The Best Cheap Hotels in Estes Park, Colorado

Wander in the company of elk in Estes Park, gateway to the Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Wander in the company of elk in Estes Park, gateway to the Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado | © Ron Niebrugge / Alamy Stock Photo
Siobhan Grogan

Estes Park, 70 miles from Denver, is an adventure-lover’s playground. Surrounded by the majestic Rocky Mountains and Roosevelt National Forest, the town is the gateway to jaw-dropping nature, white-water rafting, snowshoeing and rock climbing. And there’s no need to spend a fortune if you stay in one of these budget-friendly Estes Park hotels – bookable with Culture Trip.

1. The Historic Crags Lodge by Diamond Resorts

Budget Hotel

A pool area surrounded by wooden fence and fringed by trees at The Historic Crags Lodge by Diamond Resorts
Courtesy of The Historic Crags Lodge by Diamond Resorts / Expedia

Get back to nature at this cosy lodge set deep within a tranquil forest on the north side of Prospect Mountain. Rustic decor and traditional wood furnishings will make you feel like you’ve escaped the daily rat race and an outdoor pool, hot tub and restaurant means you don’t have to leave home comforts behind. Rooms at this Estes Park hotel are studio, one or two-bedroom apartments with kitchenettes which include microwaves and coffee makers for whipping up meals after long days out in the fresh air.

2. Coyote Mountain Lodge

Lodge

A wood cabin is backdropped by fields and trees that lead to the mountains beyond at Coyote Mountain Lodge
Courtesy of Coyote Mountain Lodge / Expedia

Leading the way in sustainability, this newly-renovated Estes Park hotel has been fitted with 170 solar panels, so you can check in with a clean conscience. Each motel-style room has its own entrance. They comprise standard rooms, three-bed family suites and two-bed condos with living room, dining room and spacious mountain-facing deck. There’s an outdoor pool, hot tub, fire pit and barbecue area, business centre and lobby stocked with books and games to borrow.

3. Murphy's River Lodge

Lodge

A river runs alongside a grassy bank and the balconies and guest suites at Murphys River Lodge.
Courtesy of Murphy's River Lodge / Expedia

This is a great choice if you want to make the most of the area’s outdoor activities but still be in easy reach of downtown Estes. This cheap Estes Park hotel is just two blocks from the town’s shops, galleries and restaurants, so you can easily pop out for food if you don’t want to rustle up snacks using the room’s cooking facilities. There’s an indoor heated pool, complimentary popcorn at reception, picnic tables, pet care area and 20 rooms with private river-view decks.

5. Alpine Trail Ridge Inn

Inn

Mountains are in the background behind the classic motel exterior of the Alpine Trail Ridge Inn.
Courtesy of Alpine Trail Ridge Inn / Expedia

This rustic Estes Park hotel, on US Highway 36 West, is only minutes from the entrance to the Rocky Mountain National Park. When you’re not out on hiking trails, relax on your private mountain-view balcony, splash around in the outdoor hot tub and pool or head next door to Birds & Jim restaurant, which is renowned for farm-to-table comfort food, locally-brewed beer and desserts to die for.

6. Quality Inn Near Rocky Mountain National Park

Inn

The pool area and exterior of the Quality Inn near Rocky Mountain National Park with snow-capped mountains in the far background.
Courtesy of Quality Inn near Rocky Mountain National Park / Expedia

Can’t decide between the cocktail bars and boutiques of downtown Estes Park and the thrilling outdoor activities of the Rocky Mountains? This centrally-located hotel, near Lakefront Street and the Aerial Tram, means you don’t have to choose. Home comforts are taken care of, too, with a complimentary hot breakfast, 24-hour tea and coffee service, hot tub, laundry facilities and business centre for those who can’t leave work behind.

7. Blue Door Inn

Hotel, Inn, Independent Hotel

Snowcapped mountains can be seen in the distance from the fenced pool area at the Blue Door Inn
Courtesy of Blue Door Inn / Expedia

A surprising array of luxuries makes this motel on Big Thompson Avenue a favourite with budget-conscious visitors. Every room has two charging stations with USB ports and colourful LED shower heads and there’s a Keurig coffee machine with Starbucks brewing in the lobby, Netflix and Disney+ on every TV and free marshmallows for the nightly campfire. Shuffleboard, basketball and a heated swimming pool filled with Rocky Mountain water from the hotel’s own well complete the line-up.

Looking for more than just cheap hotels in Estes Park? Check out our guides to the best hotels in the area and the best hotels near Rocky Mountain National Park – bookable on Culture Trip.

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