Estes Park is a picturesque mountain town situated by the eastern entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park. Downtown has several nice blocks of restaurants, shops and lodging.
It’s a charming town year round no matter when you visit. The elk are known to take over the streets throughout the year. There is even an Elk Fest held annually in the fall. It’s located less than an hour and half from Denver, and even closer to the other northern front range towns of Loveland and Fort Collins, forty-five minutes and an hour, respectively.

Estes Park resides at an elevation of 7,522 feet in Larimer County. Founded in 1859, it was incorporated on April 17, 1917. In 2010 it recorded a population of 5,858 residents.
Main Attractions
Rocky Mountain National Park – Headquarters of the park is located in Estes Park. This scenic park has everything in terms of recreation, from hiking and fishing to camping and biking. Take a scenic drive over to Grand Lake on the opposite side of the Continental Divide and RMNP via Trail Ridge Road.
Lake Estes – A beautiful alpine lake at the edge of town. Lake Estes is open to wake-less boating and fishing. There is a sandy beach which allow wading in the water, but no swimming.
- Lake Estes Marina – Boat rentals including a 1-passenger kayak and 9-passenger pontoon boat. Open May to October. 1770 Big Thompson Ave

Stanley Hotel – Stay the night at the spooky Stanley Hotel. This historic hotel was built in 1909 and was the inspiration for Stephen King’s The Shining. It’s an upscale 4 star hotel, so expect a bit of luxury with your haunting.
YMCA of the Rockies – This is one of the best kept secrets in Estes Park according to Colorado.com. It’s full of outdoor adventure, from hiking and fly fishing to a thrilling challenge course and disc golf.
Stop by for the day or spend the night in a variety of lodging, includes both cabins and larger vacation rentals, as well as both hotel and hostel-style rooms, to accommodate all travelers and budgets. You’ll well fed too with a variety of dining options on-site.
Recreation

Camping:
- Rocky Mountain National Park has five drive in campgrounds. The Moraine Park Campground has 245 sites and is only ten minutes from downtown Estes Park.
- Campgrounds and primitive campsites can be found in the surrounding Roosevelt National Forest.
- Read about the camping near Estes Park and RMNP.
Fishing:
- Lake Estes is the closest bet, located right in town. Ice fishing is common in the winter. Open to bait, flies and lures.
- Rocky Mountain National Park has many lakes within in, but not all contain fish. If it’s too cold for too much of the year, the fish won’t last. Only about 1/3, or 48 of the 156 lakes have reproducing populations of fish. Some lakes are stocked.
Hiking:
- Although you’ll pay for a day (or annual) pass, Rocky Mountain National Park is far worth the price of admission. There is recreation galore, especially for hikers. All levels will find something they enjoy. There are numerous waterfalls within the park, some very short hikes, some longer.
- Read about waterfalls around Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park.
- Read about the hiking trails near Estes Park.
Accommodations
Hotels and lodging:
- Stanley Hotel – Historic 4 star hotel that was the inspiration for The Shining movie. Some say it’s haunted. Do you dare stay at the most famous hotel in town?
- Wind River Ranch – Christian dude ranch open from late May to mid October. They take care of room, board and a slew of family-fun activities.
- YMCA of the Rockies – A myriad year round activities, with something special for each season. There’s also a rang of accommodations, from hotel style lodging, to hostel, cabins and larger vacation rentals.
- Read about the best hotels in Estes Park.
- Read about the most luxurious hotels in Estes Park.
- Read about the cabins to rent near Fort Collins, Red Feather Lakes and Estes Park.
Special Events
Jan – Estes Park Winter Festival – Held every winter over the Martin Luther King Jr holiday weekend, the town gathers in downtown Estes for beer, chili and music!
May – Estes Park Duck Race Festival – Charity rubber duck down Fall River in early May.
Jun – Scandinavian Midsummer Festival – three days honoring the summer solstice in June. Expect Scandinavian, think Denmark, Sweden and Norway, music, dancing and food.
Aug – Handmade In Colorado Expo – Weekend of local Colorado artists selling their crafts in Bond Park, held in late August.
Sep – Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Highland Festival – Four day celebration with Celtic bands, Irish and Highland dancers, bagpipes, dogs, jousting and a parade thru downtown Estes, held in early September.
Sep – Elk Fest – Come fall, the bull elk’s breeding call can be heard from afar. Celebrate the annual elk rut at Bond Park, held late September. Events include bugling contests, educational exhibits, elk seminars, a Mountain Mountain Rendezvous, Native American music, dance and storytelling. Bus tours dispatch around 5pm to the best elk viewing spots. Food and art vendors sell elk cuisine and elk-ivory jewelry.
Activities near Estes Park
Amusement:
ATV/Jeep/Snowmobile Rentals:
Dude Ranches:
Escape Rooms:
Federal Lands:
- Arapaho National Forest
- Bear Lake (13mi)
- Big Thompson River
- Longs Peak
- Poudre Lake (29mi)
- Rocky Mountain National Park
- Rocky Mountain National Park Wilderness
- Roosevelt National Forest
Performing Arts:
Public Parks:
Railroads:
- Fort Collins Municipal (41mi)
Rock Climbing:
Scenic Drives:
- Bear Lake Road (8mi)
- Fall River Pass (23mi)
- Iceberg Pass (20mi)
- Milner Pass (28mi)
- Old Fall River Road
- Peak to Peak Byway
- Trail Ridge Road
State Parks:
- Boyd Lake State Park (30mi)
- Lory State Park (45mi)
- Saint Vrain State Park (45mi)
Towns:
- Allenspark (15mi)
- Boulder (37mi)
- Fort Collins (41mi)
- Grand Lake (46mi)
- Loveland (30mi)
- Lyons (20mi)
- Nederland (41m)
- Rustic (62mi)
Whitewater Rafting:
Latest in Estes Park

