Best of Estes
Food Scene
Bird & Jim is just minutes away, and is one of the best restaurants in Estes Park. One of the owners is on his way to becoming one of the state's most renounced sommeliers.
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Bird & Jim
915 Moraine AveBird & Jim is just minutes away, and is one of the best restaurants in Estes Park. One of the owners is on his way to becoming one of the state's most renounced sommeliers.
The EP Brewery offers a wonderful selection of beers, burgers, and food. Easy place to visit for a quick bite to eat.
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Estes Park Brewery
470 Prospect Village DrThe EP Brewery offers a wonderful selection of beers, burgers, and food. Easy place to visit for a quick bite to eat.
The Donut Haus is an icon of Estes Park. Fresh donuts all summer, and select days in the winters. If you buy a Donut Haus t-shirt, you'll get a free donut every time you wear it in.
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Donut Haus
860 Moraine AvenueThe Donut Haus is an icon of Estes Park. Fresh donuts all summer, and select days in the winters. If you buy a Donut Haus t-shirt, you'll get a free donut every time you wear it in.
Love Nepal's Cafe. They've got a great all you can eat lunch menu. It's in the heart of downtown, and you can eat outside when it's warm.
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Nepal's Cafe
184 E Elkhorn AveLove Nepal's Cafe. They've got a great all you can eat lunch menu. It's in the heart of downtown, and you can eat outside when it's warm.
China Garden is Estes Park's great Chinese restaurant. You can call in for takeaway and eat next door at Rock Cut Brewery -- it's encouraged!
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China Garden
460 W Riverside DrChina Garden is Estes Park's great Chinese restaurant. You can call in for takeaway and eat next door at Rock Cut Brewery -- it's encouraged!
Smokin' Dave's BBQ & Tap House
820 Moraine AveEstes Park's famous ribs! This place is awesome.
Sweet Basilico has hands some of the best pizza in Estes Park. I'd suggest ordering it to go, and then bringing it home and eating it at the rental.
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Sweet Basilico Cafe
430 Prospect Village DrSweet Basilico has hands some of the best pizza in Estes Park. I'd suggest ordering it to go, and then bringing it home and eating it at the rental.
Good bistro food that's less busy than the downtown establishments. Lots of local beers on tap.
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Mary's Lake Lodge
2625 Marys Lake RdGood bistro food that's less busy than the downtown establishments. Lots of local beers on tap.
The Rock Inn Mountain Tavern
1675 Colorado 66Great food with a fun atmosphere and regular live music.
La Cocina has the best street tacos in Estes, hands down. Great authentic Mexican food -- also try the awesome carne asada dish.
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La Cocina De Mama
361 S St Vrain AveLa Cocina has the best street tacos in Estes, hands down. Great authentic Mexican food -- also try the awesome carne asada dish.
Great local Mexican market with a kitchen in the back, offering super good street tacos and burritos. Pro tip: buy lunch and take it down the street to Avant Garde Brewery, and eat with local beers.
La Mexicana
841 Dunraven StGreat local Mexican market with a kitchen in the back, offering super good street tacos and burritos. Pro tip: buy lunch and take it down the street to Avant Garde Brewery, and eat with local beers.
Hands down the best pizza in Estes Park. It's *really* good. This place can be a madhouse so try to make an order half an hour or more before you'd like it, and take it home during busy summer weekends.
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Antonio's Real New York Pizza
1560 Big Thompson AveHands down the best pizza in Estes Park. It's *really* good. This place can be a madhouse so try to make an order half an hour or more before you'd like it, and take it home during busy summer weekends.
Himalayan Curry & Kebob
101 W Elkhorn AveAwesome dal. 'Nuf said!
The Egg of Estes
393 E Elkhorn AvePretty epic breakfast joint, though it can get super busy.
OK, I know this is going to sound weird, but Fresh Burger Stop rocks. It's a drive through burger joint in the back of a east station. The spicy burger and the cuban sandwiches are amazing. So are the curly fries and milkshakes. Note that the photos supplied by AirBnB for this guidebook is the wrong place!!
