Getting there: From Denver, it's a two-hour drive to Estes Park via U.S. 36 or a three-hour journey to Grand Lake via I-70, U.S. 40 and U.S. 34.
Where to stay: In Grand Lake, the Rapids Lodge & Restaurant, 209 Rapids Lane, 970-627-3707, www.rapidslodge.com. Six lodge rooms, three rustic cabins and two modern condo buildings with 11 units combined. $65 to $175 per night. Closed in November.
Lemmon Lodge, 1224 Lake Ave., 970-627-3314 in summer, 970-725-3511 in winter, www.lemmonlodge.com. Twenty cabins (19 have kitchens) on five lakeside acres, about 20 yards from main drag of Grand Lake. Cabins sleep two to 12. Most cabins cost $70 to $215 nightly in summer, with minimum stays of three to four nights. Open May 19 to late September.
Grand Lake Lodge, 15500 U.S. 34, 970-627-3967, fax 970-627-9495, lodge restaurant 970-627-3185, www.grandlakelodge.com. Less than a mile south of the park entrance, 56 cabins and duplex cabins. Most units $70 to $90, larger cabins $130 to $160, with minimum stays of two to three nights. Open June 2-Sept. 10.
In Estes Park: Stanley Hotel, 333 Wonderview Ave., 970-586-3371, fax 970-586-3673, www.stanleyhotel.com. A 1909 Georgian building with 133 guest rooms. Rates $129 to $269.
Baldpate Inn, 4900 S. Highway 7, 970-586-6151, www.baldpateinn.com, about seven miles south of Estes Park. Open late May through September. Rooms with private bath cost $100, with shared bath $85; cabins cost $140.
Where to eat: In Grand Lake, EG's Garden Grill, 1000 Grand Ave., local tel. 627-8404. Main dishes $7.50 to $28.
In Estes Park, Notchtop Bakery & Cafe, 459 E. Wonderview, No. 4 (in the Upper Stanley Village mall), 586-0272, offers meat and vegetarian options. Dinner courses $6.95 to $12.95.
For more information: Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park, CO 80517; 970-586-1206, www.nps.gov/romo.
Grand Lake Chamber of Commerce, 14700 U.S. 34, Grand Lake, CO 80447; 800-531-1019 or 970-627-3402, fax 970-627-8007, www.grandlakechamber.com.
Estes Park Chamber Resort Association, 500 Big Thompson Ave., Estes Park, CO 80517; 800-443-7837, fax 970-586-6336, www.estesparkresort.com.
Colorado Travel and Tourism Authority, 1127 Pennsylvania St., Denver, CO 80203; 800-265-6723 (COLORADO) or (303-832-6171, www.colorado.com.