Best Things to See in Estes Park, Colorado
Estes Park is just 70 miles (or about 90 minutes,) from Denver and is the most visited mountain village in Colorado. Despite its heavy flow of tourism, it’s an adorably quaint town that will charm you at every turn. With its incredible beauty and so many fun things to do, it’s not hard to see why it’s such a popular destination. Estes Park is nestled at the base of the Rocky Mountain National Park where you will find a seemingly endless amount of hiking and biking trails, off-roading trails, incredible views and exciting wildlife spotting of deer, elk, beavers, and bears.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park is basically the best part of Estes Park for those who love the outdoors. The park is full of lakes like Bear Lake, Emerald Lake, Nymph Lake, Dream Lake, Black Lake, Jewel Lake, Thunder Lake, Pear Lake, and Sky Pond. That’s just to name a few, Rocky Mountain National Park actually has 156 lakes! If you’re hiking from St. Vrain Creek to Ouzel and Bluebird Lakes, you come across three waterfalls; Copeland Falls, Calypso Cascades and Ouzel Falls, each uniquely beautiful.
If you’re a fan of waterfalls, you’ll also have to check out Alberta Falls, one of the park’s most popular waterfalls. There are 14 waterfalls in the park, giving you an excuse to hike all over and explore them all! Whether you’re hiking, biking, mountain climbing, camping, fishing or just wanting to dive out into nature for a bit, Rocky Mountain National Park is an exciting and downright breathtaking place to do it. Get your Rocky Mountain National Park Annual Pass or visit during of the Rocky Mountain National Park Free Days!
The Estes Park Aerial Tramway
The Estes Park Aerial Tramway, located at 420 East Riverside Drive, is the highlight to many people’s stay in Estes Park. Take a red tram car up the side of the mountain and above the trees where you’ll find incredibly beautiful scenery all around including a clear view of Lake Estes and the Rocky Mountains. The Tramway leads up to Prospect Mountain’s summit where there are hiking and biking trails, a cafe, a gift shop and of course, breathtaking views. For more information about the Aerial Tramway, visit Estes Park Visitor Center at 500 Big Thompson Ave.
Popular Hotels in Estes Park
The Stanley Hotel, located 4 miles from Rocky Mountain National Park and dating back to 1909, is famous for its role in “The Shining.” The charming grand hotel offers 4 different accommodations; original historic hotel rooms, updated historic rooms, modern apartment-style rooms and fully equipped private condo residences.
The Estes Park Resort offers waterfront lodging along Lake Estes with 54 guestrooms and suites. Grab dinner at The Waterfront Grille, relax at the hotel’s on-site pool and hot tub or hang with friends at one of their lakeside fire-pits. There’s also a fitness center, sauna, a business center and event venues. You can find The Estes Park Resort at 1700 Big Thompson Ave.
Rams Horn Village Resort, located at 1565 Colorado Highway 66, offers luxury cabins with gorgeous views of Rocky Mountain National Park. The hotel has something for everyone with an on-site heated pool, hot tubs, a fitness center, playground, clubhouse, lawn games and lots more!
The Ridgeline Hotel has fun for the whole family with a fitness center, an indoor heated swimming pool, a hot tub, and a gaming area with a pool table, air hockey, an Xbox, and more! Grab a bite to eat at the Latitude 105 Restaurant & Bar or host your big event with a full-service conference center and banquet hall. They also welcome pets so that you can bring your eager hiking companion with you! The Ridgeline Hotel is located at 101 South Saint Vrain Avenue.
Popular Restaurants in Estes Park
- Bird and Jim
- Seasoned – an American Bistro
- Claire’s On the Park
- Big Horn Restaurant
- The Egg & I Restaurant
- Antionio’s Real New York Pizza
- The View Restaurant
- The Grubsteak Restaurant
- Mama Rose’s
- Poppy’s Pizza & Grill
- Notchtop Bakery & Cafe
Shuttles, Buses, and Directions
Estes Park offers a free, seasonal shuttle system so that you can hop on the downtown trolley or shuttle bus route and get to your destination with ease. There are 5 free shuttle routes in the town of Estes and 3 shuttle routes in Rocky Mountain National Park. To get to Estes Park from Denver, head North on US-36 through Boulder, continue West through Lyons, CO 36 and on to Estes Park. Click here to get more specific directions to Rocky Mountain National Park from Denver or from Estes Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Estes Park known for?
- Rocky Mountain National Park
- Stanley Hotel
- Longs Peak
- Museums & History
- Lake Estes
- Amusement Parks
- Performance Park
- Riverwalk
- Aerial Tramway
- Alpine Visitors Center
- Art Galleries
- Souvenir Shops
How much does it cost to get into Rocky Mountain National Park?
- Daily Pass Per Person $15
- Daily Pass Per Vehicle $25
- Seven-Day Vehicle Pass $35
- Seven-Day Per-Person Pass $20
- Seven-Day Motorcycle Pass $30
- Park Specific Annual Pass $70
How far is Estes Park from Denver?
- 70 miles / 90 minutes
What is there to do in Estes Park?
- Hiking & Walking Trails
- Whitewater Rafting
- Horseback Riding
- Fishing
- Climbing
- Off-Roading
- Dog-Friendly
- Biking
- Golfing
- Shopping
- Amusement Parks
- Rodeos and Horse Shows
- Wineries, Breweries & Distilleries
What is the weather like in Estes Park?
- The summers are nice, partly cloudy in the 70’s
- The winters are very cold and snowy, typically in the 30’s
How do I get to Estes Park from Denver?
- To get to Estes Park from Denver, head North on US-36 through Boulder, continue West through Lyons, CO 36 and on to Estes Park.
What is Estes Park known for?
- Located just 90 minutes from Denver
- Tons of outdoor activities
- Restaurants, Bars & Shopping
- Stanley Hotel