Breakfast / Coffee Shops: - Notchtop Bakery and Cafe - Coffee on the Rocks - Kind Coffee - Inkwell & Brew - The Egg of Estes - Scratch Deli and Bakery Breweries / Beer Gardens / Happy Hour: - Avante Gardeworks Brewing - Rock Cut Brewing - Lumpy Ridge Brewing - The Barrel Beer Garden - The Slab Outdoor Pub - Seven Keys Lodge - Snowy Peaks Winery Casual Lunch / Dinner: - The Barrel (food trucks) - Ed's Cantina & Grill - Estes Thai - The Post Chicken & Beer - The Rock Inn Mountain Tavern - Antlers Rooftop Tavern - Boss Burgers and Gyros - Himalayan Curry and Kebob - Nepal's Cafe Elevated Lunch / Dinner: - Ember Restaurant & Bar (Estes Park Resort) - Cascades (The Stanley Hotel) - Twin Owls Steak House (Taharaa Mountain Lodge) - Outlaws and Legends Steakhouse (Seven Keys Lodge) - Seasoned - Bird & Jim - The Wild Rose
*indicates RMNP; timed entry pass required before 2 pm. Reach out to Kelsey for more info! Easy: - Lily Lake: 0.8 mi loop, family-friendly. - Sprague Lake*: 0.8 mi loop. - Bear Lake*: 0.6 mi loop, very crowded. - Lake Estes: 3.8 mi loop, downtown. - Alberta Falls*: 1.6 mi roundtrip, easy-moderate. Moderate: - Emerald Lake*: 3.2 mi roundtrip, past all 3 lakes. Corrigan family classic! - Bierstadt Lake*: 3.2 mi loop. - Ouzel Falls*: 5.4 mi roundtrip. Wild Basin trailhead. - Gem Lake: 3.2 mi roundtrip, stairs + gorgeous rock formations. - Mills Lake*: 5.3 mi roundtrip. - Deer Mountain*: 6 mi roundtrip. - Estes Cone: 6.6 mi roundtrip, last mile steep with amazing views. Longs Peak trailhead. Hard: - Twin Sisters: 8 mi roundtrip. - Chasm Lake: 9 mi roundtrip, Kelsey’s favorite! Longs Peak trailhead. - Sky Pond: 9 mi roundtrip, hard.
Rocky Mountain National Park is a must see! The hiking options are endless, ranging from easy to technical. It's also extremely drivable, with beautiful scenery and the guarantee of seeing some wildlife, such as deer, elk, big horn sheep, or even a moose! We recommend driving Trail Ridge Road to the visitors center at the continental divide. There is a short hike at the top. The views are stunning! PLEASE NOTE THAT A PARK PASS AND RESERVATION (one per car) ARE REQUIRED FOR ENTRANCE. These need to be procured MONTHS in advance, so please see the website for detailed instructions on planning your visit to the Park.
Whether you’re looking to challenge yourself on an aerial adventure, test your aim with axe throwing, or experience the beauty of Rocky Mountain National Park during their Hiking or kayaking tours, they’ve got something for everyone looking for an adventure in Estes Park!
Summer is perfect for trail riding in the Rockies! Estes Park has a number of horse stables that will take you out into Rocky Mountain National Park or other local trails!
Play a round in Paradise! Estes Park has one of the prettiest golf courses you'll ever see, surrounded entirely by mountains, and often covered in elk! Estes offers both an 18-hole course (with a driving range) and a 9-hole course that can also be used for Disc Golf - this one is right by Lake Estes and also a big elk hangout. Ask Collin if you want a Disc Golf lesson! Both courses are public with reasonable green fees, and available cart and club rentals. Call or go online to reserve a tee time!
A great way to explore Rocky Mountain National Park without having to deal with the reservation system or navigate the winding mountain roads on your own! Your knowledgeable tour guide will take you up to 12,000 feet in elevation, where you'll see snow and wildlife along the way. The photos you'll come away with will be a priceless memory of your time in the Rockies!
Challenge your family and friends to a round of mini-golf or bumper cars next to the river and surrounded by beautiful mountains! Lots of other activities including go-karts and bumper boats, plus local beer and wine.
Unwind at Qi Lounge & Spa at the Estes Park Resort. Overlooking Lake Estes and the Rockies, this peaceful spa offers massages, facials, and more—perfect for a relaxing break during the weekend.
Lake Estes offers the obvious things any Colorado mountain lake would - fishing for beautiful trout, paddle-boarding, kayaking, and boating. The Lake Estes Marina offers rentals of kayaks, paddle boards and even a pontoon boat to get you out on the water. You can also rent bikes or go for a walk/run around the lake.
Estes Park is a tourist town, so there is no shortage of t-shirts, ice cream, and souvenirs. BUT, take a stroll along the river downtown and you will find so much more ... clothing stores offering everything from hiking gear to upscale women's wear, home decor, galleries featuring amazing (and often local) artwork/photography, and three (lol) Christmas shops. Estes is known for salt water taffy, and we suggest a stop at The Taffy Shop (choose the OG, since 1935!) where you can watch the taffy being pulled on the original machine and get a free sample to help you choose your favorite flavor. There are also a few beer gardens right on the river in this area that often have live music. Enjoy!