Where to Stay Near Rocky Mountain National Park

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Are you wondering where to stay near Rocky Mountain National Park? You’re in the right place!

If you’re visiting Rocky Mountain National Park, unless you plan on backcountry camping, you’ll probably end up staying in the nearby town of Estes Park. Besides being the gateway to RMNP, Estes Park is also a tourist attraction in its own right, with shopping, dining, art classes, outdoor activities, and even the occasional séance.

I love that many hotels in Estes Park offer full kitchens, making it easy to save money on food. Some also add touches like in-room fireplaces and private hot tubs, perfect for a cozy winter getaway.

Most hotels embrace the Colorado mountain style in their décor. Some call this a selling point, others call it kitschy—whichever side of the fence you’re on, it’s part of an authentic Estes Park visit!

Here are some of our top picks for where to stay near Rocky Mountain National Park so you can make the most of your trip.

The Inn on Fall River

This aptly named option is on Fall River Road, a 5-minute drive to RMNP’s Fall River entrance. It offers a surprising combination of practical and luxurious amenities, with full kitchens and kitschy-cute mountain décor in the same room as indoor fireplaces, spa tubs, and private balconies overlooking the river.

Rooms start at $260 per night in the high season (summer); suites and cabins start at $420 if you have a larger group.

Check out current rates and availability for The Inn on Fall River here!

Streamside on Fall River

These cabins and suites are situated on Fall River Road, making them another great place to stay when visiting RMNP. You can take a stroll through the beautiful grounds, go fishing in the river right outside your door, and maybe even spot some deer or elk.

Each room has its own kitchen, fireplace, and spa tub. Shared amenities include a hot tub, horseshoe pit, and complimentary books and board games.

For all this, Streamside is surprisingly affordable, with rates starting from $150 per night in the low season (winter) to $240 in summer. They also offer a 10% discount on stays over 7 nights.

Check out current rates and availability for Streamside on Fall River here!

Stonebrook Resort

This gem is similar to the other options on Fall River Road, except it’s adults-only, making it a perfect spot for couples or a private retreat. With rooms starting at $160 in winter and $240 in summer, it’s very affordable for what you get: a full kitchen, gas fireplace, and personal jacuzzi or hot tub (even in the smallest rooms). They also run a great winter sale: stay two nights, get the third free.

Check out current rates and availability for Stonebrook Resort here!

Estes Lake Lodge

This lodge is on the eastern side of Estes Park, overlooking Lake Estes. It’s a 5-minute drive from downtown Estes Park and 12 minutes to RMNP. It doesn’t have the most amenities on our list, but it has some of the best outdoor scenery.

All rooms have views of Lake Estes or the Rocky Mountains, gorgeous in any season. This is a cheap place to stay near RMNP, ranging from around $100 per night in the low season to $200 in the high season.

Check out current rates and availability for Estes Lake Lodge here!

The Ridgeline Hotel

Another great option by Lake Estes, the Ridgeline has everything you need for a fun, active trip to RMNP: indoor pool, game lounge, fitness room, bike rentals, and an onsite restaurant and bar. It’s about a 10-minute drive to RMNP, and a 15-minute walk to downtown Estes Park.

Rates range from $130 in winter to $340 in summer. Unlike most hotels near RMNP, the Ridgeline is part of the Choice Hotels collection—meaning you travel hackers out there can book it using your points. On cash rates, it also offers a 10% discount for seniors, AAA members, government employees, and military personnel.

Check out current rates and availability for The Ridgeline Hotel here!

Murphy’s River Lodge

Perhaps the best location on our list, Murphy’s is ideally situated just a 7-minute drive to RMNP’s Fall River entrance and a 5-minute walk to the restaurants, shopping, and art galleries of downtown Estes Park.

It’s a great place to stay for families, with amenities like an indoor pool, coin-operated laundry, and a huge selection of DVDs and board games to borrow during your stay. It also offers free continental breakfast.

Despite its excellent location, Murphy’s is one of the cheaper places to stay when visiting RMNP. Basic rooms will set you back $110 per night in the low season and $210 in the summer.

For an upgrade, you can get a room with a river view, full kitchen, balcony, or soaking tub. Some rooms are also pet-friendly. Plan ahead, because this is one of the top picks for where to stay near Rocky Mountain National Park, so they book out far in advance for summer dates, and most weekends year-round.

Check out current rates and availability for Murphy’s River Lodge here!

