Reddit
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r/coloradohikers on Reddit: Best city to stay in?
August 4, 2020 -
Hey all!
I'm not from Colorado, but I plan on making a trip in July! I would love to try to see a # of places while I'm there. I know I won't be able to see them all over a span of 4 days, but just wanted to give you guys ideas of the places I had in mind:
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Rocky Mtn National Park (wanted to hike to Bear Lake)
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Pike's Peak
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Mt Evans
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Mesa Verde National Park
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Indian Peaks Wilderness (wanted to hike to Lake Isabelle)
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Hanging Lake & Hot Springs Pool Resort
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Great Sand Dunes National Park
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Manitou Cliff Dwellings
I am just stuck on where to stay (preferably not in a downtown city-like area) and if you guys had any city recommendations - maybe somewhere in the middle?
Also! If you have any other hike recommendations, would love to see more of waterfalls and lakes (if they're still decent in July). If not, then whatever beautiful, scenic hike you guys recommend. :D
Top answer 1 of 4
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With only four days, you’re better off picking one relatively small area. Indian Peaks and RMNP would be a good bet. There was a huge fire in that area last year so make sure your preferred hikes weren’t affected. Mesa Verde and the Durango/Silverton area would be nice. Silverton is an interesting small town. Staying there and seeing stuff in that area would be cool. Mesa Verde will feel like it’s scorching hot. There’s some waterfalls on the S Fk Rio Grande along US-160 and some tributaries toward Wolf Creek Pass probably on the west side toward Pagosa Springs too. Leadville, Buena Vista and the Collegiate Peaks would be great as well. Pike’s Peak and Mt Evans will be a complete zoo. The sand dunes will feel hotter than hell.
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At least several of those places require a permit or some kind of reservation in advance: Hanging Lake, Indian Peaks, and, Rocky Mountain National Park. There may be others on you list as well, so I would definitely check to see what the current rules are. Mesa Verde and Great Sand Dunes are going to be hot that time of year and are a longer drive from the Front Range than most of the other places on your list. Mesa Verde is probably the farther one--it will take a good chunk of the day to get to from the Front Range--but Great Sand Dunes is still several hours of driving, depending on where you're starting from.
Unnamed Road, Lake George, CO 80827
With only four days, you’re better off picking one relatively small area. Indian Peaks and RMNP would be a good bet. There was a huge fire in that area last year so make sure your preferred hikes weren’t affected. Mesa Verde and the Durango/Silverton area would be nice. Silverton is an interesting small town. Staying there and seeing stuff in that area would be cool. Mesa Verde will feel like it’s scorching hot. There’s some waterfalls on the S Fk Rio Grande along US-160 and some tributaries toward Wolf Creek Pass probably on the west side toward Pagosa Springs too. Leadville, Buena Vista and the Collegiate Peaks would be great as well. Pike’s Peak and Mt Evans will be a complete zoo. The sand dunes will feel hotter than hell. Answer from DangerousDave303 on reddit.com
Tripadvisor
tripadvisor.com › HotelsList-Colorado-Hiking-Hotels-zfp18447888.html
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Plan your next trip, read reviews and get travel advice from our community on where to stay and what to do. Find savings on hotels, book the perfect tour or attraction, and reserve a table at the best restaurants.
The Broke Backpacker
thebrokebackpacker.com › home › north america › usa › colorado
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April 14, 2025 - Have you seen our list of the best cabins and tree houses in Colorado? Take a look if you’re in search of a unique place to stay near Rocky Mountain National Park. ... Perfect for fans of hiking and fishing, this hotel is conveniently located for exploring Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. It has 12 comfortable rooms with contemporary amenities. There’s also a picnic and BBQ area, a relaxing garden, and free wifi throughout. ... Enjoy stunning views on Bierstadt Lake Hike.
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September 3, 2025 - Don’t forget to pack your hiking boots – Aspen offers a number of spectacular hiking trails that are perfect for a day of exploration. Trails begin only a few steps away from the hotel and can lead you all the way to nearby Crested Butte. Aspen has more than 120 miles of trails, from the quintessential locals' hike winding up the side of Smuggler Mountain to the more strenuous trek all the way to the top of Ajax.
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Where to stay in Colorado for mountain views and hiking?
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Quora
quora.com › Where-should-I-stay-in-Colorado-to-see-the-mountains
Where should I stay in Colorado to see the mountains? - Quora
Answer (1 of 5): Weeeell how much money do you want to spend? Coming to ski? Hike and Photograph? Historic Sites? It really depends on the Season and activities you are interested in. For a visit to ski I just can’t say enough about the following towns. Telluride is an 1800’s restored mining ...
Tripadvisor
tripadvisor.com › united states › colorado (co) › colorado travel forum
Best town for hiking and amenities - Colorado Forum - Tripadvisor
Colorado Springs... ... After giving it a bit of a think, I would probably take Pagosa Springs off the list I gave you. More of a fishing community. ... Well, if they are driving in from the south, I think Pagosa is a fine idea. Are you flying in or driving? Edited: 1 year ago ... Grand Junction... ... Durango might work for you all. Many hikes, activities as well as shopping and town stuff.
