Well we thought we had seen most everything but on the way to Estes Park we stopped at the Wyoming rest stop just before entering Colorado. While there, we saw a trucker pull in and set up a long ramp from his passenger door. Next he guided his two pet hogs down the ramp and out to the grass where most people take their dogs. It was quite a sight and it might be a while before we can say – well now we’ve seen everything again!

Estes Park is, as you would expect, dedicated to tourists and the main streets are lined with shops and restaurants. We had to go through town pulling our trailer and then we came down a couple of times while in the area but due to the layout of the town and to road construction downtown, the roads and parking were tight even for just our truck. We did spend some time one day walking up and down the main street, shopping, and having an early dinner on a nice September day.

Rocky Mountain National Park

Located in northern Colorado, Rocky Mountain National Park, is a breathtaking destination renowned for its stunning mountain landscapes, diverse ecosystems, and abundant wildlife. Established as a National Park in 1915, the park spans over 415 square miles and encompasses a wide range of elevations, from lush valleys to towering mountain peaks.

The park is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, offering over 300 miles of hiking trails, opportunities for rock climbing, and scenic drives showcasing panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains. Trail Ridge Road, one of the highest continuous paved roads in the United States, takes visitors through the heart of the park, reaching elevations of over 12,000 feet and providing awe-inspiring vistas.

Wildlife is abundant in Rocky Mountain National Park, with the chance to spot elk, mule deer, bighorn sheep, moose, and various bird species. The park is also home to a diverse array of plant life, from alpine tundra to dense forests.

Notable landmarks within the park include Longs Peak, the highest peak in the park at 14,259 feet, and the iconic Bear Lake, surrounded by picturesque scenery.

The Holzwarth lodge is situated along the Colorado River inside the Rocky Mountain National Park and was originally built in the early 20th century as a fishing camp. Today, it serves as a guest ranch, offering visitors a unique and rustic experience in the beautiful surroundings of the park.

Park Review – Elk Meadow Lodge and RV Resort

Rating: ⭐⭐
Location:  Estes Park, CO
Type: Commercial Park
Check-in/Check-out times: 1:00/11:00
Site Quality / Amenities: Roads and sites were gravel/dirt and most of the sites were not level. Our front levelers were just about as high as they could go and the picture doesn’t do justice to how high the front actually is. I could walk under the front almost standing upright. To be fair though, Estes Park is in the mountains so level ground is hard to come by. The roads were heavily rutted by rainwater runoff in places. Each site had a picnic table but no fire ring although some of the tent sites had them.
Access: From I-25 you can take either US-34 or CO-66 to US-36 to get to Estes Park. The latter is probably a slightly easier drive but both work. Going through Estes Park can be challenging due to narrow roads and sharp turns and if there is construction going on, as there was when we were there, then it can be even more challenging to navigate. Fish Creek Rd. to CO-7 north then Mary’s Lake Rd. is a good way to bypass town of you need to get back to US-36 on the west side of town.
Staff: They had updated their software between the time we booked and when we arrived and they had lost some information. They thought we were in a Class A so they reserved a site suitable for one of them instead of a fifth wheel and had to work to find an alternative. C-16 was also a class A site but we were able to get leveled on it, barely.
Cellular/WiFi: We didn’t use WiFi if they had it but Verizon service was decent even though they had warned that it did not work there.
Restaurants: Smokin’ Daves BBQ had good Texas BBQ. The Wild Rose in town was good but a bit pricey. In Grand Lake at the other side of Rocky Mountain National Park we ate at The Waterfront, it was quite pricey and the food was just OK.
Nearby parks: Estes Park Campground at Mary’s Lake looked interesting but we didn’t drive through it. They can support rigs up to 43′.
What we liked: This park is very close to the entrance to the Rocky Mountain National Park.
What we didn’t like: The sites were very out of level. Our RV was very close to the road at a turn where rigs would track within a foot or two of the back end of our rig. Only community fire rings unless you make friends with a tent camper. There were lots of ground hogs in the park and in the past we had problems with them eating through our electrical cords. Fortunately they did not do that here.
Verdict: I wouldn’t be opposed to staying here again but I’d look hard at Mary’s Lake and the KOA as they both had higher reviews.