Brynwood on the River

These cabins are a little way out of Estes Park, but still conveniently located just a few minutes’ drive from RMNP’s Beaver Meadows entrance.

Rates range from $130 in the low season to $315 in the high season. Even the cheapest room has a full kitchen, two full beds, and views of the Rocky Mountains. Some of the swankier cabins have private fireplaces and hot tubs, but there’s also a shared pool and hot tub for the rest of the guests.

Check out current rates and availability for Brynwood on the River here!

River Spruce Cabins

This is another great place to stay near RMNP’s Beaver Meadows entrance. They have a variety of cabins that sleep anywhere from 2 to 6 people. All have full kitchens, and several have their own hot tub and fireplace.

Unfortunately, River Spruce doesn’t pop up on most booking sites, and the reservation tool on their website is a bit of a pain. You may find it easier calling them directly to book.

Check out current rates and availability for River Spruce Cabins here!

Silver Moon Inn

This pet-friendly hotel is conveniently located just 8 minutes away from both the Fall River and Beaver Meadows entrances to RMNP. It offers free breakfast and a riverfront location.

Rooms also have a work station, in the rare event that you’ve come to Estes Park to work away from home. Some of the larger rooms have full kitchens, balconies, or fireplaces, and shared amenities include a hot tub and laundry facilities. Rates start at $140 a night in winter and $350 in summer.

Check out current rates and availability for Silver Moon Inn here!

The Appenzell Inn

Nestled in the northeast corner of Estes Park, Appenzell is slightly farther from RMNP than most on our list, but still just a 10-minute drive away. This hotel has free breakfast and a pool, without many of the other amenities frequently seen in Estes Park.

However, for a place that describes itself as “no-frills,” the rooms are surprisingly sleek, with vintage travel posters adding a touch of Colorado without the kitsch factor. Basic rooms start at $140 per night in the low season and $300 in the high season.

Check out current rates and availability for The Appenzell Inn here!

Stanley Hotel

The inspiration for the book and movie The Shining, the Stanley Hotel is a must-see for ghost hunters and Stephen King fans. Unfortunately, its fame comes with a hefty price tag.

The Stanley offers a variety of rooms and suites distributed among several buildings, all of which will set you back at least $320 per night, even in the low season. This is also more of a traditional hotel, without amenities like in-room kitchens, fireplaces, and spa tubs.

But what the Stanley lacks in affordability, it makes up for with history and charm. It has lovely grounds, including a waterfall and hedge maze, a restaurant and bar onsite, plus magic shows and seances at the Underground. It also offers a variety of events throughout the year, like concerts, whiskey tastings, and a New Year’s ball.

Pro tip: If you’re on a budget or looking for a shorter drive to RMNP, stay somewhere else and set aside an afternoon or evening to visit the Stanley. They’ll charge you a few dollars to park, but you can tour the grounds and learn about the hotel’s history for free.

Check out current rates and availability for Stanley Hotel here!

Hotel Estes

This affordable, family-friendly hotel is located on the eastern side of Estes Park, about a 10-minute drive from RMNP. High season prices start at around $300 for standard rooms, $400 for suites (which include full kitchens).

Shared amenities like a pool, hot tub, playground, spacious dining room, and coin-operated laundry make this one of the best places to stay near RMNP for families. Plus, some rooms are pet-friendly.

Check out current rates and availability for Hotel Estes here!

The Landing at Estes Park

This lodge is gorgeous both inside and out. The décor is mountain-chic, without the kitsch factor you see in many mountain lodges. The grounds offer Adirondack chairs, picnic tables, and a shared firepit overlooking the river.

The Landing is conveniently nestled between downtown Estes Park and RMNP’s Beaver Meadows entrance, within a 5-minute drive to each.

The rooms themselves are luxurious, often with fireplaces, balconies, or patios—one even has a private sauna. As a result, this isn’t the cheapest place to stay near RMNP. Cabins will set you back at least $330 a night in the low season. Summer rates will be much higher, and you’ll need to plan ahead—the Landing is already fully booked for summer of 2023.

Check out current rates and availability for The Landing at Estes Park here!

Whether you’re dreaming of a hiking adventure, relaxing mountain retreat, or budget-friendly family vacation, Estes Park offers many excellent places to stay near RMNP.

Because the town is so small, even the farthest hotels are still only a 10- or 15-minute drive from the park. Some hotels are closer to other attractions, like downtown Estes Park, or offer their own fun amenities and events. But they tend to book up fast, so start planning where to stay near Rocky Mountain National Park now!