Top 10 Things To Do In Estes Park And Rocky Mountain National Park
Estes Park, a town in Colorado with more or less 7,000 residents, is situated along the Big Thompson River. Serving as the headquarters for Rocky Mountain National Park, a 265,000-acre area with 150 lakes, 359 miles of hiking trails, and almost 100 tall mountain peaks, Estes Park, gets millions of visitors each year. The trendy town is also well-known for its many restaurants, golf courses, spas, shops, and several entertainment venues.
Here are some of the top things to do to fully enjoy Estes Park:
Things To Do In Estes Park And Rocky Mountain National Park
1. Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park, at 415 square miles, boasts of some of the country’s most breathtaking mountain scenery. Hikers will feel at home since the park includes more than 300 miles of trails. One of its most frequented areas, Trail Ridge Road, offers visitors a stunning glimpse of the Rocky Mountains from nearly 12,000 feet above sea level.
With its wide campgrounds, Rocky Mountain National Park is an ideal destination for solo travelers and families alike. Apart from relaxing hiking, visitors also enjoy wildlife watching, horseback riding, fishing, and learning more about Rocky Mountain National Park at the visitor’s center.
Things To Do In Estes Park And Rocky Mountain National Park
2. Peak to Peak Scenic Byway
This 55-mile picturesque drive provides travelers a spectacular view of the Continental Divide. It is accessible from Boulder, Fort Collins and Denver. The Peak to Peak Scenic Byway is peppered with popular tourist attractions.
Rocky Mountain National Park, the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area, and the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests are just a few of the attractions that visitors can marvel at during the drive. For travelers who have extra time, there are a lot of opportunities along the highway for camping and hiking. There are also secluded lakes and old ghost towns that make for exciting road trip stops.
Iconic Things To Do In Estes Park And Rocky Mountain National Park
3. Estes Park Aerial Tramway
The Estes Park Aerial Tramway dates way back to 1955. Robert Herron, a famous ski lift designer, pushed the tramway project after he studied about tram design and ski lift in Europe. The Herron family still operate the Estes Park Aerial Tramway, which transports over 3 million passengers to the peak of Prospect Mountain each year.
The open-air style of the tram lets visitors take in the stunning views of the Rocky Mountains below. The tram operates from May to September, and tickets fluctuate in price from $8 for kids to $12 for adults.
Watersports In Estes Park And Rocky Mountain National Park
4. Lake Estes Marina, Estes Park, Colorado
Lake Estes Marina is the ideal place to be for some aquatic fun on Lake Estes. The marina provides a variety of boat rentals, including canoes and kayaks and paddle, fishing, and pontoon boats. Fuel and life jackets are also included with each boat rental.
The marina also has a store that sells fishing supplies, fishing licenses, and snacks. Boat rentals are available from about the start of May to October. The Estes Lake Trail can be accessed through the marina. The trail surrounds the lake and can be reached either on foot or by bicycle. Moreover, bicycle rentals are available at the marina.
Things To Do In Estes Park And Rocky Mountain National Park with Kids
5. Open Air Adventure Park, Estes Park, Colorado
Open Air Adventure Park is unique outdoor experience found in Estes Park. The park provides guests the chance to create their own adventure by joining up to 32 various challenges in different levels of difficulty that ranges from easy to hard.
Crossing rope bridges, tightrope walking, crossing moving platforms, and swinging above ground are just some of the obstacles that guests will take on. Safety gear is mandatorily used, and staff members are just nearby to assist. Costing only $35 for 90 minutes, Open Air Adventure Park provides one of the most affordable yet exciting attractions in Estes Park.
Historic Things To Do In Estes Park And Rocky Mountain National Park
6. The Stanley Steam Car Museum, Estes Park, Colorado
The magnificent Stanley Hotel is famous world-wide for its architectural beauty and for its supposed ghostly haunting. The hotel played a significant role in developing the tourism industry in Estes Park. Nearby the hotel is the Stanley Steamcar Museum. The museum features displays of historic Stanley steam cars, including an 8-passenger wagon and 2-passenger models.
There are even fun fire engine rides for both children and adults, and a steam powered fire engine on display. Visitors can view the iconic hotel grounds and the own of Estes Park from aboard one of these historic bright red fire trucks. Regular hotel tours as well as ghost tours are also available.
Memorable Things To Do In Estes Park And Rocky Mountain National Park
7. Sombrero Ranch, Estes Park, Colorado
At Sombrero Ranch, guests can select from a variety of fun and exciting horseback riding tours. The ranch currently offers breakfast rides, trail rides, sleigh rides, steak dinner rides, and wagon rides. Fishing trips, pack trips, and hunting trips are likewise available.
The tours start from several areas in Colorado, including Estes Park. Guests with riding experience can rent horses themselves from the ranch on a daily or monthly term, and the ranch even lets renters to take the horses outside Colorado for an additional fee. More info about horse rentals and horseback riding tours is accessible on the Sombrero Ranch website.
Adventurous Things To Do In Estes Park And Rocky Mountain National Park
8. Estes Park Outfitters
Estes Park Outfitters is a popular local outdoor outfitter that provides seasonal adventure tours near Rocky Mountain National Park. They dedicate summer months to horseback tours, which are available as four-hour homestead rides or half-day cross-country rides. They also have a multiple day riding package that includes a scrumptious meal and a relaxing overnight stay in a rustic backcountry cabin.
In the fall, however, the Estes Park Outfitters takes guests on guided hunts for mule and elk deer. Winter tours include cross-country skiing, snowcat rides, snowshoeing, and backcountry skiing in Colorado’s glorious Rocky Mountain region.
Things To Do In Estes Park And Rocky Mountain National Park
9. Rocky Mountain Rush
Rocky Mountain Rush is famous for its adrenaline rush-inducing off-roading tours in the Rocky Mountain National Park region. They take guests through rivers, over hills, and down backcountry trails in customized vehicles. Specialty tours with Rocky Mountain Rush include mouth-watering meals and a lot of photo opportunities.
Winter tours are also available, and Rocky Mountain Rush company is ready to take on big groups for all its offered adventures. Lastly, Rocky Mountain Rush also organizes an exciting treasure hunt that begins at their office and stretches out into the downtown Estes Park area. The tour is apt for all ages.
Exciting Things To Do In Estes Park And Rocky Mountain National Park
10. Backbone Adventures, Estes Park, CO
This local outfitter rents out several adventure vehicles for guests who wisg to explore the Estes Park area in class and style. Guests can select from ATVs, snowmobiles, Jeeps, and huge Harley Davidson motorcycles. Each rental has a free map, fuel, and a helmet. For guests who don’t want to rent a vehicle, however, but still want a one-of-a-kind experience in Estes Park, Backbone Adventures offers an array of tours.
With help from a tour guide, visitors can explore and discover isolated trails and remote mountaintops. The Backbone Adventures website offers more information about rentals and tours as well as pricing details.
