LOCATION:
Escape to The Riverside Cabin — a classic, hand-hewn log retreat in the
Peaceful Valley area of Allenspark, Colorado, just 11 miles from Rocky
Mountain National Park's Wild Basin entrance. Set along the Middle St.
Vrain Creek at 8,000 feet, this is the mountain getaway that actually
delivers on the promise: crisp air, wildlife out the window, a six-person
hot tub under the stars, and genuine quiet. No highway noise. No crowds.
Just the river, the peaks, and the kind of reset you came to Colorado for.
The cabin sleeps 7 guests across 3 bedrooms and 4 beds, with 3.5
bathrooms and a beautifully upgraded interior that blends mountain
character with modern comfort.
AMENITIES:
Everything you need is here:
- Six-person hot tub under the stars
- Cathedral, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the creek and mountains
- Wrap-around deck with outdoor dining, lounge seating, and a swing
- Fully equipped chef's kitchen
- Living room with grand piano and stunning mountain views
- Primary suite with large soaker tub
- Luxury linens and bedding in all bedrooms
- Plush towels in all bathrooms
- Downstairs family room with TV — great for kids
- Loft with reading nook and 70-inch HD TV
- Dedicated office space with monitor, keyboard, mouse, and Wi-Fi
- Full-sized washer and dryer
- Bathroom configuration: 1 full bath, 2 three-quarter baths, 1 half-bath
- Large wrap-around deck with grill, dining table, lounge seating, and
a swing
- Free Wi-Fi (best available service for this location; supports
streaming and multiple devices)
- No A/C — not needed. Cool mountain air flows down from the peaks
each evening.
ACCESS:
The cabin sits on a paved, winter-maintained road in a quiet valley off
the Middle St. Vrain Creek — easy to reach, genuinely secluded once
you're here. Distances from the cabin:
- Rocky Mountain National Park: 11 miles (Wild Basin Trailhead: 19 min)
- Estes Park: 22 miles north (25 min)
- Nederland: 20 miles south (23 min)
- Eldora Ski Resort: 30 minutes west
- Lyons: 16 miles east
A keypad controls the main entry door. You'll receive a unique code
before arrival.
Guests have access to the full cabin. The owner's storage closet and
garage are reserved for owner use only.
LOCAL ATTRACTIONS:
Rocky Mountain National Park's Wild Basin area is your front door to
Colorado's best hiking. Thirteen trails lead to waterfalls, alpine lakes,
and high-country wilderness — including Calypso Falls, Ouzel Falls,
Copeland Falls, Pear Lake, Bluebird Lake, and Sandbeach Lake. Download
AllTrails or Komoot for trail maps and conditions.
Estes Park, 25 minutes north, is the classic Colorado mountain town —
great restaurants, shops, wildlife, and the legendary Stanley Hotel.
Nederland, 23 minutes south, is Boulder County's most eclectic mountain
community: breweries, live music, coffee houses, and the gateway to
Indian Peaks Wilderness.
Eldora Ski Resort, 30 minutes west, is a local favorite — convenient,
affordable, and one of the few ski areas east of the Continental Divide.
WILDLIFE:
Moose, elk, deer, bear, and coyotes visit the property regularly. Enjoy
them from the deck — but please do not approach or feed any wildlife.
It is dangerous and illegal in Colorado. Do not leave food in your
vehicle; bears are capable of breaking into cars.
WINTER:
A 4WD vehicle is recommended for November through April. The road is
paved and winter-maintained, but mountain conditions vary. Use the
OpenSnow app (search "Peaceful Valley, CO") for accurate local snow
conditions.
If it snows during your stay, a shovel is located near the hot tub and
a second near the grill on the deck. A snow removal service handles the
driveway — our neighbor to the west. No alarm needed when you see him.
CHECK-IN AND CHECK-OUT:
Check-in: 4:00 PM or later
Check-out: 10:00 AM or earlier
No early check-ins or late checkouts — we maintain a strict cleaning
schedule to ensure the cabin is perfect for every guest.
CHILDPROOFING:
Please be aware that no special childproofing measures have been taken.
Guests with children accept responsibility for supervising them on
the property.
RULES AND POLICIES:
Boulder County Vacation Rental License: VR-24-0035.
This is a whole-home vacation rental.
Approved occupancy: 7 guests maximum.
Approved on-site parking: 4 vehicles maximum.
An accurate guest count is mandatory.
Additional rules:
- No smoking anywhere on the property
- No parties or events
- No pets
- No open fires outdoors
- Do not use the wood-burning stove (central heat is available;
open fires are prohibited due to high wildfire risk in this area)
- No shoes or ski boots inside the house
- No skis (use the ski rack in the basement), bikes, or sporting
equipment inside the house
- Please do not block the neighbor's driveway
- Quiet hours observed
Violations of the smoking, fire, wood-burning stove, party, vehicle
limit, quiet hours, or guest count rules are subject to a $300 fine
per violation.
Questions or issues during your stay? Contact Don or Vonda Downs —
we're here to make your stay safe, enjoyable, and memorable. You may
also hear from our co-hosts Caleb and Shelby Downs, who help us ensure
every guest has a great experience.
For local tips and cabin information, see our mobile app:
https://hostful.ly/OurRiversideCabin