How to Get to the Rockies:

The best way to get to Rocky Mountain National park for your adventure in the Rockies is to rent a car in Denver, ideally at the airport. There is little transportation to the park; moreover, you will need a car to get from your hotel to the national park.

Where to Stay in the Rockies

The Estes Park Resort: The Estes Park Resort is a stunning property close to the national park and on Lake Estes. In fact, it is the only hotel that is actually located on the lake. Rooms are spacious and comfortable, and the hotel has its own restaurant so you don’t have to worry about where to get dinner after a long day of hiking.

What to Do

Visit Rocky Mountain National Park: A visit to the park will obviously be the highlight of your trip! The national park is huge, so I would recommend reviewing hike options with the outfitters at the resort in advance to decide which hike or hikes you want to do. Also, remember to reserve a ticket to enter the park in advance as well; if you wait until the day of it will likely be sold out. If for some reason you do forget, general entry is allowed after 3 pm. In addition, to enjoy the many hikes at the park, be sure to take a long drive through the winding roads of the park, there are so many stunning vistas you will want to stop 100 times for pictures! From alpine lakes to mountains to forests it is truly spectacular. In addition to the views, you could also get lucky enough to see some of the wildlife, which includes bighorn sheep, elks, and mountain lions. We saw a pair of moose swimming in a small lake and it was spectacular.

Visit Roosevelt National Forest: Adjacent to the national park is this gorgeous national forest that you should consider visiting. We hiked the Lily Mountain Trail, which was arduous but well worth it considering the views. Estes Park has lots of small cafes and shops where you can get sandwiches packed for a picnic at the top of the mountain.

Visit Estes Lake: If you are staying at Estes Park Resort a visit to the lake is essential. Wake up early, go for a run, bike ride, walk around the lake, or visit the marina and rent a kayak. The lake is so breathtaking with the mountains all around you won’t want to leave!

Where to Eat

Dunraven: Estes Park Resort has a restaurant with a great breakfast, including hearty fare like avocado toast, eggs benedict, and French toast with dulce de leche. They serve dinner as well. Grab a seat on their outdoor deck which overlooks Lake Estes and enjoy a cocktail or glass of wine before dinner!

The Barrel Beer: Colorado is well-known for its craft beers and the Barrel Beer is a great place in downtown Estes where you can sample some. We tried their beers and ciders and loved them all; they also have a food truck on site where you can get burgers and cheese fries.

The Rockies: The Verdict

An adventure in the Rockies is exactly what you need if you are looking for fresh air, beautiful views, and outdoor activities!

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Our journey began in Blackhawk, a surreal town which makes you feel as if you are part of a Wild Wild West movie with its western architecture.  The town was lined with casinos, large exuberant resorts, and tiny storefronts with shiny lights where you can try your luck as well.  We had breakfast sandwiches at a quiet café and began our drive up route 119 to Estes Park.  For more information about the route, head to the Colorado Office of Transportation website.

The drive is sensory overload for those who love nature.  We were tempted to stop several times to take photos as the views almost look as if they come from a painting.  We had to remind ourselves that a) we were just on a day trip, and b) the views will be more epic once we get to the Rocky Mountains.  That being said, there was one interesting stop: Nederland, Colorado.  My Dutch husband was fascinated with this and of course, we had to see what the town was all about.  We stocked up on snacks for our hike at B & F Mountain Market and soon discovered that there was not much to see aside from the mountain views and random eclectic mementos.

We then continued our trip to Estes Park.  When you enter the park, note there is a $20 fee for vehicles (more information here http://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/fees.htm). Note: as a military member we get a free National Park pass. If you fall under this category, show your ID card to the ranger, and he or she will provide you with a free year pass to all US National Parks. The ranger also provided us with a detailed map of trails and points of interest.

As we were just there for a day trip, we drove up to Trail Ridge Road. 10 miles in, we discovered that part of the road was still closed due to weather conditions.  Although it was late May and sunny, there was still plenty of snow on the ground.  While the road was closed to drivers, visitors were still allowed to walk and explore.  Tip: wear layers and trail shoes as there can be snow on the trails.  The weather goes from warm to cold quickly, so I recommend bringing a backpack in order to carry cold weather gear like gloves, a hat, and an extra warming layer.

Since we were there just for the day, we decided to take a short hike near Bear Lake.  Tip: ask the ranger for a trail map upon arrival.  The hike was 4 miles round-trip.  It was quite eventful as we experienced rain, hail, and sunshine all in that short hike.  We took in the stunning views of Bear Lake and the fury of the Alberta Falls.  Simply stunning to walk on the snow covered trails and listen to the sounds of rustling leaves, tiny waterfalls, and guest appearances by squirrels.  There was something exquisitely peaceful about the experience.  Nature has to be the most affordable luxury we have.  As we left the park, we were taken by the elk roaming freely in their natural habitat.  Every scene was more beautiful than the other.

After the hike, we decided to head back to Denver as it was getting late.  We chose a different route back, heading north.  We stopped in a quaint town called Lyons. We loved the small town vibe of the city and its main street lined with unique shops.  At Lyons Fork Restaurant, we indulged in a delicious thick burger and local craft beer to recharge before heading back into the city.  The food was great, but what we enjoyed the most was the friendly service.

As travelers, sometimes we’re so focused on the destination that we forget about the journey.  The Peak to Peak Highway is an experience in itself.  The lack of cellular reception made it inevitable to step away from our devices and into great conversations and gorgeous views.  Although a day is not enough to experience the beauty of the Rocky Mountains, it was still a perfect day trip experience from Denver. Have you driven on the Peak to Peak Highway? What was your favorite part of the experience? Share in our comments!

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Sunset at Skyland Resort

We checked into our room at the resort and we loved the cozy rustic feel. As an added bonus, our room had a lovely view of the mountains which surround the park. Before going to bed, I looked up at the sky and was reminded of the infinite stars in the sky as we do not get to see them in the city.

We woke up early and loaded on pancakes and coffee at the resort dining room in order to prepare for our hike of the waterfalls. The day was perfect as it was sunny yet slightly cool in the mountains. Although I was a little nervous about a bear encounter as we embarked on the hike, I was excited to see what nature had to offer. Unfortunately, we only saw a very mischievous looking raccoon before we left for our hike to my Dutchman’s sadness and to my relief. As we stepped into the trails, we were transported to the sounds of nature: trees swaying, birds singing, river running, and the occasional sounds of humans. It was a whole different world than our lives in DC. 

Little Swimming Hole

As we worked our way through the trail, we encountered small and large waterfalls. Like kids climbing on rocks, we worked our way to a small waterfall and discovered a small swimming hole. I was a little bummed that I did not bring my swimsuit because the cold water would have been perfect for the sore muscles. Altogether we hiked around six miles, the painful part is the way back: it was mostly uphill.

On our way back, we stopped by the stables to see the horses as the resort offers horseback trail rides. Although we did not have the opportunity to do it at that time, I would love to do it our next time there. As much as I love the city, I also enjoy taking the time to spend time in nature. For me, not only does it calm me but it inspires my creative process.

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