Blog

There are lots of reasons to visit Estes Park in the off-season! Here are our top 5:

All I want for Christmas is a trip to Estes Park! Giving experiences rather than things is a growing trend when it comes to gift giving – especially when the gift creates the kinds of memories that last way longer than another sweater or toy ever could. Here are our gift guides for the Outdoor Enthusiast, your Special Someone, and…

The incredible staff of Castle Mountain Lodge have lovingly curated the perfect holiday getaway for you – all you have to do is show up!  

Exciting updates from Estes Park: Estes Park traffic is running so smoothly now that the Loop construction is complete! Find out about seasonal road closures in Rocky Mountain National Park, and one of the hottest sales in town!

Plan Thanksgiving in Estes Park this year, and make it a favorite family tradition! Thanksgiving is all about abundance – abundance of gratitude, family and friends, and let’s face it…food! The best holiday traditions take us back to these basics, and who wouldn’t want to spend Thanksgiving surrounded by the beauty of nature in Estes Park? You can have a…

Plan ahead to see the fall colors in Estes Park at their best!   Now is the time to make a trip into Estes Park to take in the natural beauty of fall! The peak time for “autumn gold” viewing in Estes Park this year will be the September 15-22, 2024.

Bring the whole family on a hike in RMNP! There are lots of kid-friendly hikes that all ages will enjoy. We’ve curated our Top 5 Kid-Friendly Hikes in RMNP – paying special attention to elevation gain and stunning views for hikers of all abilities.

If you want to know the best places in Estes Park to take in nature, grab a bite to eat, or fun things to do around town, ask a local for their recomendations! Here’s what some seasoned Estes Park locals had to say:

Plan your visit to Estes Park this September. Here’s what you’ll want to know about events in town!

If you want to see some of Colorado’s best fireworks, head to Estes Park this 4th of July!

Dad wants adventure! Trust us, dad doesn’t want another tie. He wants quality time with you, and to do something fun together in Estes Park, Colorado! Here are our top 5 Father’s Day ideas to do with dad in Estes Park: Rent an ATV Explore the backwoods near Estes Park off-road! Backbone Adventures will deliver the ATV right to the…

Trail Ridge Road is the nation’s highest continuously paved road. Viewing the spectacular alpine tundra from your vehicle as you drive the winding, high elevation roads is a sight to behold! It spans Rocky Mountain National Park to connect the towns of Estes Park and Grand Lake, Colorado. At its highest point, Trail Ridge Road reaches 12,183 ft elevation. Typically,…

3 Easy Hikes for All Ages! Bring mom up to Estes Park to enjoy some time together in nature! If you’re coming up to Estes Park for the day or for the weekend, it’s important to remember that it takes a while to get used to the elevation. The town of Estes Park sits at 7,522 ft above sea level,…

Estes Park is a wonderful place to celebrate Mother’s Day – Bring mom to Estes Park to let her know how loved she is! All moms want to feel special. When you take the extra step to plan something out of the ordinary to celebrate, she is sure to feel honored by the gesture. How about bringing mom to Estes…

Getting Around Town Estes Park has a couple of major construction projects going on which can make getting around a little tricky. Good news – with a little planning you can still enjoy everything the town and Rocky Mountain National Park has to offer! Road Construction The famous “Loop Project” – aiming to improve traffic flow around town and allow…

Do you love National Parks? There’s a holiday just for you! National Park Week Daily Themes: Nine days of celebration, with a different theme each day! Saturday, April 20 – Discovery – there are 429 parks, with at least one in every state, including national seashores, historical sites, and recreation areas. Get into RMNP for FREE – entrance fees are…

There are a few key changes to the Timed Entry Permits in 2024 Rocky Mountain National Park continues implement new ways to make your visit as smooth and enjoyable as possible. Here are the important changes to know about before your visit to RMNP in 2024: For most areas of RMNP, timed entry permits will be in place through October…

Wouldn’t you love coming home from a vacation to Rocky Mountain National Park with stunning photos of wildlife and awe inspiring landscapes that you took yourself? Planning a photo safari is a great way to experience the beauty of one of America’s most popular national parks while bringing home more than just memories. Learn new skills and score the ultimate…

Join us in Estes Park from March 14-17, 2024, for 4 days of events anchored by an incredible music festival, world-famous coffin races, and phenomenal frozen fun. Frozen Dead Guy Days is not your average festival – it’s a mix of quirky races, live entertainment, delicious themed dining, and blood-pumping activities!  

