Exploring the Rockies on a Long Weekend – the suite life of travel

My friend Melissa invited me on her family vacation to the Rocky Mountains for a long weekend of camping. There were six of us making the trip, so we all met up in Denver, then picked up our luggage and rental car. It was late afternoon by the time we hit the road and we were all excited about our drive towards the mountains.

This was not going to be a luxury weekend of hotels and fine dining, but we were equally stoked to be camping out in the wide open space. Mel’s father loved his annual trips, coming to the mountains to hunt elk with bow and arrow. He and his wife, Penny had been camping here for several years and stayed in the same area where we would have plenty of space.

We made a pact that we would stop at every bar that we saw on our way….luckily there was just one. We enjoyed a couple of drinks and left long before they started dancing. We had places to see and wanted to reach the campsite before dark.

I had never been to Colorado so I knew this long weekend would take me back to childhood camping trips. I was so excited for the opportunity to go hiking, four-wheeling and exploring. The site where we would be staying was just past the Rocky Mountain National Park, which meant that we would be driving through it. I was looking forward to seeing elk for the first time.

I was in love with the gorgeous scenery where mountains rose up on both sides of our drive. We found several pull-outs where we could take photos and enjoy the scenic views. Having rented an SUV, our four-wheel drive vehicle hugged the road that seemed to barely hang off the cliff. Stretching over 3000 miles, the Rockies reach as far north as Canada, but I was most impressed that the tallest of its peaks were here in Colorado.

Traveling a long stretch of winding roads, it was a relief for my stomach that we had finally reached the national park. So happy for the fewer switchbacks and thankful that the road leveled out. In the distance, we began to see elk roaming among the pines, firs and maple trees, but we just weren’t close enough to see them well.

As we continued deeper into the park, I began to notice that the elk were more friendly and unafraid of us. We took a few moments to hop out of the car for a few photos and that was when I realized just how big they really are.

I couldn’t believe we were so close to them….they are absolutely gorgeous.

As we continued our drive, it was obvious that we were once again driving dangerously close to the edge of the road.

Continuing our climb, our visibility had decreased. There were several times when we were surrounded by lofty clouds. The temperature had dropped, so we grabbed our coats to keep warm. We began to see poles coming up from the ground and realized that they were placed there to measure the snowfall.

It was early evening when we reached the campsite. The Smallwoods had already set up camp, so we dropped off our belongings at the heated tent. Penny and Dean were waiting for us and we visited with them before making dinner. Dean, Melissa’s dad, hunts for elk and keeps the meat to feed themselves and their neighbors making amazing jerky and summer sausage.

With Fred, their yellow lab by our side, we rested by the fire to acclimate to the altitude. Some of the symptoms for altitude sickness include dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, fatigue and loss of energy, shortness of breath and problems sleeping. So far, we seemed to be doing well and enjoyed our time for drinks and s’mores by the warming flames.

In addition to bow stands, we had a makeshift bathroom with a camouflage curtain.

After taking a tour of the property and eating a light dinner, we prepared for bed so we could wake up early and explore the area. We had plans for hiking the next day and taking out the ATVs.

We all slept well and were able to sleep in. After a country breakfast of bacon, eggs and hash browns over an open fire, we piled in the rented Volvo and drove towards our first stop, Lost Lake.

Our Lost Lake hike was just outside the small village of Grand Lake. Within minutes, the trail opened up to this amazing body of water where the trees reflected in the water. The sun was shining and we soon found a place on the rocks to soak in its warmth. We stayed for about an hour before heading back to the parking lot.

We were crazy enough to hike up the side of one of the tall hills so we could see the area from a completely different view.

Having a little time before heading back to the park, we needed to stop by the store in Grand Lake. We picked up some supplies and watched the sunset.

On our last day of our long weekend, we were excited to see Estes Park. Another rest haven within the mountains, we had a beautiful day to walk the small village before returning to the camp to ride ATVs for the last time.

We packed a lot of activities within such a short period of time but was thrilled to see the beauty of the Rockies. With one more night for a restful sleep, we were happy to have survived the wild.

Have you been to Rocky Mountain National Park? What animals did you see and which areas did you explore? Many thanks for reading about my long weekend in the Rockies and wishing you many Happy Travels!

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What to See and What to Do:

Rocky Mountain National Park
Mailing Address:
1000 US Hwy 36
Estes Park, CO 80517
Telephone: 970 586 1208

Admission Fee: 1 day pass for an automobile: $25; 1 day pass for a person: $15; 1 day pass for a motorcycle: $25; 7 day pass for an automobile $35; 7 day pass for a person: $20; 7 day pass for a motorcycle: $30; Rocky Mountain National Park Annual Pass: $70 (valid for one year); America the Beautiful – The National Parks and Federal Recreational Land Passes (entrance fees for national parks and wildlife refuges): $80; Check their website for tour rates, additional discounts and free days.
Hours: Open daily 24 hours a day weather permitting; the park’s visitor centers are opened based on season.
Amenities: Lodging, camping and restaurants, gas stations, medical facilities, cell phone and wifi service, giftshops and grocery stores, rock climbing, horseback riding, fishing, backpacking, hiking, bike tours
Guided Tours: There are third party vendors that provide guided hiking and backpacking, guided bicycle tours and fishing guides.
Length of the Tour: 1 to 5 days
Tips for your Visit from the Park: Annual and lifetime passes take 2 – 4 weeks to process, so if you are traveling before this time, you will want to purchase your ticket once you arrive at the park. Summer and fall are the busiest seasons in the park. Parking lots can be full and roads congested. Arriving early or coming into the park in the late afternoon can help. During the summer and fall free park shuttle buses operate to help you get around the Bear Lake Road. If you are planning to camp overnight in the park, you must be in one of the designated campgrounds or a backcountry campsite. Camping reservations are strongly recommended during the summer and fall. Be sure to check the status of park roads, as some roads close seasonally. Keep in mind that during the fall, winter, and spring, conditions can change quickly in the mountains. Check the weather forecast when planning your visit. Park visitor center hours also vary with the season.

Where to Stay:

Rocky Mountain National Park
Mailing Address:
1000 US Hwy 36
Estes Park, CO 80517
Telephone: 970 586 1208

Where to Eat:

Trail Ridge Store and Cafe is the only location within the park that serves food. Check out the restaurants in nearby Estes Park or Grand Lake.

What to Eat:

Elk-Jalapeno Dog for gamey gourmet dogs
Lamb: Try the Lamb Fondue which is a lamb chop served with a peppery cheese
Rocky Mountain Oysters: bull testicles
Sugar Steak at Bastien’s Restaurant

What to Read:

Death, Despair and Second Chances in Rocky Mountain National Park, by Joseph R. Evans
Outdoor Family Guide: Rocky Mountain National Park, by Lisa Gollin Evans

Photo Guide to the Rocky Mountains and the Surrounding Area: