Estes Park Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Estes Park which includes tranquil scenes, landscape views and mountains
Alpine Visitor Center showing landscape views and tranquil scenes
Estes Park featuring a river or creek
Estes Park which includes a bridge, a river or creek and tranquil scenes
Estes Park showing tranquil scenes as well as a small group of people

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 metres) 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-kilometre) expanse of mountainous wilderness. Choose from more than 300 miles (480 kilometres) 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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Downtown Estes Park

If you're spending some time in Downtown Estes Park, Historic Estes Park and Bond Park are top sights worth seeing.

Downtown Estes Park
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Fall River Estates

Fall River Estates might not have many top sights, but Fall River Entrance Station and Beaver Meadows Visitor Center 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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Windcliff Estates

While Windcliff Estates isn't home to many top sights, Marys Lake and The Stanley Hotel 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
Expedition Lodge Estes Park
Expedition Lodge Estes Park
3 out of 5
1701 N Lake Ave, Estes Park, CO
The price is £136 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
£136
27 Jul - 28 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Estes Park. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the convenient ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (265 reviews)
"Check in was fast and courteous."

Reviewed on 30 Jun 2025

Expedition Lodge Estes Park
YMCA of The Rockies Estes Park
YMCA of The Rockies Estes Park
2.5 out of 5
2515 Tunnel Rd, Estes Park, CO
The price is £122 per night from 20 Jul to 21 Jul
£122
20 Jul - 21 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this family-friendly lodge in Estes Park. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,123 reviews)
"Nice location. No A/C. No Elevator"

Reviewed on 3 Jul 2025

YMCA of The Rockies Estes Park
Coyote Mountain Lodge
Coyote Mountain Lodge
3 out of 5
1340 Big Thompson Ave, Estes Park, CO
The price is £157 per night from 6 Jul to 7 Jul
£157
6 Jul - 7 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly lodge in Estes Park. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,162 reviews)
"The staff were very friendly! This is a no frills king of place. The room was very clean and the shower was actually amazing! They have an outdoor pool and hot tub. Walking distance to a few restaurants. Super close to the lake! Perfect spot for us and our dogs! I would definitely stay here ..."

Reviewed on 3 Jul 2025

Coyote Mountain 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.
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 Wi-Fi, free parking and in-room massages. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (540 reviews)
"The cabin was lovely and the property was beautiful. Location was perfect to the Rocky Mountain National Park and downtown Estes Park!"

Reviewed on 30 Jun 2025

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 Wi-Fi, free parking and balconies or patios. Popular attractions The Stanley Hotel and Historic Estes Park ...
9/10 Wonderful! (99 reviews)
Overall nice cabin.
"The cabin was cute , very clean and well stocked. The heat worked great and kept us warm and comfortable during the night. However, the bathroom was small and the shower was very awkward. Really only room for one person to sit at the table unless you move it out blocking the back door."

Reviewed on 30 Oct 2024

Tiny Town Cabins
River Ridge Cottages
River Ridge Cottages
3 out of 5
1752 Highway 66, Estes Park, CO
Stay at this 3-star holiday home in Estes Park. Enjoy free parking, a local area shuttle (surcharge) and a picnic area. Popular attractions The Stanley Hotel ...
9/10 Wonderful! (166 reviews)
Great location for a quaint facility
"Location was right on the river between Estes Park and the Beavers Meadow gate of the Rocky Mountain National Park. Quaint would describe this accommodations. Built years ago, but has been kept up well. Kitchenette was convenient to make meals for the days adventure in the park and close enough to ..."

Reviewed on 29 Jun 2025

River Ridge Cottages
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
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2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
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1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

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

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Beautiful place ..well worth a visit..fabulous

5/5 - Excellent

Mr.

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

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