Food and Drink Scene
Local steakhouse with live music and cabin feel
68 Einheimische empfehlen
The Rock Inn Mountain Tavern
1675 Colorado 66Local steakhouse with live music and cabin feel
Great local bar with indoor and outdoor seating and wide selection of local beers.
19 Einheimische empfehlen
THE BARREL - Estes Park
251 Moraine AveGreat local bar with indoor and outdoor seating and wide selection of local beers.
Good local brewery that hosts occasional trivia and game nights.
42 Einheimische empfehlen
Rock Cut Brewing Company
390 W Riverside DrGood local brewery that hosts occasional trivia and game nights.
Bird & Jim
915 Moraine AveEl Mex-Kal Family Mexican
160 1st StDown to earth good authentic Mexican food
Ed's Cantina & Grill
390 E Elkhorn AveDunraven Inn
1700 Colorado Peaks DriveGreat option for a nice dinner. Gorgeous views of Lake Estes.
Scratch Deli & Bakery
911 Moraine AveGiant homemade sandwiches and yummy cookies too.
Expensive, but this pizza really hits the spot.
28 Einheimische empfehlen
Antonio's Real New York Pizza
1560 Big Thompson AveExpensive, but this pizza really hits the spot.
Coffee and Breakfast Places
Delicious coffee and adorable gift shop downtown by the river walk
17 Einheimische empfehlen
Inkwell & Brew
150 E Elkhorn AveDelicious coffee and adorable gift shop downtown by the river walk
Kind Coffee
470 E Elkhorn AveGreat local coffee shop with nice outdoor seating by the river.
By far our favorite place to go for a laid back and delicious breakfast or lunch.
20 Einheimische empfehlen
The Egg of Estes
393 E Elkhorn AveBy far our favorite place to go for a laid back and delicious breakfast or lunch.
Small but cute place to grab a coffee, smoothie, sandwich or pizza on your way in or out of RMNP. Indoor and outdoor seating.
Bird's Nest
1221 High DriveSmall but cute place to grab a coffee, smoothie, sandwich or pizza on your way in or out of RMNP. Indoor and outdoor seating.
RMNP
Great starting point with a ton of hiking options of varying lengths and difficulty. You can park right by the lake and paved path around is about a mile. The hike to Dream Lake and Emerald Lake is very doable and absolutely beautiful. Mills Lake and the Loch are also amazing, and so are Lake Helene and Odessa Lake. You really can’t go wrong.
26 Einheimische empfehlen
Bear Lake Trailhead
Bear Lake RoadGreat starting point with a ton of hiking options of varying lengths and difficulty. You can park right by the lake and paved path around is about a mile. The hike to Dream Lake and Emerald Lake is very doable and absolutely beautiful. Mills Lake and the Loch are also amazing, and so are Lake Helene and Odessa Lake. You really can’t go wrong.
Absolute must do. Amazing drive over the continental divide with beautiful views and lots of opportunities to stop and explore.
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Trail Ridge Road Summit
Absolute must do. Amazing drive over the continental divide with beautiful views and lots of opportunities to stop and explore.
For the adventurous drivers! This is the original road into the National Park. It twists and turns and has great views. It’s one way going up and then you can come down Trail Ridge Rd.
Fall River Road
Fall River RoadFor the adventurous drivers! This is the original road into the National Park. It twists and turns and has great views. It’s one way going up and then you can come down Trail Ridge Rd.
Smaller park entrance. If you don’t have a reservation you can enter before 9am without a problem. Lots of beautiful hikes from here. Calypso Cascades and Ouzel Falls are nice. Bluebird Lake is my favorite but it’s 12 miles long!
21 Einheimische empfehlen
Wild Basin Trailhead
Smaller park entrance. If you don’t have a reservation you can enter before 9am without a problem. Lots of beautiful hikes from here. Calypso Cascades and Ouzel Falls are nice. Bluebird Lake is my favorite but it’s 12 miles long!
Endovalley
Great place to go to make a fire and roast hot dogs and marshmallows
Nice easy lake with pretty views and picnic tables. Park right there and walk around. No park pass required.
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Lily Lake
Nice easy lake with pretty views and picnic tables. Park right there and walk around. No park pass required.
If you want to hike a summit, this is a great option. Gorgeous views, steep but doable and rewarding. Access off Hwy 7 outside of park entrances. Be sure to bring layers as weather can change quickly.
