Rocky Mountain National Park
 

My wife and I are planning a trip to Colorado in June with our two sons (9 and 8 years old). We will be there nine days. We are interested in spending most of our time in Rocky Mountain National Park. We are considering staying in YMCA of the Rockies, but didn't know if we should split time at another location.
What are your recommendations for places to stay?
What are additional stops within about three hours that we should include in our agenda?

There is nothing wrong with 9 days in RMNP. It would be pretty casual, relaxing, and quiet. And maybe boring for your sons. It all depends on what you want to do and see. Go to your library and read some of the guidebooks on Colorado. The YMCA is somewhat isolated and a little to do beyond hiking in that area. Day trips would be long and time consuming.

If you're in RMNP for 9 days, I'd spend one day driving over Trail Ridge Road to Grand Lake. It would make a very nice, scenic day trip. Grand Lake is beautiful and there are lots of nice restraurants in the little town. Our kids used to like to play miniature golf there, too, which is also in town. And Trail Ridge Road is spectacular.
:)>-

I would avoid going to
http://www.rockymountainlodgeandcabins.blogspot.com/
(You can read that blog post on why).

The YMCA in Winterpark is a great place to stay. They've got lots of great activities.

The downside to the YMCA in winterpark is that the trees have been affected by the beetle kill. It's sad to see.

9 days is a long time for RMNP if you're mostly doing dayhikes. I'd spend 5-6 days there, and pick another destination for the rest of your time.

YMCA in Estes Park is not isolated - it's maybe 10 minutes from town and about the same distance to the Beaver Meadows entrance of RMNP. They have plenty of activities - rafting and horseback riding are both pretty popular and would use up 1/2 a day or more apiece.

I would suggest you try to schedule your trip later in June rather than earlier to minimize the amount of snow on the trails at higher elevations.

I didn't mean isolated in the sense of nothing to do but it is some distance for a many major tourists attractions. If you are using as a day trip in location, it can be a long distance to other interesting sites.

Have to agree with the Weasel, 9 days is a long time for RMNP, unless you're backpacking into the back country. There's so much to see and do in Colorado, you'd be better off breaking most of that time into some different trips. BTW, there's YMCA outside of Rocky Mt. NP on the east, and YMCA SNow Mountain Ranch on the west (more toward Winter Park, Frasier area). Leadville (take 40 to I70) would be a great day trip.

i agree 9 days in the park in june will be too long. and i would try to come in later june than earlier. for some of the time i might think about glenwood springs - the hot pool and maybe rafting; or steamboat springs - it's after ski season so rooms will be less expensive (maybe a condo) and the town has a distinct cowboy atmosphere which might be fun for the boys.
there is great rafting on the arkansas river south of leadville in buena vista also.
fyi nights in the mtns in june can be cool. do bring sweatshirts or jackets.

I would try to combine it with say Aspen-black canyon of the gunnison.Paul

I agree with others about RMNP not taking 9 days unless your kids are really excited about 9 days of hiking in the backcountry. If you want to stay in that area and have the option of more activities, consider staying at Lane Guest Ranch near Estes Park. We (family of 4 with sons 9 and 11) have been there twice and enjoyed it. We easily did day trips into RMNP. The ranch provides plenty of activities but you won't feel that you have to participate in them every day.

Check out www.vrbo.com for places to stay. Though they won't have activities like the Y.

Sue

We stayed at the Grand Lake Lodge a fews years back. It was nice. We spent a couple days in RMNP, then headed down to the Canon City area, to the Royal Gorge Bridge, Pike's Peak in Colo. Springs. That was nice too. I wouldn't spend all of that time at RMNP, personally.

Grand Lake Lodge is a beautiful, historic log lodge. But it's been for sale and I wonder if it's open again. Anyone go there this summer?
:)>-

I also think 9 days is a long time for RMNP. I haven't stayed at the YMCA in Estes Park, but I have stayed at the YMCA Snow Mountain Ranch and it does feel isolated.

A fun day trip for boys that age is to Winter Park for the Alpine Slide, mini-golf, maze, etc. My boys love spending the day there every summer. If possible purchase tickets at King Soopers in Denver for a discounted unlimited attractions pass. I think it was $99 for 4 passes this summer.

I don't think the Grand Lake Lodge took reservations for this year. I checked their website earlier this year and I believe that was their message. My memory could be wrong though.

The Lodge is closed for major renovations; not sure it will be open next year.

We have had good luck using a property management firm that's affiliated with Andersen Realty--web site is www.keytoestespark.com.

Sue