EXPLORATION CABIN - This Mountain Life Extraordinary Mountaintown Guesthouse #2 - Estes Park

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Exploration Cabin is tucked between L'tl Prospect Mtn. & the Big Thompson River.

Exploration Cabin is fit for king and queen.

Overview
Rooms
Location
Policies

Explore the area

Estes Park, CO

Estes Park Aerial Tramway4 min walk
Historic Estes Park6 min walk
The Stanley Hotel3 min drive
Fort Collins, CO (FNL-Fort Collins-Loveland Municipal)59 min drive

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)

Bunk Room

2 Single Beds

Master Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Kitchen

Garden

Dining Area

About this property

EXPLORATION CABIN - This Mountain Life Extraordinary Mountaintown Guesthouse #2

EXPLORATION CABIN is a historic mountain guesthouse created and administered by Rick & Cheryl via This Mountain Life. License #3236

Exploration Cabin is perfect for 4 persons. If you are looking for something smaller, REFLECTION CABIN is designed for 1 or 2. REDEMPTION CABIN sleeps 3/4.

- We are normally booked solid from 5.15 -10.15, weekends and holidays. So book early.
- Guests say the property is sparkling clean, in an idyllic setting with a perfect location.
- We have 2 - 4 night minimums and 30-day no hassle cancellation options. Extended stays are welcome.
- Situated between Little Prospect Mountain and the Big Thompson River, 2 blocks from downtown.
Free front door parking and wifi.

This Mountain Life consists of three extraordinary mountain guesthouses. All are a 2 minute walk to downtown Estes and a 2 mile drive to Rocky Mountain National Park. All have been restored to perfection.
REDEMPTION CABIN is the frontiers mountainside log cabin (#1, Circa 1914)
EXPLORATION CABIN is the craftsman riverside cottage (#2, Circa 1928)
REFLECTION CABIN is the minimalist fireside studio (#3, Circa 1936).
All have been restored with thoughtful historical elegance. Each has a unique personality, character and idiosyncratic charm. Each share This Mountain Life values and are excellent in every detail. All are listed on VRBO.

Each guesthouse is designed for special occasions and celebrations, active go-getting walkers-hikers-climbers-mountaineers, bikers, urban explorers-festival goers, and serious professionals on reflective sabbatical or temporary remote learning-working.

Cabins are immaculate, eco-friendly, and smoke-free. Guests are expected to return their guesthouse on departure like they found it on arrival.

Rick and Cheryl will take good care of you. They are trustworthy super hosts and very knowledgable local guides. See ThisMountain.Life for more of the story. Experience a dream vacation home you’ll always remember.

WHAT'S INCLUDED: The Cabin is fully stocked for your vacation needs. We provide pantry supplies, kitchen condiments, teas and coffee, towels & linens, and first class finishes throughout. We also share our collection of navigational maps, hiking guides and adventure books, grill, and top area picks when requested. Some fly fishing gear and “townie” bikes may be available; ask if you’re interested. Some items require reasonable advanced notice.

MORE ON THE AREA: Exploration Cabin is in a picture perfect natural setting. Bright sunny mornings, moonlit evenings. The cabin is sheltered under the crags and cliffs of Little Prospect Mountain just upstream of the convergence of two snow-fed mountain rivers. Exploration is on the east side the Big Thompson River as it enters historic downtown to meet Fall River. An open treed riverbank is just across a narrow street. The road is used by pedestrians, bikers, horse carriages, motor vehicles, and buses; and the river is used by fishermen by fly and lure, (and when at peak flow) tube, and kayak.

IDEAL WALKABLE LOCATION: At This Mountain Life, you get a great walkable location. Getting to Historic Downtown is a simple downstream stroll along a cabin filled lane. There you will find the best of Estes Park's local attractions, festivals, restaurants, coffee houses, wineries, craft beer breweries, retail shopping, green parks, outdoor concerts, riverwalks, hiking paths, and other exciting places to be active or quiet. The Historic Clatworthy Studio, and Eagles Landing Restaurant are upstream to our immediate South. Piccadilly Square, Rock Cut Tap House, Estes Angler, Hunan’s Chinese Restaurant, Day Salon, Fun City, Sweet Basilico Italian Restaurant, Rock Climbing School, Estes Park Microbrewery, and Open Air Adventure Park are a short walk around the river's bend. Entrance into Rocky Mountain National Park, its wilderness, alpine lakes, trails and spectacular scenery is just a 2 mile drive west.