Experiencing Estes Park in the winter is something we think everyone should do! For one thing, you avoid the summer crowds. But, it’s also one of the best times to get a great rate, feel inspired by the majestic snow-topped peaks, get outside and stay active, and see incredible wildlife.

Come to Estes Park to indulge in all the best ways at the Wine and Chocolate Festival this February!

Valentine’s Day is around the corner, but don’t wait until February to plan a romantic escape to the Colorado mountains! There are many ski towns in Colorado with lots to offer – but if it’s romance you’re looking for you should consider booking a weekend away from the winter crowds you’ll find in other mountain towns. Estes Park, Colorado really…

Holiday magic is easy to come by in the idyllic Colorado mountain town of Estes Park. Every week from mid-November leading up to New Year’s Eve there is something special to experience that will reignite the joy and wonder of the winter holidays for young and old alike.

Elk Fest is one of the best times of the year to come to Estes Park for wildlife watching! Come to town to experience the elk rut – you don’t even need to go into Rocky Mountain National Park to see these magnificent creatures.

Estes Park, Colorado is a GREAT place to work and play! Today, there’s more flexibility than ever before in where we work. If you’ve ever thought about working from the road, but you want to be sure you have total connectivity, a new business in Estes Park, Vert Coworking offers everything you need to get your job done remotely.

As part of the celebration marking the 150th anniversary of Isabella Bird’s visit to Estes Park, the Rocky Mountain Conservancy is offering a special program. This educational experience will venture by bus through the Estes Valley and Rocky Mountain National Park, allowing participants to walk in the footsteps of magnificent women in Estes’ history including Bird and others. Read snippets…

Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park are full of fun outdoor summer activities. Come for a visit and enjoy your favorite interests or try something new. There are adventures waiting for everyone!

Educational Travel is one of the fastest growing segments of the travel industry, and for good reason! If you seek more than an umbrella drink on your next vacation, here are some great ideas for promoting an active mind and body into your Rocky Mountain National Park visit:

Give the man in your life a Father’s Day gift he will always remember! We can help you plan the perfect dad-centered vacation to Estes Park.

Timed Entry Permit – What’s New Rocky Mounting National Park will institute it’s timed-entry-permit system  – Friday, May 26th. This permit is required  (in addition to a park pass) in order to enter: the Bear Lake Road Corridor between 5am – 6pm or all other entrances between 9am – 2pm. A permit is not required outside of these timeframes OR if:…

Elevate your Celebration and Nurture Mom in Nature – Mother’s Day in Estes Park! What better way to show your appreciation for the wonderful women in your life than a visit to beautiful Estes Park? The town is full of ways to pamper and honor your moms, all while surrounded by breathtaking views. Here are some of our favorite ideas…

Do you want to know the BEST WAYS to save money on your Estes Park vacation? As industry experts, we’ve compiled our TOP SAVINGS TIPS:

Romance in the Rockies Whisk your significant other off for a romantic weekend getaway in Estes Park, CO and let the beauty of the Rockies help you communicate your love.  Most of us have heard of the book The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman, PhD.  No matter how your special someone receives love, a mountain getaway can bring the…

How we spent an afternoon in Estes Park – lunch with a view of Notchtop Mountain and an easy hike in RMNP.

There are no bad times to visit Estes Park, but here are the top five reasons we think fall is a pretty fabulous time to come!

Question:  Why choose the Bear Lake option? Answer:    In addition to access to the rest of RMNP between 5 a.m. and 6 p.m., Bear Lake Road is arguably the most famous road in the Park! These are the popular areas you can access along the Bear Lake Road corridor:  Alberta Falls – spectacular falls with an easy hike. The…

Needed between May 26 and October 22, 2023 Timed Entry Permit Reservations are required along with a park pass/entrance fee in order to enter Rocky Mountain National Park if you’re visiting from May 26 through October 22, 2023. Permits issued using the Timed Entry Reservation system account for roughly 90% of the Park’s parking capacity, or approximately 20,000 visitors per…

Winter brings deep snows to Rocky Mountain National Park west of the Continental Divide,  but the lighter snowfall on the east (Estes Park) side of the park often leaves low elevation trails open for hiking. Trails below 8,700 feet (2,700 m) make great winter hikes, sometimes without the aid of skis or snow shoes.  

For an Epic Adventure – Snowshoe in RMNP!

