For the Colorado experts and natives....

Planning a trip to the mountains to get away from the heat in July. Want suggestions for a good mountain town for my family of 4 girls. Ages 2-9. Some easy hikes for the older girls and other activities.

Originally was thinking Ouray or steamboat springs. Maybe one of the more popular ski towns? Let me know what y'all think!

Ouray is tiny. Beautiful. Love it.

Steamboat is midsized town. Not beautiful. Much more there.

Driving? Flying?

Ouray is close to Durango and Telluride. Personally I like Ouray. But I like hiking and avoiding people.

What do you like? What does the family want? Active or just chilling?

Took the wife and our two girls to Ouray last summer and tent camped at the KOA. We had a blast and i would highly recommend it as a destination. We stayed busy hiking the loop around town, going to the natural hot baths and horseback riding. Ouray is a cool little town with a great mix of in town comforts and outdoor activities.

Sounds like fun! For a 'mountain town' I'd suggest Estes Park. It's easy to get to from Denver, it's not a ski town, lots of little shops, nestled right up against Rocky Mountain National Park. For a ski town in the summer, I really love the Breckenridge/Frisco area. It's just so pretty. Lots a shopping and good eats, not pretentious, and not that far from Denver either. It's also close to Vail, which is pretty spendy, but also gorgeous.

Would love to know what you decide! Good luck and have a great time

We did a couple of family trips to Frazier. Fished Lake Granby. Caught trout. Rocky Mountain National Park is right there, too.

Currently in Salida with my family. Remote working from here. Love it. Really easy for my kids (10 and 8).

I'm biased because I live here but I'd consider staying in Vail. It's central enough that you can day trip to Breck and Glenwood Springs another day. Beaver Creek is also next door. Unlimited trails, rafting and Vail's summer activities are the best around since they upgraded them 2 years ago. Lots of out of the way places to explore as well like Sylvan Lake state park or driving to the town of Fulford (4x4 needed for that). Glenwood Springs has two hot springs pools and the adventure park. Hanging Lake is an amazing hike but note you have to make reservations now and take a shuttle to the trail head. It may be a little challenging for the littlest ones.

Based on your description, I recommend you consider Estes Park and the YMCA of the Rockies. The Y has cabins and lodges and has terrific family programs. Took my girls there many times as they grew up. Now my Aggie daughter is there as a Day Camp counselor this summer. It borders Rocky Mountain National Park. Super location with many family friendly activities. Have fun!

RMNP is requiring reservations to enter. That holds me back from suggesting it right now.

Leaving for South Fork in a week. Hiking and renting a side by side.

We vacationed in Grand Lake near RMNP last September. Had a great time - would go back.

mpl35 said:

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RMNP is requiring reservations to enter. That holds me back from suggesting it right now.

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True, but said reservations are readily available. Not a big issue.

I second Grand Lake. We spent some time there over presidents day weekend and really want to get back up there.

farmer95 said:

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mpl35 said:

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RMNP is requiring reservations to enter. That holds me back from suggesting it right now.

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True, but said reservations are readily available. Not a big issue.

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Yeah we are on our way up there right now. Wife got the reservations online 2 weeks ago. We have 3 girls age 3-9. Going to Estes Park and a few other places. My wife planned this trip and I honestly don't know where all we are going, will look at the itinerary tomorrow. Just got into Amarillo and checking out Palo Duro Canyon in the morning.

We have taken our kids 7m 4f up to the YMCA of the rockies twice. Always a blast and they still talk about it.

Take plenty of water with you to the canyon today. It's shaping up to be hot and dry today!!!

Estes Park, Crested Butte, or Breckenridge.

Are you guys staying in cabins?

mpl35 said:

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Ouray is tiny. Beautiful. Love it.

Steamboat is midsized town. Not beautiful. Much more there.

Driving? Flying?

Ouray is close to Durango and Telluride. Personally I like Ouray. But I like hiking and avoiding people.

What do you like? What does the family want? Active or just chilling?

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Not quite sure that I agree with all of this.

I'm a complete newbie at this since all our Colorado trips have involved renting a house or a condo. We love going to Colorado but Budget is tight these days and this seems like a great way to make memories with my 2 & 5 y/o.

Can you all provide more details about saying in cabins and tent camping? How's the bathroom situation and what do you guys typically cook and eat? I'm assuming you bring a portable camping stove?

Great info. I think we are going to fly to Denver because we found super cheap tickets. Rent a car and go explore for a week. My older daughters are old enough to go on some easy hikes with me, so we look forward to that. YMCA camps look interesting.

docb said:

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mpl35 said:

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Ouray is tiny. Beautiful. Love it.

Steamboat is midsized town. Not beautiful. Much more there.

Driving? Flying?

Ouray is close to Durango and Telluride. Personally I like Ouray. But I like hiking and avoiding people.

What do you like? What does the family want? Active or just chilling?

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Not quite sure that I agree with all of this.

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Fair enough....what part? Maybe I should say Steamboat is not as beautiful? It is a ski town in CO so it isn't going to be Lubbock, but it is in not as awesome as many other ski towns. And I like Steamboat, ski there, and have considered buying property there.

AggieT said:

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Currently in Salida with my family. Remote working from here. Love it. Really easy for my kids (10 and 8).

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Any suggestions on restaurants or activities?

Our family is staying at nearby Mt Princeton Springs next weekend, and we're gonna make a couple trips to Salida. We've stopped there before on our way back from Crested Butte, and it seems like a fun town. I've considered looking to buy a small place in town near the water.

