Estes Park

Travel Guide
Alpine Visitor Center featuring tranquil scenes and landscape views
This high-altitude settlement, set in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains, offers mountain-town charm, wonderful wildlife watching and four-season outdoor adventure.

Located at an elevation of 7,520 feet (2,290 meters) above sea level, Estes Park is frequently described as “base camp” for Rocky Mountain National Park. Outdoor adventure dominates the agenda here throughout the year. Go cycling, hiking, climbing, rafting and stand-up paddleboarding during warmer weather or skiing, ice climbing, snowshoeing and sledding during the snowy winters.

Estes Park’s most popular attraction is Rocky Mountain National Park, a 415-square-mile (1,075-square-kilometer) expanse of mountainous wilderness. Choose from more than 300 miles (480 kilometers) of hiking trails or drive along the stunningly scenic Trail Ridge Road, which features viewpoints overlooking magnificent alpine and subalpine surroundings. The park, home to everything from elk, beavers and bears, to moose, marmots and mountain lions, is also an excellent wildlife-watching zone. Take part in ranger-led tours or head to one of the park’s visitor centers to find out more about the environments.

For more high-energy fun, try climbing at Lumpy Ridge andLongs Peak. Cycling tours are also available from operators in Estes Park. During winter, glide along cross-country ski trails, don snowshoes for trekking or sled down Hidden Valley, the only place in the park where sledding is not prohibited.

Back in town, enjoy a ride on the scenic Estes Park Aerial Tram, which transports visitors to the top of Prospect Mountain during the summer months. During warmer weather, stroll along the Riverwalk and browse the independent shops and galleries of downtown.

Wineries and breweries are dotted around the region. Sip locally made wines and decorate wine glasses at Snowy Peaks Winery, taste craft brews at Rock Cut Brewing Company and pull up a stool at the tasting room at Dancing Pines Distillery, which produces small-batch spirits including rums, whiskeys and liqueurs.

Rocky Mountain National Park visitor centers’ opening hours change seasonally so check them online before you go. Estes Park is located around a 90-minute drive from Denver and a 60-minute drive from Boulder. From May through October, a free shuttle system carries visitors around town and serves major routes in the Rocky Mountain National Park.

Where to stay in Estes Park

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YMCA of the Rockies

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in YMCA of the Rockies and surrounding area, you can visit Beaver Meadows Entrance Station and Sprague Lake.

YMCA of the Rockies
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Fall River Estates

Fall River Estates might not have many top sights, but Fall River Visitor Center and Fall River Entrance Station are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Fall River Estates
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Grand Estates

If you're spending some time in Grand Estates, Lake Estes and Lake Estes Marina are top sights worth seeing.

Grand Estates
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Stanley Heights

5/5(1 area review)

While visiting Stanley Heights, you might make a stop by sights like The Stanley Hotel and Historic Estes Park.

Stanley Heights
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Windcliff Estates

While Windcliff Estates isn't home to many top sights, Marys Lake and Lily Lake are some notable places to visit nearby.

Windcliff Estates
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Carriage Hills

Carriage Hills might not have many top sights, but Marys Lake and Estes Park Golf Course are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Carriage Hills
Coyote Mountain Lodge
Coyote Mountain Lodge
3 out of 5
1340 Big Thompson Ave, Estes Park, CO
The price is S$95 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
S$95
per night
1 Apr - 2 Apr
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly lodge in Estes Park. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,096 reviews)
Highly recommend simply amazing!
"Just simply amazing! We will definitely bring staying here again no question! What a great place and the views are outstanding!"

Reviewed on 25 Mar,2024

Coyote Mountain Lodge
Blue Door Inn
Blue Door Inn
2.5 out of 5
1220 Big Thompson Ave, Estes Park, CO
The price is S$111 per night from 2 Apr to 3 Apr
S$111
per night
2 Apr - 3 Apr
Stay at this business-friendly motel in Estes Park. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,006 reviews)
"Peaceful place to stay with good breakfast"

Reviewed on 21 Mar,2024

Blue Door Inn
Discovery Lodge
Discovery Lodge
3 out of 5
800 Big Thompson Ave, Estes Park, CO
The price is S$101 per night from 4 Apr to 5 Apr
S$101
per night
4 Apr - 5 Apr
Stay at this 3-star lodge in Estes Park. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,001 reviews)
Comfort in the mountains
"Such a great find - cozy and quaint. The room was extremely comfortable and perfect. Checking in was easy; I love the old school keys! Don’t think there is a bad view from any room but being able to open the windows and see the pond and mountains is amazing. Couldn’t find the tool for the fireplace ..."

Reviewed on 26 Mar,2024

Discovery Lodge
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Colorado Cottages
Colorado Cottages
3 out of 5
1241 High Drive, Estes Park, CO
Stay at this 3-star golf cottage in Estes Park. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an in-room DVD player. Our guests praise the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (285 reviews)
"Great location. The hot tub and fireplace was awesome. The bed was squishier than I like but thebplace was perfect for the weekend getaway."

Reviewed on 25 Mar,2024

Colorado Cottages
Streamside on Fall River
Streamside on Fall River
3 out of 5
1260 Fall River Rd, Estes Park, CO
Stay at this 3-star cabin in Estes Park. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and in-room massages. Our guests praise the clean rooms and the property condition in ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (369 reviews)
"Private hot tub"

Reviewed on 16 Mar,2024

Streamside on Fall River
Tiny Town Cabins
Tiny Town Cabins
3 out of 5
830 Moraine Avenue, Estes Park, CO
Stay at this 3-star cabin in Estes Park. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and barbecue grills. Popular attractions The Stanley Hotel and Trout Haven Fishing Pond ...
9/10 Wonderful! (95 reviews)
"River and wildlife"

Reviewed on 12 Jun,2023

Tiny Town Cabins
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Estes Park

4.5
Top destination
5 - Excellent
3
" "5 - Excellent 50%
4 - Good
3
" "4 - Good 50%
3 - Okay
0
" "3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
9 Oct 2019

Bright place, reasonable choice of restaurants/cafes in the centre. good place to stay for the park.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
25 Sep 2019

Beautiful place ..well worth a visit..fabulous

5/5 - Excellent

Mr.
20 May 2019

utterly "Christmas card" pretty in the May snow, achingly beautiful scenery, town and people; albeit a mission of a drive to get here in the blizzard we faced on I70. Will definitely revisit (and would definitely stay at The Landing at Estes Park