One of the proudest moments in any hiking parent’s career as a hiker comes when they are first able to bring their little ones along on the trails with them. And with several scientific studies recently extolling the benefits of nature time for your kids’ mental and physical health, there’s now more reason to do so than ever. But bringing…

Rocky Mountain National Park is a hiker’s park!  To really experience it you have to head out on foot.  It’s a place of stunning scenic beauty that is good for the soul. Here are five easy hikes to get you started, plus a walk in town.  Take time to stop, reflect, and enjoy the beauty that you’ll be surrounded with….

Get your wilderness camping permit online!

Mountain weather the world over is notoriously fickle and unpredictable, and Rocky Mountain National Park is no exception. Average temperatures in and around the park vary greatly from season to season and depending on elevation, ranging from well below zero in winter months to the high 80s in summer. To make sure your hikes here are as safe and enjoyable…

The Estes Park Aerial Tramway was designed and built by Robert Heron, who became involved with tramways during World War II. After the war Mr. Heron traveled to Europe to study tramways and became fascinated with their design and capabilities. Because of the steep terrain, many trams in Europe do not require any towers to support the wire ropes. The…

An Outdoor Rock Climbing Adventure What is a “Via Ferrata”? It’s an “Iron Path” – a fun outdoor rock climbing adventure that makes mountain climbing accessible and safe for anyone who is adventurous enough to give it a try.  No previous rock climbing experience is necessary! Originating in the European Alps, Via Ferratas are typically built to use natural rock…

Join Ranger McIntyre, RMNP, nature-loving fisherman and WWI vet, as he solves mysterious puzzles that pop up in the Park in this Estes Park based Murder Mystery Series by local Colorado author James C. Work. Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park in the 1920’s are full of mysteries.  The Park is new and adventurous.  Americans are hitting the road…

Music in the Mountains Rocky Ridge Music Center holds an Estes Park mountain summer camp for musicians of all ages. Located at the base of Longs Peak a few miles south of Estes Park on Highway 7, it’s just outside of Rocky Mountain National Park. This historic summer campus was established in 1942, and fills with youth, college, and adult…

Normally between the third week of September and mid-October! But here’s what affects these “normally” dates… A recipe for disappointing fall colors: Entering fall in drought or near-drought dryness (which causes fall colors to start earlier and be weaker). Fall storms with lots of wind and rain and even snow.  Early frosts cause leaves to turn brown and drop in…

Fall in Estes Park is known for Elk herds wandering through town, trees in vibrant Fall Colors, and Festivals  – it’s one of the favorite times of year to visit this Rocky Mountain town.

Cowboy Brad Fitch brings his popular summer Cowboy Singalongs to Bond Park in downtown Estes Park Sunday and Monday evenings at 7pm. These free one hour concerts start the first weekend in June and go through early August.  They are full of fun for the whole family!  Brad sings campfire favorites, classic country, folk songs, kid’s songs and original compositions….

Many Estes Park Hotels are pet friendly, and we’ll show you how to find them and share a couple of great examples in this post. Roughly 90 million dogs are in the US, and 68% of households have at least one pet!  It’s not surprising that Estes Park vacationers are looking for hotels, restaurants, and hiking trails that allow dogs….

Five Little Known Dog Hikes near Estes Park Recommended by Locals When you bring your dog along on your Rocky Mountain National Park vacation trip, he won’t be allowed to hike with you on any National Park trails.  The good news is there are some fun hikes near Estes Park that are outside the Park boundaries for you and your…

An Insiders Guide to choosing the perfect Estes Park Lodging for your vacation in Rocky Mountain National Park. Estes Park has over 100 lodging choices ranging from a single, privately owned cabin, to a luxurious resort.  If you’ve never been to Estes Park before to get the “lay of the land”, how will you know which one to choose? Here’s…

A definitive guide to camping when visiting Colorado’s most popular National Park – Rocky Mountain National Park. First, I’ll talk about how to find and reserve the best campsites in the Park. Then, I’ll give you camping alternatives during the busy summer season. Finally, we’ll talk about “wilder” camping: backcountry, winter, and the ultimate adventure – cliff camping. Sound good?…

Where can you watch wild birds in Rocky Mountain National Park? Everyone associates elk with wildlife watching in Rocky Mountain National Park, but birders and summer visitors should know that Rocky Mountain National Park is designated as a national “Important Bird Area” with over 200 different birds spotted – some very rare!

