Rocky Mtn Park-East or West
 

My husband and I are making our first trip to RMNP in July. Is there a benefit to staying in Estes Park vs Grand Lake? It seems like Estes Park could be very over crowded. I understand the shuttle will be the best way to travel in the park. Any tips?

If you want to take advantage of the numerous hiking trails and scenic locations of the park, you definitely want to stay in or around Estes Park - although the Grand Lake area is very scenic as well. There are numerous lodging accomodations with close access to the park entrances. We stayed 3 nights at the YMCA of the Rockies in 2000, and thoroughly enjoyed it. They tend to book early, though. Also, look for condo lodging along the Fall River, just outside of Estes Park - less "touristy". Very scenic, but, more expensive. In addition to the Y, we stayed 3 nights at Boulder Brook -beautiful location. Pick up the Fodor's guide to RMNP - I found it extremely helpful.

Bear Lake Road was partially closed for repairs last summer, and you had to take a shuttle bus from a temporary parking lot - don't know if the road is still under repair or not. It leads to the best hiking trails in the park. If you want to hike the trails off of Bear Lake Road, best to arrive EARLY in the morning! Good luck!

I find Grand Lake to be more charming and less touristy than Estes Park. More of a Rocky Mountain experience. Definately visit Estes, but for the ambiance, I'd stay at GL. Nice golf course there too, if you're interested...

My family and I have been to Estes Park Several Times and it is beautiful. The Mountains are spectacular to wake up to each morning. A quaint little experience is the Old Rock Inn Steakhouse 1675 Colorado Hwy 66,(970) 586-5584. They may even let you cook your own steak or fish over an open grill if you ask . Also, Black Canyon Inn 970-586-9344 is a nice dining experience if you are looking for a more "dress up" atmosphere.

Copy and paste this site to select the amenities you are interested in and it does the work for your.http://www.estes-park.com/lodging/features.html

We personally like the Fall River side of Estes Park.
My wife and I stayed at Boulder Brook for our 15th Wedding Anniversary in one of their rooms with a large in room jacuzzi....it was really nice.
Creekside Suites (970) 577-0068 ///
1-800-349-1003 is also nice and relatively new.
Evergreens on Fall River 888-686-3393 (970) 577-9786 is also a newer property.
I don't do golf so that's not a draw for me. I enjoy going into the Park and seeing the beauty of creation.

Being a native South Carolinian, I enjoy grits with my eggs and bacon(or country ham) and the Big Horn Restaurant has grits...also several friends enjoy their waffles for breakfast. Big Horn Restaurant Phone: 970-586-2792 401 West Elkhorn Avenue.Estes Park, CO 80517

Estes Park is really a neat little town also with plenty of souvenirs to take home to the loved ones.....bet you couldn't surmise we LOVE ESTES PARK!!!

I'm with Wendy - I think Grand Lake is more of a getaway. Quiet little town, more secluded, beautiful lake.

On the other hand, Estes is a town with more "stuff". Estes has more restaurants, shops, etc., but if you're looking to commune with nature, I'd go with Grand Lake.

Really depends on what you want to do. Originally when we went, I wanted to stay at Grand Lake for all the reasons mentioned here, but our dates weren't available. As it turns out it must have been fate because most of the hiking we did we were better situated on the Estes Park side. Also, I know you mention the shuttle. If you plan to drive much between the areas it took quite some time to get between the two (I had under estimated this - things look so doable on a map!) and as folks from mostly flat Illinois, we were a little intimidated by the drive between the two sides. We don't have roads and elevation like that here - but it sure was beautiful!

If you are going over the 4th, do GL. We stayed in a hotel that was an old converted jail. Pretty cool. Fireworks in Grand Lake the best in the state, so they say!! It will take hours to get out of town if you go to the fireworks-it comes to a halt for hours as it turns into a giant parking lot.

Thank you for tips. You've given us some good ideas. Being flatlanders, I know my husband and I will be in for a wonderful week of beautiful sights. We will also be staying in Breckenridge for a few days at the Wildwood Suites (good price & includes breakfast). We hope to try some white water rafting and learn to fly fish. Thanks again for the info.