Kirkwood Vacation Rentals

Kirkwood Travel Guide

Kirkwood mountain resort town is an excellent spot to spend quality time with family and friends, relax and recharge. Kirkwood is located in the Eldorado National Forest, next to the beautiful Caples Lake. The town was founded in the late 1800s when a cattle rancher settled in the area and opened up an inn -- named Kirkwood’s -- and soon enough became a very fashionable and popular summer destination. One century later, the inn has become the ski resort area known today.

For the perfect winter getaway, Kirkwood is the place to be. Boasting stunning, calm surroundings, visitors flock here year after year; even in the summer months when hiking and horseback riding is popular.

Things to Do in Kirkwood

Kirkwood is ideal for a typical California vacation away from big cities and crowds. Boasting plenty of trails, lakes, forests, and valleys Kirkwood is a haven for nature enthusiasts.

The Kirkwood Moutain Resort is the main reason people flock to Kirkwood, and most of the amenities here are open during winter season. The ski-in ski-out resort is fantastic for easy access to the slope, and visitors can take ski lessons here, as well as hire skiing equipment and go cross-country skiing. There are additionally ski lifts to the top of the mountain, offering stunning views of the snow-blanketed ground. Cross country skiing is also very popular here.

If you're visiting Kirkwood during summer, there are still many adventures to be had. The Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park is wonderful to hike around and to explore the mountains of California, learning a little about the land's history along the way. Additionally, the Black Chasm Cavern is very close to Indian Grinding Rock Park and is a rare helictite formation cave system -- it's open all year round and visitors can join guided tours.

Best Places to Stay in Kirkwood

The best areas to stay in Kirkwood are around the mountain resort and the lake areas where there are many vacation rentals. Kirkwood has plenty of lodging options, such as Sun Meadows, Kirkwood Meadows, Red Cliffs and Pyramid Peak properties -- most of which are open all year round and have amazing mountain and lake views. There are only a handful of restaurants and cafes in these areas so opt for a beautiful vacation home with a full kitchen. Most rentals also come with multiple bathrooms and bedrooms for large groups, plus are pet friendly for your furry friends. For a luxury family vacation, opt for a large vacation house with features like a hot tub and pool.

Best Time to Visit Kirkwood

Visit Kirkwood in July when there's no rain and the 4th of July celebrations take place. The average temperature during summer is 70 degrees, but soon after the summer months the temperature dramatically drops. For winter activities, plan your trip in January when there's plenty of snow.