Colorado is not new to us. We have been before, including a Vail ski trip, but what was new this time was building the trip around Rocky Mountain National Park. That was the main focus.
This trip was also meaningful because we were traveling with my brother, his wife, and their two younger daughters. A big part of what I enjoyed was not just the scenery, but watching the cousins spend time together and seeing how naturally the trip came together as a group.
We flew into Denver, started in Colorado Springs, moved to Estes Park for the Rocky Mountain National Park portion, and stayed in Denver the night before flying home.
Arrival and Start in Colorado Springs
We flew from Chicago to Denver and then drove to Colorado Springs. Starting there worked well because it gave us a lighter entry into the trip before the Rocky Mountain National Park portion.
Colorado Springs was a good place to start and It gave us immediate access to scenery and helped break up the trip before Rocky Mountain National Park.
Monday: Garden of the Gods, Manitou Springs, and a Relaxed Night Back at the Hotel
One of our main Colorado Springs days was in the Garden of the Gods area. We mixed parts of the routes tied to Palmer Trail, Scottsman Trail, and Siamese Twins. That worked well because it gave us a flexible hiking day with views and enough stops along the way.
This was one of the first parts of the trip where traveling with both teenagers and younger kids really stood out. We had two teenagers with me, and my brother had his two younger girls with him, and it was fun to watch that age mix play out naturally.
The Siamese Twins area stood out because of the framed mountain view and the natural photo spot.
Later, we spent time in the Manitou Springs area just hanging out, getting ice cream, and doing a little light shopping. We also stopped at Poor Richard’s Bookstore, bought some books, and played trivia games in the connected cafe. Before leaving the book store, we ordered food there as well, then headed back to the hotel.
The kids also had one clear request that night, so we picked up Sarpino’s pizza and ate it in the hotel lobby. That ended up being one of those simple family-trip moments that does not sound major on paper but feels very real when I look back on the trip.
For lunch, we went to a Dos Santos Taqueria and were surprised by a live performance.
Tuesday: Pikes Peak, Air Force Academy Visitor Center, and Hotel Polaris
On Tuesday, we went up to Pikes Peak. It was cold, so we mostly drove up and spent our time inside the visitor center rather than staying outside long.
After that, we spent part of the day at the Air Force Academy Visitor Center and then went to Hotel Polaris before driving to Estes Park.
Hotel Polaris was a nice break from the hiking. We did the flight simulation, spent time in the lobby and outdoor area, and played bocce, Connect 4, cornhole, and giant Jenga.
It was a good break in the trip. Not everything needed to be a hike or scenic stop, and this gave everyone a chance to enjoy the day differently.
Estes Park as Our Base for Rocky Mountain National Park
After Colorado Springs, we drove to Estes Park and used that as our base for the Rocky Mountain National Park portion of the trip.
That worked well once hiking became the priority. We picked up groceries and trail food locally, and before the hikes we rented traction shoe chains from a local fishing shop because of the snow, ice, and melting trail conditions. That made the hike up easier.
One of the better family moments in Estes Park had nothing to do with the hikes. Before heading out, Zahir spent time playing around in the parking lot with his cousins and giving them rides in the stroller.
Alberta Falls was our first hike day in Rocky Mountain National Park, and it was the easier one to start with.
That was a good place to begin. It gave us a real park day without overdoing the first hike, and we still had plenty left for the next day.
It was a good first day in the park. The setting was great, but what stayed with me most was simply being out there.
Thursday: Nymph Lake, Dream Lake, and Emerald Lake
The next day was the larger hike of the trip. This was the route with stops at Nymph Lake, Dream Lake, and Emerald Lake.
What worked well about this hike was that it came in stages. Instead of one long push to a single endpoint, each lake gave us a natural stopping point. That made it easier with kids and made the hike feel more manageable overall.
Nymph Lake
The first stop was Nymph Lake. This was a good early checkpoint and helped break up the trail. It gave us a chance to pause, take photos, and settle into the pace of the hike before continuing.
Dream Lake
The second stop was Dream Lake. This part of the trail had added meaning for my brother and his family. They had been there before with their first child, and this time they wanted to return with their second daughter now part of the picture.
Original Picture from prior visit to the Rockies
This gave this stop more significance beyond the scenery. It was one of the more meaningful parts of the trip.
Emerald Lake
The final stop was Emerald Lake. Once we got there, we took a longer break and stayed for a while.
This was where we had the sandwiches we had picked up from the local store before leaving for the hike. That longer stop helped. It gave us time to rest, eat, and take in the setting before heading back. It also made the day feel less rushed.
Post-Hike Dinner in Estes Park
After the long hike day, we had dinner from Estes Thai Restaurant and chilled at our base.
After being out in the park, it was good to sit down and reset without overcomplicating the evening.
YMCA of the Rockies Before Denver
Before leaving Estes Park for Denver, we visited YMCA of the Rockies.
Final Night in Denver
After Estes Park, we drove to Denver and stayed there before our flight home the next morning.
Why This Trip Worked
Because we updated the photo
Stay and Reference Links
- Colorado Springs stay: https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/coscces-embassy-suites-colorado-springs/
- Estes Park stay: https://www.vrbo.com/3328960
- YMCA of the Rockies Estes Park Center: https://www.ymcarockies.org/our-locations/estes-park-center
- Estes Thai Restaurant: https://www.estesthai.com/
- Kirk’s Flyshop: https://www.kirksflyshop.com/store-info/
- The Country Market of Estes Park: https://www.thecountrymarketofestespark.com/