Around the camp
Wild on three sides, town just down the canyon.
Where we send our guests: trails out the door, tables in Lyons and Allenspark, tubing on the St. Vrain, what each season brings, and the scenic drive up Highway 7.
Wild on three sides, town just down the canyon.
Where we send our guests: trails out the door, tables in Lyons and Allenspark, tubing on the St. Vrain, what each season brings, and the scenic drive up Highway 7.
01 · Eat & Drink
The original brewpub: burgers, craft beer, and live music.
Smoked brisket, ribs, and Southern sides on Main Street.
A popular Mexican taqueria on East Main.
Beer garden, food, and live music by Planet Bluegrass.
Chef Theo Adley's acclaimed farm-to-table restaurant on Main Street. Dinner only, closed Monday and Tuesday; book ahead.
Pizza and house beer, right downtown. Closed Mondays.
Newer Indian restaurant on Main Street. 303-823-0390.
Award-winning whiskeys and cocktails in a laid-back tasting room.
Fine dining in a historic inn, for a dressier night out. 303-440-7979.
Seasonal, locally sourced menu in a renovated 1926 building near the park entrance.
Fried chicken and house beer in the Stanley Hotel's 1909 carriage house. 970-287-5001.
A beloved breakfast and lunch spot. Open Friday to Monday, 8 am to 2 pm; call ahead at 303-747-2541.
02 · Groceries & Supplies
A small market for basics, plus a deli and bakery.
Full supermarket and pharmacy. Instacart from Safeway has delivered to camp.
Full grocery stores and shopping. Boulder (~35–40 min) works too.
Beer, wine and spirits on Main Street, next to Oskar Blues. 303-823-5278.
Outdoor gear shop on Main Street: hiking, climbing, camping, fly fishing and more. 303-823-5647.
03 · Hikes & Trails
AllTrails is the best resource for hiking around here, with maps, reviews and current conditions. Download maps before you leave Lyons, since cell service is spotty.
A hike or bike ride from camp into Roosevelt National Forest, about 90 minutes up to a summit view of the 14ers.
Foothills, wildflowers, and top-rated mountain biking.
Reservoir, waterfall, and the Sleepy Lion loop (no dogs).
Waterfalls and a quieter corner of the national park.
An easy, flat lake loop with Longs Peak views.
Access to the iconic 14er and Chasm Lake.
Alpine lakes under the Indian Peaks. Summer parking needs a recreation.gov reservation.
A favorite foothills trail at Heil Valley Ranch, popular with hikers and mountain bikers.
Further afield, but stunning: wildflowers, waterfalls and alpine views in the Indian Peaks.
Thousands of trails nearby, Miller Rock included. Search, save and download maps for offline use.
04 · On the Water
Riverside town park with a family-friendly tubing stretch.
Tube rentals and shuttle for the St. Vrain. 970-980-9476.
Wild trout and catch-and-release water right out front.
Mike Clark's renowned handmade bamboo fly rods, made on Main Street in Lyons. Call ahead to visit: 303-823-6402.
Full fly shop and guide service: gear, flies, licenses and guided trips. 970-577-0790.
05 · Activities & Excursions
Hiking, wildlife, and Trail Ridge Road; Wild Basin is the near entrance.
An iconic stone chapel on Highway 7, free to visit.
Colorado's oldest scenic byway, heading south from Raymond toward Ward and Nederland.
Riverwalk, shops, elk, and the RMNP gateway town.
A quirky mountain town with cafes and shops, on the way to Eldora.
The 1909 hotel that inspired The Shining: daytime history tours, night ghost tours, the Whiskey Bar, and concerts in its Pavilion. The new Stanley Film Center, with a 1,000-seat performance venue, is expected to open in 2028.
RockyGrass and the Folks Festival, on the river.
ATV and side-by-side rentals for the mountain roads. 970-235-5045.
06 · Skiing
The nearest ski area: family-friendly, with no interstate driving.
A former ski area inside the national park: skin or hike up and ski down. Backcountry only, so bring avalanche gear and know-how.
Groomed trails at the Eldora Nordic Center, plus ski touring around Brainard Lake.
07 · Shopping
Galleries, gift shops, antiques, and local makers.
Blocks of shops, galleries, and outfitters.
Colorado's best-known outdoor shopping street: shops, restaurants and street performers.
A walkable downtown with local shops, breweries and restaurants.
08 · Through the seasons
Snow is still possible into May. Snowmelt runs the creek high, fast and cold from May into early July, so enjoy it from the bank. Trail Ridge Road usually opens around Memorial Day.
Warm days, evenings in the 50s, and afternoon thunderstorms, so hike early. By late summer the creek is a gentle wade and the fly fishing is at its best. RockyGrass and Folks Festival in Lyons.
The aspens turn gold, usually late September into early October. Elk bugle in the park's meadows at dawn and dusk. Crisp nights, fewer crowds, and the first snow is possible by October.
Snow and ice are part of the stay, so bring AWD or 4WD and good tires. Eldora is about 30 minutes for skiing, Wild Basin is beautiful on snowshoes, and the fireplaces earn their keep.
Good to know