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Penelope's Old Time Burgers
229 West Elkhorn AvenueOK, I know this is going to sound weird, but Fresh Burger Stop rocks. It's a drive through burger joint in the back of a east station. The spicy burger and the cuban sandwiches are amazing. So are the curly fries and milkshakes. Note that the photos supplied by AirBnB for this guidebook is the wrong place!!
Wonderful coffee shop on the banks of the Big Thompson and on the edge of a duck pond. A really relaxing way to spend a morning fuelling up before hitting the trails. Good breakfast sandwiches and fair prices, and often less busy than Kind Coffee.
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Coffee on the Rocks
510 Moraine Ave Wonderful coffee shop on the banks of the Big Thompson and on the edge of a duck pond. A really relaxing way to spend a morning fuelling up before hitting the trails. Good breakfast sandwiches and fair prices, and often less busy than Kind Coffee.
Wonderful coffee shop in downtown Estes Park that also sells papers, inks and small books. Lovely location off the main drag on the riverwalk, on the bank of the river. Quieter and less busy than Coffee on the Rocks and Kind Coffee. Check their web site above to for an occasional event schedule that includes intermittent things like open mic spoken word nights.
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Inkwell & Brew
150 E Elkhorn AveWonderful coffee shop in downtown Estes Park that also sells papers, inks and small books. Lovely location off the main drag on the riverwalk, on the bank of the river. Quieter and less busy than Coffee on the Rocks and Kind Coffee. Check their web site above to for an occasional event schedule that includes intermittent things like open mic spoken word nights.
Kind is our iconic Estes Park coffee house — locally roasted, with a good selection of breakfast foods like burritos and pastries. Awesome during the summer because you can sit along the bank of the river, though it can get super busy. Consider bringing some mountain roasted coffee beans home with you.
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Kind Coffee
470 E Elkhorn AveKind is our iconic Estes Park coffee house — locally roasted, with a good selection of breakfast foods like burritos and pastries. Awesome during the summer because you can sit along the bank of the river, though it can get super busy. Consider bringing some mountain roasted coffee beans home with you.
We go here to buy pies, plain and simple, and we like pies for breakfast. Rhubarb, cherry, peach and apple pies are all excellent. Their pie selection depends on who bought what earlier in the day, so be sure to stop in first thing
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You Need Pie Diner & Bakery
509 Big Thompson AveWe go here to buy pies, plain and simple, and we like pies for breakfast. Rhubarb, cherry, peach and apple pies are all excellent. Their pie selection depends on who bought what earlier in the day, so be sure to stop in first thing
Scratch Deli is one of two sandwich shops I recommend for people taking lunch with them into the park (the other is across the street inside the Country Market). Craft sandwiching at its finest with in house cheese, meats and bread. Go here for hot sandwiches and to Country Market for cold ones.
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Scratch Deli & Bakery
911 Moraine AveScratch Deli is one of two sandwich shops I recommend for people taking lunch with them into the park (the other is across the street inside the Country Market). Craft sandwiching at its finest with in house cheese, meats and bread. Go here for hot sandwiches and to Country Market for cold ones.
Kitty-corner from Scratch is our other favorite sandwich shop, hidden inside the local indie supermarket, Country Market. The roast beef on rye sandwich plus a bag of chips and a pickle is the perfect thing to stash in your bag on the way into the National Park. Go here for cold sandwiches and Scratch for hot ones.
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The Country Market of Estes Park
900 Moraine AveKitty-corner from Scratch is our other favorite sandwich shop, hidden inside the local indie supermarket, Country Market. The roast beef on rye sandwich plus a bag of chips and a pickle is the perfect thing to stash in your bag on the way into the National Park. Go here for cold sandwiches and Scratch for hot ones.
If you like mountain whiskey, visit Elkins Distillery. It’s a great destination to check out the locally made whiskeys. Recommend a flight of tastings or some of their unique craft cocktails.
Elkins Distilling - Tasting Room & Mercantile
137 E Elkhorn Ave If you like mountain whiskey, visit Elkins Distillery. It’s a great destination to check out the locally made whiskeys. Recommend a flight of tastings or some of their unique craft cocktails.
