The Stanley Hotel in Colorado

After you arrive in Denver, you’ll head up the interstate to Estes Park, the gateway of Rocky Mountain National Park. Head straight to the Stanley, where you can gaze at the beautiful white giant, tucked within a shelter of greenery beneath the looming shadow of the Rocky Mountains while you pull up. As you approach the Stanley Hotel, take a deep breath of Colorado’s mountain air and taste the adventures in travel that await you. Make your way indoors to check in to your room and marvel at the immense interior, listening to the echoes of music and footsteps. 

As you navigate to your room, take a moment to ponder the Stanley’s long hallways and chilling presence. In this very hotel, Stephen King was inspired to write his famous horror novel, “The Shining,” but what exactly was it that inspired him?

Wake in the morning and shake off the suspicious ghostly whispers of the night before. Throw open the window blinds and take in the sights! You now sit deep within the Rocky Mountains at the daunting altitude of 7,522 feet above sea level, surrounded by over 400 miles of protected land and forest.

The Stanley Hotel sits less than one mile from downtown Estes Park, so use this opportunity to start your day with a leisurely walk to kickstart your day. Find your way to the friendly streets downtown and treat yourself to a proper Rocky Mountain breakfast (or perhaps brunch). 

Estes Park is a big and beautiful town with lots to offer! Spend your day acquainting yourself with the locals, looking at art, trying local food, and asking some of your new friends about their favorite Estes Park trails or Rocky Mountain secrets.

While the sun is up on your third day, take some time to check out Lake Estes and some of the locally beautiful trails that Estes Park has to offer. While you walk around, enjoy the sight of the many elk that resides in Estes Park. 

In Estes Park between September attend the “Elk Fest!” Enjoy a celebration of the thousands of beautiful creatures that take over the town in the fall and take part in keeping the land clean for them. 

As the sun sets and the haunting call of elk begins to subside, go on a haunted night tour of the Stanley Hotel. Hear the whispers of ghosts, see the strange basement of the hotel, and wonder about the infamous room 217.

Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) boasts over 400 miles of land, with adventure options in everything from subalpine lakes and woodlands to alpine tundra to the dangerous cliffs of Longs Peak. You’ll need more than one say to fully appreciate such a wild and immense land! As such, your first day in the park will be devoted to simply taking it in.

Begin on RMNP’s Trail Ridge Road, the highest paved road in the United States! Drive through the beautiful, elk-filled pine and fir forests, gaze upon the tooth of Longs Peak piercing the skyline at a fearsome 14,259 feet above sea level and approach the alpine tundra as you reach the road’s 12,183-foot summit.

During your drive, keep an eye out for any intriguing trails or picnic spots! When your stomach grumbles and you can’t resist the view, stop for a picnic at one of the park’s many designated picnic locations! Make sure not to feed the animals, and leave no trace of your presence. Make an impact by picking up any trash you spot corrupting your Rocky Mountain view.

After exploring some of RMNP’s views, it’s time to take advantage of the park’s trails. Start your day early with a hearty breakfast before heading to the park to push your body within the beauty of Colorado’s mountains!

Whether you’re an experienced, climatized hiker, or a casual adventurer, there are plenty of trails you can take advantage of in RMNP.

If you’re not feeling something too grueling, try the Bear Lake or Glacier Lake Trail. Both adventures will take you up into RMNP’s protected wilderness while providing a sense of pride in your travels. Both trailheads are right next to each other, so if you finish one and still crave more, try diversifying your experience with a second hike!

If you’re an experienced mountain climber, consider taking on Longs Peak or Chasm Lake. Longs Peak stands tall as RMNP’s only 14er, and this is its most dangerous hike and should not be attempted unless you have experience climbing 14ers of this class. If you aren’t prepared for the full technical challenge of summiting Longs Peak, then conquer Chasm Lake! As part of the Longs Peak expedition, Chasm Lake sits about halfway to the summit, providing an 8.5-mile round trip with plenty of challenges!

*Please visit 14ers.com for more information on risk factors and necessary gear before attempting to summit a 14er.

Wake up rested and walk off the soreness of the prior day’s adventures from your weary legs. Get a nice breakfast, whether from what the Stanley has to offer or from one of the local spots in town. Today is a day to relax, and possibly do a little more exploration.

If you spent last night dreaming of paths untaken in the park, embark on another trip into the protected wilderness. Drive the high winding Old Fall River Road and get a glimpse of another part of the park, enjoying the pure, immense beauty of the Rocky Mountains. 

If the steep trails and thin air of RMNP have wearied you, head into the town, enjoy a local coffee or bookshop, and take some time to read and reflect. Perhaps pick up a copy of “The Shining” and gaze up at the Stanley Hotel as you navigate its haunting pages. 

End your day with a nice dinner and relax in the cool mountain air until heavy eyelids lead you off to sleep.

Awaken and prepare for your departure home. Get something to eat, pack your things, and make your way to check out. As you leave the hotel and make your way out of the heart of the Rockies, take some time to reflect. Reflect on your mystical and spectacular stay at the historic Stanley Hotel, and allow your thoughts to wander the haunting beauty of Rocky Mountain National Park.