Estes Park Campgrounds

Price/Value aside, there is a commercial camp ground within walking distance of the Beaver Meadows park entrance, where you can board the shuttles, as well as a couple of decent restaurants...

Gary

Told you Thom would be good! :-)

Thanks for the help. We'll have 7 days to travel around Colorado, plus three more to get there and back from LA. Def want to see all of the parks as we're trying to see all 58 national parks with our boys. It sounds like just a day each at the other parks will be adequate based on your post. Thanks again.

rjsurfer wrote:
Do they allow dogs on the shuttles?

Ron W

I don't know about on the shuttles, but dogs are not allowed on any of the trails within RMNP. They are allowed only in parking lots and on a 6-foot leash.

Dogs are allowed in the campgrounds, but again must be on a leash, and cannot be left unattended.

Do they allow dogs on the shuttles?

Ron W

I agree, stay at either Moraine or Glacier Basin in the park. (We volunteered at Glacier Basin)

You said you only have a week.. I hope that's at least a week to do your three planned parks and not a week to and from home. If so..you're not going to make it.

Truthfully, for 7 days between the 3 parks, I'd eliminate either Great Sand Dunes or Black Canyon or just plan one night in each. They are small parks and you can really see the focus in a 1/2 - 1 day. There are short nature-type trails but the major ones are very strenuous.

Rocky Mtn. will have a lot more interest for you.

In re-reading your post it seems you are only going to have your motorhome and no towed vehicle. You are going to be very limited in what you'll be able to see. For instance at Black Canyon a highlight is to drive down a steep road to the bottom of the canyon. You won't be able to do that. It's hard to really see and explore a park without a towed vehicle.

Thanks for the advice. We're planning on going to Great Sand Dunes NP, Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP, and Mesa Verde NP as well. It's difficult to decide how many nights each. We only have a week total.

Mtrain wrote:
Thanks. Our RV is 30 feet. What loop will get us closest to the shuttle ? And would you recommend 2 or 3 nights ?

At 30 feet, you'll fit in a lot of sites. My trailer is 25 feet/open to 30 feet and I've not had any problems. Loop B is closest to the entrance, which is where the shuttle pick up is. If it was me, I'd go for 3 (or more!) nights.

Thanks. Our RV is 30 feet. What loop will get us closest to the shuttle ? And would you recommend 2 or 3 nights ?

Mtrain wrote:
It sounds like it's best to stay in the park for sure. Thanks for the advice, much appreciated.

You'll love Moraine Park! There are 4 loops there. When you make reservations, look for Loop B, for sites that are on the outside, or right side as you go around the loop (it's counter clockwise one way). Those are going to be the ones that will fit your MH. Also look for Loop C, and in that loop, look at sites that are again on the outside, but this time left as you go around (clockwise). Sites near the amphitheatre have spectacular views and are also better suited for a large MH. Loops A and D are primarily for smaller units, trailers/pop ups/and LOTS of tent campers, especially in Loop D.