The Slab is a unique outdoor pub/beer garden with a huge selection of beers to choose from, plus wines, soft drinks and food. If you want to sit outside and enjoy the summer air in the heart of downtown, this is a good choice. They also have frequent events like live music (usually in the summer) posted on their web site.
The Slab Outdoor - Pub
116 East Elkhorn AvenueThe Slab is a unique outdoor pub/beer garden with a huge selection of beers to choose from, plus wines, soft drinks and food. If you want to sit outside and enjoy the summer air in the heart of downtown, this is a good choice. They also have frequent events like live music (usually in the summer) posted on their web site.
Essentials
Safeway
451 E Wonderview AveEstes Park's Safeway is a short drive through town, with all your essentials.
The Country Market is a few minutes via car and is a smaller grocery store. It has a complete selection of frozen foods, dairy, meats and vegetables, though not as large as Safeway. Great quick place to stock up.
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The Country Market of Estes Park
900 Moraine AveThe Country Market is a few minutes via car and is a smaller grocery store. It has a complete selection of frozen foods, dairy, meats and vegetables, though not as large as Safeway. Great quick place to stock up.
Our local community center, the Estes Park Community Center is *really* good. A pool, hot tub, lazy river, fitness equipment, basketball, an indoor track, ping pong, personal trainers and so much more. Great year round, on rain and snow days or for variety.
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Estes Valley Community Center
660 Community DrOur local community center, the Estes Park Community Center is *really* good. A pool, hot tub, lazy river, fitness equipment, basketball, an indoor track, ping pong, personal trainers and so much more. Great year round, on rain and snow days or for variety.
For gear, save your time and money and just go here. The Mountain Shop rents basically every bit of outdoor gear you can think of, from mountain bikes to fly rods, snowshoes, bikes and skis. They’ve got a ton of new gear, plus a massive bargain basement filled with last year’s boots and jackets all at huge discounted prices. This is the place for trail updates, guidebooks, conditions reports and rentals.
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Estes Park Mountain Shop
2050 Big Thompson AveFor gear, save your time and money and just go here. The Mountain Shop rents basically every bit of outdoor gear you can think of, from mountain bikes to fly rods, snowshoes, bikes and skis. They’ve got a ton of new gear, plus a massive bargain basement filled with last year’s boots and jackets all at huge discounted prices. This is the place for trail updates, guidebooks, conditions reports and rentals.
Drinks & Nightlife
Incredible brewery that rivals the best in the state of Colorado. Rock Cut has quickly become known for its incredible beers. Be sure to check out their schedule for quiz nights and other fun events running all year long.
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Rock Cut Brewing Company
390 W Riverside DrIncredible brewery that rivals the best in the state of Colorado. Rock Cut has quickly become known for its incredible beers. Be sure to check out their schedule for quiz nights and other fun events running all year long.
A converted gas station where you can sip some of the best microbrews in town under a covered veranda with amazing views to Lumpy Ridge. A great way to spend a warm summer evening!
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Lumpy Ridge Brewing
531 S St Vrain AveA converted gas station where you can sip some of the best microbrews in town under a covered veranda with amazing views to Lumpy Ridge. A great way to spend a warm summer evening!
If you like whiskey, the Stanley Hotel has a whiskey bar with the biggest collection in all of Colorado. Definitely worth a trip to sample the tastes... and, it's haunted too. Be sure to do the ghost tour after a flight of bourbon.
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Stanley Hotel
If you like whiskey, the Stanley Hotel has a whiskey bar with the biggest collection in all of Colorado. Definitely worth a trip to sample the tastes... and, it's haunted too. Be sure to do the ghost tour after a flight of bourbon.
Snowy Peaks Winery
292 Moraine AveYes! Estes Park's winery!!
One of our awesome local breweries, with lots of food trucks year round. If there's not a food truck there, hit up La Mexicana or La Cocina de Mama for takeout street tacos and bring them back to your brews.
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Avant Garde Aleworks
920 Dunraven StOne of our awesome local breweries, with lots of food trucks year round. If there's not a food truck there, hit up La Mexicana or La Cocina de Mama for takeout street tacos and bring them back to your brews.
