 |
|||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
||||
 |
|||||
 |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Parents, grandparents and kids enjoy a wide variety of activities during visits to Estes Park. Lodging properties that welcome families are listed on this kid-friendly page. Here are a few suggestions for a family vacation in Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park: National Park Activities
Rocky Mountain National Park rangers and naturalists conduct
numerous popular summer programs for children and families. Campfire
talks, ranger-led daytime and full moon hikes, programs and videos
at the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center, ranger talks at the Fall River
Visitor Center
Get this great guidebook, OUTDOOR FAMILY GUIDE TO ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK for lots of ideas and specifics on hikes and walks, picnic sites, fishing holes, mountain biking, rock climbing, horseback riding and river rafting. Click the title above or the cover image at right to buy it online from Barnes and Noble. Strolling, HikingThe walkway around Lake Estes is accessible for all ages all year round. It is paved, level and easy to navigate by foot, wheelchair or bicycle. There are hundreds of miles of hiking trails in Rocky Mountain National Park. Shorter trails with little gain in altitude are particularly suited for families with younger children. Wildlife WatchingThe surprize of finding a wild native in your yard or along the roadside is a special treat for all ages. This can happen any time of the year but spring, fall and winter are easiest times for spotting wildlife. Elk, deer and bighorn sheep are the most numerous. Don't worry, bear and mountain lions are rarely seen. FishingImagine the excitement of reeling in a trout and taking it home for supper! A truely fresh trout is the ultimate taste treat. There are countless public lakeshore and riverbank fishing areas in Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. A fishing license is required for those 16 and older. Licenses aren't required at the popular private summertime trout ponds — pay by the inch for the fish you catch — and a good catch is a sure thing! PicnicsWhat could be more fun on a warm inviting afternoon than a family picnic. Pack your own basket, or stop at a local deli, restaurant or store and have them prepare one for you. Picnic areas abound in Rocky Mountain National Park, Roosevelt National Forest and on the south shore of Lake Estes. Horseback RidingEstes Park liveries have well-trained horses and experienced wranglers to take your family on a trail ride in the Park or Forest during the spring, summer and fall seasons. Pony rides around the corral are a thrill for the youngest children. River RaftingChoose an easy float trip for younger children or a whitewater run for older adventurers. Either way, it'a a wonderful, memorable time together on the water! SwimmingOur snow-melt lakes are too cold for swimming but the Estes Park Aquatic Center welcomes visitors. There are free-swim hours as well as programs and classes for children and adults all year round. The pool at the YMCA of the Rockies is open to the public after Labor Day to before Memorial Day. Summer months are restricted to members or guests of the YMCA. SnowshoeingThe new narrow snowshoes make snowshoe treks a whole-family activity for a crisp, sunny winter day. Go with a ranger on a scheduled tour or visit your favorite trails on your own. Rentals are available in town. BoatingFor a leisurely tour of Lake Estes, rent a foot-powered paddle boat at the summer marina. Or plan a floating picnic on a pontoon boat, also available at the marina. Sailboards are fun and colorful gliding across the water — bring wet suits to protect against the cold water. There's water skiing on Lake Estes Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday after 5:00 pm, May through September. Again, wet suits are needed. BicyclingThe trail around Lake Estes is accessible for all ages all year round. It is paved, level and easy to navigate on foot, by wheelchair or bicycle. Many types of bicycles are available for rent during the summer months, including tandems, 4-wheelers and mountain bikes. Downhill tours in the Park are also available. Miniature GolfMiniature golf is great summer recreation for kids of all ages. Enjoy the game and the beauty of the surrounding mountains at the same time. Sledding
Go CartsGo carts whizzing around the courses bring out the Indianapolis 500 driver in all of us. Estes Park's go cart tracks are great summer fun for the entire family, although Mom or Dad may have to ride with the smaller children. TrainTrains were an important part in settling the wild west. A miniature train ride can be found locally for those wanting a small taste of days gone by. The whistle and chug, chug sounds of the engine are enjoyed by all riders. TramRide the summer cable tramway to the top of Prospect Mountain to take in the breathtaking view. At the top, you will find a short hiking trail, photographic points and a snack shop for that mountain top picnic. BowlingBowling is available seven days a week, and offers fun and excitement for the entire family. FestivalsCheck the Estes calendar for special events like the annual Teddy Bear Picnic and Highlands Festival that are especially fun for kids and parents. FairgroundsNumerous activities such as horse shows, festivals, the wool market and the famous Roof Top Rodeo are scheduled at the Fairgrounds through the summer months. Movie TheatersEstes has a modern three-screen cinema that's open all year and an historic movie house open during the summer months.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
For a Last Minute Getaway see What's Up This Week |
| Use the Feature Finder to find lodging with your favorite combination of amenities: river, lake, view, kitchen, non smoking, fireplace, kid-friendly, in-room spa, swimming pool, hot tub, pet-friendly, smoking permited, handicap access. |
|
Please email the webmaster if you see any glitches in this new site design and software.
© 2002 - 2008,eMarketing LLC |