Martin answers:

Estes Park is the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park. The Park has hundreds of trails and I’ve never been on a bad one. Between Estes and the Park are some of my personal favorites: Bear Lake, Fern Lake and Cub Lake. They are beautiful hikes with spectacular views.

Http://www.trails.com/tcatalog_trail.aspx?trailid=HGR314-012

Martin answers:

It is going to br MIGHTY cold there for camping so early in the season…if you are going now. Rocky Mountain National Park entrance is smack dab outside Estes Park. You can camp in the park if you like. Go to the visitors center just after you enter the park. They have all kinds of guided and self-guided hikes, lots of wildlife to see, great scenic areas…they can help you plan your time there.

Martin answers:

My baby is 8 months but was born 3 months early so he only about 5 months size and developmentally.

We go camping every weeken and hae since the last weekend in April. Trystan loves being outside. Babies seem to sleep better when they have had some fresh air.

If you are tent camoing take along a play pen to get him off the ground. You can buy small portable heaters for under 20 dollars that run on electricity or propain. I would suggest getting an electric sight even if your tent camping so you can bring a small lamp. I have found it hard to take care of a baby in the middle of the night when it is pitch dark and have not been able to find a latern that is bright enough.

Make sure you have plenty of formula diapers and if needed baby food. If you formula feed bring bottled water the water at most camp sights need to be filtered. Bring both short outfit as well as long sleeve outfits. Sometimes it can get chilly at night.

They make “bug spray” that come in wipe form. Looks like a baby wipe. This way there is no possible way to accidently spray bug spray in babys eyes. Or Walmart has bug buttons. These are round buttons that you pin to clothes that have cittranella in them. They don’t work as well but they don’t wear off or come off if baby sweats.

Depending on what age bring small toys to entertain. But mine is happy watching the leaves shake on trees.

Have a great time.

Martin answers:

I wouldn’t worry too much about the whole safety thing- the someone from the campground is usually there, and as long as you have a cell phone, you’ll be fine. If you really don’t want to be too secluded, i’d suggest a KOA (Kampgrounds of America). KOA’s are nice, clean, and almost always have pools, but the sites are pretty close together and going back to your safety thing, the staff usually leave at night (they don’t usually hire people to stay the night). Also, I believe KOA’s allow dogs, as long as you keep them on a leash and have vaccination papers. If you really want to go camping, i’d suggest a state or national park, but i think every park is different as to whether or not they allow pets. Also, state/national parks ALWAYS have either a ranger on hand or a person who sort of lives at the campground who can give you help if you need it. I hope this helped!!!