With beautiful mountains, abundant wildlife, miles of trails, and Rocky Mountain National Park nearby, all wrapped in Rocky Mountain splendor, there is much to see and do in Estes Park. Discover our favorite things to do in Estes Park and start planning your getaway today!
Rocky Mountain National Park
One of the most popular things to do in Estes Park is to visit Rocky Mountain National Park. At 415 square miles, there is plenty of ground to cover in Rocky Mountain National Park. But don’t feel overwhelmed. You can explore much of the park in just a few days if you know where to go! To help get you started, use our 3-day itinerary to Rocky Mountain National Park.
Wildlife Viewing
Rocky Mountain National Park has a lot to offer visitors, snow-capped mountain peaks, cascading waterfalls, rushing streams, colorful wildflowers, and plenty of wildlife. Home to thousands of elk, mule deer, moose, bears, and many other animals, it is very common to come across some sort of wildlife while exploring the park. When planning your vacation to Rocky Mountain National Park, use our “wild about wildlife” guide for viewing all the wildlife in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Hiking
Estes Park and nearby Rocky Mountain National Park feature some of the best hiking trails in the state. RMNP, alone, features 355 miles of trails, ranging from beginner/easy to advanced/difficult. If you’ve never taken to Colorado’s trail system, it is sometimes best to start out small to help get you familiar with the terrain. Use our guide to discover the best summer hikes near Estes Park for beginners and start your adventure today!
Visit a brewery or distillery
There is one thing for certain, Colorado has no shortage of breweries in this state. Boasting over 400 breweries and counting, Colorado plays an important role in the craft beer scene, with a few located here in Estes Park. In addition to breweries, the craft distillery scene has also been on the rise over the years with one located in Estes Park as well.
Plan a fall vacation
One of our favorite things to do in Estes Park is to visit during the fall season. From Elk Fest to see the fall colors, there is plenty to do and see. Depending on the weather, leaves begin to change in mid-September and can be enjoyed through the beginning of October. In lower elevations, the change begins in early October and is seen through the third week in October. But elevations of 8,000+ are generally starting to show in mid-September with the peak being late to early October.
Stay at Alpine Trail Ridge Inn
Of course, one of our favorite things to do in Estes Park, stay at the Alpine Trail Ridge Inn. Located on US Highway 36 West, we are just minutes from all that there is to do in Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. Our Estes Park lodging brings in elements of the great outdoors, inside, all with the modern conveniences that you would expect to find at any hotel. Choose from our Standard 1 King and 2 Queen bedrooms, the Western King Suite, our Balcony 1 King, and 2 Queen bedrooms, plus a kitchen family unit for those needing a little extra space.
