5 Best Towns to Stay in Near Rocky Mountain National Park

This post highlights the best towns to stay in near Rocky Mountain National Park.

So, you’re planning on visiting one of the best national parks in the United States and wondering where to stay?

Well, we’ve got you covered!

Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most visited national parks in the country; containing beautiful trails, incredible drives, bountiful wildlife and breathtaking mountains. The good news is there’s plenty of nearby towns to RMNP!

While you can’t really go wrong staying in any of these gorgeous towns, we’ve took the time to highlight the best parts of each one so you can decide which is the best place for you on your road trip or travel itinerary.

Here are some of the best cities to stay in near Rocky Mountain National Park.

Use the table of contents below to easily navigate from town to town.

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Estes Park, Colorado

Perhaps one of the most obvious Colorado mountain towns as its the closest, Estes Park is a great place to stay if you’re visiting Rocky Mountain National Park.

This is a good option if you want to get an early start to your day in the park. It is in close proximity to Bear Lake Road in RMNP, one of the most popular routes in the park, leading to Bear Lake itself, a gorgeous drive the entire way. The location of this town makes it easy to explore the miles of trails in the park. as you will spend less time driving there.

Estes Park is also home to the Stanley Hotel, a haunted accommodation made famous by Stephen King in his book: The Shining. Upon staying in the hotel in 1974, King had a horrific nightmare which served as the book’s inspiration. If you’re into ghosts, old mansions and beautiful (yet spooky) vibes we highly recommend staying at this hotel. They also offer different tours highlighting the building’s history. Some of the staff are more than willing to share their own personal haunted stories if you ask them!

The town of Estes Park is home to some fantastic shops and restaurants. If you’re looking to grab a bite to eat consider the Rock Inn Mountain Tavern or grab a coffee at Coffee On The Mountain. Check out the Rocky Mountain Gateway Gift Shop for some unique souvenirs and gifts. For more restaurant and hotel recommendations check out below!

Why it’s a good option: Estes Park is the gateway town to Rocky Mountain National Park, offering a charming mountain vibe with easy access to outdoor activities, shops, and restaurants.
Recommended Hotels: The Stanley Hotel (historic hotel with scenic views), The Estes Park Resort (lakefront accommodations), Murphy’s River Lodge (riverside cabins).
Recommended Restaurants: The Grubsteak Restaurant (steakhouse with mountain views), Bird & Jim (New American cuisine with a focus on local ingredients), Smokin’ Dave’s BBQ & Brew (casual BBQ joint, several Colorado locations).
Proximity to the Park: Estes Park is located at the eastern entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park, making it the closest town to the park’s main attractions.

Grand Lake, Colorado

Grand Lake is a beautiful mountain town centered around (you guessed it) a lake! Grand Lake is Colorado’s largest natural lake and nicknamed “The Soul of the Rockies.” It is on the west side of the park with a beach, mini golf, speedway, and much more!

This town is located near the Kawuneeche Visitor Center in Kawuneeche Valley and Trail Ridge Road. Trail Ridge is a breathtaking 48 mile drive crossing over the Continental Divide hosting close to 12,000 feet in elevation. This highway to the sky is the highest paved road in America!

Due to the high elevation, a majority of the road is only open during the summer depending on weather. If you plan on visiting the park or any of the towns on this list during the fall, winter, or early spring, be prepared for winter weather conditions. Head over to this website to check on the Trail Ridge Road status before visiting.

Grand Lake has easy access to hiking trails within and around the park, including some dog friendly options if you have a pup with you.

If you’re looking for food, check out Rockies, the only outdoor beer garden in Grand Lake that boasts good food, live music and drinks. More recommendations below!

Why it’s a good option: Grand Lake is a picturesque mountain town located on the shores of Colorado’s largest natural lake, offering outdoor recreation, charming shops, and a laid-back atmosphere.
Recommended Hotels: The Grand Lake Lodge (rustic cabins with mountain views), Western Riviera Lakeside Lodging (lakefront accommodations), Daven Haven Lodge (cozy cabins in a wooded setting).
Recommended Restaurants: Sagebrush BBQ & Grill (casual BBQ joint), The Historic Rapids Lodge & Restaurant (fine dining with views of the river), Fat Cat Cafe (quaint cafe with homemade dishes).
Proximity to the Park: Grand Lake is situated at the western entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park, providing easy access to hiking trails, scenic drives, and wildlife viewing.

Allenspark, Colorado

Allenspark is a great town full of activities such as fishing, skiing, horseback riding and hiking making it an open year round option. It is famous for the “Chapel on the Rock” at Camp Saint Malo as well as gorgeous wildflower hikes. If you want to see some flourishing wildflowers, be sure to visit in the summer months, and check out the following trails: Wild Basin, St. Vrain Mountain, Meadow Mountain, Lily Lake, and Buchanan Pass.

Allenspark is parked between RMNP and Boulder so you’re in the perfect place to visit both areas if your’e interested. Not only is it close to the park, but it is located right on the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway, which is a great drive for experiencing Colorado’s beautiful mountaintops as well as fall foilage and ghost towns.

