Estes Park

Surrounded by towering peaks and combining adventure with relaxation, Estes Park is your gateway to the Rocky Mountains, just 70 miles from Denver and nestled at 7,522 feet above sea level. Whether you're here for a romantic escape, family vacation, or outdoor thrill, this iconic mountain town invites you to relax, recharge, and explore nature at your own pace.

Estes Park is best known as the base camp for Rocky Mountain National Park. From here, you can drive the breathtaking Trail Ridge Road, the highest continuous paved highway in North America, or set out on a hiking, snowshoeing, or backcountry skiing journey along alpine lakes, meadows, and waterfalls. Wildlife sightings are part of everyday life. Elk, bighorn sheep, moose, and more roam both the wilderness and town streets, especially during the fall elk rut when bull elk bugle and spar right in town.

Adventure-seekers can go rock climbing at Performance Park, try horseback riding, ziplining, whitewater rafting, or take a fly-fishing trip to pristine mountain waters. In winter, Estes turns into a snowy wonderland with sledding, ice climbing, and cliff camping, or cozy hot tubs and fireplaces, if you prefer your mountain views with a mug of cocoa.

Downtown Estes Park offers charming shops, restaurants, tasting rooms, and galleries along a scenic riverwalk. Stop for handcrafted souvenirs, or local taffy, or relax with a beer at one of several local breweries. Enjoy food trucks and cocktails at The Barrel, upscale dining at Bird & Jim or the Stanley Hotel, and casual eats at family favorites like Claire’s, Ed’s Cantina, or Poppy’s Pizza & Grill.

Families will love attractions like the Mustang Mountain Coaster, bumper boats at Ride-a-Kart, and day passes to the YMCA of the Rockies, a one-stop wonderland of trails, mini golf, arts & crafts, sledding, and more. Lake Estes is a hub for biking, bird-watching, pontooning, paddleboarding, and picnicking with 360-degree mountain views.

Estes Park is also home to a packed calendar of events. Celebrate elk season with Elk Fest, sample local spirits at Whiskey Warm-Up, race coffins at the quirky Frozen Dead Guy Days, or experience holiday magic at Catch the Glow Parade. From summer festivals and rodeos to autumn leaf-peeping and winter skijor competitions, there’s always something to discover.

Whether you're booking a mountaintop cabin, riverside lodge, family condo, or pet-friendly hotel, Estes Park offers more than 150 lodging options for every type of traveler. With its small-town charm, endless activities, and unbeatable access to nature, Estes Park is the kind of place you’ll want to return to, again and again.