Best Cabin Camping near Rocky Mountain National Park

Ranger Review: Humangear at Flatiron Reservoir Campground

Campground Review:

Flatiron Reservoir Campground is located just outside the city of Loveland, Colorado. Situated on 47 acres of water and 200 acres of land, Flatiron offers electrical sites for $25/night and three tipis at $35/night. Reservations must be made in advance through the Larimer County Camping Reservations website. Entrance permits are also required and the cost is $7 per day per vehicle. Permits can be obtained through the admin office located just a few minutes from the campground at 1800 South County Rd 31 in Loveland. There is self-serve kiosk across the road from the admin office where permits can also be purchased.

All campsites have a view of the reservoir and Flatiron Mountain. Swimming and boating are not allowed on the reservoir, but you can bank fish or utilize the handicap accessible fishing dock. The campground also provides potable water, vault toilets, and day use areas. While Flatiron does not have a dumpsite for campers/RVs, there is one located at Carter Lake South Entrance just up the road on 31. There are also modern restroom facilities at Eagle Campground including pay showers. You can use these restrooms as long as you have an entrance permit.

I chose one of the three tipis on this trip. Each tipi has an electrical box inside with two, 120v outlets which were perfect for charging cell phones.The tipi also includes a string of LED lights that can be turned on at night. The floor is covered by an oiled canvas cloth, but I opted to bring a tarp to put down as well. These are walk-in sites, but it's only a short distance, 30-40 feet from the parking area. Each tipi has two parking spots and an additional tent can be placed in the campsite. The tipi can accommodate up to six people. Dogs are not allowed inside the tipi, and building fires inside is prohibited. Each campsite has a picnic table and fire ring. There is also a campground host on duty.

Flatiron is less than an hour drive from Rocky Mountain National Park, and 15-20 minutes from Devil's Backbone Open Space. Carter Lake, located on County Road 31 is also a short drive from the reservoir and offers boating, swimming, and fishing. There is also The Windjammer Roadhouse Bar and Grill located along 31 and the Carter Lake Marina where fishing licenses, snacks, and fishing supplies can be purchased.

I've camped the last three years at Flatiron when I've traveled out West. The campground is fairly well-maintained and the campground host has always been helpful. The reservoir does offer beautiful sunrises and sunsets and has the feel of being out in the country while still being relatively close to town. It's good to note that bears do come through the campground from time to time, so it's important not to leave food/coolers/water sitting outside or in your tent or tipi. I've heard coyotes howling at night and saw a pair of bobcats crossing the road on my way back from Carter Lake Marina. It's one of my favorite spots to camp in northern Colorado.

Product Review:

As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get products to test from time to time. This time around I had the opportunity to test out a sample pack from Humangear including their GoToobs, FlexiBowl, GoTubbs, GoBites, and GoCup. http://www.humangear.com/

1. First off, these products are made from silicone and they're BPA and PC-Free, and they come with a lifetime warranty. Humangear also gives back to the community by volunteering their time, and donating their products. All pluses in my book.

2. Because the cup, bowl, and GoToobs are made of silicone, they're easy to pack, flexible and light weight. Perfect to toss in a bag or camping tote without having to worry about whether or not they might break or crack. The GoCup with the press fit lid would also be a great way to carry snacks on a day hike. Just toss in your favorite granola or trail mix, pop on the lid and toss in your pack. And, the snap together Uno GoBite utensil has found a permanent home in my backpack; a spoon on one end, a fork on the other, I'll never need to use disposable, plastic utensils again.

3. The GoToobs were perfect for storing shampoo, conditioner and lotion while camping. The lids fit snugly and I had no issues with leaks. They even have a pop up handle on the lid.

4. EASY clean-up! One of my least favorite parts of camping is cleaning my gear. And, while I wash my plates, cups, bowls, utensils, etc. as well as possible while camping, I still feel the need to give them the once over when I get home. This wasn't the case with the Humangear items. Camp clean up was easy and they dried quickly after being washed.

I'll be taking my Humangear on my next camping trip this fall!

Glen Echo is an exceptional one-stop Poudre Canyon camping experience.   While they do offer large and small cabins, long and short term RV spots, we tent camped for two nights on two different riverside sites - numbers 1 and 6 - and both were awesome!  Both spots offered amazing rushing water views, a nice mixture of sun and shade, picnic tables, and fire rings.  One of the spots - site 1 - had electric hook-up.  Aside from the great tent sites, they have on-site a general store/market, fuel, a liquor store and restaurant/cafe, which made life super convenient because it's located about mid-way through Poudre Canyon and there's not a lot out there.  Also, clean showers, which was a nice surprise.  Cannot recommend this chill camping destination enough!

