After exploring much of CO south of I70, we plan to head to RMNP from the Leadville area. (summer of 2015). A few questions: (1) any advantage to staying on the west side of the park? If so, route taken with our 5'er to get there? (2) we will be exiting via Rte 40 west towards Dinosaur Natl Mon. Anything to stop & see along this route? Thanks much,

In my opinion the visit to Estes Park and Eastern RMNP is far to be prefered to the Western side at Grand Lake. We always like to take a day trip over the Trail Ridge Road to Grand Lake from Estes Park, but that's a different story. We have never TOWED over the Trail Ridge Road but I don't think we'd have any problem doing so. Our trip has never taken us that way.Now, IF you go from Leadville to Estes Park I can tell you the route we take. It is not the fast route, but it is one we enjoy. It is called the "Peak to Peak Highway." The route numbers make it seem more complicated than it really is, but here they are.CO 91 to I-70 East; I-70 to US 6 (near Central City); CO 119 which merges up around Nederland with CO 72; then take CO 7 on into Estes Park. It is a winding, very hilly route. I call it one of the "crookest" roads in the country. There are hardly any straight and level sections in the entire route. BUT . . . we always enjoy it and we are towing a 34' fifth-wheel.I'm not recommending this as the route you would prefer, but just sharing our preference.

I am not a fan of Estes Park, even before the flood so we stay in the Grand Lake area and drive the car into the park even for lunch in Estes Park. Grand Lake is more laid back which we like better than all the traffic in E P. From Leadville there's only one good way which is 9 north out of Dillon to 40. There are plenty of various types of CG around Grand Lake plus a new one inside RMNP but the sites are kind of small. Since you are headed west on 40 leaving the trailer in the Grand Lake area and day tripping into the park is what I'd do. I've never been west of Steamboat on 40 so not much help there.Based on the above post we've set either end of the answers you may get.:B

If you are eventually heading west on 40 then stay on the west side of the Park (Between Grand lake and the Park boundary). Use your tow vehicle (or dinghy) to travel over Trail Ridge road to the east side and spend a day over there exploring that side of the Park.from Leadville - down US 91 to Copper Mountain, I 70 to Silverthorne exit, north on US 9 to US 40, east to just before Granby and north on US 34 to the Park.

Preference and advantage is pretty subjective. Depends on what your interests are. There are advantages to either side depending on what you're looking for. The west side is the "quiet" side, around Grand Lake and further south, Grandby. Grand County is wide open beautiful, but it's a different kind of beauty. There's also fewer commercial campgrounds in the immediate Grand Lake area, but more USFS campgrounds around Lake Grandby. If you want to travel a bit, there's a wonderful YMCA campground (Snow Mountain Ranch) in the Fraser/Tabernash area, that is definitely worth considering, and that's on the west side.There's also Timber Creek CG inside the park, and that is definitely quieter and less crowded. Unfortunately, the beetle kill of years past have taken a toll there and all the trees had to be cut down. It's still a viable alternative for dry camping. The drive up the west side to the top, at the Fall River Visitor's Center, is not quite as dramatic as the drive up the east side, but it's beautiful nonetheless. And it's quicker to get to the top than from the east side. The east side has Estes Park, and if you're looking for LOTS to do, there's a lot to see in Estes. It's a typical mountain tourist town, and it can get very busy, especially on weekends. There's more commercial campgrounds there, but they are also more expensive than on the west side. Right now, there's only 2 viable ways to get there -- US 34 from Loveland up the Big Thompson Canyon, or Hwys 119/72/7 (the Peak to Peak Highway), which is a beautiful drive, and would make more sense to take, given that you would be coming from Leadville. You could take I70 east to the Central City exit, and that takes you right to Hwy 119.There's lots more to the east side as far as hiking and driving and places to see. The Old Fall River Rd will be closed this year, so that's not an option. But there are lots of alternatives. Bear Lake is a "must see", there are a lot of hiking trails there. It can, however, get very crowded on the weekends.Whichever option you choose, it can be enjoyable! Also keep in mind that the sights on the east side can be visited from the west and vice versa. There's really no limit other than time as to what you can see and do on either side. If you don't have an annual parks pass, it's worth consideration. Also, the day pass is good for 7 days in/out of the park.

Let's see, 98% of the activities for Rocky Mtn NP are on the east side - Estes Park side. And nearly all the RV parks / camping are on the east side. Additionally, as of late, the pine beetle infestation has really taken a toll on the west side and now moving over the top to the east.With all the flood damage I suggest you got to CDOT for latest info on roads to Estes. The Peak To Peak would be my suggestion in any case if you don't mind 2 lane road - the directions by padredw are right on.I do not know when you plan on going but you best look into reservations .... things get full there. Most private RV parks in Estes are just marginal anymore.Let me know if you need Rocky or Estes info; lived there 8 years.

Leadville, CO to Rocky Mtn NP | Good Sam Community

crabbin_cabin
Explorer II
Mar 26, 2014
If you are eventually heading west on 40 then stay on the west side of the Park (Between Grand lake and the Park boundary). Use your tow vehicle (or dinghy) to travel over Trail Ridge road to the east side and spend a day over there exploring that side of the Park.
from Leadville - down US 91 to Copper Mountain, I 70 to Silverthorne exit, north on US 9 to US 40, east to just before Granby and north on US 34 to the Park.
Ivylog
Explorer III
Mar 26, 2014
I am not a fan of Estes Park, even before the flood so we stay in the Grand Lake area and drive the car into the park even for lunch in Estes Park. Grand Lake is more laid back which we like better than all the traffic in E P. From Leadville there's only one good way which is 9 north out of Dillon to 40. There are plenty of various types of CG around Grand Lake plus a new one inside RMNP but the sites are kind of small. Since you are headed west on 40 leaving the trailer in the Grand Lake area and day tripping into the park is what I'd do. I've never been west of Steamboat on 40 so not much help there.
Based on the above post we've set either end of the answers you may get.:B
padredw
Nomad
Mar 26, 2014
In my opinion the visit to Estes Park and Eastern RMNP is far to be prefered to the Western side at Grand Lake. We always like to take a day trip over the Trail Ridge Road to Grand Lake from Estes Park, but that's a different story. We have never TOWED over the Trail Ridge Road but I don't think we'd have any problem doing so. Our trip has never taken us that way.

Now, IF you go from Leadville to Estes Park I can tell you the route we take. It is not the fast route, but it is one we enjoy. It is called the "Peak to Peak Highway." The route numbers make it seem more complicated than it really is, but here they are.

CO 91 to I-70 East; I-70 to US 6 (near Central City); CO 119 which merges up around Nederland with CO 72; then take CO 7 on into Estes Park. It is a winding, very hilly route. I call it one of the "crookest" roads in the country. There are hardly any straight and level sections in the entire route. BUT . . . we always enjoy it and we are towing a 34' fifth-wheel.

I'm not recommending this as the route you would prefer, but just sharing our preference.

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