YMCA of the Rockies and Estes Park

Camp

Oct 31

The rugged beauty of Estes Park, Colorado makes an excellent setting for a wedding.

YMCA of the Rockies

YMCA of the Rockies is a sprawling camp surrounded by the Rocky Mountain National Park.

Similar to Silver Bay YMCA already featured, this is not your local YMCA limited to a swimming pool and some fitness classes. The YMCA of the Rockies has all the fun activities you expect from a traditional camp setting. Activities included in your stay include: roller skating, indoor pool, mini golf, dog parks, basketball, hiking and biking trails, disc golf and more. Activities that have additional fees and require registration include: archery, axe throwing, arts and crafts, escape room, horseback riding, and dog sledding. Day camp is available for youth ages 5-17.

The campus is large enough that it was a lot easier for people who had a rental car to move between the various cabins. For those who are not used to the higher elevation, a hike to a cabin with all your luggage can be a little taxing. Staying hydrated is essential.

It was the perfect setting for an August wedding. I came in on a Thursday and went home on a Sunday. I wish I’d been there longer to enjoy more of the activities, but I didn’t have enough PTO left from work.

Estes Park Activities

There is a free shuttle that will take you to activities in nearby Estes Park. We had an amazing time riding the Aerial Tramway up to the top of the mountain for stunning views and chipmunk feeding. (Check that it is operating during your visit using the link below). We did a little shopping and ate lunch next to a lovely little river in the town. Uber is not available in Estes Park. I was fortunate to get the phone number of the local rideshare: (970)682-9985 to get a ride to dinner for the bachelorette party at The View Restaurant at Historic Crags Lodge. Otherwise, I would have been hard-pressed to get there without a car. Cell service and mobile data can be spotty.

Lindsay on the Front Porch overlooking the YMCA Campus

Lodging

YMCA of the Rockies has a variety of housing options including private cabins, lodge rooms, camping, and even yurts. I stayed one night in a hotel-style lodge with the traditional basics including a private bathroom and bunk beds. Then I moved into the wedding cabin. It was one of several large reunion cabin spaces equipped with many rooms and a common living area, kitchen, and shared bathrooms.

There is a sister campus at Snow Mountain Ranch in Winter Park, Colorado.

Food

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are available to buy in the dining hall. Food is buffet style. There is also a counter service cafe-style option with extended hours. If you have a cabin, the kitchen allows you to prepare your own meals.

YMCA of the Rockies Location

2515 Tunnel Rd, Estes Park, CO 80511. It’s about a two-hour shuttle ride from the Denver Airport through the dramatic Rocky Moutain Landscape. I took the Estes Park Schedule booked in advance (info below) to the YMCA and rode back to the airport with a local.