Every Adventurer's Basecamp Is Just Outside of Rocky Mountain National Park at Trailborn Rocky Mountain

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Adventure and hotel don’t belong in the same sentence, so why am I calling Trailborn Rocky Mountain the basecamp for adventurers? The answer I’m crazy. Just kidding. This adventure-forward hotel fosters a sense of community and encourages adventure. A steep task they have taken on, if I say so myself, but here’s how they do it.

Kristin and I soaking in the apline glow at Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain NP. Photo by Dalton Johnson.

First, their lobby feels more like a mountain cafe that you want to sit back and enjoy a book. Speaking of books, they have several picture books (ahem, they are called coffee table books) lining the walls inviting you to grab one and start dreaming. Some of the books are local adventures and others are far flung idea generators from around the world.

We had a rainy day and spent a lot of time in the lobby, drinking lattes, reading books, and enjoying the fireplace.

Second, s’mores. Every night, Trailborn Rocky Mountain cranks the heat on the outdoor fire pit and supplies the s’mores essentials. For Kristin and I, this was a great place to unwind while sharing a beverage and chatting. One of the nights, the fire pit was “crowded” and we struck up some great conversations with other travelers who shared beta for great hikes in the area.

What Are The Rooms Like?

The rooms are newly renovated, to a modern minimalism look and feel. By no means am I an architect, so I can’t name styles, but I can say the room was functional, enjoyable to stay in, and had plenty of storage for our clothing. Also, Chestnut, our dog, had plenty of room to lounge around.

Favorite parts:

  • They had a window seat that was perfect for sitting and reading, especially on a rainy day.

  • Our dog could stay in the room and they gave us dog bowls for Chestnut.

  • The shower was HOT and held the steam inside of the room well.

  • The complementary coffee and tea was on point! Way better than any other hotel I’ve stayed.

Some improvements/critiques I’d suggest:

  • The bed could still use an upgrade, I’m not sure what was going on, but ours was kind lumpy.

  • I’m a huge couch guy and the couch they built was funky. However, the window couch was AMAZING!

  • The TV is massive, which most people like, but I would have appreciated more art and less TV. I know this is me being picky and not liking TV.

Hotel Preview (Part 1):

Hotel Preview (Part 2):

We Got The Fetch & Stay Package:

Not many hotels allow you to have a dog in Estes Park, CO, so Trailborn Rocky Mountain has leaned into their dog friendly rooms providing a package that levels up the dog’s experience at the hotel. Now, that is a sentence I never imagined writing, but, hey, it’s 2025.

With the Fetch & Stay package your pup gets a bandana, dog bowls in your room, and some CBD treats for your dog. Chestnut was hesitant around the CBD treats but eventually he ate one and really mellowed out. Since this was a first for us and him, we watched him carefully. Nothing happened, thankfully.

The next day, Kristin and I gave him another one and waited for the treat to kick in. Then, we slipped out the door for a day long adventure in the National Park (where dogs are not allowed).

Learn more about the Fetch and Stay package: https://www.trailborn.com/rocky-mountains/outpost-offers/

Estes Park Must Do Adventures:

A day out climbing at the Fins with KMAC guides in Estes, Park. Photo by Dalton Johnson

Like I said at the start of this article, Trailborn Rocky Mountain has taken on a bold stance to become the basecamp for all adventurer’s coming to Estes Park, CO and I must say, they are off to a good start. Sure, they have some more tweaks to make, but all great things come with time. My guess, in five years their brand will expand and become synonyms with adventure.

So, if you are looking for a dog friendly place to call basecamp, give Trailborn Rocky Mountain a try.

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