Cabin

Black Bear Cottage - Cozy 1921 Cottage in Historic District above downtown Estes

Cabin with kitchen, 8-minute walk to Historic Estes Park

Photo gallery for Black Bear Cottage - Cozy 1921 Cottage in Historic District above downtown Estes

Fantastic deck! Table, adirondack chairs & gas grill.  Great View to Lake Estes!
View from Drive, entrance into Living Room & view of exterior stone fireplace.
Bear & Hummingbird (look close!) Memorializing the chopped down apple tree..
Our cottage sign to welcome you!
Living Room's romantic ambiance.. Soft light, glowing fire & a glass of wine!

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 264.5 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Outdoor space
  • Fireplace
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

View map
Estes Park, CO
  • Place, Historic Estes Park
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, Estes Park Aerial Tramway
    ‪11 min walk‬
  • Place, The Stanley Hotel
    ‪13 min walk‬
  • Airport, Fort Collins, CO (FNL-Fort Collins-Loveland Municipal)
    ‪66 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 2)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Dining area

About this property

Black Bear Cottage - Cozy 1921 Cottage in Historic District above downtown Estes

(License #3115)

*** We have a new property! Visit Black Bear Cottage's little sister - Lazy Bear Cottage - (VRBO # 1255634).... ***

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NOTE: This property has adopted the recommendations from the CDC for cleaning rentals during the COVID-19 outbreak!
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Newly renovated 1921 Cottage located in the quiet Historic Marshall Cottages subdivision just a short walk to downtown Estes Park! You'll know you are in the mountains with the cozy mountain cabin decor while still providing all the comforts of home!

PLEASE NOTE: This is a non-smoking, no pet property.... Adult(s) renting cottage must be 25 years or older. Child 16 years or older with an adult is welcome.

Enjoy your evenings relaxing in the living room on the comfy sofa positioned in front of the rock fireplace enjoying a fire (functional gas log controlled by a wall switch!) or kick back in one of the two recliners! The sunroom is the perfect place to curl up on the loveseat with a good book, or work on one of the many puzzles available. The sun room has ample natural light with the wall of windows providing views of the mountains. The kitchen allows for a full range of meal preparation by including pots, fry pans, pizza pans, cookie sheets, casserole dishes and all the 'gadgets' necessary to make most any meal. Appliances include stove/oven, refrig, microwave, dishwasher, disposal, coffee maker, toaster, crock pot & blender! Enjoy your meals seated at the dining table watching the hummingbirds outside your window in the summertime, or watch the Tram as it migrates up & down the mountain.

This cottage is connected! WiFi & Streaming Service are provided. There is also a BlueRay DVD Player & a small collection of DVDs. There are three Flat Screen TVs throughout this cottage - with two of them being Smart TV's - providing ability to log into your own movie accts (Netflix/Amazon/etc.) or watch YouTube Videos, etc.!

The Queen bedroom features a new bed, closets, luggage racks, wall mounted TV, ceiling fan above bed, reading lights & night stands with clocks. All pillows & linens are new and linens are 'fragrance free/dye free'.

A Washer/Dryer Laundry Center located just off the kitchen is available for your use as well. The forced air natural gas furnace provides comfort throughout during the colder days/nights. The three ceiling fans (living room, Queen bedroom & Sitting room) help circulate the air during a warm summer day. The Water Heater is an on-demand unit providing endless hot water.

Relax on the large deck featuring a gas grill, outdoor dining table & adirondack chairs. Two garden benches in the yard provide spots for additional relaxation & mountain views.

CANCELLATION / REFUND POLICY:
- 100% Refund if cancel 30 days prior to reservation date.
- 50% Refund if cancel 14 days prior to reservation date.
- No Refund if cancel less than 14 days prior to reservation date.
- No Refund for personal choice early departure or inclement weather.

Guest must cancel by 11:59pm on the cut-off day before check-in to receive a refund. All times are specific to the property's time zone (Mountain Time).

Note: The above Cancellation/Refund policy was adopted from one of the VRBO Options owner is required to adopt.

