jomimac wrote:
Does anyone have an opinion regarding campgrounds in the Estes Park, CO area? We are planning to be there from 9-15-16 through 10-1-16 to see the Elk and other sights. We have probably waited too long to book a place in the National Park sites, but would interested in any comments on private campgrounds in the area.
Not a matter of waiting too long to book in RMNP; your options within the park are severely limited by your dates. Glacier Basin closes September 11 this year, Aspenglen closes September 26th this year, and Moraine Park usually closes all but the "B" loop in mid September, at which time that loop becomes first come/first served. And it also becomes extremely popular due to the elk viewing in Moraine Park, right outside your door.
Commercial Parks. Probably your best bet will be Estes Park Campground at Mary's Lake. They close this year on October 2nd. They are also very popular, particularly at the end of the season, because they are the least expensive campground in the area. Full hookups are $47/night, water/electric sites are $40/night. If this interests you, check reservations NOW. They also have some dry camping sites, at $30/night. This park is managed by the Estes Park Recreation and Parks Department.
There's a KOA that will also be open, IIRC they close in mid-October. I've been by there many times, I've not stayed there, simply because their sites are very tight, and IHMO over priced. Prices vary weekends/weekdays, $61/night for weekends, $53/night weekdays.
Elk Meadows and Spruce Lake are owned by the same company, thus their dates and rates are the same. They both close October 8th this year. You can't make reservations on line the way one expects. You fill out a form and then they call you back within 48 hours. Or, you can bypass the reservation page, and just call them direct; you may get voicemail and still have to wait for a call back. Their rates are $65/night ($59/night for Good Sam discount). Of the two, I would recommend Elk Meadows, as the sites are not as tight, there are pull thru sites (all back in sites at Spruce Lake), and the place is crawling with elk in the evenings.
Paradise On The River. From a post in another thread, a poster indicated that they are completely booked for the full season.
Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park is outside of town, about 5 miles south on US 36. They are open until October 3. They are like KOA in that they have different rates, weekday vs weekend, and no hookups, water and electric, and full hookups. Their rates vary between $35-$65. A common complaint I've read on this park is that the sites are not level. I've not stayed here, but have driven through it and it did appear that some of the sites were not level, and were...worn.
Manor RV Park is just around the corner from Spruce Lake. It's not bad, but it's tight, particularly for larger rigs/trailers. Interior roads are a bit narrow, and can be difficult to get around. Prices are like the rest, $50-65/night.
If any of these interest you, try to get your reservation in now; you may need to be put on a waiting list for cancellations, depending on the park.
Boondocking. Not available. Everything in the area will be closed. There's a variety of USFS CG south of town, but they all close mid-September.
If all of these are booked/not available, consider Riverview RV Park and Campground west of Loveland. It's near the mouth of the Big Thompson Canyon/US 34, and about 30 minutes from Estes Park.
H E R E is the rvparkreviews site for more information and direct websites for the above mentioned parks.
Whatever you decide, and can book, hope you have a good trip.
