Colorado Vacation - Estes Park
We have recently returned from a wonderful vacation in Colorado. We try to visit that area every few years. This year we started by visiting Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park for a few days.
Estes Park is a great town without feeling too commercial. There are lots of place to stay, eat and shop. However, there is plenty of parking and public restrooms and most everything is within walking distance. And of course being Colorado, dogs are welcome everywhere.
A lot of the lodging is privately owned instead of chains. We stayed at Murphys River Lodge
The lodge is an older hotel/motel that was renovated and under new management. We chose it for the walking distance to town; it was close enough to walk but just far enough on the edge not to be noisy. Mr. Roberts also liked the trout stream running behind the property; the children liked the indoor pool. Every morning they served a continental breakfast with juice, coffee, pastries, yogurt and fruit. For us, this property was perfect; it was large enough for us with 2 adults and 2 elementary age children.
The biggest reason for visiting this area is to see the wildlife in Rocky Mountain National Park. We saw elk, coyote, mule deer, and moose in the few days we were there.
Wildlife Viewing Tip: On Trail Ridge Rd from Estes Park through the Alpine Visitors Center, elk are abundant. If you stay on Trail Ridge Rd heading toward Lake Granby, you are more likely to see moose. Just look for the willows growing around the water.
Of course we took hikes almost every day to see the mountain, lakes and gorgeous scenery.