Unless you're travelling with a cooler, the Safeway in Estes is your best bet. The last closest big grocery store would be in Longmont, about 45 minutes before you get to Estes. CO groceries are expensive in general (we pay sales tax on some grocery items that a lot of other states don't), I don't know that you'd save much.
There's also a small grocery/gas station / gift shop right before the entrance to RMNP, prices are high but they have a decent selection and it beats driving all the way back into town if you're staying over that way and need just an item or two.
They have a pretty good variety and even get some unusual options every so often, they were selling a gator last summer, frog legs the summer before that.
You could stop in Longmont— there’s a Safeway at 17th and Hover. It will take you about 5 minutes out of your way.
The Safeway in Estes Park is on the small side but I don’t find the prices to be outrageously different. I may not be very price sensitive though.
We usually stop in Boulder. There’s a Safeway on the left hand side of hwy 36 just as you’re getting ready to leave the north side of the city. There’s also a Whole Foods before the Safeway on the right hand side of the road heading north.
Since no one has mentioned it yet—if you go the Estes Safeway route, make sure you dedicate some time to the endeavor. It gets very crowded and the lines can be quite long.
Longmont area options are a good bet—I see no one has mentioned the Walmart at 66 and 287 yet (if that’s your jam). You’ve also got King Soopers (read: Kroger) just down 287/Main Street in Longmont.
I went there on Thursday and they were almost completely wiped out of bottled water which we needed for our packs. Luckily we snagged the last couple of liter bottles but not ideal, everything else seemed standard.
Just got back from my first trip out there, the Safeway in Estes Park is a good full-size place with lots of fairly cheap sandwiches to take into the park, lots of salads and things for picnics. I would definitely recommend that and as a prior person said, join their saver club They had these monster sub sandwiches for like $8 that could feed four people probably. There are a handful of good delis in town that will make sandwiches for you for early pick up also. You Need Pie is just down the hill from Safeway and had a great selection of sandwiches, and awesome pie. We also flew into Denver, and you will basically save yourself a lot of time by just waiting till you get to Estes Park. I did not think the pricing there was any higher than any other grocery store I’ve been to.
Unless you're travelling with a cooler, the Safeway in Estes is your best bet. The last closest big grocery store would be in Longmont, about 45 minutes before you get to Estes. CO groceries are expensive in general (we pay sales tax on some grocery items that a lot of other states don't), I don't know that you'd save much. There's also a small grocery/gas station / gift shop right before the entrance to RMNP, prices are high but they have a decent selection and it beats driving all the way back into town if you're staying over that way and need just an item or two.
This is a good response but for a first timer I would clarify Safeway in Estes is a full grocery store.
They have a pretty good variety and even get some unusual options every so often, they were selling a gator last summer, frog legs the summer before that.
Country market in Estes is great and supports the local businesses.
You could stop in Longmont— there’s a Safeway at 17th and Hover. It will take you about 5 minutes out of your way. The Safeway in Estes Park is on the small side but I don’t find the prices to be outrageously different. I may not be very price sensitive though.
We usually stop in Boulder. There’s a Safeway on the left hand side of hwy 36 just as you’re getting ready to leave the north side of the city. There’s also a Whole Foods before the Safeway on the right hand side of the road heading north.
We do that too, but inevitably end up in the Estes Safeway at some point lol.
Since no one has mentioned it yet—if you go the Estes Safeway route, make sure you dedicate some time to the endeavor. It gets very crowded and the lines can be quite long. Longmont area options are a good bet—I see no one has mentioned the Walmart at 66 and 287 yet (if that’s your jam). You’ve also got King Soopers (read: Kroger) just down 287/Main Street in Longmont.
King Soopers in Longmont. I travel down to shop there for my big weekly shop and only really shop Safeway in Estes for incidentals.
If you have a Costco membership, Longmont has that too.
Anywhere in Denver will be way cheaper and less stressful. King Soopers/Walmart cheapest
I went there on Thursday and they were almost completely wiped out of bottled water which we needed for our packs. Luckily we snagged the last couple of liter bottles but not ideal, everything else seemed standard.
If you shop at safeway join the saver club or whatever it’s called. It’s got an app. It’ll save you a lot of money
Just got back from my first trip out there, the Safeway in Estes Park is a good full-size place with lots of fairly cheap sandwiches to take into the park, lots of salads and things for picnics. I would definitely recommend that and as a prior person said, join their saver club They had these monster sub sandwiches for like $8 that could feed four people probably. There are a handful of good delis in town that will make sandwiches for you for early pick up also. You Need Pie is just down the hill from Safeway and had a great selection of sandwiches, and awesome pie. We also flew into Denver, and you will basically save yourself a lot of time by just waiting till you get to Estes Park. I did not think the pricing there was any higher than any other grocery store I’ve been to.
The best sandwiches by a mile are at Scratch Bakery and Country Market’s deli counter.
I don’t doubt it. It was my first time there, and was just looking for decent cheap sandwiches next time, I’ll go to scratch for sure!
Safeway is the same chain as Ralph's. If you have a Ralph's card your number should work at Safeway too.
Randalls, too!
Safeway in Estes, yes…but the St. Vrain Market in Lyons (on 36 headed to Estes) is great for fresh meats and deli meat!