If you’re in Boulder for outdoor adventure, this is your home.
It’s called the Adventure Lodge for a reason: Boulder’s natural, wild spirit is at the heart of this unique mountain hotel.
The A-Lodge (as it’s called) is located up Fourmile Canyon Drive, which drops you deep in nature, albeit only five minutes from downtown. So while it has easy access to the creek, the mountains, the trails and the peacefulness of nature, it’s also convenient and accessible.
A-Lodge is also the only place to go camping near Boulder (unless you want to drive farther to Gross Reservoir in Boulder County) and home to Boulder’s only youth hostel.
You can pop up a tent on a site or go car camping (small vans and cars, no RVs) on decks on the hillside above the hotel. Bonus: You can sleep in the outdoors but still get access to the hotel amenities. We’re talking a hot tub (for soaking your sore muscles from hiking and climbing), an on-site slackline park (how Boulder is that?), a fire pit (to gather around under the stars), its own movie theater, a free continental breakfast and more.
A-Lodge is the real deal and staff here can give you recommendations on the best places to go hiking, fishing, swimming and climbing. In fact, the lodge is run by two local adventurers, Asa Firestone and Kris Klauber. Firestone is a climber and entrepreneur, and Klauber used to run a brewery. Outdoor Magazine recently included them on the list of the “Most Badass Hotel Owners.”
Staff can help you book guided rock climbing or fly-fishing or even drive you to the Eldora ski area (it’s only about 30 minutes away) in the shuttle. Rent it for yourself or take it for free on weekends in ski season. Also, don’t miss the “adventure tablet” for activity inspo. These tablets, located in your room or at reception, allow you to book your next adventure instantly.
A-Lodge itself offers a variety of programs, too, such as yoga, group hikes and rides, group dinners and happy hour gatherings.
The rooms are generally simple and rustic (although each room does have a sitting area, TV, free wifi and its own bathroom), but that also means they’re not expensive (for Boulder). And anyway, it’s all about being outdoors here. After all, the lodge is built on seven acres right on the Fourmile Creek, surrounded by pine trees and trails.
In the summer, after practicing on the slackline and making s’mores around the fire pit while telling stories about the day’s adventures, you can catch a movie on a large outdoor screen on the lawn. Make dinner on the outdoor grill, although some rooms have their own kitchenettes.
For a bigger group, book a private cabin, which has its own private grill area and outdoor patio.
As for single rooms, each is slightly different. Pick from the best view to one romantic room with its own jacuzzi tub, or hop on one of the 12 bunk beds in the hostel area.
Even if you’ve visited A-Lodge before, it might be time for a new look; in recent years, the hotel has gone through some renovations. Its lobby is home to a bar (“saloon”) and a cozy, two-story fireplace. The saloon is located in the historic stone building in the center of the property. It’s a historic landmark, formerly the Wagon Wheel Lodge.
A-Lodge also has a 650-square-foot meeting room.
In addition, the hotel is gearing up to offer a shuttle from the lodge to downtown Boulder (just two miles away). Or you can take the RTD bus on the N Route or the Climb Route to the Fourmile Canyon stop. Boulder is a quick stop away, but the great outdoors are even closer.
Local tip: Ask about the Adventure Discount. Climbers and mountain bikers get 15 percent off the hostel when they book direct; you just have to show your gear when checking in.
