Allenspark Lodge Bed + Breakfast

Located just a short drive from the Wild Basin Ranger Station and the southeast entrance corner of Colorado's Rocky Mountain National Park, the Allenspark Lodge Bed and Breakfast is a bit of a fixture in the area. This historic structure has been hosting visitors to the Front Range for nearly a century, and if you listen closely you may hear the building telling you some stories as you walk down the long halls or sit at the bar in this unique lodge. Or try sitting on the spacious covered porch and watching a the end of a summer day move into a violet dusk. If you are in the area in the fall or winter, there may be no cozier option than a cup of tea and a game of chess near the fireplace as the stout log walls fend off the chilly winds. 

The Allenspark Lodge is a little rustic, to be sure; there are nine bedrooms that are all sized according to bed proportions that are diminutive by today's standards. The rooms may feel a little small, or cozy, depending on your perspective. The notable exception is "The Apartment," a suite with a kitchen, dining area, full bath, and porch. Rooms are located on two floors. Seven rooms have private baths, and the remaining six rooms use shared bathrooms. Cell reception is dodgy up here, so there is a phone booth on the first floor. The lodge has one television and a robust collection of movies on the main floor as well.

The dining room is at the heart of the communal space, and excellent breakfasts are served there daily. Between the bar, the porch, the foyer, and the couches by the fireplace, there are plenty of options for gathering. There is also an attached space that is large enough for groups to dine, meet, work, or celebrate, so Allenspark Lodge is definitely a lodging option for weddings, reunions, and workshops. Note that children under 14 are not allowed to stay overnight, and no pets are allowed.

While you are in town, be sure to check out the San Malo Church, otherwise known as the Chapel on the Rock. Built in 1936, the church has recently endured some travails including a very damaging fire in 2011 that closed the building, but the building's dramatic profile and location along Cabin Creek still make it a worthy stop on your way to Rocky Mountain National Park.