🧳 Planning a big family trip? Grab our Family Vacation Packing Lists Bundle for $4.99 — includes a full Mountains & Colorado packing list!
Get It Now →Traveling with nine might sound like a logistical nightmare to some — but we know better. At Adventures with 9, we believe big families deserve big memories, and our journey to Estes Park, Colorado proved that adventure doesn't shrink with the size of your crew — it scales up into something unforgettable.
We chose to visit Estes Park in early June. From scenic drives through the Rockies to fly fishing at sunrise and off-road stargazing tours, this trip wasn't just a vacation — it was a memory-making mission.
✈️ The Big Family Planning Checklist
✈️ Before You Book
- Choose travel dates based on weather, park access & schedules
- Set a group budget (flights, lodging, food, activities, gear, gas)
- Check flight options early for group availability
- Reserve rental vehicles
- Create packing lists in Excel — print one for each person!
🧳 Packing & Gear Prep
- Clothing layers (hoodies, thermals, rain jackets, hiking shoes, hats)
- Water bottles for all
- Backpacks/daypacks for hikes
- Portable chargers
- First aid kit + motion AND altitude sickness meds
- Headlamps or flashlights for nighttime outings
🎟️ Activities & Experiences
- Book guided activities: horseback riding, Jeep tours, fly fishing
- Reserve RMNP entry passes WAY in advance (timed-entry)
- Print or save all booking confirmations
- Schedule downtime and family-flex time
🚨 Final Prep Before Takeoff
- Double-check altitude readiness — hydrate, know signs of altitude sickness
- Leave space in luggage for souvenirs
- Prep snacks and entertainment for travel days
- Share itinerary and emergency contacts with a friend/relative
- Pack the sense of wonder — Colorado's waiting!
✈️ Getting There: Planes, Cars & Mountains
We kicked off our journey with a direct flight to Denver on Southwest Airlines — just 2 hours 20 minutes of airtime. From Denver International, we picked up two rental vehicles and began the 90-minute drive through winding mountain passes toward Estes Park.
Take the scenic route to Lyons — Hwy 7 to Estes Park. The views alone made it worth the trip: jagged peaks, riverside curves, and that exciting hush that fills a car full of kids seeing mountains for the first time.
🏠 Blue Spruce Manor: The Ultimate Home Base
Blue Spruce Manor on Airbnb, nestled right on the banks of the Big Thompson River, is a 6,500-square-foot log cabin paradise. With five bedrooms and five bathrooms, there was space for everyone to breathe, laugh, play pool, soak in the hot tub, and recharge for the next adventure.
Blue Spruce Manor — our incredible home base right on the Big Thompson River
Staying somewhere with real space makes all the difference for a large family. This rental delivered privacy, comfort, and connection under one timbered roof.
⭐ Our Family-Favorite Highlights
🐎 Horseback Riding at Elkhorn Stables
We kicked off our first full day at 9 AM with a gorgeous ride through wooded trails. With cool temps and misty peaks in the background, even our more hesitant riders were won over by the calm rhythm of trail life. The whole crew lined up for this one — and it delivered.
The trail ride view · The whole crew — all nine of us on horseback!
🥾 Bear Lake Hike — Rocky Mountain National Park
After entering Rocky Mountain National Park, we trekked through the Bear Lake area — an easy favorite thanks to its scenic beauty and family-friendly trails. Surrounded by pine forests and panoramic views of Hallett Peak, Bear Lake is as picturesque as it gets. Perfect for a mix of ages and energy levels.
🎣 Guided Fly Fishing at Diamond Lake
At 5:30 AM, we met for a high-altitude fishing trip targeting the endangered Greenback Cutthroat Trout. Perched on the edge of Diamond Lake, surrounded by rugged mountain beauty and total stillness — the hike up through the snow in waders was an adventure in itself. Truly transcendent.
Hiking to Diamond Lake in waders at 5:30 AM — the mountains made it all worth it
🚙 Not So Mellow Jeep Tour
Buckle up! Early evening, we boarded open-roof 4x4s for a thrilling off-road sunset ride into the wild. Breathtaking vistas, hairpin turns, and a nightcap of roasted marshmallows and hot dogs made this an adventure for the books.
🏔️ Trail Ridge Road + Alpine Visitor Center
This 48-mile stretch across the Continental Divide is the highest paved through-road in the U.S. We climbed to 12,183 feet, passed through subalpine forests, and stopped at the Alpine Visitor Center to soak in tundra views that felt like the top of the world.
🌌 Stargazing at Upper Beaver Meadows
With telescopes, volunteer astronomers, and a pitch-black Rocky Mountain sky, we explored the Milky Way like never before. No screens. No noise. Just stars and awe.
🛒 Amazon Finds That Made This Trip Smoother
Large families = large logistics. These Amazon favorites helped us stay sane:
💡 Tips for Other Big Families
- Build in free time: Not every moment needs a plan — some of our favorites weren't scheduled.
- Pack for climate chaos: From 80°F sun to 40°F mountain mornings, versatility was key.
- Book early, book smart: Larger accommodations fill fast — plan 4–6 months ahead if you can.
Estes Park wasn't just breathtaking — it was bonding. Being surrounded by mountains made the world feel bigger, and being surrounded by each other made it feel smaller, closer. Every laugh, every awe-struck stare out the car window, every group photo we almost got right — it all added up to something priceless.
Large-family travel isn't always easy. But it is always worth it.
— Jason & Heather
📋 Don't forget anything on your next adventure — get our Family Vacation Packing Lists Bundle for just $4.99.
Get It Now →Planning a Colorado Family Trip?
Grab our Family Travel Itinerary + Checklists and Family Packing Lists from the shop.
Visit the Shop → More Adventures →