Frequently Asked Questions

YMCA of the Rockies is not your typical YMCA! We are a family camp and conference center, with two main centers: Estes Park Center and Snow Mountain Ranch. We offer lodging, activities, dining and unforgettable experiences to families, individuals, reunions, retreats, meetings, and more!

Estes Park Center is located just a few miles outside of the town of Estes Park, Colorado, and the setting is unbeatable! It’s a 1.5-hour drive from Denver and is surrounded on three sides by Rocky Mountain National Park. You can easily map yourself here using this address: 2515 Tunnel Road, Estes Park, Colorado 80511.

Snow Mountain Ranch is located between Winter Park, Colorado and Granby, Colorado, a 2-hour drive from Denver. The more secluded, western entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park is just 25 minutes away. Map yourself here using this address: 1101 County Road 53, Granby, Colorado 80446.

YMCA of the Rockies is a special place, sure to live long in your memories! Understanding our reservation process and important dates will help you make your lodging reservation.

• You may make reservations for family cabins (5-bedrooms or less), lodge rooms, yurts, and campsites online, or by calling 888-613-9622.
• If you are planning to bring a group, reunion or conference that will have 10 or more lodge rooms, or you would like to book a larger retreat cabin (6 or more bedrooms), please call 800-777-9622.

All requests must be submitted by February 28, 2024. If you are a member or cabin donor and have a question, please call our Reservations Department at 888-613-9622.

Estes Park Center Cabin Rates
Snow Mountain Ranch Cabin Rates

• Cabin Donors Receive First Priority: YMCA of the Rockies is a not-for-profit organization and all of our family cabins have been generously donated by families who are committed to helping us fulfill our mission. These donors pay the same nightly rate as all of our guests, but they receive first priority when making their reservation requests for each of our reservation seasons.
• Members Receive Second Priority: A YMCA of the Rockies’ annual membership entitles you to receive second priority when placing a reservation request for cabins. Learn more about YMCA of the Rockies membership.

As you prepare to make a cabin reservation as a non-member, we highly encourage you to visit the Secrets to Success webpage to learn more, view availability calendars, and prepare for making your reservation on opening day.

• Lodge Rooms & Yurts – open for all winter and spring reservations on the first Wednesday of July each year.
• Cabins – open for non-members on the first Wednesday of October. Cabin reservation requests by donors and members are processed beginning September 16 through the first Tuesday in October each year. Reservation requests must be received by September 15.

• Lodge Rooms, Yurts & Campsites – open for all summer and fall reservations on the first Wednesday of January each year.
• Cabins – open for non-members on the first Wednesday of April. Cabin reservation requests by donors and members are processed beginning March 1 through the first Tuesday in April each year. Reservation requests must be received by February 28.

Lodge rooms and cabins include bed linens, towels, and free Wi-Fi. Cabins also include kitchen utensils, dishes, pots and pans, and a coffee maker. We do not have air conditioning in any of our lodging, but cool mountain air makes up for it! Our lodge rooms and most cabin types do not include televisions — but you can borrow games and puzzles from our libraries and programs departments! Wi-Fi is free, with no password, but it’s not a secure network.

We offer a linen exchange, where you can bring your used towels and linens and exchange them for clean ones, but we do not provide housekeeping turn-overs during stays.

Pets are allowed only in pet-friendly accommodations for $25/day (up to 2 pets are permitted). Most lodging types offer pet-free options for those with allergies. There is no pet fee for guests staying at the Snow Mountain Ranch Campground. Pets are not permitted in public buildings at the Y or on trails in Rocky Mountain National Park. Read our full Pet Policy here.

Reservation deposits are fully refundable up until the time periods outlined below.

• Lodge Rooms
  • From booking to 48 hours prior to arrival: Deposit is fully refundable.
    Less than 48 hours prior to arrival: No refund available

  Cabins

  • From booking to 14 days prior to arrival: Deposit is fully refundable.
  • 13-7 days prior to arrival: first night of stay is forfeited as a cancellation fee.
  • 6 days or less prior to arrival: No refund available.

  Change Policy

  • No fee for changes prior to arrival.

We carefully consider all special lodging requests, but we are unable to guarantee specific cabins or lodge rooms, the exact location of your accommodations, or fireplace type (wood vs. gas).

Cell service varies. At Estes Park Center AT&T/ T-Mobile have strong service. At Snow Mountain Ranch, Verizon has the best service. There is little-to-no cell service in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Alcoholic beverages are not sold on-grounds and may be consumed only in the privacy of your room, cabin or group meeting space.

Though allowed by law in Colorado, YMCA of the Rockies has a strict “no marijuana” policy that forbids the possession, use and/or consumption of marijuana anywhere on our properties, in our facilities, or during participation in our programming.

For 4th to 7th grades and teen programming, drop-off is at the Legett Youth Building. For grades K-3, drop off is at Jellison. Drop-off is from 8:00 AM – 8:30 AM, and pick-up is from 3:00 PM – 3:30 PM.

You can register and pay online, or call the registrar’s office at 970-586-3341 ext. 1280.

Day camp is available for ages 3 – 17. Teen camps are available for ages 13 – 17.

Day camp starts the first Monday in June and runs through the third Friday in August.

Please register at least one day prior to your child attending camp. Registration closes at 2:00 PM the day before. We do not accept same-day registrations. Online registration opens in March.

Yes. Early Birds is from 7:30 – 8:00 am. After Camp is from 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM. There is limited space available and extra fees are applied.

Camp fees are due in full the Friday before your session. All forms must be turned in or your registration may be cancelled, regardless of payment. Cancellations must be made by the Friday before your session or there is no refund.

