Western USA Travel Guide by Lonely Planet

Author:Lonely Planet
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lonely Planet

Estes Park

It’s no small irony that becoming a nature-lovers hub has turned the gateway to one of the most pristine outdoor escapes in the US into kind of Great Outdoors Disney. And while there are plenty of T-shirt shops and mountain kitsche, a nice river runs through town, it has cool parks, decent restaurants and a haunted hotel.

Activities

Colorado Mountain

School ROCK CLIMBING

( 800-836-4008; www.totalclimbing.com; 341 Moraine Ave; half-day guided climbs per person from $125) There’s no better resource for climbers in Colorado. Basic courses, such as Intro to Rock Climbing, are a great way for novices to deeply experience the Rockies, more experienced climbers can hire guides to take them up some of the radical neighboring peaks. It has an stay on-site in dorm lodging.

Sleeping

Estes Park’s dozens of hotels fill up fast in summer. There are some passable budget options but the many lovely area campgrounds are the best-value.

Try the Estes Park Visitor Center ( 970-577-9900; www.estesparkresortcvb.com; 500 Big Thompson Ave; 9am-8pm Jun-Aug, 8am-5pm Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm Sat, 10am-4pm Sun Sep-May) , just east of the US 36 junction, for help with lodging; note that many places close in winter.

Total Climbing Lodge HOSTEL $

( 303-447-2804; www.totalclimbing.com; 341 Moraine Ave; dm $25; ) A bustling hub of climbers, lodging here is the best dorm option in town. Expect simple pine bunks, a ping-pong table and a laid-back vibe.

Estes Park Hostel HOSTEL $

( 970-237-0152; www.estesparkhostel.com; 211 Cleave St; dm/s/d $26/38/52; ) This hostel, with a handful of shared rooms and simple privates, isn’t going into history books as the plushest digs ever, but there’s a kitchen on site, and Terri, the owner, is helpful. The price is right too.

YMCA of the Rockies –

Estes Park Center RESORT $$

( 970-586-3341; www.ymcarockies.org; 2515 Tunnel Rd; r & d from $109, cabins from $129; ) Estes Park Center is not your typical YMCA boarding house. Instead it’s a favorite vacation spot. There are upmarket motel-style accommodations and cabins set on hundreds of acres of high alpine terrain. Book ahead.

Riversong BOUTIQUE HOTEL $$

( 970 586 4666; www.romanticriversong.com; 1766 Lower Broadview Dr; d from $165; ) Tucked down a dead-end dirt road overlooking the Big Thompson River, Riversong offers nine romantic rooms with private bath in a arts-and-crafts-style mansion. The minimum stay is two nights, and prices vary by amenities. West of town take Moraine Ave, turn onto Mary’s Lake Rd and take the first right.

Stanley Hotel HOTEL $$$

( 970-577-4000; www.stanleyhotel.com; 333 Wonderview Ave; r from $199; ) The white Georgian Colonial Revival hotel stands in brilliant contrast to the towering peaks of Rocky Mountain National Park framing the skyline. A favorite local retreat, this best-in-class hotel served as the inspiration for Stephen King’s famous cult novel The Shining . Rooms are decorated to retain some of the Old West feel while still ensuring all the creature comforts.

Eating

Estes Park Brewery BREWERY

(www.epbrewery.com; 470 Prospect Village Dr; 11am-2am Mon-Sun) The town’s brewpub serves pizza, burgers and wings, and at least eight different house beers, in a big, boxy room resembling a cross between a classroom and a country kitchen.

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