Allens Park
| Route 66 | Cities | Beaches |
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Allens Park |
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| Getting There | Lodging | Restaurants | Hiking | Backpacking |
We use the term "Allens Park" to refer to the valley along Route 7. It includes the random collection of buildings called Allens Park, plus the collection called Meeker Park, and the trailheads heading up into Wild Basin and Indian Peaks. Route 7 is a winding two lane road leading from Estes Park down to Walden. With the loss of Fawn Brook Inn, there are only two real restaurants here, plus the three historic lodges. But these are two outstanding restaurants and lodges serving great breakfasts and one pretty good dinner buffet. The Allens Park clientele tends to be hard core hikers and backpackers. They want a good breakfast and they don't mind fixing their own dinner on a picnic table behind one of the lodges. Then, they'll eat one meal at the Rock Creek Tavern and drive into Estes Park for one meal. They'll eat lunch on the trail. They'll either pack it themselves or buy a packed lunch from one of the lodges or the Mountain Meadow Cafe. Dining in Allens Park tends to be in dark, intimate log facilities rich in history, lore and a rustic ambience. This was where tourists first came, and it still has a raw, frontier feel even though rooms are comfy and the food delicious. |
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| Estes Park | Grand Lake | Allens Park |
| Rock Creek Tavern spent Winter of 2020 moving to the former home of Fawn Brook Inn. Losing the Inn was sad. It was one of the best restaurants in Colorado. Rock Creek Tavern is no gourmet restaurant. It's a tavern and pizzeria. But it's as famous in its categories as the Fawn Brook Inn was in its. Rock Creek offers the finest thin crust Pizza in Colorado, plus a good selection of local craft beers, most notably Lumpy Ridge and Rock Cut Breweries just up the road. They also offer Salads, Wraps, Wings, Sandwiches and mixed drinks. Rock Creek Tavern is the closest thing to a community hangout Allens Park has, with fishermen, hikers, backpackers, birders, equestrians, photographers, wild flower enthusiasts, rangers, guides, climbers, motor cyclists, and during the Winter cross country skiiers and snowshoers. Occasionally there's live music. At the old Tavern there was a great deck, and as you can see in the photo at right there's one at this building. |
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Here since 1920 and now run by the same family for three decacdes, Mountain Meadow Cafe only seats about 20 but the food is very good. They're famous for Pancakes, Denver Omelettes, Homemade Bread, Cinammon Coffee, Spiced Gravy, Huevos Rancheros and Soups. A pot belly stove warms the place on cold days or frosty mornings. Irish music plays softly in the background. The major problem with Mountain Meadow is that it's only open from 7 a.m. til 2 pm. That works great for breakfast before heading out on the trail, but deprives adventurers of the chance to eat dinner here after a day on the trails. |
| Baldpate Inn also serves breakfast to its guests, featuring the traditional eggs, bacon, pancakes, coffee, etc. Unlike the other two historic lodges along Route 7, it also serves dinner. And you can eat this dinner without staying at the Baldpate. It's only a soup and salad buffet. But it's a very good soup and salad buffet. If you can do without a meat, it saves you the trouble of fixing your own or driving into Estes Park. |  |
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Allens Park Lodge is famous for serving the greatest breakfasts in the Rocky Mountain National Park area. They include eggs, meats, breads, fresh fruits and freshly made cobbler. The breakfasts alone are a reason to consider staying there if you plan on hiking the Wild Basin or Indian Peaks areas. But you better book that reservation early. Allens Park Lodge has a devoted following of repeat guests and it's hard to find a vacancy. You can't eat breakfast there if you're not staying there. |
| Meeker Park Lodge is famous for its Cowboy Style Breakfasts of pancakes, bacon and coffee. They might not quite match the Allens Park feasts, but they're hearty and delicious and will give you more than enough fuel for a day's hiking in the Indian Peaks or Wild Basin areas. Like Allens Park Lodge, Meeker Park Lodge has a loyal following of returnees, so you need to make reservations early. | .jpeg) |
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