Pine Haven Resort

Thousands of trees dot the Pine Haven Resort's 14-acre property, and six hundred feet of the Fall River meanders through it. The eclectic country-western decorations in the office spill out onto a terrace covered in flowers and plants, an area the owners have dubbed, “The Secret Garden.” Inside the office -- where guests can find owner George and his daughter at almost any time of day -- is a log front desk, sitting area with a flat-screen TV, and wilderness knickknacks like mounted fish, a deer head, lanterns, and fishing poles.

The family-owned resort feels intimate and the grounds are well-maintained, making it ideal for families, reunions, and outdoorsy couples. The owners host regular family-friendly get-togethers to encourage socializing, and the many fire pits, picnic areas, and grills throughout the grounds encourage barbecuing and making the most of the great outdoors.

Located alongside Fall River, the Pine Haven Resort has a hiking trail on the property that leads to both Deer Mountain and Old Man Mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park. There's a Safeway a six-minute drive away, where you can pick up provisions for your cabin. Downtown Estes Park -- with eateries, bars, coffee shops, a movie theater, a fly shop, and gas stations -- is a four-minute drive away. The Denver airport is an hour and a half by car. A drive to the national park takes 24 minutes. The Estes Park Aerial Tramway and Fun City -- which offers large slides, bumper cars and go-karts -- is a 15-minute drive away.

The Pine Haven Resort has 12 cabins and a lodge, and each cabin is uniquely decorated with themed decor such authentic cowboy memorabilia or Aztec-inspired furnishings. Some cabins are smaller and more romantic, while many have sofa beds and bunk beds for families and groups; some have fireplaces and all have log furniture, flat-screen TVs, and kitchens with coffee/tea machines and microwaves. Some cabins have raised wooden decks, with barbecues and forest views. The lodge has a stone fireplace, dining room, four bedrooms that sleep up to 14 people, and an enclosed porch overlooking the Fall River. The Elkhorn and Daniel Boone cabins have living rooms and downstairs bedrooms. Pets are not allowed. The resort has free Wi-Fi.

The entire focus at Pine Haven Resort is on the outdoors, so fire pits, barbecue grills, lounge chairs, and picnic tables are placed throughout the property and along the river bank, creating a communal setting that encourages socializing. There's a hot tub near the entrance to the cabin site, set in a log gazebo. Attached to the gazebo is a terrace that has hand-carved wooden furniture and a fire pit, surrounded by custom stone chairs and benches, where guest can watch the foxes, elk, deer, and chipmunks scamper around. For kids, there’s a playground that matches the forest atmosphere and a playhouse -- both surrounded by tall fir trees.

Sports facilities and lawn games are also scattered throughout the property. There’s small basketball court with four hoops. Lawn games like bocce, shuffleboard and horseshoes offer views of the river and forest.