Family Activities

Everything you want to know about the elk rut in Estes Park

One of the benefits of homeschooling is that it doesn’t have to happen exclusively at home! Estes Park is the perfect setting for lessons on science, history, creative writing, art, and recess.

Celebrate Thanksgiving or Christmas in the mountains!

Forgot to get a timed entry permit to RMNP? Here’s a list of activities and things to do in Estes Park that don’t involve a timed entry permit to the national park:

Late summer and early fall are arguably some of the best times to visit Estes Park, and knowing about upcoming events will help you plan your visit:

Other than a visit to Rocky Mountain National Park, there are many fun activities to do in and around Estes Park. Consider booking them ahead of time to get the dates you want. Here are some great things to do:

Summer is just around the corner, and there are lots of exciting things to look forward to in Estes Park! Here are some upcoming events:

Get yourself to Estes Park for the Frozen Dead Guy Days March 14-16! This wacky winter festival is filled with adventures the whole family will love.  

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…

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…

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.

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…

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…

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….

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…

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….

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…

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…

  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.  

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…

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…

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…