The Wheel Bar is an Estes staple. It's a dive bar where legends are made. Estes Park's version of Vegas.
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Wheel Bar
132 E Elkhorn AveThe Wheel Bar is an Estes staple. It's a dive bar where legends are made. Estes Park's version of Vegas.
The Barrel has more beers on tap than you can count, live music part of the year, parties part of the year, food trucks part of the year. It's an awesome place to grab a drink and chill out... or not chill out...
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THE BARREL - Estes Park
251 Moraine AveThe Barrel has more beers on tap than you can count, live music part of the year, parties part of the year, food trucks part of the year. It's an awesome place to grab a drink and chill out... or not chill out...
Parks & Nature
There's a great flat trail around Lily Lake that's suitable for kids and grandparents. Offers great views of Twin Sisters. Great for an afternoon picnic!
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Lily Lake Trailhead
There's a great flat trail around Lily Lake that's suitable for kids and grandparents. Offers great views of Twin Sisters. Great for an afternoon picnic!
Twin Sisters is a fantastic hike that takes about 5 hours round trip. At the top of the mountain you have unobstructed 360 degree views of the Continental Divide, Estes Park, and RMNP.
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Twin Sisters Trail
Twin Sisters TrailTwin Sisters is a fantastic hike that takes about 5 hours round trip. At the top of the mountain you have unobstructed 360 degree views of the Continental Divide, Estes Park, and RMNP.
A great starting point for many adventures in Rocky Mountain National Park. There's a flat trail around the lake for a leisurely stroll with absolutely incredible views.
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熊湖步道入口
Bear Lake RoadA great starting point for many adventures in Rocky Mountain National Park. There's a flat trail around the lake for a leisurely stroll with absolutely incredible views.
Another great hiking trail, and one of the beat 14ers in Colorado. You can take this trail to the top of Longs if you want an epic, extremely arduous and very long hike, or if you want to make it a little easier you can take it to Chasm Lake at the base of Longs Peak. Both are very big, challenging days.
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Longs Peak Trailhead
1398 Longs Peak RoadAnother great hiking trail, and one of the beat 14ers in Colorado. You can take this trail to the top of Longs if you want an epic, extremely arduous and very long hike, or if you want to make it a little easier you can take it to Chasm Lake at the base of Longs Peak. Both are very big, challenging days.
The hike to Emerald Lake is one of my favorites, recommended year round and perhaps best in the winter when you'll need to rent snowshoes from the Estes Park Mountain Shop and hike up there. Emerald is tucked away in a high alpine cirque with enormous peaks rising up from its shore. You'll pass a number of other gorgeous lakes en route -- it's not to miss.
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Emerald lake
The hike to Emerald Lake is one of my favorites, recommended year round and perhaps best in the winter when you'll need to rent snowshoes from the Estes Park Mountain Shop and hike up there. Emerald is tucked away in a high alpine cirque with enormous peaks rising up from its shore. You'll pass a number of other gorgeous lakes en route -- it's not to miss.
Hidden Valley inside the National Park builds a sled hill each winter for families. You an rent sleds from the Estes Park Mountain Shop. It was a former ski hill too, but the lifts have since been removed. It's now an awesome place for backcountry skiing.
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Hidden Valley
Hidden Valley inside the National Park builds a sled hill each winter for families. You an rent sleds from the Estes Park Mountain Shop. It was a former ski hill too, but the lifts have since been removed. It's now an awesome place for backcountry skiing.
Estes Park is not a typical ski town, but we have great skiing here and nearby. The closest lift-accessible resort is Eldora Mountain, outside of Nederland, about a 55 minute drive. You can rent gear from the Estes Park Mountain Shop for much less than you’d pay on the mountain. Eldora is actually great because it’s orders of magnitude less crowded than the big resorts like Vail or Breckenridge.
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埃爾多拉
2861 Eldora Ski RdEstes Park is not a typical ski town, but we have great skiing here and nearby. The closest lift-accessible resort is Eldora Mountain, outside of Nederland, about a 55 minute drive. You can rent gear from the Estes Park Mountain Shop for much less than you’d pay on the mountain. Eldora is actually great because it’s orders of magnitude less crowded than the big resorts like Vail or Breckenridge.
