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Ponderosa Lodge

Property class: 2.5

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Photo gallery for Ponderosa Lodge

A log cabin by a flowing river surrounded by dense forest. - Ponderosa Lodge (Estes Park)
A wood-burning stove with a chimney, a chair, and firewood. - Ponderosa Lodge (Estes Park)
A wooden interior with a staircase leading to a loft area, a couch, and a sign reading "Welcome Cabin". - Ponderosa Lodge (Estes Park)
A wooden cabin with a hot tub and a deck overlooking a forested area. - Ponderosa Lodge (Estes Park)
A cabin with a metal roof, surrounded by dense forest and a flowing stream. - Ponderosa Lodge (Estes Park)
You can look forward to a firepit, a garden, and a playground at Ponderosa Lodge. Active travelers can enjoy fishing at this lodge. For some rest and relaxation, visit the hot tub. In addition to a library and an outdoor entertainment area, guests can connect to free in-room WiFi.

Reviews

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful

Popular amenities

  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi

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Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 7 of 7 rooms

View all photos for Double Queen Room

A room with two beds, a dining table with chairs, a microwave, and a small kitchen area.

Double Queen Room

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(9 reviews)
  • River view
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Riverview Cabin

A cabin with a deck, stone patio, and a fire pit.

Riverview Cabin

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(3 reviews)
  • River view
  • 2 bedrooms
  • Sleeps 6
  • 1 Queen Bed, 1 Double Sofa Bed, 1 Queen Bunk Bed and 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Kitchenette Suite

A bed with a patterned bedspread, two bedside lamps, a framed picture on the wall, and a wooden headboard.

Kitchenette Suite

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(16 reviews)
  • River view
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Queen Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed

View all photos for Economy Room

A bedroom with a wooden bed, a dining table, chairs, a chandelier, and framed pictures on the wall.

Economy Room

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
(16 reviews)
  • River view
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Corner River View Room

A cozy bedroom with a wooden bed, a dining table, and chairs.

Corner River View Room

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(10 reviews)
  • River view
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for River View Room

A bedroom with a large bed, a wooden headboard, a fireplace, a desk, and a view of the outdoors.

River View Room

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(21 reviews)
  • River view
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for The Ponderosa Room

A cozy bedroom with a large bed, a wooden headboard, a desk with a lamp, and a view of the outdoors.

The Ponderosa Room

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
(5 reviews)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Queen Bed

About the neighborhood

Located in Estes Park, Ponderosa Lodge is in the mountains and on a river. The Stanley Hotel and Estes Park Aerial Tramway are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those looking for area attractions can visit Trout Haven Fishing Pond and Tiny Town Miniature Golf. Estes Park Memorial Observatory and Mustang Mountain Coaster are also worth visiting. Be sure not to miss outdoor adventures like hiking/biking trails, horse riding, and rock climbing. Visit our Estes Park travel guide
View more Lodges in Estes Park
Map
1820 Fall River Road, Estes Park, CO, 80517

What's nearby

  • A signpost with 'MacGregor Ranch 1873' and 'Museum 1873' written on it, set against a mountainous backdrop.
    Historic Estes Park
    3 min drive - 2.3 miles
  • A large white building with a red roof, surrounded by trees and mountains in the background.
    The Stanley Hotel
    5 min drive - 3.4 miles
  • A map of Bear Lake with a rocky shoreline and a forested background.
    Bear Lake Trailhead
    28 min drive - 17.2 miles
  • Alluvial Fan
    20 min walk - 1.1 miles
  • Stanley Park
    6 min drive - 3.9 miles

Getting around

  • Denver Intl. Airport (DEN)
    98 min drive

Restaurants

  • Coffee on the Rocks
    5 min drive
  • Bogey’s
    4 min drive
  • Penelope's Old Time Burgers
    3 min drive
  • The Rock Inn Mountain Tavern
    7 min drive
  • Full Throttle Distillery
    4 min drive

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Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Area shuttle
  • Free self parking on site
  • Onsite parking includes off-street options

Things to do

  • Fishing
  • Library
  • Playground

Family friendly

  • Dining table
  • Free rollaway/extra bed
  • In-room microwave
  • Playground
  • Soundproofed rooms

Conveniences

  • Limited-hour front desk

Guest services

  • Change of bedsheets (on request)
  • Change of towels on request
  • Housekeeping (on request)

Outdoors

  • Barbecue grill
  • Firepit
  • Garden
  • In the mountains
  • On a river
  • Outdoor entertainment area
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Picnic area

Spa

  • Hot tub

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Well-lit path to entrance

More

  • 2 floors
  • 5 buildings
  • Built in 1995
  • Designated smoking areas

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided
  • Blackout drapes
  • Free rollaway/extra bed

Bathroom

  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • 35-inch TV with cable channels

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Dining table
  • Freezer
  • Microwave

More

  • Access via exterior corridors
  • Heating
  • Individually decorated
  • Individually furnished
  • Iron/ironing board on request
  • Laptop workspace
  • Portable fan
  • Soundproofed rooms
  • Window screens

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 3:00 PM
Express check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM
Express check-out available

Special check-in instructions

The front desk is open daily from 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours), key retrieval

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Free rollaway/extra beds
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Property payment types

  • American Express
  • Discover
  • Mastercard
  • Visa

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards, debit cards, and cash
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
Property Registration Number #146 Town of Estes Park

We should mention

This property does not have elevators

Frequently asked questions

Is Ponderosa Lodge pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking?