Twin Sisters Peaks
If you want to hike a summit, this is a great option. Gorgeous views, steep but doable and rewarding. Access off Hwy 7 outside of park entrances. Be sure to bring layers as weather can change quickly.
Great short hike from Glacier Gorge parking lot off Bear Lake Rd. You can also access it via Bear Lake Trailhead.
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Alberta Falls
Great short hike from Glacier Gorge parking lot off Bear Lake Rd. You can also access it via Bear Lake Trailhead.
Parking right by the lake, easy paved 1 mile loop around, picnic tables scattered throughout. Moose are sometimes seen here. You can catch amazing sunset pictures as well.
Sprague Lake
Parking right by the lake, easy paved 1 mile loop around, picnic tables scattered throughout. Moose are sometimes seen here. You can catch amazing sunset pictures as well.
This pretty little lake deserves its name and is one of our favorite short hikes. It is about 5' deep and is set in the beautiful outcroppings of the Lumpy Ridge. From the junction of US36 and US34 (downtown) travel west on 34 bypass (Wonderview Ave) .4 miles. Turn right on McGregor which turns into Dry Gulch Rd. and drive just under 2 miles to marked parking entrance on your left. Note: This hike is 2 miles one way with a 1000 foot elevation gain. Not recommended for your first day in Estes! We like to bring our lunch and eat on the boulders at the lake before hiking back down. Amazing views. Please take all your trash back with you.
Gem Lake
This pretty little lake deserves its name and is one of our favorite short hikes. It is about 5' deep and is set in the beautiful outcroppings of the Lumpy Ridge. From the junction of US36 and US34 (downtown) travel west on 34 bypass (Wonderview Ave) .4 miles. Turn right on McGregor which turns into Dry Gulch Rd. and drive just under 2 miles to marked parking entrance on your left. Note: This hike is 2 miles one way with a 1000 foot elevation gain. Not recommended for your first day in Estes! We like to bring our lunch and eat on the boulders at the lake before hiking back down. Amazing views. Please take all your trash back with you.
Fun for Kids
Ore Cart Rock Shop
119 W Elkhorn AveDrink coffee and feed the ducks at the pond. Then walk over and explore the cool rocks at the shop next door.
22 Einheimische empfehlen
Coffee on the Rocks
510 Moraine AveDrink coffee and feed the ducks at the pond. Then walk over and explore the cool rocks at the shop next door.
Estes Park Aerial Tramway Top Terminal
Nice sized playground and open field to run around. Also has picnic tables under a pavilion.
6 Einheimische empfehlen
Stanley Park-Special Events
1209 Manford AveNice sized playground and open field to run around. Also has picnic tables under a pavilion.
Cool views of the river with close parking and picnic spots, trails, and large boulders to climb around on.
Alluvial Fan Trail
Cool views of the river with close parking and picnic spots, trails, and large boulders to climb around on.
Things To Do
What better way to enjoy the mountains of the National Park than on horseback with a trail ride.
6 Einheimische empfehlen
National Park Gateway Stables
4600 Fall River RdWhat better way to enjoy the mountains of the National Park than on horseback with a trail ride.
Such a fun day excursion to go ride around on the jeep trails!
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Estes Park ATV-Verleih
222 E Elkhorn AveSuch a fun day excursion to go ride around on the jeep trails!
Snowy Peaks Winery
292 Moraine AveNice option for some local wine tasting
Chipper's Estes Park Lanes
555 S St Vrain AveReel Mountain Theater/Cinema
543 Big Thompson AveThe famous hotel that inspired the Shining. Rumored to be haunted. Lots of history. Ghost tours sometimes offered or grab a drink at the bar and look around.
91 Einheimische empfehlen
The Stanley Hotel
333 E Wonderview AveThe famous hotel that inspired the Shining. Rumored to be haunted. Lots of history. Ghost tours sometimes offered or grab a drink at the bar and look around.
Closest ski resort to Estes Park. You can buy tickets and rent gear right there. The drive is usually just under an hour from
Estes.
148 Einheimische empfehlen
Eldora
2861 Eldora Ski RdClosest ski resort to Estes Park. You can buy tickets and rent gear right there. The drive is usually just under an hour from
Estes.
Rock climbing wall right inside. Great place to shop for outdoor clothes, shoes, and gear. There is a huge bargain basement as well.
26 Einheimische empfehlen
Estes Park Mountain Shop
2050 Big Thompson AveRock climbing wall right inside. Great place to shop for outdoor clothes, shoes, and gear. There is a huge bargain basement as well.
