Woodsy, beautiful getaway within driving distance of Denver Airport?
May 2, 2024 8:49 PM Subscribe
My sister and I live on opposite ends of the country and want to meet halfway for a sisters weekend. We have very fond memories of Colorado from a long ago family vacation, and have booked our flights to Denver ... only to realize neither of us knows squat about the area. Also, due to schedule wackiness, we're going over the 4th of July weekend. Whoof!
So yeah, we're both flying into Denver on 4 July and are staying through the 8th. We had been scoping out a cabin in Estes Park (because we found out that's where the dude ranch, Longs Peak Inn, was that we stayed in back in the early 80s) but someone else snagged it and we're not seeing much else there that is a standalone cabin with fairly woodsy surroundings.
If what we're looking for is a very woodsy getaway, ideally without a ton of loud and annoying people right up in our grille, and we're willing to drive maybe 1.5 hours from Denver International Airport (though less would be swell), could anybody suggest places we should look (or specific rentals that we should check out)? Our ideal getaway would be one where we could maybe do a horseback riding trip, definitely do a little light hiking, and mostly just revel in the forested and mountainous beauty of Colorado while also having a comfy place to come home to each night. I think we would prefer a furnished and comfy cabin to any sort of "glamping" setup or whatnot - think "decks you can drink wine or beer on" more so than anything else.
Any ideas would be deeply appreciated - Colorado is such a lovely but inscrutable black hole to me!
So yeah, we're both flying into Denver on 4 July and are staying through the 8th. We had been scoping out a cabin in Estes Park (because we found out that's where the dude ranch, Longs Peak Inn, was that we stayed in back in the early 80s) but someone else snagged it and we're not seeing much else there that is a standalone cabin with fairly woodsy surroundings.
If what we're looking for is a very woodsy getaway, ideally without a ton of loud and annoying people right up in our grille, and we're willing to drive maybe 1.5 hours from Denver International Airport (though less would be swell), could anybody suggest places we should look (or specific rentals that we should check out)? Our ideal getaway would be one where we could maybe do a horseback riding trip, definitely do a little light hiking, and mostly just revel in the forested and mountainous beauty of Colorado while also having a comfy place to come home to each night. I think we would prefer a furnished and comfy cabin to any sort of "glamping" setup or whatnot - think "decks you can drink wine or beer on" more so than anything else.
Any ideas would be deeply appreciated - Colorado is such a lovely but inscrutable black hole to me!
You might be able to find a cabin in nearby El Dorado Springs Co.
posted by hortense at 9:43 AM on May 3, 2024 [1 favorite]
posted by hortense at 9:43 AM on May 3, 2024 [1 favorite]
Estes will be busy around the holiday weekend, and consider that it's at least an hour drive from DIA to most mountain destinations.
Personally? My recommendations would be anywhere along Highway 9 or Highway 24 between I-70 and Highway 285. Consider looking around Fairplay, Alma, Twin Lakes, Buena Vista, or even Breckenridge. This is a longer drive (2 hours) but I think you'll do better avoiding crowds - although there are some popular 14ers along those routes.
In general, consider any elevation changes from your origin - altitude sickness is real. Going from sea level or similar to Alma (elevation 10,522ft) will have noticeable effects on your body and you may need time to acclimate before hiking or engaging in strenuous activities. Drink lots and lots of water and protect your skin from the sun!
posted by spbb at 10:23 AM on May 3, 2024 [2 favorites]
Personally? My recommendations would be anywhere along Highway 9 or Highway 24 between I-70 and Highway 285. Consider looking around Fairplay, Alma, Twin Lakes, Buena Vista, or even Breckenridge. This is a longer drive (2 hours) but I think you'll do better avoiding crowds - although there are some popular 14ers along those routes.
In general, consider any elevation changes from your origin - altitude sickness is real. Going from sea level or similar to Alma (elevation 10,522ft) will have noticeable effects on your body and you may need time to acclimate before hiking or engaging in strenuous activities. Drink lots and lots of water and protect your skin from the sun!
posted by spbb at 10:23 AM on May 3, 2024 [2 favorites]
Eldorado Canyon State Park was very lovely and I would think you might be able to find something in that area. When I was in Denver last summer for four days I stayed in lower downtown but we drove to Eldorado Canyon State Park for a day.
posted by fluffy battle kitten at 12:32 PM on May 3, 2024
posted by fluffy battle kitten at 12:32 PM on May 3, 2024
Not very woodsy, but Denver Botanic Gardens is accessible from the train line that goes out to the airport. I killed a good layover day in this manner pre-pandemic, and it was very worthwhile.
posted by Dashy at 1:02 PM on May 3, 2024 [1 favorite]
posted by Dashy at 1:02 PM on May 3, 2024 [1 favorite]
The drive is closer to two hours, but the area around Florrisant is pretty quiet and has lovely woods. The Florissant Fossil Beds are really cool. I would just avoid Manitou Springs / Pike’s Peak because it’ll probably be quite crowded.
posted by neushoorn at 11:23 AM on May 7, 2024
posted by neushoorn at 11:23 AM on May 7, 2024
You are not logged in, either login or create an account to post comments
I don't have specific cabin recommendations, but I checked on VRBO and there are places still available that weekend. I'd also recommend checking out Gold Hill Inn for a meal or see if they have a live music event that weekend. Nederland will probably be relatively busy that weekend but I think they have a fireworks show and it's a fun little town to visit.
posted by shornco at 7:28 AM on May 3, 2024 [3 favorites]