Dripping Springs Resort opened under the name of Cameron’s Modern Cabins in the 1930s. The bed and breakfast, located in a beautiful canyon with a dense forest, has been owned by Oliver and Jayne Robertson since 1992. Fire pits, a hammock, and seating areas have been placed by Big Thompson River, which offers prime fishing for trout or wildlife watching. This quiet getaway of a location, usually closed from April to October, appeals mostly to families, couples, or reunions.

Wooden bridges and walking paths lead from the office to the cabins. The office itself is a red and green cottage with a stone chimney and skis that decorate the front door. The interior is outfitted with a homey decor and knickknacks. In the mornings, guests can find Jayne serving the breakfast she cooked in a dining room, with a sprawling banquet table that seats 12 people. Light-wood floors, a stone-faced fireplace, and a hutch with fresh brewed coffee make the room feel welcoming. There’s also a porch that overlooks the beautiful forest landscape, where elk occasionally graze.

Guests will find Dripping Springs Resort along the meandering Big Thompson River. The location is close to the busy Big Thompson Canyon Road, and driving west to Rocky Mountain National Park takes about 30 minutes. Go-kart racing is available at Estes Park Ride-A-Kart, four minutes southwest by car. Steak dinners and horseback riding can be arranged at Sombrero Ranches, a four-minute drive southwest as well. Downtown Estes Park -- with its supermarkets, shops, restaurants, and bars -- and the historic Stanley Hotel, with its ghost tours, are both 10 minutes west by car. Denver International Airport is 90 minutes southeast. 

Traditional furnishings and old-Colorado decor fills all of the 12 cabins here, which come with mini-fridges, tea/coffeemakers, bathrobes, and different toiletry brands in bathrooms, which have showers or shower/tub combos. Patios or decks have casual furniture, hot tubs, and stunning mountain and/or river views. Still, tube-style TVs and outdated decor, including worn towels, can be found in some spaces. Select cabins have fireplaces, DVD players, microwaves, living rooms, grills, air-conditioning, kitchenettes or kitchens, canopy beds, pot-belly stoves, rooftop terraces, and two floors. Fun design touches -- such as rustic ice skates, an antique Singer sewing machine, and a spiral staircase -- add charm.

Features at Dripping Springs Resort are limited, though the calming balm of nature is a major feature unto itself. A casual cabin massage house can be found down by Big Thompson River. The bed and breakfast can also host weddings, couples renewing their vows, or private functions with a riverside gazebo and meeting space. As such, a variety of elopement and honeymoon packages are offered. Free Wi-Fi and parking are available as well.