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Outdoor space
Parking available
Mountain view

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Adults only
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

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
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

About the area

Estes Park

Located in Estes Park, this cabin is in the city centre. Historic Estes Park and The Stanley Hotel are notable landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Rocky Mountain National Park. Trout Haven Fishing Pond and Tiny Town Miniature Golf are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Estes Park, CO

What's nearby

  • Historic Estes Park - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Estes Park Aerial Tramway - 11 min walk - 1.0 km
  • The Stanley Hotel - 13 min walk - 1.0 km
  • Stanley Park - 3 min drive - 2.2 km
  • Estes Park Golf Course - 6 min drive - 4.4 km

Getting around

  • Fort Collins, CO (FNL-Fort Collins-Loveland Municipal) - 61 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Claire's Restaurant and Bar - ‬8 min walk
  • ‪Full Throttle Distillery - ‬12 min walk
  • ‪Elevations Eatery and Bar - ‬8 min walk
  • ‪Himalayan Curry & Kebob - ‬10 min walk
  • ‪Ed's Cantina & Grill - ‬12 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Black Bear Cottage - Cozy 1921 Cottage in Historic District above downtown Estes pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Black Bear Cottage - Cozy 1921 Cottage in Historic District above downtown Estes?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Black Bear Cottage - Cozy 1921 Cottage in Historic District above downtown Estes?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Black Bear Cottage - Cozy 1921 Cottage in Historic District above downtown Estes located?

Located in the heart of Estes Park, this cabin is within a 10-minute walk of Bond Park and Historic Estes Park. Rocky Mountain National Park and The Stanley Hotel are also within 3 miles (5 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy
Rating 10 - Excellent. 296 out of 301 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 5 out of 301 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 301 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 301 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 301 reviews

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Katie S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great location- walking distance fromTown, cute house and lots of room for 2 people.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tim T.

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

Black Bear Cottage was perfect

Our stay at the Black Bear Cottage can be summed up in two words: ABSOLUTELY PERFECT!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Linda C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The cabin was cozy and comfortable. The kitchen had everything we needed. Everything was clean and well thought out. We used the fireplace every morning while we had coffee and every night before bed. The location to town and the park was perfect!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

T G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Nice cabin for two. Close to downtown but still feels like you are away from the crowds. Excellent views from the front porch.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Andy H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely cottage tucked away. Very comfortable. Especially enjoyed the hummingbird feeder at the breakfast table and the shady parking was a plus. 70 degrees on the heater was perfect and flip the switch for the fireplace for nice ambiance while reading a book.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Shari F.

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

Great Stay

Enjoyed a quiet cabin stay close to town. Has all the comforts of home. Would definitely stay here again!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Brenda G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This was my third year in a row staying here and I've loved it each time! This time I brought my parents with me and they were just as happy and comfortable as me. I continue to be impressed by the cleanliness, comfort and convenience of this cabin, as well as the kindness and thoughtfulness of the owners, Nancy and Ken. I plan to continue visiting Estes Park every summer and as long as I visit Estes Park, this is where I plan to stay. Thank you Nancy and Ken for yet another wonderful stay in Estes Park!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Russell M.

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

Great location

Cabin was well stucked
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Stacey s.

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

Cute & Convenient

Well stocked and quiet convenient location. Had a blast.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mark K.

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

Perfect

All the comforts of home in an amazing vacation destination.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie O.

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

Wonderful!

Charming, lovely and clean! The cottage has great views and the proximity to downtown was great!
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2022

10/10 Excellent

Sharon M.

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

Excellent Cottage and Location

Nancy ensures complete cleanliness, and anticipates your every need. The cottage is so tastefully decorated, making for a warm and homey home away from home. The location is central to wherever you would like to go. We have stayed at Black Bear several times and have never been disappointed!
Stayed 9 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kathleen M.

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

Perfect Cozy Cabin

Clean, tasteful, welcoming cabin....met and exceeded all expectations...just lovely. Want to return, we so enjoyed saying at Black Bear. Thank you, Kathy and Michael
Stayed 5 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

John D.

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

Cozy, convenient escape

As the title indicates, kind of off the beaten path yet in the heart of it all.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jonathan B.

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

As advertised

Perfect place for two visiting Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sharon M.

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

Perfect Every Time!

We love staying in this spotless, darling, convenient cottage year after year! Great location! Quiet neighborhood! Excellent views! Just absolutely perfect!
Stayed 9 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sharon M.

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

Spotless, Super Comfy Cabin in Excellent Location

We have returned to this same cabin four times and each year is better than the one before! It is spotless. Well stocked with necessities and well thought out extras. Excellent location. We love it!
Stayed 9 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Valerie M.

