Estes Park KOA Review – Colorado USA
I’ve stayed at the Estes Park KOA a few different times when visiting Rocky Mountain National Park and I’ve always enjoyed my stay. Here’s my review on what it’s like to stay at the Estes Park KOA, just outside of Rocky Mountain National Park.
Estes Park KOA Location and Operating Season
This KOA is located right off highway 34, which is the main road that goes through Estes Park, and eventually leads into Rocky Mountain National Park and Trail Ridge Road.
The Estes Park KOA is not located within walking distance to downtown Estes Park, or any restaurants, so if you want to check out the downtown area (which I highly recommend) or eat at a restaurant, you’ll need to drive. However, you can walk across the highway and easily reach the walking trails around Lake Estes. Each time I’ve been here, I’ve traveled with my dog, and he really enjoyed walking along the lake with me.
The Estes Park KOA is open from May 1 – October 15.
Estes Park KOA Lodging Options
This KOA offers your standard KOA lodging options – tent sites, RV sites, 1 & 2 room camping cabins (with and without bathrooms), and the bougie deluxe cabins.
When I stay here, I stay in the one-room camping cabins, without bathrooms. Lodging in Estes Park can be pricey and these cabins are typically less than $100/night, so I find the pricing pretty fair considering its location. Keep in mind that if you stay in a camping cabin, you will need to provide your own linens. Linens (including towels) are provided for the deluxe cabins.
Staying in the KOA Camping Cabins
Or “Kamping Kabins” I should say. I stay in KOAs a lot and typically it’s in a one room, no bathroom camping cabin, because it’s cheap, it’s clean, and it’s actually pretty fun. In general, these cabins are pretty much the same no matter what KOA you go to, but at every KOA, there are slight differences in amenities provided in the cabin.
At the Estes Park KOA, the one-room camping cabin can sleep 4 – it has a bunk bed, and a larger double bed. (Though 4 people in one cabin – yikes! You’d be stepping over each other. I’ve stayed in these cabins with 3 people and it was quite crowded).
The mattresses are rubber and are kind of comfortable, but I always bring my REI self-inflatable sleeping pad for extra comfort.
There is a small heating unit in the cabin but no air conditioning. I’ve stayed here in August and September and never had an issue with being too hot. The cabin has a ceiling fan. There is also a desk and a small refrigerator.
The views from the cabins aren’t too bad – depending on what site you are assigned. From the campground itself, you can see the mountains, but some of the cabins are next to the highway, so you will get some of the road noise. Personally, this doesn’t bother me.
The cabins are on a rocky lot, and there is no grass, however, they do provide a strip of fake grass by your picnic table. If you’re traveling with a dog, there is a designated dog area for him to relieve himself.
Estes Park KOA Amenities
The amenities found at the Estes Park KOA include:
- Showers and bathrooms. I always found the showers clean and tidy. There are showers/bathrooms located at the camp store, and there is another building (what looks like a trailer), near the tent sites and camping cabins. When I’ve stayed here, my cabin was equidistant between each unit, so I’ve used both.
- Camp store: Gift shop and small selection of groceries for sale. Coffee is also served all day.
- Laundry: The laundry area is located at the camp store and has plenty of washers and dryers for use. Laundry is open from 6am – 10pm.
- Firewood: You can purchase firewood at the camp store to enjoy a campfire.
- Ice cream socials and pancake breakfast: During the summer, the campground hosts a free ice cream social each evening. Pancake breakfast is served from 7am-9am for a nominal fee.
Estes Park KOA – Final Thoughts
I love staying here – the cabins are always clean, the staff is friendly and the campground in general is very well-maintained. If you’re looking for a cheap place to stay in Estes Park and don’t mind bringing your own linens, give the KOA a shot!
Pros:
- Clean, well-maintained campground
- Friendly staff
- Close to Rocky Mountain National Park
- Quick drive to restaurants, shops, etc in Estes Park.
- Walking distance to trails at Lake Estes
Cons:
- Not within walking distance to any restaurants (but you’re supposed to be camping, right?!?!)
- If staying in a camping cabin, you’ll need to provide linens
- If your cabin doesn’t have a bathroom, it does get old having to haul ass outside to the restroom in the middle of the night
