Our family is traveling mid week at the end of May and would appreciate your recommendations for unique places to stay for 2-3 nights. We are looking for basic even rustic if possible. Would a ranch be open? Your suggestions are appreciated!

Colorado is a big state. Just where in Colorado will you be in mid week? A little hint would be appreciated.

We will spend some time near Steamboat Springs but are open to exploring a new area if recommended. I know RMNP is beautiful as is Ouray, etc. We will fly out of Denver Sunday and may spend the last 2 days visiting with friends there. Thank you!

That still doesn't help a lot. Where are you coming from? You can get some very rustic area just up Turkey canyon west of Denver or the South Park area or Leadville. Don't need to drive all the way to Quray unless you are already in that area.

If you're driving from Steamboat back to Denver, the very nice Devil's Thumb Ranch would be on your way. It's been completely renovated and expanded, in a style that is incredibly true to its Western origins.

http://www.devilsthumbranch.com/

The Ranch House restaurant there is our favorite splurge dinner during the year.

I'm sorry I noticed you prefer rustic and basic. Try Snow Mountain Ranch, also between Steamboat and Winter Park, on your way back to Denver. It's a YMCA of the Rockies facility. It's also very nice, and less expensive than Devil's Thumb.

Thanks for this info. This looks like what we had in and I appreciate your help! Also, it's near RMNP so there would be lots of activities.

Snow Mountain Ranch is not near RMNP, although there is a YMCA of the Rockies at RMNP. In late May, Trail Ridge Road into RMNP from Grand Lake may not be open. That's how you'd get there from Steamboat.

Snow Mountain Ranch would be about half-way to Denver from Steamboat. They book up early. There are lots of places to stay in the Winter Park area, and late May prices would be cheap.

Be advised it can snow in the Rockies in late May, so bring layers of clothing and good shoes.

The target date for opening Trail Ridge road is always Memorial Day weekend and most years they get it done. But with Memorial Day being early this year and above average snowfall in that area -- who knows? You will need to watch local papers for that information.

I want to thank you all for your help! We will try to stay at the YMCA of the Rockies nearest Estes Park. It looks like what we were looking for and the right price! We hope Trail Ridge Road will open by Memorial Day so we can drive it from Steamboat. Thanks again, Karen