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

Adorable cottage

The cottage was so cute and clean! The hosts were awesome and they added so many special little touches! Kiddos to them! So close to the Rocky Mountain National park and Estes park! We loved it!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

JOSE E.

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

Extremely cozy and clean

I rented this property for two nights for my wife’s 62nd birthday and we had an amazing weekend in Estes park. The property was clean, warm and cozy. We have nothing but great things to say about it. Hopefully we can rent again in the future. Thank you Nancy for your hospitality!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Staci Z.

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

Quaint cabin

My husband and I had a wonderful time staying at the Black Bear Cottage. The cabin was very clean and had everything we needed. The location was wonderful - we walked downtown everyday after our amazing hikes to eat dinner and have ice cream. The first afternoon we were at the cabin, I was sitting on the porch and heard a noise behind me - it was a Mom and baby mule deer. So amazing to see so close up. Nancy was a wonderful host and even left some treats (which were great after hiking) and mints. We enjoyed everything about the cabin and would recommend it 100%.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Dane L.

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

Estes Park Black Bear Cottage

We had a great stay at the Black Bear Cottage. It was close to town and to RMNP. Nancy and Ken did an excellent job making sure they thought of everything you might need during your stay! We enjoyed our mornings and evenings on the deck with the wildlife, we saw elk and mule deer several times. Communication was excellent with Nancy and she even informed us that we would need timed entry permits for RMNP and sent information. We are looking forward to staying again in the future and would recommend the Black Bear Cottage to anyone interested in a trip to Estes Park.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Claire L.

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

Great Cabin Close to Downtown Estes

We loved our stay at the the Black Bear Cottage. The pictures don't do it justice - it is updated and done very well. We were impressed with the space. It was plenty big for my husband and me. Check in was easy and Nancy left a great handbook for how everything in the cottage worked. We also liked her recommendations for things to do in town. This was our third visit to Estes and her suggestions led us to try new things we really enjoyed. It was also a short walk to downtown (only about 6-8 minutes) which is one thing we love about staying in Estes. We will be staying here again for our next visit.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Grace N., Mooresville, IN

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

Cute Little Cabin!

We loved our stay here! The pictures on the listing do not even do the inside of the condo justice. It truly is so rustic and cute. We loved how it felt tucked away from downtown Estes Park without being far away. The cottage is tucked back off a private drive with a steep drive, so beware if your car is close to the ground. On our initial arrival, we weren’t sure if we were on the right drive. It is also close to Rocky Mountain National Park. We will be recommending this listing to family and friends and will definitely stay again if we come back to Estes Park!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth R.

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

Look no further!!

This is an exceptional property under all circumstances. It is immaculately clean; it is the best outfitted vacation rental we've ever had; the furnishings are comfortable and generous; the decor is lovely; it's 15 minutes from the Park entrance (be sure to queue 30 mins. before your permit bc of lines); the deck is great; and, if walking the Village appeals to you, it's just down the hill. We LOVED being here. Your hosts are responsive and superb in the management of their property. Don't hesitate to book!
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Rachel D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
It was perfect!
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2025

About the host

Hosted by Nancy & Ken Kratky

Host profile image
The owners, Nancy and Ken Kratky, both grew up in Eastern Nebraska. In 1996 they moved to Colorado, got married in Hidden Valley, Colorado and honeymooned in Estes Park. In 2001 they returned to Nebraska and stayed eleven years. During that time they continued to return to Colorado multiple times per year, always visiting Estes Park, and always casually looking at real estate property with the dream of ownership some day.

In December of 2011, while on a vacation to celebrate their December birthdays, they came across this quaint little cottage in a historic little area for sale. It needed lots of attention, but they saw it's potential, and knew they could give it new life to fulfill their dream of a rustic mountain get-away. They put in an offer and the offer was accepted on Ken's Birthday! It became a 'labor of love'! They now reside in Longmont, CO.

Black Bear Cottage received it's name after a very large adult black bear climbed up the apple tree next to the cottage in the middle of the night to feast on apples! When we started to make noise, the bear got so excited, it had a difficult time trying to get back down off the roof!! The next day the apple tree was cut down... And our bicycle-riding bear was placed on the tree stump to memorialize the event!

Languages:

English

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