Ready to venture out past the four walls you’ve been staring at for the past year? Yeah, us too. Though as appealing as that all-inclusive resort sounds, when traveling with kiddos we’re partial to the multi-room benefits of an Airbnb.
So we’ve done the hard part in finding Colorado’s most Instagram-worthy yet still kid-friendly properties. You just have to pick your dates and pack your bags. Happy travels!
Rocky Mountain Treehouse
Where: Carbondale
Book it: Sleeps six; $324 per night
Don’t kid yourself. Sleeping in a real, live treehouse is everyone’s dream, no matter if you’re five or 43. And this reclusive property in Carbondale makes that dream come true. Lucky visitors take a winding, rock staircase to the front door 25 feet above the ground and walk into a hand-built haven in the sky.
After a day spent hiking up to Hidden Lake or shopping till you drop in downtown Aspen, sit back and take in the forest canopy (which of course is at eye-level) while warming yourself by the wood-burning stove or soaking in the hot tub. Then, enjoy the star-studded heavens while snuggling into bed in the upstairs sleeping loft and gazing up through the two large skylights. Pets are welcome at the Treehouse for an additional $35 per night, but leave the tiny ones with grandma; the treehouse isn’t suitable for those 0-2 years old.
Stutzhaven in the Mountains
Where: Estes Park
Book it: Sleeps six; $678 per night
Estes Park, with its backdrop of towering peaks along the Continental Divide, is known for expansive mountain views. This isolated retreat on the north end of town puts that vista on full display thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows. The interior focal point, a massive, copper-clad, wood-burning fireplace, is also noteworthy.
The overall aesthetic, especially in the great room and kitchen with their cozy wood paneling, is the essence of mountain rustic, but with Wi-Fi and cable TV at the ready, guests also have modern amenities at their fingertips—of course hopefully, you’ll be able to put the technology away and enjoy the endless miles of hiking trails in nearby Rocky Mountain National Park instead.
The Hygge Chalet and Sauna
Where: Grant
Book it: Sleeps four; $196 per night
Grant, Colorado is one of those blink-and-you’ll-miss-it towns about an hour outside of Denver. You’ve likely driven through it on your way out to the unparalleled leaf peeping up at Kenosha Pass, never knowing one of Colorado’s most talked-about Airbnb locations called the town home. That element of remoteness is a key part of the Hygge Chalet and Sauna’s charm.
With an outdoor barrel steam sauna, indoor fireplace, hammocks, memory foam mattresses, and even host-provided slippers, the 1,400-square-foot A-frame lives perfectly into its name. “The Hygge Chalet isn’t just a place to stay, it’s an experience,” says host Julie Anne Hockensmith. “I have considered every detail in curating an atmosphere of “hygge,” the Danish word to describe that warm feeling you have when you’re cozy and content.” And she’s nailed it.
One thing to note though: Kids are not allowed in the sauna.
Merrifield Cabin on Creek & Private Hot Springs
Where: Buena Vista
Book it: Sleeps four; $479 per night
Private hot springs, secluded location in Buena Vista, and easy access to outdoor activities galore? Sign us up! The hosts take care to personalize each cabin stay with a welcome board, not to mention robes and flip-flops for when you’re ready to take a dip. “We try to make it feel like your home away from home,” says owner Glen Merrifield, “but with a wonderful hot springs outside your door.”
Once you’re done soaking, relax around the fire pit while whoever’s on cooking duty fires up the stainless-steel grill and gets to work in the outdoor kitchen. Time to hit the hay? The cabin features two bedrooms, each with a king-size bed. If you’re traveling with littles, feel free to leave the pack ‘n’ play and highchair at home—both are conveniently provided for you.
Peakview Family Luxe Home
Where: Colorado Springs
Book it: Sleeps nine; $265 per night
Open and airy with views of Pikes Peak and enough room to sleep nine people, this home in Colorado Springs mixes a mountain chic aesthetic with kid-friendly amenities. The open floor plan is configured for two families (two bedrooms upstairs, two downstairs) or for separate kids’ and parents’ floors.
The location, just a few minutes away from Old Colorado City and Manitou Springs, makes adventuring beyond the house a breeze. Families will love spending the day exploring the hiking trails of Colorado Springs’ iconic Garden of the Gods, and then returning for dinner and some spirited ping pong, pool, foosball, or air hockey tournaments. If you can manage it, put your partner on kid duty and relax in the beautiful modern tub.
Downtown Palisade Charmer
Where: Palisade
Book it: Sleeps eight; $357 per night
Built in 1905 in an updated Victorian style, this quaint house on a quiet, dead-end street makes for a lovely getaway for parents and kids alike. Brightly colored, scalloped siding above the front entrance and plenty of seating on the front porch serves as a smiling welcome, while inside, the custom woodwork and exposed brick add to the property’s charm.
Just a few minutes from downtown Palisade, it’s easy to park the car all weekend and explore the local bakeries, breweries, and parks by foot or bike. Then, spend the evening relaxing on the back patio (possibly with a glass of red or white from one of the region’s numerous wineries?), while the kids explore the large sandbox and playhouse. “We have five kids and know how challenging it can be to go on a vacation, but we also know how important it is for families to get away,” says owner Hannah Lincoln. “We wanted to create a space for people and families just like us to be able to rest, restore, and connect.”
Unaweep Yurt
Where: Gateway
Book it: Sleeps six; $185 per night
Booking this property out in Gateway, Colorado, far on Colorado’s western edge, is sure to score you some major parent points. How many kids get to sleep in a yurt—especially one surrounded by steep granite walls deep in a canyon?
The Unaweep yurt is an updated version of the round tents—traditionally covered with skins and felt and used as a dwelling—still used by Nomadic tribes in Mongolia today. Visitors will find a full bath, modest kitchen, and a hand-carved queen bed in the 760 square feet, plus a pull-out couch, wooden dining set, and rocking chair.
Be sure to bring your hiking boots, bikes, and/or climbing gear as trails and rocks abound nearby or plan to head out on a rafting, kayaking, or horseback riding adventure.
Moose Haven Cabin
Where: Walden
Book it: Sleeps five; $99 per night
Return to a simpler time with a stay in this home in Walden, Colorado. Warmed by a wood stove and privy to expansive views of Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests, not to mention morning moose sightings, the cabin’s rustic amenities are certainly worthwhile.
If you visit in the summer months, follow the monarch butterfly signage along the owner’s personal trail dubbed “Narnia,” which meanders over to the site where two waterfalls merge on the Roaring Ditch. The falls run roughly from the end of May until the beginning of July. In the winter, visitors are treated to endless snowy fun with access to sledding, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing nearby. With the bathroom located 20 feet from the cabin, the shower house a short walk away, and no running water in the cabin (well water is provided), be prepared to rough it a bit too.
