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Estes Park/Fort Collins

Hi -- We will be embarking on a 2 week trip to Utah and Colorado later this year in September.

As part of that, we would like to go to RMNP -- but also spend a day in Fort Collins (craft beer drinkers).

Do you think it makes more sense to

1. Spend 3 nights in Estes Park and daytrip to Fort Collins

or

2. Spend 2 nights in EP and then move our lodging to Fort Collins

TIA!

Joanne

For a September trip to Colorado that includes both Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) and Fort Collins, the decision between staying all in Estes Park or splitting your lodging depends on your priorities for convenience versus flexibility.

Option 1: Three nights in Estes Park and daytrip to Fort Collins

  • Estes Park is the gateway town for RMNP, so staying here gives you easy early morning access to the park, which is ideal for beating crowds and getting good wildlife and sunrise opportunities.
  • The drive from Estes Park to Fort Collins is about 1–1.5 hours each way. This makes for a long day if you plan to explore multiple breweries or enjoy Fort Collins’ downtown scene thoroughly.
  • You avoid the hassle of packing and moving mid-trip, which can be a relief after several days of travel.

Option 2: Two nights in Estes Park, then move to Fort Collins

  • Staying one night in Fort Collins reduces driving time for your brewery exploration and allows for a more relaxed schedule.
  • You still get two full days in Estes Park, which is generally enough time to explore the main areas of RMNP, including Bear Lake, Trail Ridge Road, and shorter hikes.
  • Changing hotels mid-trip does require packing and settling in again, but Fort Collins has many convenient lodging options near breweries and downtown attractions.

Additional considerations:

  • September weather in the mountains can be unpredictable; having extra flexibility in Estes Park may help if you want to adjust RMNP plans for snow, rain, or wind.
  • If your focus is more on craft beer and downtown Fort Collins nightlife, splitting your stay is worth the effort.
  • If your main priority is RMNP and a more relaxed pace with minimal driving, staying all three nights in Estes Park is simpler.

Overall, both options are feasible. A practical compromise is to stay two nights in Estes Park to fully enjoy RMNP, then one night in Fort Collins to explore breweries without long drives. This balances nature immersion with urban exploration without feeling rushed.

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