Plan ahead for Christmas 2023 Gather your whole family for an old-fashioned white Christmas this year in Estes Park, Colorado surrounded by the incredible winter beauty of Rocky Mountain National Park. You’ll stay in a cozy mountain cabin, cottage, or suite complete with a wood-burning fireplace and kitchenette from Friday Dec. 22 to Wednesday Dec. 27. 2023. (If you want…

Tips to help you plan ahead! Rocky Mountain National Park is consistently one of the top five most visited national parks in the United States with over 4.5 million visitors. Popularity and high visitation during the summer and fall equals crowds. Particularly during 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. it can mean full parking lots, bumper to bumper traffic, busy trails,…

  Sparkling lights on a snowy winter night make Castle Mountain Lodge in Estes Park a magical place! If you’re looking for an old-fashioned White Christmas in the mountains, learn about the Castle Mountain Christmas Package.  

Why visit Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park in the winter? One of the best things about the winter season is the peace you can find in nature while the earth is blanketed in snow.  The park is less visited but still very much open and alive with activity. Reach beautiful backcountry areas on snowshoes, skis, and at lower…

In winter, there’s nothing like getting away for a romantic stay in the mountains. Estes Park is the perfect mountain getaway, with cozy and romantic lodging choices, invigorating outdoor recreation,  shops to explore, and delicious and elegant restaurants with intimate evening music. Unlike many of the mountain towns along the I-70 corridor that revolve around alpine skiing, Estes Park will…

Are there any hot springs in Rocky Mountain National Park? Not inside the Park, but if you’re up for a day trip from visiting the east side of the Park, there are natural Colorado hotsprings to soak in at: Sulphur Springs Steamboat Springs

Winter Full Moon Night Walk For an unforgettable winter experience, join Rocky Mountain National Park rangers for a Full Moon Walk on the night of the full moon in winter months (December through March). Call the Park for  scheduled dates and reservation.  Reservations are required no more than 7 days in advance.  Call 970-586-1223 between 9a – 4p daily.  There…

Estes Park is set up for evening entertainment, from intimate dining with a live music background, to fun and games at a local club or lounge.

Take a virtual hike with Trekker! The trails listed below show up in Google Maps as Trekker 3D views. Select the trail you want, then use your cursor to move the yellow man symbol along the blue trail line to see the view from that point on the trail – a great way to preview your hikes!

Here’s a list of  some of the best guidebooks and books about Estes Park to help you plan your activities.  Learn more to enjoy and appreciate this special place! Many of these books can be found on Amazon and ship for free with Prime, however a local bookstore like Macdonald Book Shop on Elkhorn Avenue in Estes Park is a…

Learn interesting facts about wildlife and the natural world in Rocky Mountain National Park month-by-month from a local nature guide. Text and most photos provided by Jared Gricoskie of Yellow Wood Guiding.  Find out how you can book your own guided tour of RMNP by visiting his website. Choose a topic or month and learn a fact: Lichen Do What…

Did you know that the only place to buy food inside Rocky Mountain National Park is at the Alpine Visitor Center at the top of Trail Ridge Road? But you can always take your breakfast, lunch or dinner to a picnic area on a beautiful mountain day and enjoy being outside. . . There are lots of convenient picnic areas…

Houses in the Estes area are spread out on mountainsides and valleys.  Since 1981 or 1982 on Halloween night the main street through town (Elkhorn Avenue) is closed from 5-9 pm and kids, adults and pets gather to trick or treat at the shops. The whole community contributes candy for the shops to hand out to trick or treaters.  Safe…

Health Care has certainly been in the news and on our minds over the past few years. With more time, money and energy spent on staying healthy, insurance companies are looking for new ways to cut their bottom line. Studies have shown that maintaining health is much less expensive than fixing health woes once they occur, so many insurance companies…

Honor the Past, Celebrate the Present, Inspire the Future From September 4, 2014, through September 4, 2015, Rocky Mountain National Park along with local and national communities celebrated the park’s 100th Anniversary. Speakers, special activities, and community events were coordinated to commemorate the Centennial. Whether you’re a regular visitor, a national park traveler, or a virtual explorer, Rocky Mountain National…

The Stanley Hotel is an Estes Park landmark. Coming into town you see it on the hill above town, a big white neoclassical building.  With panoramic views, it looks over the Continental Divide of nearby Rocky Mountain National Park.  Lumpy Ridge forms a dramatic backdrop behind it. Built in 1909 , F.O. Stanley picked the best location for his 140…

Winter weddings are a great opportunity to spend quality time with the ones you love and experience the charm of this quiet mountain town. Pre-wedding, guests can enjoy bonding time at a local spa, yoga studio or exploring Rocky Mountain National Park by jeep tour or snowshoe. Estes Park lights up at night offering a beautiful post-wedding stroll down the…