Rocky Mountains / Estes Park area

You could stay in the park but it fills fast, I have stayed at Spruce Lake RV park it has a pool and it is just outside of the park.

We booked River Bend RV park but the cxl because of the flood so we didn't stay there but all the research we did it was our choice. The got hit hard with flood since they are on the river that flooded but looks like they done a good job cleaning it up and even some improvements.

RMNP is a very high demand area. For dry camping there is a CG on hwy7, the peak to peak hwy, about 15 min S of Estes. Lots of sites plenty big enough for a 30' C.

We stay a quick drive away from Estes. You can google these campgrounds. Dicks Campground is very nice. They have two loops, no hook-ups. Have water, wood, toilets. etc. We go to Nederland, near Boulder to get stuff if needed. You can check out all the hippies while at Nederland. Another is Brained Lake area called the Pawnee campground. The outfit that has been taking over forest service spots is doing it here, it has changed a lot. The lakes are awesome, great hiking, plenty of new camping spots here. Very beautiful at pawnee, no matter who is running the show. These two spots have great short cut access to Boulder, Nederland and Estes. My two cents.

If you stay at Brainard Lake there is a great short hike around Long Lake. If you feel like a longer hike you can continue on to Lake Isabelle, my favorite short hike. I think it's about 2 miles to Lake Isabelle, so that would be 4 miles round trip. Long Lake would be 2 miles for the total hike.

If the kids (or their dad) like trains, stop by Golden and visit the Colorado RR Museum. One of the best in the country.

Half a dozen CGs nearby.

cardtarget wrote:
Taking a trip this summer from North Carolina all the way to Yellowstone with 3 kids (9, 7, 4). Planning on having 2-3 days in the Denver/RMNP area and I'm looking for ideas for places to stay and great hikes or other outdoor activities that would be appropriate for the family. I'm guessing we could do about 2 miles of hiking before the little one gets too tired.

29 foot class C if it matters for any roads or campground recommendations.

We don't need full hookups for a day or two if anyone has any amazing vistas for dispersed/boondocking in that area.

So, what are your favorite places to stay or see in the greater Denver area?

My Stomping Grounds!

In RMNP, there's Moraine Park, Glacier Basin, and Aspenglen. All are no hookups, though generators are allowed in certain areas. All three have access to hiking that the kiddos and adults will enjoy. As previously stated, they are in high demand. There are some first come/first served sites, but they go quickly. If you want to try for one, arrive early and be prepared to occupy a spot as someone is pulling out. Otherwise, there are sites that can be reserved, but again are in high demand.

Boondocking. There's a number of places south of Estes Park, along CO 7/CO 72 that are good. There's Camp Dick (not Dick's Campground), Olive Ridge, and Peaceful Valley. All are nice boondocking places. And then there's Pawnee Campground at Brainard Lake. This one is spectacular as it's inside the Indian Peaks Wilderness area and is a USFS CG. The vistas there are incredible, and the hikes are memorable. You're also at about 10,400 feet so even on the hottest days down below, it will be cool up there.

Here's a link to the above (and more) campgrounds:

USFS Camping Near Estes Park

As for commercial parks, there's a bunch, both in the Estes Park area as well as in Loveland.

RV Park Reviews Loveland

RV Park Reviews Estes Park

Also, if you do a search here, there's some threads specific to Estes Park/RMNP.

Some comments on specific parks:

Nearly all of the commercial parks in Estes Park are, in my opinion, overpriced for what you get. The least expensive is Estes Park Campground at Mary's Lake and Estes Park Campground at East Portal, both of which are run by the Estes Park Recreation and Parks Department. They are undergoing a management change this season and some infrastructure improvements. This is where I frequently stay if I'm going to be in a commercial campground. Elk Meadows and Spruce Lake are two other options, both close to the Beaver Meadows entrance to RMNP. There's also a Yogi Bear Camground south of Estes Park on US 36, that's reportedly kid friendly, but I've not stayed there. Mixed reviews on that one.

There's also a wide variety down in Loveland. There's River View RV Park on US 34 west of Loveland that sustained a lot of damage in the flood of 2013, but are expected to be fully operational this season. This is the best choice in the Loveland area among the commercial campgrounds. Then there's River Bend Campground that was actually in the Big Thompson Canyon. It was completely destroyed and has not (likely will not) be rebuilt.

There's also Boyd Lake State Park in Loveland that's very nice and kid friendly, with lots of amenities for the kiddos.

See the links above for additional. Hope you'll enjoy your stay here in our lovely RMNP area, so much to see and do while you're here!

cardtarget wrote:
Taking a trip this summer from North Carolina all the way to Yellowstone with 3 kids (9, 7, 4). Planning on having 2-3 days in the Denver/RMNP area and I'm looking for ideas for places to stay and great hikes or other outdoor activities that would be appropriate for the family. I'm guessing we could do about 2 miles of hiking before the little one gets too tired.

29 foot class C if it matters for any roads or campground recommendations.

We don't need full hookups for a day or two if anyone has any amazing vistas for dispersed/boondocking in that area.

So, what are your favorite places to stay or see in the greater Denver area?

Good info from the other posts - I'm not one to recommend specific camp grounds but more on areas - if you are into the crowds and and T shirts Estes is for you, if not you might look on the other side near Grand Lake, is more family and IMHO more up my alley when we have the Granddaughters. For the Kids the drive over Trail Ridge, with a stop to play in some left over snow, is always fun in the summer. Again in MHO most of the hikes will require you to carry the 4 YO back so you might really limit the 1/2 mile or more (remember you are in the Rockies and most of the hikes are UP HILL) so........ they can be a challenge for the little one's.

With your clan think about leaving RMNP and heading to Vernal and Dinosaur NM,I still remember my first time, my kids remember their first time and now the GK's remember and loved their first time. Seeing real fossils, will leave a lasting impression and if you can catch a spot on the Green River to Camp it is even better. From their up on the West side of Flaming Gorge and maybe even fishing - catching dinner on the lake would be fun.

Not sure of your time frame but because of time head to Jackson GTNP then Yellowstone, no matter how you plan it you will be pressed for time here - but remember the kids want to have fun so you will need to limit the things you want to do. Water tends to be our focus in these spots with the trip out the Beartooth and then down to Cody before heading to Mt Rushmore (Custer). Goood to figure on averaging a lot less than 25 MPH on this leg. If time allows catch Devils tower then on to Custer for Mt Rushmore and the Surrounds - again time will be an issue here as there is a lot to see and enjoy. Badlands and HOME.

Couple of web sites for you
Stan Parkers Photo Album

Family that did it every year

Stan's photo's will give you a glimpse of much of what you hope to see.

Lolo's trip reports are epic,

Hope this is of some help.

BOL,

Stay IN the park at Moraine or Glacier Basin campgrounds and you'll have beautiful views, easy access to awesome trails of every ability and length and nice ranger programs for the kids - and you, too. They are also close to Estes Park if you need a congested city fix. :)

Lived in Estes. Thom has, as usual, good info.

You want to be on the Estes side of the Park as that is where 95% of the activities are ....... even more important with your children.