Estes Park campground suggestions

Yup, and sometimes maybe not even back for lunch ......... shower / clean up, grill / cook dinner, jammies on and read or work on images and off to la la land!

tharlan wrote:
We stayed in Manor this fall just before the flood. No problems, enjoyable stay. Not sure how much damage the flood did to the lower area of park next to the river. We don't spend much time in the rv park, gone all day on day trips.

Good to hear as this one is on my list. Like you, we are gone most of the day and usually come back for lunch, dinner, and to sleep.

We stayed in Manor this fall just before the flood. No problems, enjoyable stay. Not sure how much damage the flood did to the lower area of park next to the river. We don't spend much time in the rv park, gone all day on day trips.

Well Paradise RV is booked the time we want to go. Guess there is a reason they're rated #1 on Trip Advisor.

estesbubba - not sure you can get into Paradise with your rig. It is a nice place (or used to be and I have not heard anything bad about it) but it is tight. And not sure how this flood issue might have affected them. Seen it but not stayed there.

Last time we were at Elk Meadow did us in. They had promised they had improved the wifi and roads ...... nada. Weeds all over the common area. Hot tub (which we liked after hiking) did not work. But get this. Cell phone does not get out and they took the public phone off the outside of the building near the office! I asked what should one do in case of emergency and got a shoulder shrug and dumb look. I raised a certain amount of heck about that and I think a phone has been put back. Just a real indifferent attitude.

Marys Lake was taken over by the County a couple / few years ago and hopefully they improved it.

We loved Estes Park and still have many friends there. But this last devastation is really bad - there was a 4 sq mile of No Flush zone in town meaning using porta potties. Some has been restored but most of it not as yet. I understand the immediate downtown is cleaned up pretty well and, of course, begging for business; their lifeblood. Info from business friends there does not paint a pretty picture.

I have not heard much about Rocky Mtn NP itself.

Marys Lake.

Lauren - the reason we haven't been back to Estes Park isn't because of our experience at Elk Meadow, just had other things going on. We spend a lot of time away from the camper enjoying RMNP and Estes Park but we do notice how things have changed. It used to be free pancakes in the morning, an escort to your site, and friendly retired folks waving and helping you out. Our last visit was scan your credit card, tell you your site number, then drive on roads that were crap. A bunch of little things add up and you remember that.

Our normal schedule is to get up at 6am and go hiking and why we want to stay in Estes Park. We also like to do lunches and evening Elk viewing in RMNP park so places 30 minutes away aren't that convenient.

If anyone has stayed at Paradise RV let me know.

I second the idea of camping on the Grand Lake entrace to RMNP. Have stayed at Winding River past two summers and had avgreat experience both times.

Lauren wrote:

Problem is I don't know where to recommend. Last time we stayed at Riverview in Loveland but not an option at this point I do not think.

Not sure how "open" the roads are; particularly for an rv. Keep an eye on it - most are temporary.

Good luck.

Riverview is open again but I am not sure how complete the repairs have been to this point.
US34 opened this week with pavement most of the way to Estes. But it is still a "temporary" repair so there will be work ongoing for years I bet. Same with US36.
Since the OP's trip is next August I'm sure there will be improvements everywhere. We like Riverview and the drive up the canyon has been pleasant in the past.

craig7h wrote:
This may be alittle out of the way or not close enought for you. I go to colorado evey year and have been staying at St. Vrain SP. Its off I25 at longmont. Great full service site, great walking paths, dog friendly. The interstate noise is almost never heard. If its not to far for you I would check it out.

St. Vrain SP is closed until spring at least due to damage from the floods in September. There is some work being done but they don't know how long it will take to complete.