Ponderosa Lodge

2.5 star property

Photo gallery for Ponderosa Lodge

Outdoor spa tub
Property grounds
Exterior
Kitchenette Suite | View from room
Outdoor spa tub

Reviews

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful

Popular amenities

  • Parking included
  • Free Wi-Fi

Explore the area

View map
1820 Fall River Road, Estes Park, CO, 80517
  • Place, Alluvial Fan
    ‪18 min walk‬
  • Place, Historic Estes Park
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Place, The Stanley Hotel
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Airport, Fort Collins, CO (FNL-Fort Collins-Loveland Municipal)
    ‪58 min drive‬

Room options

Double Queen Room

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

Riverview Cabin

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

Kitchenette Suite

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

Economy Room

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

Corner River View Room

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
(7 reviews)
  • River view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Queen Bed

River View Room

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
(10 reviews)
  • River view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

The Ponderosa Room

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
(4 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Similar properties

About the area

Estes Park

When you stay at Ponderosa Lodge in Estes Park, you'll be on a river, within a 5-minute drive of Rocky Mountain National Park and The Stanley Hotel. .This lodge is 0.6 mi (1 km) from Alluvial Fan and 1.8 mi (2.8 km) from Performance Park.

What's nearby

  • Alluvial Fan - 18 min walk - 1.5 km
  • Historic Estes Park - 3 min drive - 3.7 km
  • Rocky Mountain National Park - 4 min drive - 5.1 km
  • The Stanley Hotel - 5 min drive - 5.5 km
  • Bear Lake Trailhead - 24 min drive - 21.0 km

Getting around

  • Denver Intl. Airport (DEN) - 98 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Coffee on the Rocks - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Full Throttle Distillery - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Elevations Eatery and Bar - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Penelope's Old Time Burgers - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Estes Park Brewery - ‬5 min drive

About this property

Ponderosa Lodge

Riverfront lodge in Estes Park with free parking
Ponderosa Lodge offers 19 accommodations, which are accessible via exterior corridors and feature coffee/tea makers and hair dryers. Rooms open to balconies or patios. These individually decorated and furnished accommodations include dining tables. Televisions come with cable channels.

Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access. Additionally, rooms include portable fans and blackout drapes/curtains. Irons/ironing boards, hair dryers, and change of towels can be requested. Housekeeping is provided on request.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.
Make yourself at home in one of the 19 guestrooms featuring microwaves. Rooms have private balconies or patios. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming is available for your entertainment. Conveniences include coffee/tea makers and portable fans, and housekeeping is provided on request.
Take in the views from a garden and make use of amenities such as complimentary wireless internet access and a picnic area.
Featured amenities include express check-in, express check-out, and a library. Free self parking is available onsite.

Property amenities

Internet

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

Parking and transport

  • Area shuttle
  • Free self parking on site
  • Limited on-site self parking
  • 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
  • Renovated entire property - June 2021

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
  • Individual decor
  • Individual furnishings
  • 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

Payment types

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

Property is also known as

Ponderosa Lodge Estes Park
Ponderosa Lodge
Ponderosa Estes Park
Ponderosa Lodge Estes Park
Ponderosa Estes Park
Lodge Ponderosa Lodge Estes Park
Estes Park Ponderosa Lodge Lodge
Lodge Ponderosa Lodge
Ponderosa
Ponderosa Lodge Lodge
Ponderosa Lodge Estes Park
Ponderosa Lodge Lodge Estes Park

Ponderosa Lodge Reviews

Reviews

9.0

Wonderful

Rating 10 - Excellent. 635 out of 1001 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 252 out of 1001 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 64 out of 1001 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 25 out of 1001 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 25 out of 1001 reviews

9.0/10

Cleanliness

9.0/10

Staff & service

8.6/10

Amenities

8.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.4/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Karen

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great for my husband and me and our grown daughter while in Estes, bc she could use the couch bed pullout. There is a portable cooler available which helps in the summer. The host was so friendly. Love the stream:)
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sheryl

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Delightful property sitting next to the flowing river. Room 13 has beautiful patio and window where you can see and hear the water. Office staff was helpful and flexible. Close to RMNP and Estes Park. Great base for exploring the area. Wi-Fi is iffy around the property—sometimes strong and sometimes weak. Providing a stronger signal would make this property perfect
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Geralyn

Travelled with family and small children, Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The property, and especially our room, was breathtaking. I loved being able to have a fire going in our room while we listened to the river flowing right off our balcony. Staff was friendly and room was clean! The only things that were a little annoying were the screen on our balcony door was barely intact, lock for the balcony door handle was secured onto a broken door trim, and while the walls were beautifully soundproofed, we could hear every movement from our neighbor above us.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Denis

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Peaceful and by river
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

anna

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great!

