Family trip to Colorado

Question

Hi! First time to Colorado looking for recommendation for lodging for family of 4 (including 7 and 4 year old) . Need a good base that allows for us to visit several different areas of Colorado and need an outdoor pool. Interested in activities that you would recommend too - we love to hike and be outside ! Summer trip - flying into Denver or Colorado Springs !! Thanks !!

Answer

For a first-time family trip to Colorado with young children and a desire for outdoor activities, choosing a central base with easy access to multiple regions is key. Since you’re flying into Denver or Colorado Springs, both cities offer good starting points, but the best option depends on how much driving you want to do and what types of outdoor experiences you prioritize.

Recommended bases:

Denver metro area / Evergreen / Boulder: Staying near Denver or Boulder gives you a central location to explore northern Colorado, including Rocky Mountain National Park, Boulder Flatirons hikes, and nearby lakes. Many family-friendly hotels and resorts have outdoor pools and kid-friendly amenities. Driving to Colorado Springs or southern destinations is possible for day trips (about 1.5–2 hours each way).
Colorado Springs area: Ideal if your focus is on southern Colorado attractions such as Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, and Manitou Springs. There are resorts and hotels with outdoor pools suitable for families, and it’s closer for day trips to the Royal Gorge or nearby hiking spots.
Estes Park / Rocky Mountain National Park gateway: Perfect if your main goal is mountain hiking and scenic nature. Estes Park has lodges, hotels, and cabins with outdoor pools, and you’re right at the doorstep of RMNP. It’s farther from Colorado Springs and the southern attractions, so consider this if your focus is primarily the Rockies.

Hotel/lodging suggestions with outdoor pools:

Great Wolf Lodge, Colorado Springs: Family-friendly resort with indoor and outdoor water play, kid activities, and easy access to Garden of the Gods.
The Stanley Hotel, Estes Park: Iconic lodge with outdoor pool, mountain views, and access to RMNP trails. Has family-friendly accommodations.
Marriott Denver Tech Center / Boulder area hotels: Many offer outdoor pools, easy access to city amenities and day trips to the mountains.
Airbnb cabins or vacation rentals: Many rentals near Estes Park, Boulder, or Colorado Springs have private outdoor pools or hot tubs, and often offer more space for families with children.

Recommended activities for families with young children:

Hiking: easy to moderate trails suitable for kids, such as Garden of the Gods Loop, Bear Lake Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park, or Chautauqua Park trails in Boulder.
Wildlife viewing: Rocky Mountain National Park, Bear Creek Canyon, or Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.
Scenic drives: Trail Ridge Road in RMNP, Pikes Peak Highway, or Peak to Peak Scenic Byway.
Outdoor play areas and botanical gardens: Denver Botanic Gardens, Boulder Creek Path, or local parks.
Adventure activities: ziplining, paddleboarding, or mini-golf depending on area (Estes Park Adventure Park, Garden of the Gods Adventure Park).
Relaxation: swimming at your hotel or lodge pool to let kids unwind after a day of hiking and exploring.

Suggested approach: Choose either Denver/Boulder for northern exploration with day trips south, or Colorado Springs for southern mountains and iconic attractions. If the Rockies are the main goal, Estes Park is unbeatable for hiking and mountain scenery. Booking lodging with an outdoor pool is fairly easy in any of these areas, especially in family-oriented resorts or vacation rentals.

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