The Rockies offer an incredible selection of outdoor adventures throughout the year, from hiking, mountain biking and fishing in the summer to skiing and snowboarding in the winter. Visitors can admire diverse fauna and flora, from rare birds and mountain flowers, to big animals like moose, grizzly bears and bighorn sheep. Our list includes a diverse selection of places to stay, including lodges, hotels and inns close to Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, Glacier National Park in Montana, and Yellowstone and Grand Teton in Wyoming. Here are some of the best mountain vacations.
The Lodge and Spa at Brush Creek Ranch, Saratoga, Wyoming
The Lodge and Spa at Brush Creek Ranch in Saratoga, Wyoming is an all-inclusive getaway with 39 lodge rooms and cabins that can accommodate up to 150 people. The Trailhead Spa offers massages, skin treatments, and salon services. Guests can work out at the fitness center, relax in the saunas, steam rooms, and an outdoor hot tub. There is an excellent equestrian center and yoga classes.
Guests can gather around the fire pit, in the dance hall, or gear up for adventurous outings. There are several dining venues in the Lodge, including the Trailhead Great Room, which offers multi-course meals, a full bar, and the warmth of an open-hearth fireplace, and the Chuckwagon, which offers family styled meals including a barbeque.
The Saloon is the place to watch TV, play billiards or poker, or show off your singing abilities at karaoke. All of the rooms have Wi-Fi access, coffee stations, plush robes, 400 thread count sheets, and a majestic view of the mountains.
Address: 66 Brush Creek Ranch Road, Saratoga, WY 82331, 307-327-5284
Wyoming Inn of Jackson Hole
The Wyoming Inn of Jackson Hole features warm and cozy rooms and suites, complete with upholstered headboards and leather chairs. Guests can admire one of the world's largest collections of photographs by wildlife photographer Thomas Mangelsen. There is also a lovely exhibit of wildlife art and bronzes by various artists. Dine at The Whistling Grizzly, a beloved restaurant that is recognized as one of the best. Activities in Jackson Hole include dinner theater at the Jackson Hole Playhouse, rodeo, scenic hikes and exploring two nearby national parks, Yellowstone and Grand Teton.
Address: 930 West Broadway, Jackson Hole, Wyoming 83001, Phone: 307-734-0035
Glacier Under Canvas, Coram, Montana
Glacier Under Canvas is a luxury camping experience located just seven miles from the astoundingly beautiful Glacier National Park in Montana. Though accommodations are in the form of tents, they offer a level of comfort that will astound you. Guests can truly experience and enjoy the wild without having to give up the satisfying comforts of home. Plush camping tents have raised wooden floors, cozy bedding, and even private bathrooms with showers and baths.
Choose from a standard camping tent, a deluxe tent with a tipi, a log cabin, or a tree house – there is a retreat for every taste. Tents have roomy living areas, fresh linens and splendid views of the surrounding natural landscape. Some even have wood-burning fireplaces, king-size beds, and carpeted floors.
Take a scenic drive through some of the world’s most beautiful countryside and explore over 700 miles of trails in Glacier National Park where you can hike, bike or horseback ride, head to the lake for some fishing, or try whitewater rafting on the Flathead River.
Address: 101 Under Canvas Rd, Coram, MT 59913 , 888-496-1148
Viceroy Snowmass, Colorado
Viceroy Snowmass is a luxurious hotel in the heart of the Rocky Mountains that offers sophistication and style at the base of one of the world's best ski mountains. Featuring deluxe ski-in/ski-out luxury resort lodging, a spa, and an array of adventures and activities for the whole family, this hotel is the ideal place for a mountain vacation any time of the year.
Custom-designed interiors combine with modern amenities and finishes in the resort’s 173 exceptional accommodations to provide tranquil and exclusive retreats. Full or convenience kitchens, gas fireplaces, private sundecks and state-of-the-art technologies such as wireless Internet provide absolute comfort, while in-room spa services, personalized meal preparation, and 24-hour in-room dining allow guests to indulge themselves and can be arranged upon request.
Participate in a wealth of outdoor activities throughout the year, from hiking, mountain biking, fly-fishing, horseback riding, and attending festivals and concerts in the summer to wintertime skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, and sleigh rides.
J Bar L Ranch, Montana
Escape into the middle of nowhere with a stay at the J Bar L Ranch in Montana. Tucked away in the midst of the Centennial Valley near Rocky Mountain National Park, the J Bar L is a holistically managed grass-fed beef ranch that offers fully-restored rental homestead cabins, exquisite farm-to-table dining, and an abundance of outdoor activities.
Beautifully restored rustic and elegant cabins feature spacious rooms, private bathrooms with hot tubs, and luxury amenities, including fully stocked kitchens, gas stoves and grills for outdoor cooking, and in-room laundry facilities. Backpacks, hiking maps, and binoculars are available for guest use to explore the magnificent surrounding landscape.
With thousands of acres to explore, visitors can hike, bike, horseback ride, watch wildlife, visit the nearby Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge and Yellowstone National Park, or simply sit on the porch and admire the breathtaking scenery.