We have week-long camps where you focus on activities in a specific area such as sports, backpacking/camping, arts and crafts, music and dance, photography, and science. Approximately 4 hours of the day focus on activities in the specific area. The rest of the day is spent on traditional camp activities.

Our Day Camp has an Inclusion Program where campers with special needs are involved in the regular camp programming as much as possible. One-on-one counselors are also available if needed. Many of the summer staff have had prior experience working with children with a variety of special needs. The Coordinator for Campers with Special Needs works with the counselor(s), equipping them with any skills or strategies for working with their campers, and serves as a resource for the counselor(s) throughout the week. Guests indicate special needs requirements when they register.

Lodge rooms and cabins include bed linens, towels, and free Wi-Fi. Cabins also include kitchen utensils, dishes, pots and pans, and a coffee maker. We do not have air conditioning in any of our lodging, but cool mountain air makes up for it! Our lodge rooms and most cabin types do not include televisions — but you can borrow games and puzzles from our libraries and programs departments! Wi-Fi is free, with no password, but it’s not a secure network.

We offer a linen exchange, where you can bring your used towels and linens and exchange them for clean ones, but we do not provide housekeeping turn-overs during stays.

Pets are allowed only in pet-friendly accommodations for $25/day (up to 2 pets are permitted). Most lodging types offer pet-free options for those with allergies. There is no pet fee for guests staying at the Snow Mountain Ranch Campground. Pets are not permitted in public buildings at the Y or on trails in Rocky Mountain National Park. Read our full Pet Policy here.

Reservation deposits are fully refundable up until the time periods outlined below.

• Lodge Rooms
  • From booking to 48 hours prior to arrival: Deposit is fully refundable.
    Less than 48 hours prior to arrival: No refund available

  Cabins

  • From booking to 14 days prior to arrival: Deposit is fully refundable.
  • 13-7 days prior to arrival: first night of stay is forfeited as a cancellation fee.
  • 6 days or less prior to arrival: No refund available.

  Change Policy

  • No fee for changes prior to arrival.

We carefully consider all special lodging requests, but we are unable to guarantee specific cabins or lodge rooms, the exact location of your accommodations, or fireplace type (wood vs. gas).

Cell service varies. At Estes Park Center AT&T/ T-Mobile have strong service. At Snow Mountain Ranch, Verizon has the best service. There is little-to-no cell service in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Alcoholic beverages are not sold on-grounds and may be consumed only in the privacy of your room, cabin or group meeting space.

Though allowed by law in Colorado, YMCA of the Rockies has a strict “no marijuana” policy that forbids the possession, use and/or consumption of marijuana anywhere on our properties, in our facilities, or during participation in our programming.

You can sign up for activities online or by calling our Estes Park Center Programs Department at 970-586-3341 ext. 1104, or our Snow Mountain Ranch Programs Department at 970-887-2152 ext. 4135.

You are able to sign up two weeks in advance.

As a guest or member, you have exclusive access to our activities offerings. Many activities are free of charge, however some do require an extra fee.

When you purchase a day pass, you have access to our property grounds and dozens of free activities, as well as access to a variety of fee-based activities.

Yes, towels and life jackets are provided at the pools at both Estes Park Center and Snow Mountain Ranch.

Benefits of a YMCA of the Rockies membership include:

• Membership includes you, a spouse/partner, any dependent children, and any related family members living in your household
• Membership is valid for both Estes Park Center and Snow Mountain Ranch
• Access to on-property activities and facilities
• Cabin reservation priority by member year
• Rate lock by booking season
• 10% discount at Estes Park Center and Snow Mountain Ranch general stores
• $20 discount for your camper to attend Camp Chief Ouray
• Advanced registration for Day Camp

YMCA of the Rockies values our members and takes pride in the membership experience. YMCA of the Rockies hasn’t increased membership rates since 2016, yet operation costs have increased, especially in our mountain regions of Estes Park and Granby, Colorado. Put into place on December 1, 2023, the fee adjustment allows YMCA of the Rockies to continue offering facilities, staff, programs, and services included with membership. We greatly appreciate your understanding, as we strive to continue to offer exceptional service.

Yes, financial assistance for memberships is available by contacting Lindsay Bullock, Philanthropy Office Assistant at [email protected] or 970-586-3341 ext. 6019.

The rates are: $300 for 1 year, $800 for 3 years

A group is considered to be someone who is interested in booking 10 or more “hotel-style”
lodge rooms, or a large retreat cabin (6, 7, 8 bedrooms, Ranch House, Patty Hyde Barclay).

If you are staying in lodge rooms, you are required to be on a meal plan. However, if you are staying in a retreat cabin, you are not required to be on a meal plan.

Our meal plan consists of at least 2 meals per day in our cafeteria-style dining hall. All members of your group will need to be on the same meal plan.

A small but mighty team of housekeepers is responsible for cleaning 500 lodge rooms and more than 200 cabins on any given day. In order to provide groups with the best experience, it can take time to clean accommodations.

Guests are welcome to check-in once rooms are cleaned; however, YMCA of the Rockies does not guarantee check-in until 6:00 PM on the day of arrival and check out is 10:00 AM on the day of departure. If arriving before 6:00 PM and rooms are not ready, guests are encouraged to take advantage of the YMCA’s complimentary facilities and activities. For guests arriving later, the Administration Building’s Front Desk staff are available 24 hours a day.

Yes, deposits are taken to secure accommodation and meeting space. Please speak to the Group Sales office at 800-777-9622 for details.

• For groups canceling more than 6 months prior to arrival, a cancellation fee of 30% of the deposit will be charged.
• For cancellations more than 4 months prior to arrival, 100% of the deposit is charged.
• For cancellations within 4 months of arrival, the full amount for all lodging being held will be charged including the paid deposit.