Sometimes travel doesn’t have to be packed with sightseeing from morning to night to be memorable. Our week in Denver looked a lot like normal life—just with mountain air and a much better view.
Our boys attended a Pro Ambitions Hockey camp. During the day they were on the ice, while my husband and I worked remotely from an Airbnb. It was actually a fun experiment in what everyday life might look like if you temporarily lived in a different city.
Morning drop-offs at camp, coffee and laptops during the workday, then evenings exploring Denver together. But the real highlight of the trip came when the weekend arrived and we headed into the mountains.
A Mountain Weekend at YMCA of the Rockies
If you’re traveling with kids and looking for a place that truly has something for everyone, the YMCA of the Rockies is incredible.
Nestled just outside the adorable mountain town of Estes Park, the property sits surrounded by towering peaks and wide-open skies. The views alone are enough to make you stop in your tracks. It’s the kind of place where you find yourself pausing mid-walk just to look around because it all feels so big and beautiful.
But what makes it such a great destination for families is how much there is to do.
The campus has:
- Huge fields full of yard games
- Four square courts that are constantly full of kids
- A mini golf / putt-putt course
- Rock climbing walls
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Miles of hiking trails
- A natatorium for indoor swimming
- An arts and crafts center where kids can paint pottery and create projects
- Several restaurants and dining options
- Multiple lodging options, including cabins, lodge rooms, and larger accommodations
It honestly feels like a giant playground designed for families of all ages. I can absolutely see why so many families choose it for reunions.
If you’re planning a family trip to Rocky Mountain National Park, staying at the YMCA of the Rockies is such a great option.
You get easy access to the park, endless activities for kids, and the kind of mountain setting that instantly slows you down and makes you appreciate where you are.
Plus, the combination of adventure during the day and relaxed evenings back at the property makes it feel like a true family getaway.
Exploring Rocky Mountain National Park
Another reason the YMCA of the Rockies is such a great home base is its proximity to Rocky Mountain National Park. You’re just minutes from several park entrances, making it incredibly easy to get out and explore.
Hiking from Wild Basin Trailhead to Ouzel Falls
One of our favorite hikes was along the Wild Basin Trailhead up to Ouzel Falls. The trail follows a rushing stream, winding through forest and over wooden bridges. The sound of the water is with you almost the entire hike.
When we reached Ouzel Falls, it was absolutely stunning—water crashing through the rocks with mountain scenery all around. The boys loved it.
Driving Trail Ridge Road
We also drove Trail Ridge Road, which is easily one of the most scenic drives we’ve ever done. The road climbs above the tree line, and suddenly you’re surrounded by sweeping views of the Rockies in every direction.
We stopped at the Alpine Visitor Center, which sits at the highest elevation of any visitor center in the country.
From there we climbed the Alpine Ridge Trail, reaching 12,005 feet above sea level. Standing up there with our 7- and 9-year-olds looking out across the mountains was pretty surreal.
The boys were genuinely amazed by the scale of it all. They kept pointing out peaks and asking questions, and at one point one of them just said how incredible God’s creation was. Moments like that make a trip stick with you.
A Trip Full of Adventure and Awe
This trip started as a practical one—balancing work schedules while the boys attended hockey camp—but it turned into something much more memorable.
Between the mountain views in Estes Park, the hikes through Rocky Mountain National Park, and watching our boys take in landscapes bigger than anything they’d ever seen before, it became a week full of adventure and awe.
If you’re looking for a family-friendly way to experience Rocky Mountain National Park, I can honestly say the YMCA of the Rockies is an amazing place to start.