Estes Park in November???

[03RoadRunner]

Okay,

Just looking for some advice on going to Estes Park, CO around Halloween and the first week of November. Am I crazy? Will there be 15ft of snow on the ground? We are taking the 03Runner from our home in St. Louis, MO.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to a good place to stay out there? We are not the touristy type...we like to go off the beaten path as much as possible. It would be my Wife, Son and Daughter going on this trip. He is 6yrs old and she is 1yr old.

Even if you don't know of a place to stay...what kind of things are there to do? Besides off-roading? =) hehe.

Thanks in advance for any and all advice.

Take care,
03RR

 

[boston_kevin]

Lots of stuff to do, not sure how much the kids will be up for though... Might be enough snow for some great X-Country skiing or snowmobiling, might even be elk season, too cold for camping unless you like that 15 degree night temp. At that time, the lower elevations of Estes Park should be fine, might not even have more than a couple of inches. The higher elevations might have as much as a foot or so, but the heavy stuff doesn't really start until end of November/December.

Couple of shops in Estes park (yea, kinda touristy), but Boulder is only 30-40 minutes away, and there is always something fun to do there, even for the kids.

 

[03RoadRunner]

Great tips from Boston_Kevin....

Wow you know a lot about Este's and the area.

Anyone else have experiences around the Este's/Boulder area?

We haven't formed a plan yet...so we are open to other area city's on our way to Estes also.

Thanks and I really appreciate all and any input from you guy's and gal's. We have a very respectful community here at T4R.

Thanks again!
03RR:

 

[Neil]

Hi,
I lived in Colorado for the past 18 years until I moved to New Mexico last year. Typically, there is a minor ice/snow storm that rolls in right around halloween and makes it a little uncomfortable to drive at night. However, the days are usually 60 to 70 degrees and cool off from there once you go above 7000 ft. Fall Ridge Rd will probably still be open so you can take highway 34 from Estes Park across the continental divide and into the town of Granby. The western side of the park is more moist and has a lot more of the wetlands so you stand a better chance of seeing moose. If you have a spotting scope or a pair of binoculars it will help a lot. I have found that the west side of the park is also less traveled and gives you a little more isolated experience. I tend to take my neices and nephews to the waterfalls that are found around the park. It helps to keep their interest and gives them a reward at the end. Also, the park rangers do a lot of educational/informational programs in the summer and that may continue into the fall as well. I would call the RMNP and see if they have any events planned for the kids.

 

[Thai]

Estes Park in November will have a lot of snow if you go up the moutains...and it will be freezing!! So, i would bring a lot of winter clothing, especially the kids. Get gloves and earmuffs!!

As for places to stay, i stayed at:

http://www.creeksidesuites.com/

Reasonably priced, great location (in between entrance to park and downtown Estes), and nice view of the running creek. You have to call ahead to reserve room. It's just like a hotel...maid service everyday. I highly recommend it.