Where to Stay Near Rocky Mountain National Park: Best Areas & Hotels

Planning a trip to the Colorado Rockies and trying to figure out where to stay near Rocky Mountain National Park? In this article, we share the best places to stay near Rocky Mountain National Park and hotel recommendations for all budgets.

You’ll learn about the two best areas to stay near Rocky Mountain National Park, how they compare, what each has to offer, plus tips on how to choose the right locations (and accommodation) for your trip.

Good to know: There are no hotels or cabins inside Rocky Mountain National Park. But don’t worry – there are plenty of great places to stay just outside the park, offering easy access to hiking, scenic drives, wildlife, and everything else this incredible region has to offer.

TIP: If you have no time to read the entire guide and are simply looking for a nice place to stay close to the national park entrance, check out the Streamside on Fall River in Estes Park. This highly-rated riverside lodge features cozy suites and cottages at very competitive rates. If you’d rather stay in town, Hotel Estes offers very good value for the money.

PRO TIP: Rocky Mountain National Park is an extremely popular summer/fall destination. For the best prices and availability, make hotel reservations well in advance.

READ ALSO: Itinerary & Planning Tips for Rocky Mountain National Park

Best Areas to Stay Near Rocky Mountain National Park: Estes Park vs. Grand Lake

There are two best areas to stay in near Rocky Mountain National Park: Estes Park on the eastern side of the park and Grand Lake on the western side.

Estes Park is the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park and the best town to stay in for exploring the most popular areas of the park. Located just 15 minutes from the main entrance, it offers quick access to the most popular hiking trails and scenic drives. It’s also the larger of the two towns, with more lodging, dining, and activity options – making it ideal for a sightseeing-focused trip.

Staying here, you can take advantage of a wide variety of guided tours and activities. From scenic glass-top bus tours to e-biking or guided hiking, there is something for everyone.

That said, Estes Park is quite spread out, and your experience will highly depend on where exactly you decide to stay.

Grand Lake, on the park’s quieter western side, is more remote and laid-back. It’s a good choice if you prefer a slower pace, fewer crowds, or visiting in winter for snowmobiling. While it’s scenic and charming, it’s not nearly as convenient for exploring the park’s highlights.

In short, choose Estes Park for easy access, variety, and outdoor adventure. Pick Grand Lake if you prefer a peaceful retreat away from the crowds.

Good to know: Further below, you can find our detailed guide with a hand-picked selection of the best Estes Park hotels for any kind of trip and all budgets. At the bottom of this post, we’ve also included a small selection of the best accommodation options in Grand Lake. Read on!

 

Closest to the Rocky Mountain National Park Entrance

We already established that the Estes Park side is the best area for exploring Rocky Mountain National Park. But you may want to know there are two entrance gates on this side of the park: the Beaver Meadows Entrance Station (where the main visitor center is located) and the Fall River Entrance Station (a quieter entrance).

They are both located close to town and to the main hiking area, Bear Lake Trailhead. Both entrances also offer the quickest access to the Trail Ridge Road – the most scenic road that runs through Rocky Mountain National Park.

If the main focus of your trip is sightseeing, hiking, enjoying nature, and exploring the park, then look for accommodation close to one of these two entrances. Here is our handpicked selection of the best-rated hotels in each area:

Best Lodging near Beaver Meadows Entrance Gate:

• $$$$ Riversong Inn Retreat. Adults-only B&B with free breakfast and sauna.
• $$$ The Landing at Estes Park – Riverside Retreat. Super popular, book early!
• $$ Alpine Trail Ridge Inn. Excellent value, plus a heated outdoor pool and a restaurant.

Best Lodging near Fall River Entrance Gate:

• $$$$ Boulder Brook on Fall River. Stunning riverside location. Some periods require 2-3 nights minimum stay.
• $$$ Nicky’s Resort. Excellent value!
• $$ Wildwood Inn. Lower-budget option, just 1 mile from the park entrance.

The Most Scenic Location

Breathtaking scenery is all around you in this area, but there are several places to stay that offer particularly stunning views of their surroundings. Here is a small selection of Estes Park accommodations that are located in the most beautiful setting:

• $$$$ The Estes Park Resort. This lakefront resort offers spectacular views of Lake Estes. Lakeside fire pits add a nice touch and a great way to enjoy the scenery. This is the only hotel in this selection that is located in town.

• $$$+ 4 Seasons Inn on Fall River. Adults-only lodge with stunning views of the Fall River. The spacious deck with a large outdoor hot tub is the perfect place from which to take in the beautiful scenery. Some periods require a 3-night minimum stay.

• $$$ Inn on Fall River & Fall River Cabins. A superb 3* accommodation with beautiful cabins with river and mountain views. If you’re lucky, you might run into some wildlife just outside your cabin.

