Estes Park is a beautiful vacation destination tucked into the exceptionally beautiful Rocky Mountain National Park area. No matter which direction you look, you’ll see amazing scenery with abundant wildlife. The classic blue skies of Colorado meet rugged mountain peaks, deep grassy meadows with wildflowers and cold, clear rivers which run through a natural environment that has been preserved for generations to enjoy. The town of Estes Park welcomes its visitors to this high altitude area, offering not only the peaks of Rocky Mountain National Park for hiking, mountaineering, and in winter ice climbing and snowshoeing, but shopping, a downtown experience and the Riverwalk area. This family friendly destination has many attractions and events to enjoy, and museums and shops to explore.
More Estes Park Town Facts
| Region: Front Range | County: Larimer | |
| Latitude: 40.372778 | Longitude: -105.519167 | Elevation: 7,522 ft (2,293 m) |
In 1907 a cabin was constructed by Albert Birch, the city editor for the Denver Post. The structure was a beautiful stone bungalow with a massive fireplace, but a fire destroyed the cabin and it was rebuilt the following year near a rocky outcropping and stream. It was known as the Knoll and the Birch family enjoyed this summer home until the 1980’s. It is still part of the Estes Park scenery and in 2001 was placed on the State Register of Historic Places. Visitors may enjoy the Lake Trail Loop which is a beautiful walk of almost 4 miles encircling Lake Estes. It is the home of many songbirds and migratory birds. Another popular walk is along Riverwalk which travels less than a mile along Fall River, ending at Performance Park and a lovely area known as Mrs. Walsh’s Garden.
The Big Thompson Canyon and River
“The thirty-two mile drive from the city of Loveland to the entrance of Estes Park is one of the most beautiful drives in Colorado. The Big Thompson Canyon is a heavily wooded area of scenic beauty with rugged cliffs and high mountains bordering the Big Thompson River. The road follows the river, and winds around walls of granite, which lift their heads thousands of feet in the air, past timber and grass 
covered slopes. The views presented along the route through this wonderful canyon are beyond comparison and one never tires of looking at and admiring the wonderful works of nature.” The roadway began in an effort to connect Loveland with Estes Park through the Canyon, but the narrow passage created a lot of difficulty for the wagons who met the Stage Coach, and no way to get around them easily. Over time, improvements made the thoroughfare much wider and easier to navigate, and made the roadway one of the most beautiful ways to visit the Estes Park and Rocky Mountain areas.
Estes Park Attractions
- Ride horseback over the mountains! Enjoy the scenery, with guides and horses in the summer and fall. Most stables ride into the National Park. While you’re riding the horse you may get opportunities to see elk and other wildlife along the way!
- Trail Ridge Road provides spectacular view of the majestic scenery of Rocky Mountain National Park. It is the highest continuous motorway in the United States, with more than eight miles lying above 11,000′ and a maximum elevation of 12,183′.
- Stanley Hotel in Estes Park has been welcoming guests since 1909. It’s both elegant and an exciting part of Estes Park lore. The Stanley inspired author Stephen King to write the book “The Shining ” and the Hotel is said to be haunted, so the Stanley offers special “Ghost Tours” to those who want to know more. The Hotel is well appointed and equipped for guests, visitors, weddings, parties, and meetings and is one of the most photographed historic buildings in the area.
- Tennis courts at Stanley Park are maintained by the Estes Valley Parks and Recreation District.
- Rafting the Colorado River and Poudre Rivers is popular in summer. Choose to ride the rapids or to float down a more quiet river.
- The Estes Park Museum, in Estes Park, Colorado, was founded by volunteers in 1962. A department of the Town of Estes Park, the Museum’s purpose is to collect, interpret and preserve local history, as well as to present exhibits, programs and events, for the education and benefit of residents and visitors of all ages. Museum is Free to the public.
- Adventure awaits visitors who like to go hiking & climbing, fishing, snowshoeing, skiing, mountain biking, horseback riding, river rafting, fishing, wildlife watching, boating or hunting.
- Traditional activities like golf, tennis and swimming offer special challenges at high altitude.
| Of course there are lots of other things to do and see in the area! Click on any of the links below to find more activities. |
Estes Park Area Photo Gallery
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Getting to Estes Park Colorado
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