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Message
Rocky Mountain National Park with a 5 yr old
Posted on 9/5/20 at 5:05 pm
Posted on 9/5/20 at 5:05 pm
I'm taking my son on his first father-son trip in 3 weeks. He's really into dinosaurs, so I'll be taking him to Dinosaur Ridge in Morrison one day. I'm taking him to RMNP one of the days and already got passes for the Saturday and Monday mornings so that we have flexibility (Saturday was a free day, but also the LSU game).
What are some good sites/short hikes that would be good for a 5 yr old? I definitely want to take the Old Falls River Rd on the way up to the Summit shop. Of course, I'm also bringing my camera and looking forward to getting some good pictures. Any suggestions for good places to view wildlife, great scenery, etc would be great. We've been talking about all the wildlife that we can potentially see in the park.
Also, anything else that might be of interest for a 5 yr old in the Denver area would be great. I'd like for it to be memorable for him.
What are some good sites/short hikes that would be good for a 5 yr old? I definitely want to take the Old Falls River Rd on the way up to the Summit shop. Of course, I'm also bringing my camera and looking forward to getting some good pictures. Any suggestions for good places to view wildlife, great scenery, etc would be great. We've been talking about all the wildlife that we can potentially see in the park.
Also, anything else that might be of interest for a 5 yr old in the Denver area would be great. I'd like for it to be memorable for him.
6
Posted on 9/5/20 at 5:09 pm to LSU Tigershark
Bear Lake and Dream Lake are both nice for that age. Trail Ridge Road is a good drive for them in the park. St Mary’s Glacier is also cool, not in the park but fairly close and doable for that age.
Posted on 9/5/20 at 5:44 pm to TigerSaintInDallas
I would have liked to do Mt Evans, but it's closed. I wasn't sure how the hike would be at St Mary. I've never been, so it might be cool to check out. I love seeing those bristlecone pines
Posted on 9/6/20 at 10:55 am to LSU Tigershark
If you have not been to the park in a while, you will be surprised at the number of trees that have been killed by beetle infestation. Really sad but still one of the most amazing National Parks that we have. 
Posted on 9/6/20 at 12:40 pm to LSU Tigershark
quote:
Also, anything else that might be of interest for a 5 yr old in the Denver area would be great. I'd like for it to be memorable for him.
Denver children’s museum is pretty cool. Reservation required though
Posted on 9/6/20 at 2:28 pm to LSU Tigershark
I’m currently planning a trip in 2021 there, too, but my kids are older. From the very limited research I’ve done, you might consider staying at the YMCA of the Rockies. It’s convenient to the park but they also seem to have a lot of other planned activities that might be good for a 5 year old.
I’m also planning to drive down to Colorado Springs and see the cliff dwellings around there.
I might even book a night at the Stanley Hotel for the fun of it.
I’ll monitor this thread for any other advice and share what I find.
I’m also planning to drive down to Colorado Springs and see the cliff dwellings around there.
I might even book a night at the Stanley Hotel for the fun of it.
I’ll monitor this thread for any other advice and share what I find.
Posted on 9/6/20 at 3:26 pm to BobABooey
quote:
I’m also planning to drive down to Colorado Springs and see the cliff dwellings around there.
Just be aware those cliff dwellings are recreations made about a hundred years ago as a tourist attraction. Garden of the Gods and Pike's Peak are both well worth the trip though. Gas up before you start up that mountain for Pike's Peak.
Posted on 9/6/20 at 3:34 pm to LSU Tigershark
Are you interested in maybe doing some off-roading while you are here?
Posted on 9/6/20 at 3:48 pm to RaginCajunz
quote:
those cliff dwellings are recreations made about a hundred years ago as a tourist attraction.
AAARRRRRGGGHHH!!! Thanks for the heads up!
Where would we go to see the real thing? Mesa Verde?
Posted on 9/6/20 at 5:58 pm to BobABooey
quote:
AAARRRRRGGGHHH!!! Thanks for the heads up! Where would we go to see the real thing? Mesa Verde?
Yeah. Down in the four corners area. Mesa Verde having most of the ones I have heard of. I only knew because I was planning the same and stumbled upon the “reconstruction “ history. That four corners area feels very out of the way from RMNP/Denver type trip.
I’ll have to find my post. We did the big CO loop trip this Summer with my 5/7 year old boys. I did a big recap that might help you
Found it. Denver/rmnp/Bkack Canyon/Mesa Verde/ /Sand Dunes/ Col Springs trip
This post was edited on 9/6/20 at 6:00 pm
Posted on 9/6/20 at 6:01 pm to BobABooey
Yes. Real ones are down in SW Colorado.
Posted on 9/6/20 at 7:23 pm to Jakesonaplane
quote:
Are you interested in maybe doing some off-roading while you are here?
Interested, yes. But I don't think we will be doing much off-roading in my brother-in-law's Hyundai Santa Fe
Posted on 9/8/20 at 7:20 pm to clooneyisgod
quote:
Denver children’s museum is pretty cool. Reservation required though
I think the limited reservations and time per reservation will keep us from going, but we may make a trip to the Denver Nature and Science Museum. I know he would like the fossils and if it's anything like Houston's museum, he will love it.
Posted on 9/13/20 at 8:45 am to LSU Tigershark
Bump for suggestions on good spots to see elk/moose in the park
Posted on 9/13/20 at 8:48 am to LSU Tigershark
FWIW, we saw several elk roaming through Estes Park in the city limits. I think they are very common in September. Moose may be harder to spot.
Posted on 9/13/20 at 8:59 am to LSU Tigershark
Elk are everywhere on the east side, you'll see plenty. Moose are generally on the west side along the Colorado River and the Never Summer Range. No guarantees on seeing a moose.
Posted on 9/13/20 at 9:02 am to LSU Tigershark
Chataqua and Pearl Street Mall in Boulder would be fun for him as would the Denver museum which has IMAX, planetarium, dinosaurs etc.
Posted on 9/13/20 at 9:14 am to 8thyearsenior
quote:
Elk are everywhere on the east side, you'll see plenty. Moose are generally on the west side along the Colorado River and the Never Summer Range. No guarantees on seeing a moose.
Last summer, we didn't have much time in the park and it was foggy. I saw probably 10 moose at different spots, all pretty close, and only 1 elk in the distance. I'm hoping we have better luck for my son to see a good bit
Posted on 9/13/20 at 10:42 am to LSU Tigershark
If you saw 10 moose in the park then I would go there.
Posted on 9/13/20 at 12:03 pm to 8thyearsenior
I saw them along Old Fall River Rd and in Coyote Valley. Definitely plan to go to the first if it's open. Just wondering if there's any hidden gems that are someone's favorite little spots
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