Lake and Mountain view, Private, Convenient location, Hot tub, WIFI, Theater
Guest rating: 5.0 / 5
Overview
Dream Lake is a 2,700-square-foot private mountain home set at 8,200 feet at the base of Rams Horn Mountain in Estes Park, Colorado. Licensed as a vacation home rental (Vacation Home License 20-NCD0278), the property blends secluded wilderness surroundings with easy access to Rocky Mountain National Park and downtown Estes Park, both about a five-minute drive away. It is named for the nearby Dream Lake hiking trail stop on the route to Emerald Lake and Lake Haiyaha.
Rooms & Sleeping Arrangements
The home sleeps up to twelve guests (including infants and lap children, per county short-term rental rules) across seven proper beds: three kings, one queen, and three twins. Additional sleeping options include a queen sleeper sofa and a twin sleeper sofa in the theater room, a twin roll-away in the downstairs laundry room, a spare twin mattress in the downstairs bedroom, and two pack-n-play cribs with mattresses and bedding that can be positioned anywhere in the house.
Amenities & Recreation
Standout features include a Sundance Altamar 850 hot tub that seats six and runs year-round, a hi-def home theater with a 120-inch screen, surround sound, satellite TV with 120 channels, DVR, DVD/VCR, and its own tuner so guests can watch mountains and wildlife alongside movies. Entertainment extends to an Xbox 360 with Kinect on a separate console, wireless Rock Band instruments including a Fender Mustang guitar, and roughly twenty game titles spanning Halo, Guitar Hero, and Wii. Large decks furnished with log tables and chairs offer mountain views, and the property also includes a fireplace, patio, outdoor grill, washer, and free parking.
Kitchen & Connectivity
The fully equipped kitchen (with oven, stove, microwave, and full cookware) is set up to handle a large holiday meal such as Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. Guests have access to gigabit internet with secure wireless coverage throughout the house and on the decks, a guest-use computer, and a wireless printer with scan and copy functions.
Location & Surroundings
The home sits roughly 91 kilometers from Denver International Airport and within a few minutes' drive of numerous Estes Park restaurants, including The Rock Inn Mountain Tavern, Bird & Jim, Wayfinder Restaurant, Smokin' Dave's BBQ, and Antlers Rooftop Tavern. Most dining options are within ten minutes and fine dining within fifteen minutes, while both the national park entrance and downtown Estes Park are about five minutes away.
Best for
This property suits large families, multi-family groups, and groups of friends seeking a self-contained mountain retreat, given its capacity for twelve guests, seven proper beds, and abundant in-house entertainment. It also appeals to travelers prioritizing access to Rocky Mountain National Park, since the entrance and downtown Estes Park are each about a five-minute drive away. The year-round hot tub, home theater, and game systems make it especially well suited to groups wanting an all-in-one basecamp rather than needing to seek outside entertainment.
Travel tips
Denver International Airport is about 91 kilometers away, so plan for roughly a 1.5 to 2 hour drive depending on conditions, especially in winter mountain weather. Since Rocky Mountain National Park has required timed entry during peak season, arrange park reservations in advance of arrival. Most restaurants are within a ten-minute drive and all fine dining options within fifteen minutes, so a vehicle is recommended for getting around Estes Park.
What guests say
Guests consistently praise the property as exceptionally well-equipped, comfortable, and spacious enough for large groups and multiple families without feeling crowded. Recurring themes include appreciation for the responsive, informative host who provides helpful guidance on park entry logistics, the scenic deck with wildlife sightings like deer and chipmunks, and the convenient proximity to downtown Estes Park and the national park entrance. Some guests noted the home has a comfortably lived-in, slightly dated character rather than a polished new feel. A minor recurring criticism involves uneven temperature control, particularly a chilly basement area at night despite baseboard heating.
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