Estes Park Campground at Mary's Lake
Quick Facts
Why Estes Park & Rocky Mountain National Park
Estes Park is the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, home to over 250,000 acres of wilderness, 300 miles of hiking trails, and Trail Ridge Road — the highest paved highway in the country, cresting over 12,000 feet. The park welcomes 3.4 million visitors a year and is known for reliable elk, deer, and moose sightings right in the Estes Valley.
This campground sits about ten minutes from downtown Estes Park, giving guests genuinely easy access to both the national park’s east entrance and the town’s historic Stanley Hotel, shops, and restaurants.
What Makes It Special
- Location: About 10 minutes from downtown Estes Park
- Setting: Easy-access base camp, sites fairly close together
- Site type: RV and tent camping
- Amenities: Heated pool, bear-proof food lockers, camp store
- Recreation: Close access to Rocky Mountain National Park’s east entrance
Pro Tips for Booking
Reserve a Rocky Mountain National Park timed-entry pass ahead. The park requires reservations from late May through early October — book before you arrive.
Use the bear-proof food lockers. Wildlife is genuinely active in this area, and proper food storage matters.
Visit the Stanley Hotel. It’s the inspiration behind Stephen King’s The Shining and a short drive from the campground.
What to Do Around Here
- Rocky Mountain National Park’s east entrance, close by
- Trail Ridge Road, the highest paved highway in the country
- Elk and wildlife viewing throughout the Estes Valley
- Downtown Estes Park’s shops, restaurants, and the Stanley Hotel
- The Aerial Tramway up Prospect Mountain for valley views
