RE: Estes Park Campground, Colorado

[TG1956]

 
We just reserved a site at this privately owned campground for the week of August 11th. We ve been to Estes park, CO many times, but have never camped, so are unfamiliar with this campground.
 
 Has anyone been to the Estes Park Campground and how did you like it?
 
 Thanks!
 tg

[Trlrboy]

 TG1956
We were up in Estes Park last year for 10 days and though we stayed in a cabin we drove around all the campgrounds because when we go back we ll camp.  We thought Estes Park CG was a dump.  Very tight sites, lots of shade (not really an issue in the mountains) and nothing to recommend it.  We d recommend Mary s Lake campground on the other side of Estes for hookups.  It was more open but much better looking and fishing in Mary s Lake was good.  Your best alternative would be RMNP.  They don t have hookups but the campgrounds are amazingly beautiful, especially Morraine.

[kwatson51]

TG1956
We were up in Estes Park last year for 10 days and though we stayed in a cabin we drove around all the campgrounds because when we go back we ll camp.  We thought Estes Park CG was a dump.  Very tight sites, lots of shade (not really an issue in the mountains) and nothing to recommend it.  We d recommend Mary s Lake campground on the other side of Estes for hookups.  It was more open but much better looking and fishing in Mary s Lake was good.  Your best alternative would be RMNP.  They don t have hookups but the campgrounds are amazingly beautiful, especially Morraine.

Perhaps Trlrboy's drive-by was less than pleasant. But I also see they use a fifth-wheel. I can understand their point of view. EPC would be difficult for a fifth-wheel to navigate.

When we first approached the entrance, I silently wondered if I had made the right choice. But after we checked in at the very small office/store, then set up our campsite, I felt better.

EPC is not a dump after all. and does border RMNP with direct hiking access.
Unlike Mary's Lake, there are no fishing opportunities at EPC. But if you like woods and a pleasant place to camp, EPC is very worth considering.

[cobalt&3]

GOOD to know Keith, it is on our list

Perhaps Trlrboy's drive-by was less than pleasant. But I also see they use a fifth-wheel. I can understand their point of view. EPC would be difficult for a fifth-wheel to navigate.

When we first approached the entrance, I silently wondered if I had made the right choice. But after we checked in at the very small office/store, then set up our campsite, I felt better.

EPC is not a dump after all. and does border RMNP with direct hiking access.
Unlike Mary's Lake, there are no fishing opportunities at EPC. But if you like woods and a pleasant place to camp, EPC is very worth considering.

[cobalt&3]

WE loved Estes Park Campground, for the touristy place it is, it is just far enough away to seem like a whole different world, loved fishing in reservoir close by and went to Rocky Mtn. Nat. Park-incredible, highly reccomend the hike to Alberta Falls...
Poppy's was a great rest. in town and bonus was there was music on Friday night out by the river, out front of it, it really started out the trip perfect...

[kwatson51]

WE loved Estes Park Campground, for the touristy place it is, it is just far enough away to seem like a whole different world, loved fishing in reservoir close by and went to Rocky Mtn. Nat. Park-incredible, highly reccomend the hike to Alberta Falls...
Poppy's was a great rest. in town and bonus was there was music on Friday night out by the river, out front of it, it really started out the trip perfect...

Hey Cobalt,
Glad you liked EPC. We feel the same way. We were ther the weekend after labor day with our campin' buddies and daughter/son-in-law. They all loved it.  I forgot about the little reservoir nearby in my first post above. Did you catch any fish? My buddy caught 3 little ones -- the big one were jumpin' all around -- just enough to tease him. I saw the ad for Poppy's in a magazine we got, but didn't get over there this time. I'd like to go to EP and just eat out every meal and forgo the camp cookin'.

Maybe our paths will cross next year.
See ya.

[CampDirt]

We went to Estes Park KOA CG (don't know if it's the same place) and hated it for it's extreme small-site crampiness.  We were the only ones in a PU, and there was a very large class A bus with a side pull-out trying to park by us.  We had to take down our awning so they could get in!  No one was really socializing, not even at the ice cream social.  It seems everybody was just hanging out in their big buses while my roomate and I were the only ones outside playing our ukeleles (very badly since we're beginners).  There was one Skampie there with a single mother and her two young sons.  They seemed to be having fun!  Everyone else were in cabins and buses (and a handful of class C's).  Didn't get to know anybody  

I do have to say, the KOA crew were extremely pleasant and helpful.  It was our first time hooking up our PU and they were on hand to help us back in to our site, hook it up, and even helped us take it down in a pouring rain.  They were polite, knowledgable, and a lot of fun!  It is very close to Rocky Mountain NP making it very handy for day trips into the park.  Next time, though, we'll stay in the park, even without hookups.

[cobalt&3]

http://www.estesparkcampground.com/
this is the place referred to, it's pretty nice, cramped, but everyone is there to camp, no rv's...we luckily had a great spot, not too cramped, but it did not have a lot of shade and was one of the hottest days up there, it would of been perfect if cool out...
youshould try it there, really nice and you can hike and fish just walking out of camp ground...
happy camping....

[cobalt&3]

Hey Keith,
  Sorry must of overlooked this post....but no we did not catch any fish up there and they were also jumping all around, it was real hot, good excuse-huh....fisherman stories gotta love'em-lol...
Our frineds went to Poppy's also and just loved it, they ate there 2 times while they were up there, it's a great place
They also found Schmidts bakery and said yummy
We too love to eat out and do so camping also, either way in or out or lunchs....we just love to eat out and I am a foodie, always looking for yummy spots!!
Another great spot in Manitou Springs is Adam's Mt. Cafe-yummmy...
it is healthy, but oh so yummy!!!

Hey Cobalt,
Glad you liked EPC. We feel the same way. We were ther the weekend after labor day with our campin' buddies and daughter/son-in-law. They all loved it.  I forgot about the little reservoir nearby in my first post above. Did you catch any fish? My buddy caught 3 little ones -- the big one were jumpin' all around -- just enough to tease him. I saw the ad for Poppy's in a magazine we got, but didn't get over there this time. I'd like to go to EP and just eat out every meal and forgo the camp cookin'.

Maybe our paths will cross next year.
See ya.

[CampDirt]

Thanks cobalt&3.  This campground looks 100% better than the KOA (and a bit cheaper).  We'll definitely try it out next summer.