I have arrived after the office hours but I received an email with detailed instructions how to check in. The room was very comfortable and clean. The sound of the stream was very calming but it was also nice that you could not hear it when the balcony doors were closed. For me it was just a short weekend trip and I wish I could stay longer.. next time..
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Gary, Mountain Top

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great location next to RMNP. Free coffee, filters for the room coffee maker.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Nathan

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Lacking counter space to cook. Put a cover over the sink that would help. Everything else was spot on. We had a private drive and private hot tub
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

6/10 Okay

Jaya

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness
The stay was ok
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kim

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great place to stay if planning a visit to Rocky Mountain National Park. Gate to park just a short drive. Lodge is located along a small river. Our room was a corner unit. Nice comfy bed, nice bathroom, tv, couch, patio overlooking the river. No kitchen but I think they offer cabins with kitchens if you wish. “Coffee bar” in room well sucked with coffee, tea, hot chocolate, cider, sugar, cream, etc. Regular size coffee pot and real coffee mugs! Small fridge with freezer and small microwave, very laid back lodge. We’ll be back!
Patio
Patio view of river
Cubby for your stuff…paper towels were provided by lodge
Coffee bar in room
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Rachelle

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service

Great location but lacks in parking

Great location to most everything is Estes Park. The downfalls. The parking situation. Twice all 10ish spots were taken and we had to park at a neighboring lodge and walk in the middle of the night.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

celia

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities
Cute little spot. Parking is super tricky!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness

Mixed review

Cute 1950’s updated lodge. Pretty location. Door code worked perfectly first day then we were locked out in the dark the second evening. They responded to our call within minutes. Early the next morning, the code failed again before we checked out.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lokesh

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Julie

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Angelique

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We enjoyed our stay here very much. The staffs are wonderful. They baked tasty cookies every day. Our room has a large patio with furnitures right next to the Fall River. It’s really soothing listening to the water every day after a hard hike. The lodge is a few minutes drive to downtown Estes Park so it pretty quiet yet convenient for shopping and restaurants. Inside the unit, everything is very clean. Overall, enjoyed our stay here.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Brandon

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

James, Tampa

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great location and services. We loved it. Even had deer by our porch one night.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Niccolo

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great location! The room was spacious and clean and I loved to sleep cuddled by sound of the river
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jack

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful setting - great - Darrell the GM was extremely professional and friendly
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

maria

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Perfect location relaxing and very nice
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Andrea

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful location in Estes Park and around the corner from Rocky Mountain National Park!
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Rodney

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Nice and quiet and it's right on the river. The deck right outside the door overlooks the river so if you leave the door cracked you can hear it all night it's great. The rest of the restaurant within walking distance and a trolley that can take you into Estes Park and back for free. This is great for budget-friendly people because the prices are awesome as well. I will definitely recommend this place to my family and friends. It is also very close to the Rocky mountain national Park entrance. Five stars all the way I would give more if I could and I will definitely stay here again.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

6/10 Okay

Gavin

Travelled with partner
Liked: Staff & service
The place seemed pretty worn down. It felt like they just might not have the money to keep up with repairs. The first 15 minutes of being there our carbon monoxide alarm started beeping. It was harder to get a hold of them than we would’ve like. They also didn’t tell us they went into our room while we weren’t there, we learned later. They left the office earlier than the time they advertised. Also, very hot. All they had was a tiny fan. The screen for the patio door was broken some so we couldn’t even keep the door opened without bugs getting in. Otherwise, it was an okay place to crash and shower. Wouldn’t want to hang out there though.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Chris

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great location, overall very good - will stay there again when I go back to that area, The grill needs to be cleaned or replaced -
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Daniel

Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025