Downtown Estes Park
Estes Park, CO
Estes Park is the eastern gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, but it’s no quick stopover. The downtown area blends small-town charm with tourist-friendly offerings, and a stroll along Main Street’s boutiques, souvenir shops, and restaurants is a must. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife—a fox, elk, or bighorn sheep might cross your path.
The basics
Downtown Estes Park is an alluring basecamp for virtually every type of traveler. Landmarks like the Stanley Hotel (a filming location for The Shining) are just as accessible as the cafés and breweries lining the streets. Many tours of Rocky Mountain National Park leave from downtown Estes Park, though you can learn more about the town itself on guided walking or e-bike tours. Make sure you book accommodations early, as this popular all-season town fills up fast.
Things to know before you go
Keep an ear out for live music performances at the Performance Park Amphitheatre.
The Stanley Hotel hosts haunted events in the month of October.
See Estes Park from above via the Aerial Tramway on the south end of the city.
How to get there
Estes Park is about 70 miles (112 kilometers) from Denver; US-36 is the majority of the route. There’s both paid and free parking downtown; a riverwalk makes it convenient to walk from multiple lots. The trolley has multiple stops around town, including the locations of shuttles into Rocky Mountain National Park.
When to get there
The best time to visit Estes Park depends on your interests, though tourism there peaks in the summer. Aside from season-specific activities in Rocky Mountain National Park, the best time to enjoy Estes Park itself is in the winter months, when events like the First Peoples Festival and holiday celebrations give visitors a warm, local welcome.
How to spend a day in Estes Park
Don’t stress if you can’t find accommodations in Estes Park; a day trip to this parkside town is still worth it. Consider staying on the opposite side of Rocky Mountain National Park in Grand Lake. The two-hour drive to Estes Park allows you to grab lunch, shop, visit the Estes Park Museum and Stanley Home Museum, and walk the Lake Estes Trail.
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