver) and stay in a (ski) condo there; rates are very good, there's lots of availability in the summer, and there are many activities and restaurants/shops.
If you choose to push on (40) to I70, then to Central City/Blackhawk, you could take the above-mentioned Oh My God Road; there are some interesting sights (mines, cemeteries) outside the town of Central City, and both towns (1 mile apart) have interesting Victorian era (mining town) architecture. Many casinos, some with live entertainment (Poco is still together?!). Fun to just walk around, too, especially Central City (more preserved there). Several inexpensive newer hotel options in that area; if you join their casino loyalty programs, you might get great deals.

OMG road is gone. The new, four lane road between Central City and Idaho Springs is a completely different road in a different area. The only thing they share is the starting point outside of Central City. And it is called Central City Parkway.

Yes, of course you are correct. (We still call it the OMG because of the link between towns [vs. old way I70 to 6 to 119]; you can still take the old one to the cemeteries and such, though, I thought? (We used to go mineral hunting through tailings piles off the road.)
The parkway is new, and (I think) scenic.
Guess I shouldn't be referring to new stuff by old familiar route names, and should proofread more; seem to be doing more backtracking and getting corrected on things in my own backyard!
(Thanks)