My wife and I and our two sons (9 and 8 years old) will be spending a week exploring Rocky Mountain National Park in June. Should we stay at YMCA of the Rockies Estes Park or YMCA of the Rockies Snow Mountain Ranch or split the time between the two?

first, i have no direct knowledge of the ymca camp BUT my sister used it a few years ago and thought it was pretty good. very similar to any hotel room, but no TV. they had great trips, hiking and such and my sister who is not a nature person, enjoyed her time. I think splitting your times depends on the amentities you expect. if you are just looking for a place to stay that is clean and reasonable, then stay at the YMCA the whole time.
Despite the marginal IMHO commericalism of Estes Park, I LIKE Estes Park. sometimes a little touristy is nice. so you'll have to decide.... (my sister was there with her husband and at the time an 8 and 10 year old)

Just an FYI.

The YMCA at Snow Mountain Ranch is MUCH further away from Rocky Mountain National Park than the Estes Park one is. You will spend at least 30 minutes just driving to the entrance to the park from Snow Mountain Ranch. And then you are on the west side of the park, which is less crowded and does have its own unique flavor, BUT doesn't have the sheer variety of scenery and activities that the east side offers, IMHO.

My own experience with these two YMCA camps goes back some twenty years, so recognize upfront that these observations are very dated... At that time, the Estes Park facility was much larger with more activities onsite and far more 'tourist' gridlock in the community of Estes Park. The Snow Mountain Ranch facility was considerablty smaller and much more low key. We prefered this location as we liked the more rustic setting away from the maddening crowds, but it wouldn't be appropriate for folks looking for more of a resort experience! Grand Lake was the closest 'tourist' town on the western side of RMNP and required at least a 30-40 minute drive from SMR. Both Y-Camps offered enough onsite family activities to keep your sons engaged all week. Both settings offer dramatic scenery, each different in appeal depending upon individual preference. Exploring RMNP via Trail Ridge Road can easily take an entire day, so make your choice depending upon where your itinerary takes you after you leave the park.

Another consideration would be the damage inflicted to the forests by the pine beetle in the last couple of years. The west side of the park has been impacted much more than the east side, leaving swaths of red, dead pine trees, marring the view. I was in Grand Lake last year and was horrified by the view across the lake of the once magnficient evergreen tree-filled mountainside rising up from the water's edge. Until you reach treeline, the west side of the park is the same. You don't see the same damage whatsoever on the east (Estes) side of the park. IMO, the impact is enough that I wouldn't want to stay in this area because of the spoiled views.

I like Snow Mt. Ranch better; a little more rustic setting (tho lots of nice new accommodations)and Winer Park down the road is great in the summer for kids (ride the lift up for down-the-mountain biking, hiking, etc.) for a change from RMNP. Lots less crowding in Winter Park, too, for dining, and all. It's a little bit of a drive from either park or town, of course, but away from the madding crowds and traffic of Estes. And, the east side is just over Trail Ridge road. The trees are just a lesson in nature; and the east side will be hit by beetles eventually, too.