Fun for the whole family. This new addition to Estes Park is a blast!
To save $$ Go to the Blue Door Inn at
1220 Big Thompson Ave
(on the way to the coaster).
ASK FOR MOUNTAIN COASTER PASSES.
They will explain the process, but basically, you rent an unlimited ride pass from them for $10/hour. A single adult ride is usually $20. With the Blue Door pass, you ride as many times as you want for just $10/hr. A recent guest got 7 rides in 2 hours!
When you return the passes, you pay for however many hours you kept them. They have plenty for the whole family.
12 Einheimische empfehlen
Mustang Mountain Coaster
1180 Dry Gulch RdFun for the whole family. This new addition to Estes Park is a blast!
To save $$ Go to the Blue Door Inn at
1220 Big Thompson Ave
(on the way to the coaster).
ASK FOR MOUNTAIN COASTER PASSES.
They will explain the process, but basically, you rent an unlimited ride pass from them for $10/hour. A single adult ride is usually $20. With the Blue Door pass, you ride as many times as you want for just $10/hr. A recent guest got 7 rides in 2 hours!
When you return the passes, you pay for however many hours you kept them. They have plenty for the whole family.
They host BINGO nights and it's a lot of fun! Call ahead to find out the schedule.
Circle 119: home of American Legion Post 119
They host BINGO nights and it's a lot of fun! Call ahead to find out the schedule.
Take a guided fly fishing trip - great for kids and adults.
14 Einheimische empfehlen
Kirks Flyshop and Mountain Adventures
230 E Elkhorn AveTake a guided fly fishing trip - great for kids and adults.
Take a day trip and get some excitement white water rafting. It's about an hour drive from Estes Park and then they shuttle you up the Poudre Canyon. Stay and explore downtown Fort Collins after.
15 Einheimische empfehlen
Mountain Whitewater
1329 US-287Take a day trip and get some excitement white water rafting. It's about an hour drive from Estes Park and then they shuttle you up the Poudre Canyon. Stay and explore downtown Fort Collins after.
Rent a kayak or paddle board and enjoy the epic mountain views from the water. Or walk the paved 3.5 mile loop around the lake.
15 Einheimische empfehlen
Lake Estes Marina
1770 Big Thompson AveRent a kayak or paddle board and enjoy the epic mountain views from the water. Or walk the paved 3.5 mile loop around the lake.
Tipps für Reisende
Nicht verpassen
Reserve your RMNP entrance ahead of time!
Don't forget to create an account on recreation dot gov and put an alarm in your phone to reserve your timed entry pass to the park while you're here! They open up the first of the month before. If you miss it, they release 40 percent of all reservations on the day prior at 5 p.m. MT.
Verkehrsmittel
4WD or AWD vehicles in the winter
Weather varies significantly in the mountains. Some days we may have a foot of snow, other days the wind blows all the snow away. Regardless, you'll want an AWD or 4WD vehicle in the winter. When it does snow, they're needed, even with the roads plowed.
Was einpacken?
CLOTHING - Layers are your friend
Summer: Be sure to bring a light jacket or sweatshirt. Cool breezes can come up at any time and as the sun sets it can get chilly. Sunscreen is also recommended-there is not much distance between you and the sun!
Winter: You’ll want a coat, gloves and hat wherever you go. Layers are good as you can put on/remove depending on exertion. While it may not seem too cold outside- just a few unprotected minutes can make you quite miserable- and can be dangerous!
Bräuche und Kultur
Wildlife Interactions
Wildlife is very common in this area. In one day you may see turkeys crossing the road, a heard of elk basking in the sun, deer grazing in the meadow, and a moose hanging out in the lake. We also have bears, coyotes, mountain lions, foxes, and big horn sheep (among others).
While they are common, they are still WILD. Do not approach the animals. Do not feed the animals. Respect their space and let them do their thing.
Bräuche und Kultur
Bears
Bears are intelligent, curious, strong, and hungry. Bears that repeatedly get human food often become so bold that they must be put down. Please follow these guidelines so your stay is a safe and enjoyable one.
1. Do not leave food inside your vehicle and keep it locked.
2. Put trash in the designated container and secure it closed.
3. Close and lock cabin doors and windows anytime you are not home.
4. At night, close the kitchen window and lock doors.
5. If you see a bear, make loud noises to scare them away.