A few reminders for 2024 Summer guests …
Make sure to get your RMNP Timed Entry permits for access the park between 9am - 2pm. For more info, go to https://www.recreation.gov/timed-entry/10086910.
A a few days before your arrival date we will be sending you Arrival & Access Instructions that will guide you to your cabin and help you to get settled in.

Property manager

Rick and Cheryl Grigsby

Premier Host

Amenities

Free WiFi

Toys/games

Microwave

Kitchen

House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM

Minimum age to rent: 28

Check out before 10:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

No events allowed

Pets

No pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

May smoke outside.

Guest is required to sign a Renter Agreement within 48 hours. Security Deposit Required of up to $500. Minimum Age to rent is 27.

NO Smoking. NO pets. NO parties/events. Quiet Hours are from 10:00 PM - 7:00 AM.

Damage and incidentals

You will be responsible for any damage to the rental property caused by you or your party during your stay.

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

On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited

Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

A car is not required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Estes Park

Located in Estes Park, this guesthouse is in the city centre and on a river. Rocky Mountain National Park and Beaver Meadows Visitor Center reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include Trout Haven Fishing Pond and Tiny Town Miniature Golf. Wild Basin Area and Moraine Park Museum are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

Estes Park, CO

What's nearby

Estes Park Aerial Tramway - 4 min walk
Historic Estes Park - 6 min walk
Lake Estes - 18 min walk
The Stanley Hotel - 3 min drive
Stanley Park - 3 min drive

Getting around

Fort Collins, CO (FNL-Fort Collins-Loveland Municipal) - 59 min drive

Restaurants

McDonald's - 15 min walk
Rock Cut Brewing Company - 1 min walk
The Barrel - 6 min walk
Estes Park Pie Shop & Bakery - 15 min walk
Kind Coffee - 9 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is EXPLORATION CABIN - This Mountain Life Extraordinary Mountaintown Guesthouse #2 pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at EXPLORATION CABIN - This Mountain Life Extraordinary Mountaintown Guesthouse #2?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at EXPLORATION CABIN - This Mountain Life Extraordinary Mountaintown Guesthouse #2?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is EXPLORATION CABIN - This Mountain Life Extraordinary Mountaintown Guesthouse #2 located?

Located in the heart of Estes Park, this guesthouse is within 1 mi (2 km) of Estes Park Aerial Tramway and The Stanley Hotel. Rocky Mountain National Park is 1.5 mi (2.4 km) away.

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.

Learn more

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

10/10 Excellent

Carol J.

16 March 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Spring Break

Property was amazing! Cheryl and Rick so helpful and accommodating!

Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jean P.

6 March 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Modern convenience while enjoying a taste of history

This remodeled cabin has a lot of historic character. It was decorated with a theme. It provides a very unique experience. The owners communication by text was stellar. They were very responsive and accommodating of our requests. The location is great. It's within walking distance of the busy center of town. And yet, it is away from the main streets.

Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Bonnie B., arkansas

28 November 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Exploration canin

Nice clean and easy walking distance to town. Very well redone cabin

Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Anna B.

18 October 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful Cabin, Perfect Location

We loved our recent stay in Estes, largely in part to this fabulous cabin. The owners have lovingly added gorgeous details, from the amenities to the antique decor. We have never had a VRBO owner meet us at the property - meeting Rick and Cheryl was a treat. They are so kind and helpful. The location is ideal - we walked into town each day of our stay. It was wonderful to stroll into the busy shopping area and not have to worry about parking! We were minutes from RMNP, where we spent tons of time. I highly recommend staying at any of the "This Mountain Life" cabins!

Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kimberly H., Columbia

17 October 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Stay at Exporation Cabin

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the Exploration Cabin - it was comfortable and had everything we needed - plus the history and uniqueness of it. We enjoyed being able to walk into town - be sure to do the River Walk to Lake Estes - and the proximity to the park. What a fun surprise to have our cabin one morning surrounded by elk. The owner went above and beyond on our last day when we had an issue with our car - it was very much appreciated. We would definitely stay here again!

Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2023

About the host

Hosted by Rick and Cheryl Grigsby

Rick & Cheryl Grigsby first discovered the Estes Region in 1980s and returned year after year whenever they could. Some 2 decades later, they became full-time Estes Park. The Grigsbys created and presently direct the This Mountain Life restoration project.

Why they chose this property

Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.

Historic value with idyllic mountain/riverside setting. Perfect private location and close, quick, easy access.

What makes this property unique

Privacy, location, accessibility, walkability, wildlife, mountainside attributes, riverside attributes, rushing water sounds, authenticity, masterly crafted.