Fee box at entrance with all current information.

"Reservation Only" 800-244-5613 or cpwshop.com or come to the Moose Visitor Center Campground is very open. Gravel sites with picnic table 

Electric $36.00 plus reservation fees Basic and tent $28.00 plus reservation fees Dispersed $18.00 plus reservation fees Small cabins $90.00 Large cabin $120.00 Yurts & Huts $80.00-$275.00 Backcountry no charge 

The park encompasses almost 71,000 acres. You will find a visitor center 187 campsites for RV and tent and over 60 dispersed sites, 15 cabins and yurts, boat ramps and 94 miles of hiking trails. There are all types or recreation throughout the year.  The park forest is being decimated by the Mountain pine beetle so the dead trees are being removed. This leaves a very stark deserted look. It is very difficult to observe the devastation that the state of Colorado is dealing with.

LNT 

Better than when you found it 

Stay safe and happy travels

When visiting Estes Park if you are wanting to be close to all the action the KOA of Estes Park is the place to be.    Offering a midsized tent section, a large close together RV section and several cabins to provide the perfect retreat for those visiting the location is within walking distance of the lake and within a short drive of some of the best attractions of the area including the Stanley Hotel, hiking at Lily Lake or Long’s Peak and the entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park.   

I found this campground to be well organized, although it was less remote and did not feel like as much of a mountain retreat as many of the outlying camps of the area.     The tent area seemed a bit less bustling than the RV section as there was a bit of green space versus the sandy and clay landscape of the RV and cabin area.   

Something that really drew me into this campground was the deck spaces which offered elevated viewing of the surrounding.   It was a really interesting component which allows you to see a much larger range than the camp itself and created a unique setting for enjoying the mountain breeze on a hot day or gave a nice view of the stars at night.

This location epitomizes the idea of KOA campgrounds offering elevated services such as WIFI, Cable TV connections and a dog park.     In addition there is a store which offers a variety of items including propane and firewood.

Since I am a tent camper I really wanted to explore more of the tent area than other areas of the park.  I noticed they had both water and electric sites and electric only sites.    Each of these accommodate up to 6 people, although I would say that would make me feel a bit to crowded.     The tent camps also allow small vans or pop ups in this area.   

But here is the BIG KICKER…. The Price!!

Staying in Estes Park and being so close to everything comes at a HUGE price point.   To have all the amazing amenities you will pay $53 or $58 for a tent site.    To me this is WAY above budget and while it is a prime location the price point is not within reason for me personally.    You can stay inside Rocky Mountain National Park at a price point that is half that of this park.   You are paying here to be in the community for sure and have the access to the local shops and restaurants.   

One special feature that comes along with staying in the area but is not included in the price is one of the best features, the wildlife!    It is known that the most likely reason for a traffic jam in Estes Park comes from the elk and Moose in the area randomly hanging out in public spaces.    It is not uncommon for them to roam into camp and make their presence known grazing around on any green space they can find.   A stay here is a chance with an encounter of something which cannot be purchased in a price point.

I’ve tent camped at Winding River Resort twice and both times really enjoyed it. It’s a little more expensive that some, but has lots of amenities that make it totally worth it. If you love real bathrooms and showers, this is your place! There’s a wonderful petting zoo area, playground, basketball courts and much more. They offer all sorts of activities such as horseback riding, ice cream social, chuckwagon breakfast, square dancing, cowboy church. Some do have an additional fee. You may bring your own horses here too! There a several lodging options including camping, full RV hookups and cabins. The location near Grand Lake and Rocky Mountain National Park can’t be beaten! So much to do in the area. There’s a separately owned, but very convenient onsite place where you can rent ATVs, bikes and snowmobiles. There’s even a small store onsite with necessities, T-shirts, souvenirs, etc. The campsites are large and trees and wildflowers abound.

A lovely wooded campground literally on the edge of Rocky Mountain National Park - we even saw moose from the back window of our RV!  Options for everyone from cabins, to FHU RV sites (limited and not the ideal locations, but still nice), water/electric sites and tenting areas.  Even Conestoga wagons!  There is horseback riding on site and we loved watching the horses run in and out each morning/evening and you just have to cross the road for a pretty hike along the Colorado River in RMNP (no dogs on the trails).  We camped with our Great Dane - very dog friendly with bag stations around the park.  Friendly and helpful staff, a small shop with supplies and souvenirs, a cute little petting zoo with goats, sheep, and pigs.