Winter Park, Colorado #1 for Pet Friendly Vacations

Pet Friendly Rocky Mountain Lodging

Summer is the time of year to get out of the house with the whole family and anymore that means bring Fido, or Moses, or Barky along on the family vacation. Well, there is no better destination that this part of the Colorado Rocky Mountains here in Winter Park, CO. Lots of water for the furry ones to play in and miles and miles of bicycle and hiking trails. Enough activities to keep old rover busy and probably more than enough for his owner.

I saw this story today about the top destinations about pet friendly vacations and saw that the Winter Park – Rocky Mountain National Park area was listed as the #1 pet friendly location I just had to put it in the blog even if is mostly about Snow Mountain Ranch with their own lodging just around the corner from our house. Here is what they had to say about our confines up here in  the Rockies:

Winter Park/Rocky Mountain National Park –

Nationally recognized as one of the country premier vacation destinations, the YMCA of the Rockies has two pet-friendly vacation locations in the Colorado Rockies. The Estes Park Center offers beautiful trails for canine-friendly hiking and every Friday during July, a Yappy Hour is hosted for canine guests. Yappetizers and doggy drinks will be served and special guests will give presentations on subjects such as canine nutrition, obedience and agility, and veterinarian advice. At the second location, near Winter Park, dog owners seem to love the serenity of Snow Mountain Ranch and the wide variety of trails available for them and their pets.

Both locations offer a wide variety of activities exclusively for humans, including mini golf, disc golf, swimming, fly fishing, rafting, horseback riding, guided hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, arts and crafts centers, day camp programs, and family nature programs. For more information, visit www.ymcarockies.org

Bravo for Snow Mountain Ranch and YMCA of the Rockies! Check out all the top pet friendly vacation destinations at ZooToo.

Rocky Mountain National Park Opening

Rocky Mountain National Park Opening May 28th

One of my favorite things to do in the summer is to make the drive over the Continental Divide on Trail Ridge Road through Rocky Mountain National Park.

Summer officially begins for the park on May 28th, 2010, when the Alpine Center opens.  This drive is a “must do” for tourists and locals alike.  The views are unmatchable and we have seen a wide variety of wildlife every time.  Be sure to put it on your list this summer!

This living showcase of the grandeur of the Rocky Mountains, with elevations ranging from 8,000 feet in the wet, grassy valleys to 14,259 feet at the weather-ravaged top of Longs Peak, provides visitors with opportunities for countless breathtaking experiences and adventures.

Elk, mule deer, moose, bighorn sheep, black bears, coyotes, cougars, eagles, hawks and scores of smaller animals delight wildlife-watchers of all ages. Wildflower-lovers are never disappointed in June and July when the meadows and hillsides are splashed with botanical color. Autumn visitors can relax among the golden aspens or enjoy the rowdier antics of the elk rut – mating season.

Trail Ridge Road and Rocky Mountain National Park are are national treasures that are not to be missed if you are up this way in Colorado.  Make a coupe days of it and you can see beautiful Grand Lake, Colorado and spend some time with us Winter Park.

Elk in Rocky Mountain National Park

It is the time of year for the elk to start their bugling in Rocky Mountain National Park. What is elk bugling?  Well, the short and sweet answer is it’s a mating call for the bull elk to say hey Ms. girl elk check me out.  If you have never seen the bugling it is very cool.

Head up to the Rocky Mountain National Park and you can see the bugling elk and get the last glimpse of the aspens changing their colors.  This weekend, the first of October, is the time to see the elk and see the changing of the colors.

We have had our first snow and more is sure to follow so get out of the house now and enjoy fall in the beautiful Colorado Rocky Mountains.

Check out Winter Park Lodging Companies specials and deals on fall lodging.

Fall Foliage Starting to Shine | Head to Winter Park for the Aspen

Just drove through the Rocky Mountain National Park last weekend, and had a great surprise. The Aspen are beginning to turn colors. There’s nothing as brilliant as an Aspen grove in full glowing gold. The drive up 40 through Empire affords leaf peepers great views of Aspen intermingled with the evergreen. Continuing on to the Park you will see some gorgeous views between Granby and Grand Lake.

It’s also the time of year for the elk to start making their way down into the valley. We were lucky enough to see a herd of elk way up at the top. The bull was gigantic and made the females run when he bugled. In the next few weeks, they should be down in the valley just inside the Park. It is a great place to view them, since they are very close to the road and not really bothered by people. Best time to go is early evening, just before dusk. Bundle up, it gets cold once the sun goes down and you won’t want to leave.  September is a gorgeous time of year in Winter Park, be sure to make your reservation to come up and enjoy the colors and wildlife. Give us a call to book 877 329 1383.

Rocky Mountain National Park

With a signature from Woodrow Wilson in 1915 Rocky Mountain National Park was established.  The tenth U.S. National Park is 358 square miles of lush green valleys and streams to the wind swept top of Longs Peak.  Rocky Mountain National Park is a grand living display of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains.  From the wet grassy valleys to Longs Peak summit at 14,259 ft. the park is a visual masterpiece.  If you have not visited the park I recommend you do so.  The Rocky is just a short drive of about 40 minutes (25 miles) from Winter Park and Fraser.  See map. 

The activities are endless in the summer: hiking, fishing, biking, scenic drives, camping, and climbing and mountaineering.  There is something at the park for everyone especially the kids.  Activities in the winter are a bit more limited but just as fun if not more.  And in the fall the buggling elk are something to behold.  The park is open everyday of the year!

Park entrance fees are $20 per car and $10 per person on motorcycles, bicycles, mopeds and scooters.  There are also camping fees for overnight stays.

A wonderful day trip can be had driving to Grand Lake for breakfast then a nice drive thru the park with a late lunch in Estes Park and a return trip back to Winter Park for dinner.