Notes from the host
Bears Paw Cabin #12
Welcome to The Woolly Bugger Inn! Our cabins, tiny homes, and suites are tucked into the woodsy Big Thompson Canyon just minutes from Rocky Mountain National Park and downtown Estes Park.
ABOUT BEARS PAW CABIN (#12):
Bears Paw Cabin is a two-bedroom, two-story private cabin located within a riverside duplex (with neighboring Middle Mountain). Enjoy a full kitchen, living room, bathroom, downstairs King bedroom, and an upstairs bunkroom with a small balcony (1 queen, 1 full, and two bean bags). Your private deck space includes river views, a gas grill, a hot tub, and a nearby wood-burning fire pit.
About The Woolly Bugger Inn:
We’re nestled along a quarter-mile private stretch of the (highly fishable!) Big Thompson River, with plenty of space to spread out and relax on our forested, five-acre grounds. The vibe here is cozy, laid-back, and old-school, with a mix of historic rental quarters and newer, more modern dwellings to choose from. We’re five minutes from downtown Estes Park and ten minutes from Rocky Mountain National Park.
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**BEFORE YOU BOOK!**
Read on to ensure our quirky property is the right fit for your getaway:
Pets: We love hosting dogs, so let us know if you plan to bring your furry friend(s) along and we'll send you our pet agreement and fee. Our pet fee is $20 per dog per night (free after the third night).
The Vibe: When we say "historic,” we mean historic—some of our digs stretch back 100 years, and sometimes, our “old school” shows. This can mean drafts when it’s cold out, some summer heat, and you’re bound to see an occasional four-to-eight-legged friend around the property. We like to think of ourselves as an extension of the Front Range ecosystem, so it’s all part of the fun!
WiFi & Cell: WiFi is limited throughout our canyon. We offer the best we can, but don’t expect to Zoom into meetings (or much of anything, internet-wise). Cell service is limited on the property at this time, so try to pull up your cabin and check-in instructions before you arrive. Please also note that weather can impact satellite TV strength in the area, as WiFi coverage has to be beamed through satellite dishes.
Safety:
For the safety of our guests, we maintain outdoor security cameras to monitor wildlife visits, fire risks, hazardous elements, and other safety protocols (public spaces only). Please note our property is wild and rugged, with cliff features, boulders, slopes, uneven surfaces, river access, and regular wildlife visits (bear, elk, wild cats, and more). Use caution around any natural terrain, understand and follow wildlife safety practices, and abide by our pet, fire, hot tub (if your unit includes one), and on-site rules as posted in your cabin guide. Hot tubs [if applicable] are for use at your own risk and not protected by a gate; the hosts are not responsible for injuries resulting from the use of the hot tub. Guests shall hereby indemnify and hold harmless the Owner against any and all claims of personal injury or property damage or loss arising from the use of the property, inclusive of but not limited to the house, hot tub, fire pits, etc., regardless of the nature of the accident, injury, or loss.
Seasonal Information:
Winters & Shoulder Season: Winter in Estes is magical, and we’re happy to make recommendations on activities! While US-34 east of the Park remains open and plowed, if you’re planning to visit during the winter/shoulder season, consider snow tires and any other supplies you may want for winter conditions. Trail Ridge Rd and other routes over the continental divide close seasonally every year, so access to Grand Lake and the western part of RMNP requires rerouting through I-70 to the south (which adds about 3-4 hours to the trip). During winter, watch out for snow shedding from roofs and icy/snowy walkways along our rugged grounds. We’ll send more winter info about a month before arrival.
Summer/Early Fall: This is the high season! Note that certain cabins and suites can get toasty during the daytime, but night typically cools off significantly. Fire season typically falls between summer and early fall in the area, so air quality may be unhealthy during this time, particularly among sensitive groups.
Check out the Rocky Mountain National Park website ahead of time for more information on Timed Entry Permits during peak season (typically May-October).
Let us know if you have questions!
We hope you enjoy this neck of the woods as much as we do. Holler if you want to chat. Welcome to The Woolly Bugger Inn!
To make sure everyone has a safe and peaceful stay, please read through the following:
Pets: Our pet fee is $20 per dog per night (for up to the first 3 nights, then after your third night, dogs stay free!). We can accommodate a maximum of two dogs (and dogs only at this time), but get in touch with us if you have a special circumstance. Let us know if you plan to bring your furry friend(s) along, and we’ll send our pet agreement/fee.
Garbage and Food Storage: Estes Park is active bear habitat! Please secure the bear-proof dumpster latch and secure your trash and food items to prevent wildlife break-ins (which put both your life and the animal’s life in danger).
Fire Safety: Your cabin is located in a region extremely susceptible to wildfires, so we take fire risk very seriously. No fireworks, absolutely no bonfires during fire bans (or otherwise posted), properly control and extinguish bonfires (drown using a bucket of river water, then use the stir-mix-feel method), turn off grills after use, and do not leave grills or fires unattended.
Quiet hours begin at 10 pm and end the following morning at 8 am.
Extra Guests: We don’t permit extra guests beyond what’s listed in your cabin’s capacity max. Any day use guests must be pre-approved.
Events: At this time, we don’t allow guest events (such as weddings, parties, and so forth) at the property. We’re happy, however, to book your larger-sized group in multiple coinciding rooms at the hotel as long as you maintain respect and capacity numbers in each unit, keep noise levels to a minimum, and respectfully share communal spaces with guests outside your party.
Smoking: All of our units are non-smoking, but if guests need to smoke, we ask that they abide by a few rules. Visit The Woolly Bugger Inn FAQs & Policies for the full policy.
Early Check-In and Late Check-Out: At this time we’re unable to accommodate early check-ins or late check-outs, but get in touch if you have a unique situation.
Cancellation: Please contact us if you have any questions on cancellation policies and refunds.
Leave No Trace: Respecting public lands and waters, Native and local communities, and our property is important to us. Please leave what you find and dispose of waste properly.
Hot Tubs: Please visit The Woolly Bugger Inn FAQs & Policies for the full policy.
