Grand Lake vs. Estes Park
 

Okay, so I keep reading Estes Park is a zoo in July. Is Grand Lake on the other side a better option for lodging? Is it harder to get to from Denver? We'd like to be as close to RMNP as possible, don't care to spend an hour traveling just to get to the hiking, however we are not the camping type-- we like to come back to a nice comfortable bed. Any suggestions on where to stay?

Funny, I was in Estes Park last July and it was dead. I asked the desk clerk how much for a room(new luxury place) he asked me to name my price. He said the room normally goes for 120 a night I told him I would give him 60 cash and I was in. Had I huge suite with a view of Longs Peak. Had a huge bathroom with a jacuzzi. Grand Lake was like an old west town. It was o.k.

Grand Lake is defintely harder to reach from Denver than Estes Park. That's why it's so much quieter. I've just visited for a day, but I'd like to stay there sometime.<BR><BR>I have stayed several days in a cabin at the McGregor Mountain Lodge just ouside the park's border. It was a few minutes from the center of Estes Park, and was quiet and comfortable. I'd go back there anytime.

We've been twice to Grand Lake and absolutely love it. Drove one time only into Estes Park proper, and swore we'd never go back: it was indeed a zoo, with the crowds and traffic and all. Grand Lake, even in July/August, is kind of a sleepy town; the downtown area is 4 blocks long, has the old-fashioned western-style boardwalk fronting the establishments, and is only 1 block off the (georgous) lake. This end of RMNP doesn't seem as "spectacularly scenic" as the Estes Park side, but it's all so beautiful that I don't think you'd mind. Can recommend a place called Lemmon Lodge in GL: a group of "cabins" fronting both the lake and a rushing mountain stream, and only 1 block from downtown restaurants/stores.

Joan,<BR><BR>Personally, I too prefer Grand Lake over Estes Park. While Grand Lake is generally quieter, it all depends on what week you're there and what's going in town. No matter which town you stay in you will have easy access to RMNP as it virtually connects the two.<BR><BR>As far as getting there, Grand Lake is approximately ninety miles from Denver and generally takes about 2-21/2 hours. The Lemmon Lodge IS a wonderful choice to stay in as it consists of many different sizes and styles of cabins ste along the lake and stream (as the above poster said). <BR><BR>Another option would be The Grand Lake Lodge which site atop a hill and offers spectacular views of the lake itself. It is difinitely more rustic (the cabins are spread out through woods and offer no phones, TVs etc) and resembles visiting a camp in the mountains. That said though, it has a big lodge, swimming pool, jacuzzi, bar and good restaurant. It's only the rooms that are a bit rustic so with your aversion to camping I'm not sure how you might feel about it.<BR><BR>Whatever you decide, you need to make your reservations ASAP. Both of these areas book months ahead (if not a year) for summer--as that is the only time when many properties are open.<BR><BR>Godd Luck.<BR><BR>David

Joan,<BR><BR>Personally, I too prefer Grand Lake over Estes Park. While Grand Lake is generally quieter, it all depends on what week you're there and what's going in town. No matter which town you stay in you will have easy access to RMNP as it virtually connects the two.<BR><BR>As far as getting there, Grand Lake is approximately ninety miles from Denver and generally takes about 2-21/2 hours. The Lemmon Lodge IS a wonderful choice to stay in as it consists of many different sizes and styles of cabins ste along the lake and stream (as the above poster said). <BR><BR>Another option would be The Grand Lake Lodge which site atop a hill and offers spectacular views of the lake itself. It is difinitely more rustic (the cabins are spread out through woods and offer no phones, TVs etc) and resembles visiting a camp in the mountains. That said though, it has a big lodge, swimming pool, jacuzzi, bar and good restaurant. It's only the rooms that are a bit rustic so with your aversion to camping I'm not sure how you might feel about it.<BR><BR>Whatever you decide, you need to make your reservations ASAP. Both of these areas book months ahead (if not a year) for summer--as that is the only time when many properties are open.<BR><BR>Good Luck.<BR><BR>David