Triple Creek Ranch, Rocky Mountains
Triple Creek Ranch in Darby is luxury wilderness hideaway with a choice of three bedroom cabins and ranch homes. All of the cabins are spacious and styled in a rustic manner, complete with bathrooms and sitting areas. You’ll never run out of things to do here – you can take advantage of massages, a pool, a tennis court, and a fitness center. Guests can also enjoy horseback riding, fishing, sled dog treks, and helicopter tours arranged by the Ranch.
The restaurant provides guests with an elegant formal dining experience, complete with salads, duck breast, Alaskan halibut, and mousse. The Rooftop Lounge offers a more relaxing atmosphere for mingling, and serves cocktails, beers, and wine. Have a drink and relax by the fireplace or on one of the decks.
Taharaa Mountain Lodge, Estes Park, Colorado
Located close to Estes Park in Colorado and just minutes from Rocky Mountain National Park, Taharaa Mountain Lodge is an exclusive and inviting bed and breakfast-style lodge. This beautifully appointed retreat features attractive and lush accommodations in the form of nine standard rooms and nine suites, all of which have comfortable décor and furnishings, bathrooms with showers and soaking tubs, and cozy fireplaces. A delicious home cooked breakfast is served every morning, and a variety of dining options and evening entertainment is available in the nearby town of Estes.
Visitors flock to this glorious part of the world to take in the great outdoors and all the activities it has to offer. From over 355 miles of hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking trails to countless rivers that allow water sports, fishing, and kayaking, Estes is a thrilling place that also offers an array of fun summer festivals, outdoor events, and fairs that celebrate the region’s rich history.
Winding River Resort, Grand Lake, Colorado
Located near Grand Lake in Colorado, the Winding River Resort is a family-friendly mountain resort surrounded by the heart-stopping beauty of the Arapahoe National Forest and Rocky Mountain National Park.
The resort offers guests a variety of comfortable accommodations, ranging from cozy log cabins and lodge rooms to roomy RVs and neat campsites with tents for camping. Inviting décor in natural materials, gas fireplaces, and small kitchenettes create a home-away-from-home atmosphere while private porches enthral guests with perfect views.
The spectacular mountain setting of the resort presents a range of outdoor activities, including hiking, horseback riding, and snowmobiling, while the nearby Grand Lake, Lake Granby, and Shadow Mountain Lake are ideal for watersports such as fishing and boating.
Chico Hot Springs Resort, Pray, Montana
Chico Hot Springs Resort & Day Spa in Pray, Montana has 48 rooms in the main lodge, comfortably furnished with gorgeous antiques. Most rooms are supplied with sinks while thirteen of the rooms have a full private bath. There are thirteen different wings, each with a variety of rooms to suit each individual guest’s needs. Visitors can treat themselves to a trip to the day spa and indulge in services such as massages and body wraps, or they can soak in the natural hot springs pools.
The resort has its own horse barn, and visitors are able to go on trail rides. If horses aren’t appealing to you, don’t worry – ski and snowshoe rentals, rafting, dogsled treks, and a lush garden are all available to guests as well. The Dining room serves fresh cuisine and fine wines nightly and breakfast in the mornings. Sunday is a special day because guests can enjoy a delicious and hearty brunch. The Poolside Grille offers pizza, burgers, and beer, while the Saloon offers a variety of drinks and a pool table and televisions for entertainment.
Grand Lake Lodge, Grand Lake, Colorado
Grand Lake Lodge is a beautiful summer mountain lodge overlooking Grand Lake and Shadow Mountain Reservoir that dates back to 1920. Located next to Rocky Mountains National Park, rustic log cabins offer a unique experience, complete with cozy fireplaces, traditional décor, and private porches with spectacular lake views. The main lodge features a stylish lobby with a circular fireplace, hickory rocking chairs, and porch swings where guests relax and take in the scenic vistas.
There is a warm and welcoming restaurant that serves a breakfast buffet and a very popular Sunday Brunch. The dinner menu offers delectable cuisine with prime-cut steaks, fresh seafood dishes, and an extensive cocktail, beer, and wine list. Activities in and around the lodge abound, with hiking and camping, mountain biking, horseback riding, golf, boating, whitewater rafting, and fishing. The small mountain lake town of Grand Lake offers a nice selection of shopping.
Della Terra Mountain Chateau
Surrounded by the Colorado Rocky Mountains, Della Terra Mountain Chateau is an enchanting lodge that promises a magical mountain escape throughout the year. Located in Estes Park at the entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park, the chateau rests at the top of the wooded acreage and boasts stunning views over the valley.
Fourteen romantic suites have spacious living areas with arched windows, snug sitting nooks, and wood-burning fireplaces. Guest bathrooms have large rain showers and soaking hot tubs with décor inspired by the surrounding nature. The chateau has an inviting lounge with a vast three-sided stone fireplace and waterfall, a comfortable library and theater room, private spa treatment room, and dry heat sauna for absolute relaxation.
An array of onsite activities ranging from biking, bird watching, boating and fishing to hiking, horseback riding, snowshoeing and whitewater rafting can be enjoyed.
3501 Fall River Rd, Estes Park, CO 80517, Phone: (970) 586-2501
