Things To Do
Moraine Park Amphitheater
This is our wedding venue, it is inside the Rocky Mountain National Park. Our permit reservation is from 4-6 PM on 9/29/2025. The permit will allow us to enter the park within 2 hrs of 4 PM, so we can all get there early and take pictures/get situated. I will hand out the permits to everyone!
Estes Park Aerial Tramway
Ride Estes Park's aerial tramway for a grand, sweeping, bird's eye view of Estes Park! Q: How do I buy tickets to ride the tram? A: It’s super easy, just go to estestram.com and buy your tickets to reserve a time to ride. You can purchase before your visit on our website or easily on your smartphone after you arrive (or directly from a ticket attendant).
Stanley Hotel
The hotel was built in 1909 in Estes Park, a scenic - and also very remote - part of Colorado that showcases the incredible beauty of the Rocky Mountains. Its 360-degree overlook of Rocky Mountain National Park has drawn in the likes of many famed figures throughout history. One of the most famed guests associated with the Stanley, however, is none other than horror author Stephen King. It was in his novel The Shining which immortalized the Stanley in all of its glory, from its remote wooded setting to the long, at times eerie, hallways that the hotel is known for. The hotel served as the inspiration for the novel and later-adapted movie starring Jack Nicholson, and to this day, the Stanley embraces its pop-culture history. So much so, that each room TV in the hotel features The Shining on a 24-hour loop - talk about creepy. They also have a really great restaurant to eat at!
Mills Lake
My favorite hike in RMNP, 5.6 miles round trip! This is where Michael and I got engaged! He knew it was my favorite place in the world and made it such a special moment for me. To get to this hike, you must acquire a timed entry reservation into RMNP between the hours of 5am-6pm. Regardless, to get into RMNP during your stay you will have to purchase a pass. A one week pass is about $35 for 1 vehicle. "Timed entry+Bear Lake Road." This timed entry option includes access to Moraine Park, Sprague Lake, Park & Ride, Glacier Gorge Trailhead, and Bear Lake. If it is any time before 5am it is best to park at the Bear Lake Road trailhead parking lot. If it is after 5AM usually all of the spots are filled, park at the park and ride and take the shuttle bus to bear lake road. August 1st, timed entry reservations will be available for the month of September. To learn more visit: http://go.nps.gov/romo/timedentry
Trail Ridge Road: Rocky Mountain National Park Scenic Byway
Covering the 48 miles between Estes Park on the park's east side and Grand Lake on the west, is Trail Ridge Road. Eleven miles of this high highway travel above tree-line, the elevation near 11,500 feet where the park's evergreen forests come to a halt. As it winds across the tundra to its high point at 12,183 feet elevation, Trail Ridge Road (U.S. 34) offers visitors thrilling views, wildlife sightings and spectacular alpine wildflower exhibitions, all from the comfort of their car. It is about a 2 hr scenic drive. At the top is a gift shop, museum, and cafe. You can also hike the stairs to the top of the mountain and get a picture with the elevation sign 12,005 feet above sea level. On the drive up you can see wildlife such as: pika, big horn sheep, elk, moose and marmots! FYI: this is inside the RMNP, so you will need a pass and timed entry reservation if entering the park between 9am-2pm. To learn more: visit http://go.nps.gov/romo/timedentry
Estes Park Ride-A-Kart
Mini golfing and go-karting! Fun fact, my dad used to work here back in the day! When Michael and I visited, he won us a free mini-golf game, so we went twice.
Estes Park Downtown
Food and shopping! Enjoy the riverwalk while you shop and eat! There are also hidden golden pika statues throughout the town.
Alberta Falls
An easy hike in RMNP off the Glacier Gorge trailhead on Bear Lake Road. About a 1.6 mile round trip hike to beautiful waterfalls! FYI: you will need a park pass and timed entry reservation if entering the park from 5am-6pm because this is along the Bear Lake Corridor. To learn more visit: http://go.nps.gov/romo/timedentry
Sky Pond Lake Trail
9.91 mile difficult hike, but worth every minute! Off of the Glacier Gorge Trailhead, you will pass several lakes: Loch Vale, Lake of Glass, and Sky Pond after climbing a 100 foot waterfall! Michael and I both agree it was the coolest thing we have ever done, let us know if you want to join us! Remember you will need a timed entry and park pass to enter the park, to learn more visit: http://go.nps.gov/romo/timedentry
Twisted Griffin Pub and Restaurant
New and delicious pub in downtown Estes! We had the burger flight: highland game burger, smoked guac burger, and whiskey bacon jam burger.
Loch Vale
5.4 mile trail, on the way to sky pond. A moderate hike 3.1 miles one-way, you can get there from the Glacier Gorge Trailhead. FYI: http://go.nps.gov/romo/timedentry
Lake of Glass
The 2nd lake on the way to sky pond. 9 miles round trip. FYI: http://go.nps.gov/romo/timedentry
Estes Park Visitor Center
Here you can find all the information you want about Estes and the RMNP. There is a gift shop inside and people there to help you! It is located in the heart of downtown right near the riverwalk. Sometimes you will even see elk come down here!
Coffee on the Rocks
Coffee with a waterfront view!
Lake Estes Trail
3.75 mile trail surrounds the lake. Often times you can see elk hanging out in the water! There is also a restaurant on the lake called Ember.
Estes Park 18-Hole Golf Course
The golf course sign is to the right of the elk walking in the street, lol!
Brunch & Co
Delicious brunch at the Stanley Hotel!
Lily Lake
A little lake hike without having to enter the RMNP.
Ember Restaurant & Bar
Lake Estes waterfront restaurant and bar!
Glacier Gorge Junction Trailhead
Glacier Gorge Trailhead on bear lake road will give you access to some of these hikes: Alberta Falls Lake Haiyaha Bear Lake Mills Lake Loch Vale Lake of Glass Sky Pond Andrews Glacier