Bigdog
silverdale wa.
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We're planning on going to Rocky Mtn NP in our 40' MH for a few days in May and after reading the reviews on RV Park Reviews it looks as if there isn't a really decent rv park within spitting distance.There were a couple reviews by someone that were removed also???? It would seem as if the best one is the one just outside of Loveland???
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Son of Norway
Denver, Colorado
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Spruce Lake in Estes Park is a decent park, in my opinion. You could also try staying over on the Grand Lake side of the park. We have stayed at Elk Creek campground and it is also a decent campground. I'm not sure what your standards are, but I would stay at either of those two RV parks again. I hope you have a great trip and find the camping that you like.
Miles
p.s. We usually stay at Moraine Park in RMNP. Hands down it is one of the most beautiful campgrounds in the area, but as you may know there are no HU's. I also thought that your rig was too large, but I looked at some of the sites on Recreation.gov and found that some do say 40'. Might be worth checking on. Happy Travels.
* This post was
edited 01/28/12 12:02am by Son of Norway *
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RvingMike
Fond du Lac, Wi. USA
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X2 on Spruce Lake. We have stayed there several times and always enjoy the resort and it's location.
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Two Hands
California's Central Coast
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We stayed at Spruce Lake RV Park in Estes Park, Colorado, and were very pleased with it. Nice little fishing pond, pancake breakfast, entertainment, short walk to a pretty good restaurant. It just needed a few more trees and a lot more grass. It was very close to the entrance the Rocky Mountain National Park. Estes Park is a great little town.
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Ivylog
Blairsville, Ga. USA
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40 years ago Estes Park was a tourist trap and it's only gotten worse. Grand Lake is my choice of where to stay to do RMNP as it's laid back without any traffic jams. I've left there in the morning had lunch in Estes Park (to remind me why I do not stay there) and back in time for supper in Grand Lake. It's less than fifty miles but in the afternoon it can take three hours unlike the 90 minutes it takes to get there.
This post is my opinion (free advice). It is not intended to influence anyone's judgment nor do I advocate anyone do what I propose.
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Lauren
Sahuarita, AZ (or on the road!)
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You should be aware that 90% of RMNP sights and activities are on the Estes Park side. The drive between Grand Lake and Estes Park is 45 miles up and over Trail Ridge Road - even the road scenery is concentrated for beauty on the east (Estes Park) side. Having lived there and having gone back I would say Spruce Lake - although tight - is the best place in town. Elk Meadow used to be but has gone into the dump in the last few years. We will be in the area again this summer and we are staying at Riverview in Loveland.
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Lauren
Sahuarita, AZ (or on the road!)
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"Ever" is kinda like saying never and always. One must be careful. I can remember Trail Ridge opening at least twice before Memorial Day when we lived there; once was a May 15th as I recall. And Memorial Day can vary a lot depending on the calendar. But, I would say that "nearly always" it is does not open before Memorial Day (which is kinda what they shoot for) and sometimes later.
We had to cancel a golf outing in July one time going over to Grand Lake as Trail Ridge was closed for a couple of days.
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Jarand
Colorado
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Keep in mind there will probably still be snow in May. I would NOT recommend the Grand Lake side as you'll have to drive over Trail Ridge, which might not even be open. Even if it is open, you'll have a long drive.
Loveland is about 45 minutes out of Estes and RMNP. If you don't mind driving up the canyon with your rig, you'd probably enjoy being in Estes a lot more. It's a charming, albeit touristy, town. And of course from Estes, you can easily go into RMNP for a few hours at a time.
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Bigdog
silverdale wa.
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Actually I have driven over the top in my Trans-am a number years ago in mid May and it was an awesome trip.I got stopped at the top because of a hailstorm that dumped over two inches on the road and they had to plow it out.I stopped at the bottom,west side,and hiked across the valley there to the Never Summer Ranch.Got back to the parkingt lot and was using the sani-can there,the bathrooms were still closed, when I got the B'jezzus scared out of me.The whole thing started moving and bouncing and there was this funny whooshing and snorting noise.I started to yell and it stopped.I waited several minutes before opening the door and when I did there were a couple of cars with people and they were falling down laughing..It seems as if there was a bull moose that had come into the parking lot and was banging his antlers against the sani-can for some reason and my yelling finally scared him off.
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Mountain Traveler
Rocky Mountain National Park
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Trail Ridge does not open till Memorial Day weekend...ever. And in case of a lot of snow, like last year, it didn't open till the second week of June. Staying on the Grand Lake side that early in the year isn't going to let you see much.
Also this year there is a huge construction project starting on the Bear Lake Road in Rocky that will last the next 2 years. Glacier campground in Rocky is closed for the next 2 years. That means 100 sites gone from what is available in the Estes Park area. Already Elk Meadows and Spruce Lake reservations are way up from last year. Plan accordingly.
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