Self parking is free at this property.

What time is check-in at Ponderosa Lodge?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Ponderosa Lodge?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Ponderosa Lodge located?

Situated on a river, this lodge is 0.6 mi (1 km) from Alluvial Fan and within 3 mi (5 km) of Rocky Mountain National Park and The Stanley Hotel. Performance Park and Mrs. Walsh's Garden are also within 2 mi (3 km).

Can I cancel my reservation for free and receive a full refund?

Yes, this property offers free cancellation on select room rates, because flexibility matters! Please refer to the property cancellation policy on our site for more details about any exclusions or requirements.

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Reviews

Ponderosa Lodge Reviews

9.0

Wonderful

9.0

Cleanliness

9.4

Location

9.0

Staff & service

8.8

Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 651 out of 1001 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 235 out of 1001 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 63 out of 1001 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 29 out of 1001 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 23 out of 1001 reviews

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great location, clean,easy .would go back for sure.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Having the creek sounds in our room and a fireplace were highlights of our Estes Park trip. The hot tub along the creek was also lovely. The hotel does a good job with providing little amenities to make stay enhanced (ice, water machine, fishing rods, camping chairs)
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Enjoyed the outdoor hot tub. Loved the patio balcony with chair hammock. Loved the creek below. The sound of the water was soothing. I loved everything about our stay here.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I loved the balcony overlooking the river. It was so peaceful and beautiful. There were deer roaming the property! The room was so quiet and the bed was very comfortable. We did not use the hot tub, but there was one on the property. The manager was friendly and helpful with information. Everything was very clean. We definitely would recommend this property.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The guy at the reception desk with his dog was fantastic, he had some great tips for viewing wildlife. Loved sitting out in our deck and listening to the river. It’s a great spot that is close to RMNP but also close to Estes Park. We would come back for sure.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I absolutely loved staying at the Ponderosa Lodge over the Labor Day weekend. It is very conveniently located only 1 mile from the Rocky Mountain State Park entrance and a short drive from the downtown Estes Park. The staff is very friendly and helpful and the hot tub is set up above the river. The rooms are beautifully decorated with original mountain style furniture and touches. It is a gorgeous property and I highly recommend it for solo travelers, couples or families with the kids.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We loved our stay at Ponderosa Lodge. The general manager was very kind and helpful. The room itself was lovely and it, as well as the rest of the property, was very clean. Easy to access RMNP as well as downtown estes, within 10mins. I’d absolutely recommend staying here for a cozy lodge experience!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice location. Beautiful scenery and loved the river! Staff was kind and helpful. Wish it had A/C
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very nice place and Tim is a friendly and helpful host
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2026
Verified review

4/10 Poor

Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This is a tired and worn-out property. However, it had some positives Pros: 3 miles from the Fall River Entrance to RMNP good mattress clean bathroom adequate parking Cons: difficult to find off of Fall River Road steep, one lane entrance to property traffic noise since building sits very near the road carpet in unit was dirty and needed to be replaced bed covering was tattered and needed to be replaced outside patio/deck of unit was dirty Overall, we would not return to this property.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The lodge is in a beautiful spot in Estes Park right by Falls River and close to an entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We've come back to this lodge a couple of times and are never disappointed! The staff is incredible and the rooms are cozy/well kept. We booked the Ponderosa room and it felt basically like a little private studio. The hot tub was really nice after a long day out exploring Estes. Will be returning!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The hotel was GREAT and very nice! Beds comfortable and it was nice of them to add water with snacks for the trail! Then the coffee/creamer and hot chocolate in the room was also very nice. We did enjoy our stay here. I would stay here again for sure! The only thing I did not like is that we had no person in the office and no one to ask questions to in person. Though they answered my email on check in process pretty fast... I had thought I'd get the code sent to my email is why I even needed to ask. BUT I do like the paper they leave for you!!! I love paper and people in person to check in with...but again OLD fashioned...
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great location on the river and not far from the entrance to RMNP. Room was clean and comfortable and the kitchenette had everything we needed. We loved our stay and look forward to returning in the future!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very clean property!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Cool place to stay. Caught a rainbow trout in the river next to the lodge.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This place is in a beautiful location on the river! Very well maintained! We stayed for 3 days and is very convenient. So close to RMNP and minutes to downtown! We loved it!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Clean Room and excellent location
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Loved the Ponderosa! So cozy & relaxing. The river view & decks with the hammock swings were amazing. Elk right outside our room on the river . We will definitely be back for our next stay.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful place right along a river. Greeted by a family of deer as we drove onto property. Patio right on the river. Kitchen with fridge , microwave and stove, with propane grill in community area. Minutes from Rocky Mountain National Park entrance.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Clean, charming, wonderful location, friendly staff. Next time you are in Estes Park, stay here.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Staff & service, amenities
Lodge was old and a little dirty, but it well-surpassed our expectations. Staff were nice and helpful (except for the time they barged in our room in the morning without notice). River sound was also nice - I wish those mesh screens weren't torn and we could leave the windows open. Overall, we were happy and may return.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

It was a great place to stay! The room was clean and comfortable with a beautiful view of the river!
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Everything was great very nice and clean and cozy will definitely stay again and great service very nice and friendly.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The sound of the river from our room instantly relaxes me. Love it here. Will be back again and again.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2026