Welcome to
Idlewilde by the River
Located in beautiful Estes Park, Colorado near Rocky Mountain National Park, Idlewilde is situated on the banks of the Big Thompson River. The sound of rushing water is a pleasant addition to the resort during most of the season. With Idlewilde’s proximity to Estes Park, there are lots of specialty shops, galleries, and restaurants for your enjoyment. Wildlife is also abundant at Idlewilde by the River. You will most likely have the opportunity to see deer, elk, chipmunks and an endless supply of hummingbirds. Want to check out the view from 12,000 feet? The entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park is just 1.2 miles from Idlewilde. Drive, bike, or hike up Trail Ridge Road. If you feel adventurous, you can try out the Fall River Road and trek over the Continental Divide. At Idlewilde by the River, there are endless opportunities for hiking, camping, rock climbing, fishing, 4-wheeling, and sightseeing.
CABINS ON THE RIVER, SOLITUDE, AND A HOT TUB FOR RELAXING…
Idlewilde offers several cabins on the river located right on the banks of the Big Thompson. Others are just a few steps away. We specialize in finding the right accommodations just for you. Just let us know what you’re interested in, and we will do our best to provide it. One thing to keep in mind is that the cabins by the river tend to book fast, so you may want to act as soon as possible. All 13 cabins are furnished like a private residence. We provide you solitude, a luxurious hot tub to relax in, clean towels and sheets as needed, bar soap, and toilet paper. We do not provide a daily cleaning service. Of course, your cabin will be spotless upon your arrival, but cleaning will be up to occupants until departure. The kitchens are equipped with basic necessities including stoves, refrigerators, coffee makers (drip) and microwaves. Sorry, we do not allow pets.
What Our Guest Have to Say
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Having a hot cup of coffee in morning or evening by the river was so relaxing it makes you forget about life for awhile. The location was quiet and you are not far from the entrance to the RMNP. We will definitely be back.
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Christopher Calovich
9/08/2025
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Staying at Idlewilde by the River Cabins was nothing short of magical. The location is unbeatable—tucked right along the river, surrounded by towering pines, with the soothing sound of river water flowing just outside your door. We stayed in the Ataloa cabin which literlly sits on the waters edge, and I highly suggest this cabin.
The cabins strike the perfect balance of rustic charm and but just enough modern comfort: cozy, spotless, and pretty well stocked with everything you need. And decent cooking wear which always makes a difference if you like to cook.
Staff member was responsive immediately and was also kind enough to allow us a later check out.
Whether you’re sitting by the rivers edge, or wandering along its banks, or just enjoying the peace and quiet from your private deck, it’s the kind of place that makes you slow down and breathe a little deeper.
We left completely recharged and already can’t wait to come back. If you’re looking for a serene mountain getaway with true Colorado charm, this is it.
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We took a needed family trip and we couldn’t of been more happy with this place
The grounds were well maintained and the Cabin was spotless and smelled great and it had everything we needed
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Very helpful and friendly people! So beautiful and relaxing! Ready to come back! There is no place this beautiful and perfect this close to the entrance of Rocky Mountain national Park!!
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Location: Could not have been better - we were right on the water and loved it. Short drive to Estes Park.
Service: Booked online, sent a code to get in, never spoke to a single person before/during/after our stay.
Room/cabin: Rustic and clean, perfect for an overnight. Nothing fancy, but everything we needed.
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Wow! What an amazing place! Charming and rustic 1930’s cabins clean, cozy, and stocked with all the essentials. Gorgeous location on the river just outside the main drag of Estes Park. Quick and easy to get to RMNP. The weather turned cold while we were there and we had a problem with our heat. We called and Alex came and fixed it for us right away! Wonderful vacation. We’ll be back!
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Our family of 6 seniors truly enjoyed our stay in Naughty Pine. The cabin provided much more than we expected and we were quite comfortable. The outside was perfect and the deer and elk cooperated beautifully for pictures! It was a new experience for four of us and two of us were repeats. Management was very patient as we navigated on-line for the first time.
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dorothy Mullikin
10/16/2024
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Our cabin at Idlewilde was spotless, pleasantly decorated, and spacious. The kitchen was well-stocked with cooking equipment. The property borders on the Big Thompson River and the cascade of water over the rocks make a lovely sound to sleep to. Highly recommended!
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We've stayed at Idlewild off and on for the last 20 years. It's our go-to cabin in Estes Park.
Quite a few cabins are directly on the river, and it's gorgeous. We watched an elk directly across the river, walk across the river and come up the bank right in front of our cabin and mosey past it off to the side. PLEASE, be aware, respectful, and careful of wildlife! We were inside the porch on the comfy porch swing.
The added improvements of Wi-Fi and the Keurig coffee with K-Cups were welcome additions. We also had 5G which was new . Everything looked spruced up with the new owners.
Let's also talk about the self-check-in! Wow, what a fantastic improvement! You get a code in the email that
lets you unlock your door. It definitely gives you more freedom.
Will we be back to Idlewild by the River? Absolutely! ❤️❣️❤️
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I booked a cabin at Idlewilde for a family celebration. It was wonderful to have the space to spread out and be comfortable for a few days. The full sized kitchen was fully stocked and we went to the grocery store and didn’t need to eat out every single meal. Sitting by the river was relaxing. Being within a mile of the NP entrance was convenient. Overall it was a lovely vacation and we would definitely do it again.
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