The two-week trip my sister Sammi and I took around Wyoming and Colorado was fast paced, almost staying in a new destination every night, and involved equal parts camping and hotels. This was my ideal situation as was Sammi’s. She provided the tent and necessary gear, doing that part of the research, while I found hotels in between. S
ome places were last minute decisions while others were the first places we booked. Here are the places we stayed on our national parks road trip that we would recommend to others!
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Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Jackson Hole Lodge
While we thought we were staying at the Lodge at Jackson Hole, another similarly named property nearby, we soon discovered we were hosted at the latter, Jackson Hole Lodge. After a long day of driving from Denver, we were pleased to find a room with our names on it a short walk from downtown Jackson Hole.
Despite the misunderstanding, the property featured a hot tub and pool with views of the main drag, kitchens in the rooms, and comfortable beds, not to mention parking.
Grand Tetons National Park
Gros Ventre Campground
After our first night in town, we spent the following nights at a campground in the Grand Tetons, conveniently located between the amenities of Jackson and the park. Gros Ventre Campground was our home, with a bathroom and fire. It was my first night camping in a very long time and there were some adjustments to be made. We woke up to frost on the tent as I shuffled in my many layers to brush my teeth.
Yellowstone National Park
Madison Campground
Yellowstone has plenty of camping spots, but Madison Campground is, in my opinion, the very best in the park. Not only is it well located near landmarks like Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic, but it also has bathhouses and nearby nature trails.
You might even spot a bison nearby! It fills up quickly in high season, however, so book early if possible. This was the only reservation we made in advance for campgrounds apart from the one below. The rest we simply arrived at and hoped for the best.
Lander, Wyoming
Sinks Canyon State Park
When we traveled to Lander for a friend’s wedding, I knew I wanted to stay somewhere different with the comforts of a real bed. I found the perfect accommodation at Sinks Canyon State Park. Our yurt was tucked into the breathtaking canyon with a grill, deck, bunk beds, and even a table.
A bathroom was located right across the parking lot and while we had to drive into town to find a shower, the access to the visitor’s center as well as hiking and climbing were unrivaled. I also liked being able to unpack for a few days.
Rawlins, Wyoming
Rawlins KOA
After leaving Lander and heading south, we had to decide between staying in Rawlins and Laramie. Both towns had campgrounds, but we ended up going with Rawlins KOA. Despite its location near the highway, there was a nice wall that protected us from the wind as well as a picnic table. The campground had all the amenities the brand is known for, namely WiFi, cabins, kitchens, and a gift shop.
Fort Collins, Colorado
La Quinta
I forgot to take a picture, but we made a last minute booking at La Quinta Inn in Fort Collins the day before. The hotel was under construction but included free breakfast, WiFi, and comfortable bedding. The only problem was that it was a short drive from downtown. But otherwise, I’d recommend it.
Estes Park, Colorado
The Stanley Hotel
The Stanley Hotel was the one place I knew I wanted to stay on this trip as the haunted hotel is an icon in Estes Park. It was the best night’s sleep I had all trip, despite what I’d heard about otherworldly visitors to the rooms. The furnishings were classic and the television played The Shining on repeat 24/7.
Denver, Colorado
Aloft Broomfield
Thanks to my Starwood points, we stayed a night at Aloft Broomfield, located in a suburb of Denver that is a short drive from both downtown and Boulder. I loved the layout of the rooms, where we were able to make ourselves coffee in the morning and catch up on Game of Thrones. The lobby was still active well into the evening.
Embassy Suites
Embassy Suites Downtown was the perfect base for our adventures in the city, right across the street from the convention center and iconic blue bear statue. We walked everywhere during our stay apart from a few Uber rides to faraway breweries. But we were pleased at the many nearby restaurants, complimentary breakfast, and nightly reception.
Thanks to Embassy Suites for hosting our stay in Denver!
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