We spend a week at East Portal in Early July 2011. We traveled in a pop-up with our four children ranging in age from 8 to 2.
Three items stand out in my mind as being the most alluring parts of this campground. If you’re (I’m sure most people are) visiting this place to be close to RMNP, and want a campground with electricity and water, without feeling like you’re camping in a parking lot, this is the place. Just down the path from our site was the East Portal Reservoir; and a trail-head for the Wind River Trail. I loved being able to hop on the trail and disappear for a couple hours in the early morning while the rest of the family was asleep. About a quarter mile on the trail from the reservoir up the hillside was a rock outcrop that offered a wonderfully panoramic view of the valley below. My children and I sat atop the outcrop one beautifully clear morning and listened to the wind sing through the pines as the cold mountain water danced its way down the into the valley. As we sat there, I thought to myself that it was for this moment that we came. My young kids seemed to appreciate the beauty of the landscape and of the moment as well. Our senses came alive as the morning sun warmed us in perfect balance with the cool mountain breeze. When I thought this moment couldn’t get more perfect, we spotted a mother deer leading her fawn up the hillside below. She moved with such confidence and grace; easily navigating the roots and rocks in the valley below. A few more miles up the hillside along the trail you can make it to Sprague Lake. Get there early in the morning to see the sun rise opposite the Continental Divide, while the morning fisherman wade in the shallow water.
Another positive aspect of this campground were the wonderful people we met from all around the country. We met folks from Michigan, Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Virginia. Our children roamed the campsite together while we all sat around together chatting like old friends. We shared our experiences of the day in the park, of being on the road all summer. The camp hosts were very friendly and positive folks. They welcomed us each evening, and warned us of the food regulations to keep out the nosy black bear from earlier in the week.
The only drawback I can is in some spots the sites lack privacy. If you select wisely, get an outside spot, not a middle one. If you’re lucky, one that faces the Divide will be available, and you can begin each day looking out over snow covered peaks. Enjoy your time!
If you own or manage Estes Park Campground, register now for free tools to enhance your listing, attract new reviews, and respond to reviewers.
- Manage your listing
