The Best Hotels Near Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

Just 3mi (5km) from Rocky Mountain National Park, this rustic cabin retreat on the north side of Prospect Mountain features breathtaking scenery of vivid green forests and snowy mountain peaks that stretch in every direction. An adventurer’s lodge at heart, with studios and one- and two-bedroom suites, it has traditional wood furnishings, along with an outdoor pool and a hot tub for easing trail-tested limbs at the end of the day.

Built on land that was initially part of the national park, the Inn on Fall River sits halfway between the gateway town of Estes Park and the park’s Fall River entrance, surrounded by glorious nature. As the name suggests, it’s on the banks of the glittering river, and 300-year-old spruce and pine trees dot the property. Luxury stream suites have river views, king beds, triple-sided gas fireplaces, jetted tubs and decks. Peaceful cabins, including one that can sleep seven, and double-queen suites are options for larger groups.

A few minutes from downtown Estes Park, this hip hotel makes an excellent base for exploring the national park. Wooden platform beds and antler-printed pillows give guest rooms a rustic feel. This luxury hotel in Estes Park also has an indoor swimming pool with a giant projector screen showing family-friendly movies, a hot tub and outdoor firepits where you can roast marshmallows for gooey s’mores each night. The hotel’s bike rentals make it easy to ride into town, but the game room and Latitude 105 Alehouse, which serves juicy burgers and nachos, means there’s plenty of entertainment on-site.

Owned by three friends with a shared passion for the outdoors, the 4 Seasons Inn offers personalized hospitality at an affordable price. The homey, rustic guest rooms have stone fireplaces and private hot tubs, and the owners are always on hand with local tips for when you want to get out and explore. Situated beneath tall trees on the banks of the Fall River, it’s not uncommon to see elk grazing. This Estes Park luxury hotel is within walking distance of downtown Estes Park and only a five-minute drive to the national park’s Fall River entrance.

At the longest-running hotel and restaurant in Grand Lake, you’ll find rooms furnished with antiques, creaking floorboards and views of the Tonahutu River. Built in 1915, the property originally housed a gambling den and brothel. Today, the riverside restaurant serves refined dishes such as a pork chop with a smoked-peach sauce and scallops in a yuzu beurre blanc (butter-based sauce). The river’s blue water, which filters through a glacial Rocky Mountain deposit and flows into Grand Lake, is some of the world’s purest.

Set on 29 acres (12ha), sprinkled with pine trees and rustling aspen trees that take on golden hues in fall, the 21 cabins and suites at Streamside on Fall River feel like a secluded village. You’ll have direct access to the great outdoors, where you can fish for rainbow trout in the river and spot elk, mule deer and other wildlife in the immediate surroundings. Most cabins and suites have gas fireplaces, fully equipped kitchens and private decks, while the property has an outdoor hot tub perfect for soaking after a day spent summiting Old Man Mountain or exploring the shops and galleries in downtown Estes Park, 1mi (2km) east.

At the Landing at Estes Park, a Riverside Retreat, the focus is on the natural surroundings. There are no tight hallways with numerous doorways, but rather king suites that open to the great outdoors. Many rooms at this luxury Estes Park hotel have private balconies, and the landscaped grounds provide plenty of space to wander and breathe in the brisk mountain air. Interiors are also inspired by nature, with stone fireplaces, handmade hickory furniture and early American artwork. Stay in winter to see the hotel atmospherically dusted with snow.

In addition to enjoying the rustic luxury vibe that seems fitting in the Rockies, you can also dine at the neighboring Bird & Jim, one of the best farm-to-table restaurants in Estes Park. Chef Ethan Brown uses locally sourced meat and produce in made-from-scratch dishes, such as roasted chicken; the restaurant also has a bar stocked with local brews and offerings from small wineries. At the Alpine Trail Ridge Inn itself, guest rooms have stunning mountain views through floor-to-ceiling windows, and there’s also a hot tub and a swimming pool on the grounds.

The Estes Park Resort is the only waterfront lodging on Lake Estes; the nearby marina is a hub of activity, especially in the summer months when you can rent canoes, kayaks or larger fishing boats. The 54 guest rooms and suites have pillow-top mattresses and lake or garden views. The on-site restaurant, Dunraven, serves crowd-pleasing Italian fare with a hearty mountain twist, such as cioppino (fish stew) and elk bolognese.

Boulder Brook on Fall River calls itself “the best place to stay and play” near Rocky Mountain National Park – and we couldn’t agree more. In summer, you can fish, hike, horseback ride and golf, while in winter, you can sled at Hidden Valley, watch wildlife and cozy up by the fireplace. The riverfront condo-style suites – studios and one- or two-bedroom options – have private decks, full or partial kitchens and all-important board games and puzzles.