A drawback to this town is the lack of shops and restaurants, but its quality over quantity! Not to mention, Boulder is just a short drive boasting all sorts of eateries and stores you could want. All your necessities will be in Allenspark, like gas, groceries, car maintenance and liquor stores, but keep in mind cell service may be spotty or even nonexistent depending on your provider.

Why it’s a good option: Allenspark is a peaceful mountain town known for its beautiful scenery, proximity to outdoor activities, and tranquil atmosphere.
Recommended Hotels: Meadow Mountain Cafe & Lodging (cozy cabins with a cafe on-site), Allenspark Lodge B&B (Bed and Breakfast with a rustic cozy vibe)
Recommended Restaurants: The Rock Creek Tavern & Pizzeria (cozy tavern with wood-fired pizzas), Meadow Mountain Cafe (quaint cafe serving breakfast and lunch).
Proximity to the Park: Allenspark is located just south of Rocky Mountain National Park, offering a quieter alternative to the busier gateway towns while still providing easy access to the park’s attractions.

Lyons, Colorado

Unlike Allenspark, Lyons has much more development. It is a little further from RMNP but makes up for it in activities, restaurants, stores, lodging, markets and more. You will be closest to the park’s east side entrance here.

Some activities available at this location would be whitewater rafting, pinball, camping and hiking. There is always an event or festival going on in this mountain town so be sure to check their website and plan accordingly. There is also a bus named the Bustang that stops in several Colorado towns and ends in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Some local areas and businesses we’d recommend checking out in addition to what’s listed below are: the Colorado Cherry Company, a bakery that sells ciders, preserves, butters, bison meat pies, coffee and ice cream (all with a view!); Mojo Taqueria, for delicious mexican food made with fresh ingredients; and LaVern M Johnson Park, a large park great for kids, dogs, tubing, picnicing, swimming, hiking, you name it!

Why it’s a good option: Lyons is a charming town nestled at the base of the Rocky Mountains, known for its outdoor recreation, vibrant arts scene, and local breweries.
Recommended Hotels: Stone Mountain Lodge & Cabins (rustic lodge with mountain views), WeeCasa (unique tiny home accommodations), Festivarie Inn (quaint bed and breakfast).
Recommended Restaurants: The Lyons Den Restaurant & Taphouse (casual eatery with a diverse menu), St. Vrain Market & Deli (gourmet deli with locally sourced ingredients), Smokin’ Dave’s BBQ & Brew (casual BBQ joint, several Colorado locations).
Proximity to the Park: Lyons is located southeast of Rocky Mountain National Park, offering a scenic drive to the park’s eastern entrance and easy access to nearby hiking trails and outdoor activities.

Boulder, Colorado

Last but certainly not least: Boulder, Colorado.

Boulder may be the farthest from RMNP but it is nothing short of quality. It is one of my favorite towns in Colorado.

They have the Flatiron Mountains as well as numerous gorgeous hikes, scenic drives and lodging options. Because of its variety of recreational activities, it is the most populated area on this list. However, it is the closest town on this list to Denver International Airport, which makes it a great spot if you’re flying in.

Despite its population, there is an abundance of open space here, and in turn hundreds of miles of trails exist. You can kayak, go rafting, camp, bike, rock climb, paddleboard, or ski all within this town making it a great place for outdoor sports lovers.

You can also get a taste of the city in Boulder as opposed to the remoteness of the other locations.

For a motel experience that feels like camping, check out the Adventure Lodge, where I stayed a few years ago and loved it! It is nestled in the nook of a mountain with gorgeous atmosphere. There was live music when I stayed there on a Friday night (nothing going on too late) as well as beer on tap in the lobby. The rooms were also sparkling clean, with a modern rustic feel.

Why it’s a good option: Boulder is a vibrant city surrounded by natural beauty, offering outdoor adventures, cultural attractions, and a lively dining scene.
Recommended Hotels: St Julien Hotel & Spa (luxury hotel with mountain views), Hotel Boulderado (historic hotel in downtown Boulder), Basecamp Boulder (boutique hotel with a focus on outdoor adventure).
Recommended Restaurants: The Kitchen (farm-to-table cuisine with a focus on sustainability), Frasca Food and Wine (fine dining with a focus on Italian cuisine), Mountain Sun Pub & Brewery (casual brewpub with house-brewed beers).
Proximity to the Park: Boulder is located southeast of Rocky Mountain National Park, offering easy access to the park via scenic drives or organized tours, as well as a variety of outdoor activities within Boulder’s city limits.

Conclusion

While every town on this list has its own special charm, you really can’t go wrong choosing any one of them!

If you’re looking to explore the beauty of Rocky Mountain National Park and what Colorado has to offer, then be sure to stay at any one of these fabulous little towns. The colorful state is nothing short of beautiful places that make a great basecamp, so get ready to explore the great outdoors.

Don’t forget to leave no trace!