Things To Do
Rocky Mountain National Park
So many beautiful hike options throughout the park for all different skill levels. We'd also recommend just driving through the park and stopping to take pictures along the way! Our favorite hike in the park is the 4 lakes trail from Bear Lake to Nymph, Dream, and Emerald lakes - our engagement pictures were taken at Dream Lake! Reservations for August will open on July 1 at 10AM through the attached link. We like access to the Bear Lake Road Corridor for hiking. The trail around Bear Lake is also ADA-accessible. Normal park access provides incredible vista as you drive around Trail Ridge Road as well as numerous other hiking options. We recommend the AllTrails app to choose from the many options in the park.
The Stanley Hotel
Discover the Stanley Hotel on one of their daily history or spirited night tours. The hotel is famously known as inspiration for Stephen King's "The Shining" after a stay of only one night. On the day tour you’ll learn about the creator and original owner, F.O. Stanley, and why he chose Estes Park. This tour includes the history of Stephen King, celebrities, and pop culture. The Stanley Hotel Spirited Night Tour is a unique way to experience the hotel's spirited tales. This evening tour takes you to a darkened spaces and introduces you to the "active" phenomena and tells tales of the spirited tales surrounding our 100+ year old hotel. Perfect for those interested in the paranormal tales surrounding The Stanley Hotel.
Estes Park Aerial Tramway
Great option for scenic views without having to hike. For less crowds, better photography, and calmer weather, ride early morning or late afternoon.
Horseback Riding - National Park Gateway Stables
We've done a 2-hour ride into Rocky Mountain National Park and had a blast doing it. Surely weather in August will be better than the 35 degree snowy day we rode in September!