Why go to Estes Park in the off-season?
There are lots of reasons to visit Estes Park in the off-season! Here are our top 5:
#1 Avoid the crowds and traffic jams
Everyone knows that if you want to head up to the Colorado mountains in the winter along I-70, you’ll sit in ski traffic for HOURS. It’s so bad CDOT has a blog post dedicated to when to drive to avoid it as much as possible.
If you want to experience the Colorado Rockies in the beauty of winter, why not head to Estes Park? There may not be chair lifts, but there are still plenty of winter activities for the adventurous and the peace-seekers alike!
#2 Enjoy awesome activities
Ice climbing – If you’ve ever wanted to try ice climbing, both Colorado Mountain School and Kent Mountain Adventure Center offer introductory classes. Their experienced guides have the technical knowledge, all the necessary gear, and know the best spots to try ice climbing. Rocky Mountain National Park is an incredible backdrop for your ice climbing adventure!
4 Wheeling in the National Forest – While 4 Wheeling is not allowed in the national park, it is allowed in the nearby National Forest. Riding a UTV through the forest in the snow is exhilarating! Check out Backbone Adventures to rent a Polaris for the day and take off on the trails for an adrenaline rush with incredible views.
Cross Country skiing, snowshoeing and winter hikes – Not everyone is seeking a thrill. And if your idea of a mountain vacation includes stillness and solitude, you might be more interested in cross country or backcountry skiing, snowshoeing, or a winter hike. Check out Estes Park Mountain Shop for rental gear and updates on current conditions and hot spots.
#3 Experience inspiring nature
Winter Tours of RMNP – Many people don’t realize that winter is a fantastic time to see the wildlife and scenery of Rocky Mountain National Park! Kep Expeditions offers 3 hour or half-day tours of the national park with an expert guide who is ready to cater each tour towards your groups’ interests. Whether you want to see wildlife, iconic mountain peaks, frozen waterfalls, or learn the history and folklore of RMNP, your tour guide can make it happen!
Photography tours – If you’ve always wanted to get better at nature photography, consider taking a guided photography tour of Rocky Mountain National Park. Shoot wildlife with your camera on a photo safari and take home priceless memories you can share with your friends and family! Yellow Wood Guiding of Estes Park offers incredible winter tours. They know all the best places and times of day to capture stunning images of the beauty in RMNP. Beginners and more experienced photographers will benefit from this incredible outdoor classroom! If you don’t own your own camera, don’t worry! They can even provide professional camera equipment to enhance your experience.
#4 Enjoy unique in-town events
Wine and Chocolate Fest – In February, you can experience the region’s best chocolatiers and exquisite wines in a stunning and romantic mountain setting! A general admission ticket will get you 12 tickets for chocolate tastings and complimentary wine pours. You will also receive a wine glass and tote bag to bring home your favorite bottles. Tickets are available at the Estes Parks Event Center.
Frozen Dead Guy Days – Many years ago in a town called Nederland – just south of Estes Park – there’s a story of a family and their home-spun cryonics lab that captured international attention. To this day, Estes Park celebrates this quirky story before the spring thaw with the annual Frozen Dead Guy Day celebration in March. There are hilarious coffin races, frozen bar crawls through town, live music that could raise the dead, and a polar plunge for the bravest of souls. It is worth a trip!
#5 Save time and money
No timed entry pass in RMNP – No timed entry passes are required in the winter or spring in Rocky Mountain National Park! Visitors still need to pay an entrance fee to get into the park, but you can go straight to the entrance without a reservation. If you’re planning a vacation to RMNP in January, there is no entrance fee on January 15th in celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Off-season specials on lodging – Summer and Fall are peak seasons to visit Estes Park, meaning lots of visitors and peak pricing. Why not plan your vacation in Estes Park during the winter or spring when crowds of families with kids on summer vacation are gone, the wildlife is out and many of the local lodges and hotels offer wonderful savings!