Inadvertent use of the sad emoticon in my post above

jaggiemaggie said:

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I'm a complete newbie at this since all our Colorado trips have involved renting a house or a condo. We love going to Colorado but Budget is tight these days and this seems like a great way to make memories with my 2 & 5 y/o.

Can you all provide more details about saying in cabins and tent camping? How's the bathroom situation and what do you guys typically cook and eat? I'm assuming you bring a portable camping stove?

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Lots of camping spots in Colorado. You bring a tent and camp. You can get an ice chest and stock up on hot dogs, hamburgers, steaks...anything you can grill. Most established camping areas have charcoal grill enclosures so people don't burn down the forest. Many have restrooms too. Some campgrounds will have shower facilities. I mean there is a huge variety from getting a tent spot in RMNP with nothing around to getting a campsite in a private place with recreational activities and a pool.

Estes is full of VRBO etc and cabins. All kinds of price ranges.

Other ski towns are open or opening SOON. Summer used to be super cheap at ski areas but as they have added summer amenities this prices have increased. Still, there are a lot of good deals if you look around. For example, I have stayed in Snowmass several times in the summer before hiking and backpacking trips for 1/2 the winter rate.

proudaggie02 said:

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AggieT said:

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Currently in Salida with my family. Remote working from here. Love it. Really easy for my kids (10 and 8).

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Any suggestions on restaurants or activities?

Our family is staying at nearby Mt Princeton Springs next weekend, and we're gonna make a couple trips to Salida. We've stopped there before on our way back from Crested Butte, and it seems like a fun town. I've considered looking to buy a small place in town near the water.

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Don't look...We are considering a place there too....don't drive up the price on me yet.

Little Red Hen Bakery is good for breakfast. Might make a run and grab food for the family before they get up.

Moonlight pizza and brewpub isn't bad. I have had better but I enjoyed eating and drinking there.

Amicas (pizza) is another good joint. Wood fired and lots of choices.

mpl35 said:

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docb said:

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mpl35 said:

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Ouray is tiny. Beautiful. Love it.

Steamboat is midsized town. Not beautiful. Much more there.

Driving? Flying?

Ouray is close to Durango and Telluride. Personally I like Ouray. But I like hiking and avoiding people.

What do you like? What does the family want? Active or just chilling?

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Not quite sure that I agree with all of this.

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Fair enough....what part? Maybe I should say Steamboat is not as beautiful? It is a ski town in CO so it isn't going to be Lubbock, but it is in not as awesome as many other ski towns. And I like Steamboat, ski there, and have considered buying property there.

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Disclaimer I have a house on the mountain in Steamboat Springs. We actually were debating between Telluride and Steamboat to buy a home in Colorado but ultimately ended up choosing Steamboat. I agree the drive between Durango and Telluride going through Ouray is one of the most scenic ones I've been on. The mountains there are "newer" Rocky mountains than up in Steamboat which are more rounded off.

We chose Steamboat for a variety of reasons. The skiing is much better there than in Durango or Telluride.
The fishing is hands down way, way better for quality sized trout in the Yampa river. Not a very far drive to fish the Little Snake river that meanders back and forth between Colorado and Wyoming. I actually like the fact that there is a viable town with more choices in Steamboat. I guess if you're just visiting it really doesn't matter but if you have a home there it's sure handy to be able to run down to the ACE hardware store.

I think the beauty in Steamboat is just different. I love the large, lush valleys with tall grass and fat cows. Working ranches as opposed to a bunch of trust fund kids. There is actually a ton of hiking opportunities around Steamboat especially the drive up Elk River road past Clark to Steamboat Lake. Steamboat Lake, Stagecoach Lake for renting a pontoon boat. Elk hunting? Moose in my front yard.

I'm not saying there is anything wrong with Ouray and that may suit someone better but I there is more to Steamboat than you think.

Lake City, CO. Super small town America in the middle of the San Juan mountains with 5 14ers nearby for hiking. Huge lake and other smaller lakes for fishing, and a large river for fly fishing. Small shops, great Ice Cream parlor, and small restaurants all around.

WhoopRAB said:

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We booked a 1 br condo for 7 nights in downtown Breck for $700 after tax, cleaning and all Air BnB fees.

Keystone was cheaper but were concerned about restaurants being open. We are walking to Breck restaurants and plenty are open.

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This. We stayed at a condo in Breckenridge I found on Orbitz and it was walking distance to town and a hiking trail off of Peak 9, if I remember correctly, right out our back door.

We went up on the mountain and did the park with the mountain coasters and the putt putt and inner tube snow thing and ropes courses, etc. But the admission was expensive...kinda like going to 6 Flags for the day expensive. But it may not be running with all the COVID stuff going on.

The minute I saw this thread, I was like, "Hmmm...we ought to go back to Breck in the next month."

We are in River Mountain Lodge. 3rd time here. We hiked that trail out in front of condo up to Reservoir. I don't think the 6 Flags area is open as the gondola isn't operating.

I am a huge fan of Crested Butte. My grandparents had a place in Almont for 15 years or so, and we went up there twice a year during that time. It is a great town in the summer. Good fly fishing, white water rafting, hiking, lakes, jeep rides, and great restaurants. I haven't been up in years at this point and am actually looking at going up on a whim soon.

Yeah, I just read that on the Breck website. It looks like some things are opening up on June 19th, but not sure what.

HouseDivided06 said:

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I am a huge fan of Crested Butte. My grandparents had a place in Almont for 15 years or so, and we went up there twice a year during that time. It is a great town in the summer. Good fly fishing, white water rafting, hiking, lakes, jeep rides, and great restaurants. I haven't been up in years at this point and am actually looking at going up on a whim soon.

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Is that place with the gigantic stuffed polar bear still in Almont?