Fora Travel
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The Best Places to Stay in Colorado, From Denver to Durango
January 20, 2025 - The hotel’s location is virtually unbeatable: You’re within walking distance of most of the city’s best nightlife and dining, as well as many of the surrounding area’s top day hikes. Expect a wellness-focused atmosphere. St Julien has an excellent spa, solid accommodations and views of the Flatirons, famous peaks that overlook Boulder. The hotel also draws crowds at night, as it typically hosts live music. Per Fora X Advisor Dahlia Swerdloff, the prices are approachable, especially when UC Boulder isn’t hosting large events. Crested Butte’s motto as “the last great Colorado ski town” might cause some tension with Aspen, Vail and a host of other world-class ski destinations in the state.
Camp Eddy
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March 24, 2025 - Denver: Stay in LoDo's trendy hotels or Boulder's eco-lodges. Denver's downtown is near museums and breweries. Colorado Springs: Near Pikes Peak, it offers city life and outdoor fun. Choose from downtown hotels or mountain motels. ... Ouray: A scenic mining town with hot springs and cabins. Great for hikers and winter sports.
TheTravel
thetravel.com › home › colorado › 7 colorado hiking towns with trails right near the hotel
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July 22, 2024 - St Julien Hotel & Spa, a AAA Four Diamond Lodging, is close to the town's parks and hiking and biking trails. Or, stay at Bear Creek Lodge for hikes at Bear Peak and others nearby.
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July 1, 2025 - Another personal favorite of mine as they rightfully boast large powder storms and have awesome hike to terrain as well as a snowcat! Pagosa Hot Springs Resort offers luxury accommodations and the town of Pagosa is a great place to stay with endless activities all year round in the area. Orvis Hot Springs is a clothing optional hot springs in Ridgway, Colorado. They offer lodging and camping as well as just entrance into the hot springs. If you’re looking for the truly rugged, Colorado mountain lodging experience where you can get away from everyone and bring all your own stuff as if you’re camping, the Phoenix Ridge Yurts are it.
MetaFilter
ask.metafilter.com › 353838 › Colorado-family-summer-hike-vacation-best-homebase
Colorado family summer hike vacation - best homebase? - travel | Ask MetaFilter
As an example, we've had success in the past staying ~10 miles outside of Jackson Hole, WY and hiking in the Tetons and Yellowstone parks -- we can drive into town for dinner and to walk around, but the crowds in Jackson get old quick. We've never been to Colorado and we don't have a good sense of the pros and cons of staying closer to the Rocky Mountain National Park versus the further-away (from Denver) ski towns like Crested Butte or Aspen.
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7 Only-in-Colorado Places to Stay | Colorado.com
May 12, 2025 - Campers are surrounded by ponderosa pine forest and more than 300 miles of world-class hiking trails. Nearby, Estes Park’s shops, restaurants and family fun await. In the fall, the unforgettable mating calls of the resident elks can often be heard. Find more Colorado campgrounds · Cross-country skiers and hikers should add the 10th Mountain Division hut system to their must-experience lists.
Address Denver, US
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hipcamp.com › en-US › d › united-states › colorado › camping › cabins-and-hiking
Discover the best cabin rentals in Colorado with hiking
Find & reserve the best cabins in Colorado with hiking. Tent, cabin & RV camp on private & CO State Parks, on local farms, vineyards & nature preserves.
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July 13, 2021 - Looking for the best Colorado mountain hiking trip and the best hikes near Denver? Explore the mountains of Colorado as you hike your way through the beauty near Denver while staying in one of these cabins. Enjoy the best Denver hiking or find the best hiking in Colorado and near Denver and wander through the snow-covered terrain, and hike through the rugged wilderness during your stay. Once you reach the top ...
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snow.com › articles › colorado-hiking-resorts.aspx
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The perfect Colorado hiking vacation resorts situated near scenic summer trails. Explore the Rockies and immerse yourself in nature's beauty.
Hikingincolorado
hikingincolorado.org › towns.html
Hiking in Colorado - Mountain Towns
Estes is a good jumping off point for hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park but look out for crowds - especially in the summer months. Fruita Dinasaurs and mountain bikes. That's what Fruita wants to be known for but it's really more of a Moab (Utah) wannabe and it's becoming more popular every year. Fruita is also the western gateway to the Colorado National Monument and the last good place to get gas and fast-food if you're heading west out of the state on I-70.
Trail Forums
trailforums.com › t › hotel-in-denver › 3073
Hotel in Denver - Colorado Trail - Trail Forums - Hiking and Backpacking Forums
June 30, 2011 - Hi–I want to start the CT the last week of July. Does anyone know a reasonably priced hotel to stay in Denver–I will take the bus from the airport into town. I have to be able to access a post office and a gear store in …