Travel & Lodging

Ken & Mimi's guide to Evergreen and the Colorado front range

Getting There

By Air

Fly into Denver International Airport (DEN). Evergreen is about 45 minutes west via I-70. We recommend renting a car — the mountain drive is beautiful and you'll want wheels for exploring.

By Car

Search "Evergreen Lake House" in GPS and enjoy the drive through the foothills. From Denver, take I-70 West to the Evergreen Parkway exit.

Want to split a ride? Check the Guest Connect board to coordinate carpools from the airport or your hotel.

Altitude Advisory

Evergreen sits at 7,500 feet elevation. If you're coming from a lower elevation:

  • Arrive a day early if you can — give your body time to adjust
  • Drink 2-3x your normal water intake starting 2 days before
  • Go easy on alcohol your first day — it hits harder at altitude
  • If you feel headachy or dizzy, rest and hydrate — it's normal

Where to Stay

Organized by area and distance from the venue. Want to split a cabin or hotel room? Post on Guest Connect

Evergreen

5-10 min from venue — mountain vibes

Colorado Bear Creek Cabins

$150-300/night

Charming mountain cabins right in Evergreen. Closest to the venue and perfectly matches the mountain wedding vibe.

Closest to venueCabinsOur top pick

Evergreen Airbnb Cabins

$100-250/night

Tons of options on Airbnb — search 'Evergreen CO' for cabins, A-frames, and mountain homes. Great for groups splitting costs.

Group-friendlySplit costsVariety

Golden

20-25 min from venue — charming brewery town

Comfort Suites Golden West

$130-200/night

Reliable chain hotel, family-friendly. Easy access to I-70 and close to downtown Golden.

Family-friendly25 min drive

Hampton Inn Denver-West/Golden

$130-220/night

Solid hotel with good availability. Free breakfast. Right off the highway.

Free breakfastReliable

The Eddy Taproom & Hotel

$180-280/night

Boutique hotel right on Clear Creek in downtown Golden. Walk to breweries and restaurants. The cool option.

BoutiqueDowntown GoldenWalkable

Table Mountain Inn

$150-250/night

Southwest-style inn in the heart of Golden. Rooftop patio with mountain views. Walking distance to everything.

Mountain viewsDowntownCharacter

Lakewood

25-30 min from venue — more options, closer to Denver

Hyatt Place Denver/Lakewood

$120-180/night

Modern hotel near Belmar shopping area. Good restaurants and bars walking distance.

ModernNear restaurants30 min drive

Courtyard by Marriott Lakewood

$110-170/night

Reliable Marriott property. Good for families and those who want a straightforward stay.

Budget-friendlyFamilies

Residence Inn Lakewood

$130-190/night

Extended stay with kitchens — great if you want to save on meals. Free breakfast.

KitchenFree breakfastBudget-friendly

Georgetown / Idaho Springs

30-40 min from venue — mountain towns on I-70

Georgetown Mountain Inn

$120-180/night

Pet-friendly, good value in a charming historic mountain town. Great for exploring.

Budget-friendlyPet-friendlyHistoric

Indian Hot Springs Resort

$100-200/night

Hot springs resort in Idaho Springs. Soak in the pools after the wedding. A unique experience.

Hot springsUniqueRelaxing

Ken & Mimi's Colorado Guide

Make a trip of it! Here are our favorite things to do in the area. Most guests arrive Friday and leave Sunday — plan some adventures.

🥾 Outdoors & Nature

Evergreen Lake

Walk around the lake right by our venue. Gorgeous in July. Easy stroll for everyone.

Three Sisters Park

Moderate hiking trails with wildflowers and mountain views. 10 min from the venue.

Elk Meadow Park

Watch for elk herds at dawn/dusk. Easy trails through meadows and forests.

Mount Evans Scenic Byway

Drive to 14,264 ft — the highest paved road in North America. Breathtaking (literally). Open in July.

Clear Creek Trail (Golden)

Bike or walk along the creek through downtown Golden. Flat, easy, beautiful.

Red Rocks Park Trails

Hike around Red Rocks (not just for concerts). Trading Post Trail is an easy loop with stunning views.

🍺 Food & Drink

Coors Brewery Tour (Golden)

Free tour of the world's largest single-site brewery. Yes, free beer at the end.

Golden downtown breweries

Golden City Brewery, Cannonball Creek, Barrels & Bottles — all walkable in downtown Golden.

Beau Jo's Pizza (Idaho Springs)

Colorado-style mountain pizza. The crust is basically a honey-dipped breadstick. A must.

The Muddy Buck Cafe (Evergreen)

Great coffee and breakfast in Evergreen. Perfect morning-after fuel.

Lariat Lodge Brewing (Evergreen)

Brewery with mountain views right in Evergreen. Good food, great vibes.

Creekside Cellar (Evergreen)

Cozy wine bar in downtown Evergreen. Perfect for a chill evening.

🎨 Culture & Sightseeing

Red Rocks Amphitheatre

Even without a concert, the park is free to walk through. Check the schedule — you might catch a show.

Downtown Denver (RiNo District)

Street art, breweries, restaurants galore. 45 min from Evergreen. Worth a day trip.

Buffalo Bill Museum (Golden)

Perched on Lookout Mountain with panoramic views. Small museum, huge vistas.

Georgetown Loop Railroad

Historic narrow-gauge train through the mountains. Runs in July. Great for families.

Meow Wolf (Denver)

Mind-bending immersive art experience. Unlike anything you've seen. Book tickets ahead.

♨️ Relaxation

Indian Hot Springs

Natural hot springs in Idaho Springs, 30 min from Evergreen. Perfect pre or post-wedding soak.

Hiwan Heritage Park (Evergreen)

Peaceful gardens and a historic home. Nice quiet walk.

Evergreen Golf Course

Scenic mountain golf course. Beautiful but elevation changes your game — club up.

Want company for any of these? Post on the Guest Connect board to find other guests who want to explore together.

What to Expect — Weather

July in Evergreen is gorgeous but can surprise you. Expect warm days (70-85°F) and cool evenings (50-60°F). The sun is intense at altitude — bring sunscreen.

Bring a layer for the evening. Even in July, mountain nights get chilly. A wrap, blazer, or light jacket is a must.

Afternoon thunderstorms are common in July mountains (usually 2-4pm). They blow through fast — don't worry, we've planned for it.