Estes Park RV camping recommendations

We lived in Estes 1995-2003 and the parks then were very nice - particularly Elk Meadow and Spruce Lake; and they are probably still the best. Were owned by same firm. But even they have gone do downhill we will not stay in Estes anymore. We stay at Riverside on the west side of Loveland. The last time we stayed at Elk Meadow was about 3 years ago - the normally very back interior (dirt) roads were a disaster, the pool was filthy, the hot tub did not work (but this is normal for them), the WiFi was marginal at best (and each time we made a reservation they said they had fixed the problems - and had not) and the weeds were thigh high around the pool and common areas. Part of the problem was that this was third week in July and the whole hired staff had quit and walked out over the 4th of July weekend. Spruce Lake can be nice and also very tight. KOA is next to the stable and you best like the smell of used horse food - and it is tight and on a hill. Jellystone is way out of town and don't know much about it.

We lived in Estes 1995-2003 and the parks then were very nice - particularly Elk Meadow and Spruce Lake; and they are probably still the best. Were owned by same firm. But even they have gone do downhill we will not stay in Estes anymore. We stay at Riverside on the west side of Loveland. The last time we stayed at Elk Meadow was about 3 years ago - the normally very back interior (dirt) roads were a disaster, the pool was filthy, the hot tub did not work (but this is normal for them) and the weeds were thigh high around the pool and common areas. Part of the problem was that this was third week in July and the whole hired staff had quit and walked out over the 4th of July weekend. Spruce Lake can be nice and also very tight. KOA is next to the stable and you best like the smell of used horse food - and it is tight and on a hill. Jellystone is way out of town and don't know much about it.

We stayed at the Jellystone park when we were there, very nice staff, had things for the kids to do, and was well kept, but the sites are on the side of the mountain and I was a newbe then, I had a heck of a time getting my 30 ft fifth wheel in to my site. I would never get my 38.5 ft unit in that site. They did have better sites but they were full.

We have stayed at both Spruce Lake and Elk Meadows. Both are nice, but we preferred Spruce Lake. They are both very close to one of the entrances to Rocky Mountain National Park. We love Estes Park and have been there many times (just got back from there on June 19th). It is a busy little town with great things to enjoy. The National park is just beautiful and will keep you busy for many days.

Here's a thread from earlier this year about that area.

Estes Park Campground

We moved back to CO last summer but before we took possession of our new house, we had some time to RV camp.

We stayed at the Estes Park KOA. However, I will not be staying there again. Very small spaces and the KOA originally had us in a spot that was like being on the side of their access road. In that spot, we could not even consider opening our awning as it would have impeded traffic, barely enough room for a chair and we have children. They actually would have preferred we move along to another RV location even though we had reservations for at least 5 months. Had to complain quite a bit to have them give us another spot and the place is not exactly cheap.

Anyway...I would check into Elk Meadow RV Resort or Spruce Lake RV Resort (Essential Colorado RV Resorts) as multiple people told us those are better run RV locations. I have not stayed at either of those parks but on the same trip last summer, we did stay at the Dakota Ridge RV Resort (part of the Essential Colorado RV Resorts) which is in Golden. It was very nice but $$$.

However, keep in mind if you are expecting the Colorado experience, you won't find it in Estes Park. Everything in the town is very touristy there now compared to being there many years back. You will need to plan many side excursions away from the town for that CO experience. Sorry, not trying to put a damper on your trip, just want to be honest.