• $$+ Streamside on Fall River. Excellent value. This accommodation features a big choice of cabins and suites, nestled by the river surrounded by pine and aspen trees. A great location for fishing and wildlife.

Best Value for Money Hotels in Estes Park

If you’re on a low-to-mid-range budget but don’t want to compromise on quality, the following accommodations offer excellent value at great prices:

• $$$ Quality Inn near Rocky Mountain National Park. A highly-rated 3* hotel with an outdoor pool, spacious rooms, and a good breakfast.

• $$+ Murphy’s Resort. A simple hotel with fabulous reviews, an outdoor heated pool, and family suites sleeping up to 6 people. Breakfast included.

• $$ Estes Mountain Inn. This motel has amazing customer reviews and, with breakfast included, offers great value.

• $+ Columbine Inn. The best-rated budget motel in town.

TIP: If you want to visit Rocky Mountain National Park on a budget, try to avoid the peak season and book your accommodation well ahead.

READ ALSO: Rocky Mountain National Park Day Trip from Denver

Best Estes Park Hotels for Bigger Groups & Families

These Estes Park hotels and inns have family rooms for at least 6 people (some even more). I have listed them based on their location, starting with the accommodations closest to the Rocky Mountains National Park.

• Wildwood Inn. This Inn, located close to the Fall River Entrance Gate, offers accommodation for up to 10 people. All holiday homes include private hot tubs.

• The Inn on Fall River & Fall River Cabins. Stunning riverside setting with accommodations for up to 5-7 people. Located halfway between Estes Park and the national park entrance.

• Appenzell Inn. Family suites sleep up to 8 people, and there’s a beautiful indoor pool. Breakfast included. Great value.

• The Estes Park Resort. A beautiful 4* lakefront resort with spectacular views and rooms for up to 6-7 people.

• Hotel Estes. This popular 3* hotel features a children’s playground and outdoor pool. With rooms sleeping up to 6 guests and breakfast included, this is a great-value mid-budget family hotel close to the town center.

Estes Park Hotels with Indoor Pools

While many Estes Park hotels and lodges feature seasonal outdoor pools, accommodation with an indoor pool is harder to find. The following hotels in Estes Park have a nice indoor pool:

• $$$+ Murphy’s River Lodge. A popular riverside lodge with an indoor pool. Often sold out months ahead.

• $$$ Holiday Inn Estes Park. A nice contemporary hotel with a large indoor pool. Great for families.

• $$ Appenzell Inn. One of the best-rated hotels with an indoor pool.

A Unique Place to Stay in Estes Park… If you dare!

Fans of The Shining will recognize the historic Stanley Hotel, which inspired Stephen King’s fictional Overlook Hotel (though the movie was filmed elsewhere).

The hotel offers tours, including a popular Night Tour and a special The Shining Tour – perfect for those curious about its haunted reputation.

The building is full of old-world charm and has an impressive facade, but the reviews of the actual hotel (not tours) are very mixed. It may not be the best-value place to stay in Estes Park, but if you’re after atmosphere, history, and maybe a ghost story or two, the Stanley is worth checking out – and the tours are great.

Grand Lake – Alternative Place to Stay near Rocky Mountain National Park

While Estes Park is the most convenient base for exploring Rocky Mountain National Park, it’s also the busiest and priciest. If you’re looking for a quieter, more budget-friendly alternative, consider Grand Lake on the park’s western side.

It’s a charming lakeside town with a more laid-back vibe – perfect for a longer family vacation. While it offers fewer lodging options, it can be a good alternative if you don’t mind being farther from the main trailheads or are looking for a place to spend a night while roadtripping in the area.

Here are the best accommodations in Grand Lake:

• $$$+ The Gateway Inn. The nicest hotel in town, featuring a beautiful outdoor terrace with stunning views.

• $$$ Grand Lake Lodge. A highly-rated lodge with cozy cabins in a scenic setting. Features a beautiful outdoor pool.

• $$ Western Riviera Lakeside Lodging. A lakeside motel with beautiful views and fantastic guest reviews. Great value.

That’s our guide to the best places to stay near Rocky Mountain National Park. I hope it helps you plan your trip!

If visiting in the summer or during weekends in the fall, be sure to book your accommodation well in advance. The best value places tend to sell out months ahead, and what’s left closer to the date is often pricey or not ideal. Planning early can save you a lot of hassle (and money).

READ ALSO: Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary Suggestions

TIP: If you are traveling to this area and are looking for more travel inspiration, I highly recommend visiting the Maroon Bells near Aspen as well. It’s one of the most iconic mountain destinations in Colorado! Here you can also find our guide to the best things to see and do in Aspen. The town and the surrounding mountains are well worth a trip. Check it out!

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