Dazzling Hikes & Drives in Rocky Mountain National Park for Fall Colors
Rocky Mountain National Park is beautiful, no matter the season. But come September, the park lights up with pockets of gold from the yellowing aspens and becomes a haven for wildlife viewing with the elk rut in full swing during the fall season. Visitors to the park can enjoy bugling elk, the changing of the …

The Largest Colorado Mountain Towns
Whether you’re looking to move into the Rocky Mountains or just visit on holiday, and prefer a bit of city life, there are some sizable towns to choose from. While all the largest mountain towns in Colorado are inherently small due the nature of life at elevation and seclusion from big cities, some are considerably …

Colorado’s Front Range––Much More Than Big Cities
Spend any amount of time in Colorado, and you’re likely to come across the term “Front Range” sooner or later. To most Coloradans, the Front Range region conjures images of the state’s biggest cities, an impressive line of peaks, and not much else. But, in reality, the Front Range covers a whole lot more than …

Valiant Via Ferrata Courses in Colorado
What’s the latest craze in Colorado outdoor adventures? Most likely by now, you’ve heard the name, Via Ferrata. The term “Via Ferrata,” when translated from Italian, means iron path and is all the rage right now with outdoor enthusiasts looking to get their adrenalin fix. For those who seek the thrill of rock climbing or …

10 Easy, Moderate & Difficult Estes Park Day Hikes
As the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. Hit the trails this summer and discover these top Estes Park hikes, rated from easy to difficult. The town of Estes Park is tucked into the front range of Colorado about 45 minutes west of Loveland, Colorado. …

Camping near Estes Park, around Rocky Mountain National Park
Estes Park is one of Colorado’s favorite mountain towns, in no small part thanks to its neighbor, Rocky Mountain National Park. Between the national forest and national park surrounding Estes Park, there’s a plethora of campgrounds to accommodate travelers. Due the popularity of Estes Park, there are campgrounds, many open year round, suitable for everything …

Best Places to Rent a Boat in Colorado
Sometimes you may start to feel a bit landlocked in Colorado, especially if you come from a coastal area or happen to love the water. Luckily, Colorado has its fair share of big lakes and reservoirs open to boating, with marinas on-site to rent you a boat. Whether you’re looking for a speed boat to …

6 Incredible Day Hikes Close to Denver
Imagine an incredible adventure hiking in the Rockies with the brilliant blue sky, whispers of wildflowers, and silence of the breathtaking hills. These local day hikes near Denver will do that for you. These hiking trails around Denver will end up in memories that will compel you to come back again. We’ve listed local hiking …

Hike to these Waterfalls around Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park
Estes Park, with its proximity to Rocky Mountain National Park is an area with many beautiful waterfalls. Many of the waterfalls can be reached easily, but some require more advanced abilities and more difficult treks. All of the following but the last one are waterfalls found within Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP). This means you’ll …

The Most Luxurious Hotels in Estes Park
Known as the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, the town of Estes Park is brimming with mountain views, endless outdoor activities, and a quaint downtown filled with shops, restaurants, and art galleries. While most lodging options in Estes Park include cozy cabins, cottages, and budget-friendly motels and hotels, there are several luxury hotels that …

Colorado Spots Where Movies Were Filmed
Why do movie directors continue to return to Colorado to film? Quite simply the incredible scenery and breathtaking vistas. There is such diversity to the landscape, from the high deserts of Durango, to the Rocky Mountains of Estes Park. There have been hundreds of mainstream movies, from Stargate to Day of the Dead filmed in …

Top 14 Cool & Unusual Hotels in Estes Park
Home to Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park is a small mountain town that serves as the main home base for exploring the area. This colorful community is surrounded by the great outdoors, providing year round visitors with a slew of accommodations, ranging from luxury hotels to cozy bed and breakfasts. Outdoor adventures are bountiful, …

Which hot springs are near what Colorado towns?
Whether you’re shredding the local ski slopes, hiking the region’s highest peaks, or even just strolling the town’s historic district, sometimes recreation is best paired with a soak in thermal hot springs. The Rocky Mountains are blessed with many of them, and some Colorado towns are luckier than others. A lot of tourists and locals …

3 Quirky, Uniquely Colorado Attractions That You’ll Remember Long After Your Visit
[Stanley Hotel from across Lake Estes. Photo: Kent Kanouse] Colorado is full of wacky, unique things to do. These one-of-a-kind attractions can only be found here! Pack up the car and get to road-tripping. Unique Things to do in Colorado Any place as large as Colorado is sure to have some quirky things in it. …

Adventure All Year in Estes Park
Many head to Colorado Springs to hike the trails when warm weather finally hits, and even more take to the slopes of Aspen and Vail during the winter. Estes Park, however, is just one of those perfect destinations where the season is completely irrelevant. Things to do in Estes Park, CO Those looking to head …