edjkjr

In early September, we're spending 3 days in Rocky Mountain NP, entering from Estes Park and exiting at Granby. We've got 2 more days in the area before heading back to the final day in Denver. Steamboat Springs seems like an interesting area, but one of my concerns is that most ski areas seem sad and often unattractive in the summer. We love hiking and the outdoors, so plan to raft in the Kremmling area. We love scenic drives and interesting smaller towns. We also like to land in a place by nightfall with decent accommodations and restaurants. We're more about experiencing the immediate than spending 4 hours to reach the next destination. Unfortunately, Aspen seems a little to far. Any thoughts on Steamboat Springs and its surroundings in early fall?

Nelson

Steamboat is quite a nice little town. My wife and I are not skiers and have only been there summer or fall. We always enjoy it.

Another nice off-season ski town is Breckenridge, which puts you closer to Denver, presuming you are heading back via I-70.

The mountain scenery around Breck is more impressive than Steamboat, IMHO, but either one is a good place to spend a few days.

Have a great trip. Early September is often stellar weather, though I do recall a surprisingly big snowstorm in RMNP on September 8 some years ago.

Gretchen

I don't think the ski areas are sad at all. Wild flowers, bike trails, art and music festivals. Breck would be nice and fun. Aspen is probably only a 2+ hour drive from Kremmling. I didn't really find Steamboat that cute in summer (agreeing with Nelson above). There's great trout fishing of course with beautiful streams.

iowamom

We just got back from 5 days in Steamboat (after visiting my sister in Boulder) - definitely not sad or unattractive in the summer! It's a real town with people who live there all year round.

Lots of great hikes - you can take the gondola up to the top and then hike down (or do it the other way around). DD and DH went tubing down the river - although not sure if you can still do that in September. There are pretty good restaurants too!

I'd be happy to provide more info if you'd like.

Tabernash2

You only have 2 days, and I agree with your thinking: " We're more about experiencing the immediate than spending 4 hours to reach the next destination"

I certainly would not drive to Breckenridge on your way to Denver. Or drive to Aspen with that short amount of time. Steamboat isn't too far, but it is the opposite direction, so you'll end up backtracking on your way to Denver.

You could stay in Grand Lake, which is where you exit the Park, not Granby. Or you could stay in Winter Park. Lots of things to do in that immediate vicinity. If you are interested, ask me for details. We have had a place there since the 70s.

If you want a luxurious log cabin resort, we love Devil's Thumb Ranch, in Tabernash, between Granby and Winter Park. It would be on your way to Denver. Very classy, Old West style, eco-friendly, gorgeous.

mabella101

After our recent trip to Estes (still Haven't had a chance to post my review ) we stayed at Grand Lake Lodge which I loved. We rented a pontoon and had a nice time on the lake. You can also rent kayaks. We also took a day trip to Devils thumb ranch. There we did a zip lining tour. They also had numerous activities for the kids. The ranch sits on 6000 acres and is wonderfully relaxing. Check out both if these. I would go back to either in a heartbeat. Would even go out on a limb and say I enjoyed both of these locations more then Estes. Enjoy.

mabella101

Tabernash! We were replying at the same time! You helped me immensly with my recent trip and believe it or not I laughed when I saw your name again after visiting Devils thumb in Tabernash and putting 2 & 2 together ! Anyway I whole heartedly agree with your comments both Grand Lake lodge and Devils Thumb were good for my Soul !

Tabernash2

Thanks, mabella! I have always liked the name Tabernash, since I first visited that area in college (a LONG time ago). My girlfriend liked the name so much, she named her next horse Tabernash. haha

We were at Grand Lake Lodge recently, when we had a visitor from Missouri. It is a great place for your soul, for sure. We had lunch on the front porch.

And our friend's daughter was married at Devil's Thumb Ranch this summer. What an amazing place for a wedding, and the staff really takes care of everything perfectly. I splurged and stayed overnight the first night of their weekend party, when DH couldn't be there. It was well worth it.

Nelson

Tabernash, wondering why you "certainly would not drive to Breckenridge on your way to Denver"? Seems like a minor detour to me if OP is coming down Highway 9 from Kremmling.

Your recommendations are excellent but curious about the above.

I've seen you recommend Devil's Thumb Ranch in the past, and I've bookmarked it for a possible future visit. Looks really nice.

Gretchen

I agree that Breck from the eastern part of RMNP/Kremmling is pretty easy, and is a different "look" from the rest of the trip.
There is always the area around Leadville and Mt. Evans also.
I would not consider the time it takes to get to Aspen from Kremmling a big deterrent. The scenery is beautiful. There is the Glenwood Canyon part of the highway for an educational diversion in how to build a cantilevered highway!! The hot springs are interesting, and the area around Aspen beautiful. Sometimes I find that Colorado is almost a "time traveler moment". What has happened to me is that I think I have been driving for hours and hours--and it is only one or two (as in getting to the airport)--maybe because of the scenery, and the great diversity of it along the way--maybe it is the rarified air of the altitude--I have experienced a sort of similar happening in Switzerland.
Anyway, beautiful state--great things to do!!

Tabernash2

I agree! CO has so many gorgeous places to visit, you can't go wrong. Unless you only drive through, and never get out of your car to smell the air and listen to the trees.

I made my recommendations based on the OPs statement, "We're more about experiencing the immediate than spending 4 hours to reach the next destination"

Grand County is beautiful, and has whatever a tourist would like, so I recommended the OP stay there for the 2 days.

The drive to Breckenridge from Kremmling is a nice drive for open country and beautiful vistas. I did it in July this summer, from Vail to Devil's Thumb. I enjoy that drive.

But I didn't see how the OP would already be on Highway 9 at Kremmling, Nelson. ??

The OP will come from Grand Lake Granby, and catch 40. Kremmling is about 20 minutes from that intersection, as I recall. Then about another 1.5 hours to Breck from Kremmling, without stopping.

So, no, it's not on the way to Denver. It would be a sort of 'lateral move'. And Aspen would not be 2 hours from Kremmling. Vail would be about 2 hours from Kremmling, but Aspen is beyond Vail, almost another 2 hours.

To Aspen from Grand Lake, I guess you'd go to 40, take 9 to 70, to Vail, Glenwood, and Aspen. Maybe 4 hours' drive? Then Aspen to Denver would be about 4 hours, best case. Much longer if there's traffic.

We love Aspen (infinitely more than Breckenridge or Vail, even). But I didn't think the OP wanted to drive that much.

For the OP, be aware that I-70 gets very busy going East on Sundays. Try to avoid doing that.

Tabernash2

The OP will come from Grand Lake TO Granby

Nelson

Thanks for the reply Tabernash. I was basing the Highway 9 route from the OP's "We love hiking and the outdoors, so plan to raft in the Kremmling area.".

I thought being in Breck gave them a head start on Sunday's I-70 madness, if that is the case.

But you are absolutely right, they can't go wrong in the area and it's refreshing to see someone who actually wants to spend some time outside of the car.

Tabernash2

True, Nelson. We are blessed to live here.

You're right about the Kremmling raft trip. I forgot about that.

If the OP stays in Grand County, Red Tail rafting out of Fraser is good, with a long track record.

BTW, Breck and Winter Park are pretty much equidistant to Denver, by drive time.

edjkjr

Thanks to everyone for so much good advice. We'll dig into the possibilities over the next day or so and finalize our plans. Big thanks!