Estes Park

How to Get There

From Denver (66 mi): Take N Broadway to W Colfax Ave. Take US-36 W to MacGregor Ave in Estes Park. Continue on MacGregor Ave. Drive to Park Ln.

Overview

Estes Park is a town in Larimer County, Colorado, and is popular summer resort and the location of the headquarters for Rocky Mountain National Park. Estes Park lies along the Big Thompson River. Landmarks include The Stanley Hotel and The Baldpate Inn. The town overlooks Lake Estes and Olympus Dam.

Estes Park's outskirts include The Stanley Hotel, built in 1909. An example of Edwardian opulence, the building had Stephen King as a guest, inspiring him to change the locale for his novel The Shining from an amusement park to the Stanley's fictional stand-in, the Overlook Hotel. Olympus Dam, on the outskirts of the town, is the dam that creates Lake Estes, a lake which is the site for boating and swimming in Estes Park. There are some hotels on the shore, including the Estes Park Resort.

Estes Park sits at an elevation of 7,522 feet (2,293 m) on the front range of the Rocky Mountains at the eastern entrance of the Rocky Mountain National Park. Trail Ridge Road, the highest continuous highway in the United States, runs from Estes Park westward through Rocky Mountain National Park, reaching Grand Lake over the continental divide.

Three million tourists visit Rocky Mountain National Park each year; most use Estes Park as their base.

Things to Do

Explore Rocky Mountain National Park

Estes Park serves as the primary gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, one of the most visited national parks in the United States. Visitors can enjoy spectacular mountain scenery, alpine lakes, abundant wildlife, scenic drives, hiking trails, and breathtaking viewpoints throughout the park.

Drive the Scenic Trail Ridge Road

Known as the highest continuous paved road in the United States, Trail Ridge Road crosses Rocky Mountain National Park and reaches elevations above 12,000 feet. The route offers panoramic mountain vistas, tundra landscapes, wildlife viewing opportunities, and numerous scenic overlooks.

Visit Historic Downtown Estes Park

Downtown Estes Park features charming mountain-town atmosphere with local shops, galleries, restaurants, breweries, and riverwalk paths. Visitors can stroll along Elkhorn Avenue and enjoy scenic views of the surrounding peaks while exploring the town's unique character.

Tour the Stanley Hotel

The iconic Stanley Hotel is one of Colorado's most famous landmarks. Opened in 1909, the historic hotel is known for its architecture, mountain views, guided tours, and connection to Stephen King's novel The Shining. The property remains one of the area's most popular attractions.

Watch Wildlife Throughout the Valley

Estes Park is renowned for wildlife viewing, particularly elk, mule deer, bighorn sheep, and moose. During the fall elk rut, visitors often observe large herds throughout town and nearby meadows as bull elk engage in their annual mating displays.

Enjoy Outdoor Recreation Year-Round

In addition to hiking, visitors can enjoy horseback riding, fishing, kayaking, paddleboarding, rock climbing, camping, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and scenic photography. The surrounding national forest and mountain terrain provide endless opportunities for outdoor adventure.

Top Trails

Bear Lake Loop

Length: Approximately 0.6 miles loop
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Difficulty: Easy

One of Rocky Mountain National Park's most popular trails, Bear Lake Loop offers stunning views of surrounding peaks reflected in a beautiful alpine lake. The accessible trail is suitable for visitors of all ages and serves as a starting point for several longer hikes.

Emerald Lake Trail

Length: Approximately 3.2 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: Approximately 700 feet
Difficulty: Moderate

This classic Rocky Mountain National Park hike passes Nymph Lake and Dream Lake before reaching Emerald Lake beneath dramatic mountain cliffs. The trail is known for exceptional scenery and excellent wildlife viewing opportunities.

Gem Lake Trail

Length: Approximately 3.4 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: Approximately 1,000 feet
Difficulty: Moderate

Located near Estes Park, this trail climbs through unique rock formations and ponderosa pine forests before reaching Gem Lake, a scenic mountain pool nestled among granite outcrops with panoramic views of Estes Valley.

Alberta Falls Trail

Length: Approximately 1.6 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: Approximately 200 feet
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

A favorite family-friendly hike, this trail leads to Alberta Falls, one of Rocky Mountain National Park's most photographed waterfalls. Visitors enjoy rushing water, forest scenery, and easy access from the Bear Lake corridor.

Sources: Rocky Mountain National Park visitor information, including details on Trail Ridge Road, Bear Lake, Emerald Lake, Alberta Falls, wildlife viewing, hiking trails, and recreational opportunities throughout the park. https://www.nps.gov/romo/https://www.nps.gov/romo/
Additional information verified through Visit Estes Park tourism resources covering downtown Estes Park, the Stanley Hotel, outdoor recreation, fishing, hiking, wildlife viewing, and seasonal activities throughout the Estes Valley. https://www.visitestespark.com/https://www.visitestespark.com/
Further trail and recreation information reviewed through Rocky Mountain National Park trail guides and regional visitor resources covering Gem Lake, Bear Lake, Emerald Lake, and Alberta Falls. This article uses material from the Wikipedia article "Estes Park, Colorado", which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0