Winter
Estes Park in winter.
The town the locals keep for themselves. No timed-entry permits, no crowds, frozen alpine lakes, and a wood stove waiting back at the lodge. Winter is the quiet season, and it might be the best one.
The Off-Season
The quiet season.
When the aspens drop and the tour buses leave, Estes Park exhales. The trailheads empty out, the town slows to its locals' pace, and Rocky Mountain National Park drops its timed-entry permits entirely. You can decide at breakfast where to go, and just go.
- No timed-entry permits from about mid-October through spring
- Smallest crowds and lowest rates of the year
- Trail Ridge Road closes for the season; the low country stays open
- Shorter days, so plan the outings around the light
The Snow
It doesn't close, it just changes gear.
Winter does not shut the park, it changes the gear. Snowshoe or winter-hike the Bear Lake corridor to frozen lakes, sled the hill at Hidden Valley, or watch the elk winter in the meadows. Everything is quieter, whiter, and about as close to having the Rockies to yourself as it gets.
- Snowshoe or winter-hike the Bear Lake corridor to frozen alpine lakes
- Hidden Valley: the sledding and snow-play hill, a kid favorite
- Elk and bighorn sheep winter in the lower meadows
- Frost Giant Winter Festival in town in January
The Basecamp
Come home to the fire.
The winter version of the lodge might be the best one. A wood-burning fireplace and a wood stove, a loft library, and views of fresh snow on the peaks, all yours on a private ridge. The road up is plowed and the drive is manageable, and we send current conditions before you arrive so there are no surprises.
- Wood-burning fireplace and wood stove for the cold nights
- Vaulted great room and loft library to settle into
- Private plowed road; we send conditions before arrival
- Sleeps 8 across 3 bedrooms, room for the whole group
Coming for the holidays? See Christmas on the Rocks. Planning the trip? See the best time to visit and things to do near the lodge.
Book
Have the Rockies almost to yourself.
Winter is the quiet season and the best rates of the year. Check dates and instant availability with our direct booking search: best rate always, no fees, no middlemen.