900 Baseline Road (map)
(303) 442-3282
Website
The dozens of historic cottages at Chautauqua Park (built between 1899 and 1954) are available to rent on a nightly basis. The cottages range from studio to three-bedroom units, and provide unparalleled access to Chautauqua Park, the flatirons, and Flagstaff mountain. If the cottages are all booked for your stay, you might also explore the more affordable (if less charming) apartment-style options in the Columbine Lodge onsite.
All of the cottages are comfortably furnished, and have fully equipped kitchens. Note, however, that the cottages do not have televisions or phones, and that daily housekeeping services are not provided. Cell phone and Wifi service is generally available. If you like the idea of stepping from your back porch onto a hiking trail, definitely consider Chautauqua.
91 Fourmile Canyon Drive (map)
(303) 444-0882
Website
A-Lodge Boulder (formerly the Boulder Adventure Lodge, and before that the Boulder Mountain Lodge) is the closest camping, van-life parking, and hostel location near Boulder. You'll need to travel west on Canyon Drive and up Boulder Canyon before taking a right turn on Fourmile Canyon Drive. There is a biking/walking path that you can catch at this intersection that leads into town. Distance to the Pearl Street mall is around 3 miles. In the summer, camping and hostel reservations fill up quickly. There are cabins and hotel-style rooms available as well.
various locations near Nederland and Ward
(800) 280-CAMP
In the mountains high above Boulder are a variety of National Forest campgrounds. Note that at elevations greater than 8000 feet, summer afternoon showers are common and nights can be rather chilly — please plan accordingly.
Popular campsites include the Kelly-Dahl campground, located three miles south of Nederland on Highway 119 (map); the Pawnee Campground, located at Brainard Lake near Ward (map); and the Peacefully Valley/Camp Dick campground, 18 miles north of Nederland on Highway 72 (map). These campgrounds charge a US Forest Service fee (plus a Brainard Lake fee at Pawnee). Most sites fill up during peak seasonal times.
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