Incredibly beautiful, offering views of Longs Peak, Lumpy Ridge, and the entire panorama of the Continental Divide. There’s an awesome driving range here with a jaw dropping view straight into Longs Peak.
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Estes Park 18-Hole Golf Course
1480 Golf Course RdIncredibly beautiful, offering views of Longs Peak, Lumpy Ridge, and the entire panorama of the Continental Divide. There’s an awesome driving range here with a jaw dropping view straight into Longs Peak.
The little brother of the award-winning 18-hold course, the 9 hole course is smaller, more affordable, and offers those same amazing views. Elk frequent this course in the fall and may eat an errant ball.
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Lake Estes 9-Hole Golf Course
690 Big Thompson AveThe little brother of the award-winning 18-hold course, the 9 hole course is smaller, more affordable, and offers those same amazing views. Elk frequent this course in the fall and may eat an errant ball.
About 8 miles round trip to one of the most stunning glacial lakes in Colorado. Very different than the hike to Chasm Lake or Twin Sisters because you don’t spend much time above tree line, but once you arrive, you’ll be greeted with incredible views of a bunch of 1,000-foot granite spires towering above you.
The trail is relatively flat for the distance, and only steeper in a few sections, so while it can be a long day out for those who aren’t yet acclimated, it’s fairly easy. Doable in the winter with snowshoes, best with backcountry skis, and perfect from mid-May to mid-October.
Sky Pond
About 8 miles round trip to one of the most stunning glacial lakes in Colorado. Very different than the hike to Chasm Lake or Twin Sisters because you don’t spend much time above tree line, but once you arrive, you’ll be greeted with incredible views of a bunch of 1,000-foot granite spires towering above you.
The trail is relatively flat for the distance, and only steeper in a few sections, so while it can be a long day out for those who aren’t yet acclimated, it’s fairly easy. Doable in the winter with snowshoes, best with backcountry skis, and perfect from mid-May to mid-October.
Relatively moderate 3.4-mile hike to the shores of the tiny Gem Lake, in a big granite basin on Lumpy Ridge. Interesting rock formations along the way. Most of the time you have a great view across the Estes Valley of Longs Peak.
Gem Lake sits at the lower elevations so it’s generally accessible year round without any special equipment, though some spots may be icy in the winter after storms. Once at Gem Lake you can continue all the way around Lumpy Ridge for a long, long loop, or come straight back.
Gem Lake Trail
Gem Lake TrailRelatively moderate 3.4-mile hike to the shores of the tiny Gem Lake, in a big granite basin on Lumpy Ridge. Interesting rock formations along the way. Most of the time you have a great view across the Estes Valley of Longs Peak.
Gem Lake sits at the lower elevations so it’s generally accessible year round without any special equipment, though some spots may be icy in the winter after storms. Once at Gem Lake you can continue all the way around Lumpy Ridge for a long, long loop, or come straight back.
Estes gets ridiculously busy, but south of town lies the Roosevelt National Forest, which is every bit as gorgeous but way less crowded than Rocky Mountain National Park. The Long Lake Trailhead is the staging ground for one of my favorite hikes, Pawnee Pass, which passes lakes and streams and ends up high above treeline on the Continental Divide with views to the east and west of the Rockies.
There’s nothing particularly unique about this hike — no weird rock formations, no crazy peaks rising dramatically from some lake — but it’s just breathtakingly gorgeous the entire way. Moose encounters are not uncommon.
Note that the trailhead is a 45 minute drive from Estes Park, in the Indian Peaks Wilderness which borders Rocky Mountain National Park. It begins in the Brainard Lake Recreation Area (there’s a $12 fee, and it’s cash only). Also, dogs are welcome.
Pawnee Pass Trailhead
Estes gets ridiculously busy, but south of town lies the Roosevelt National Forest, which is every bit as gorgeous but way less crowded than Rocky Mountain National Park. The Long Lake Trailhead is the staging ground for one of my favorite hikes, Pawnee Pass, which passes lakes and streams and ends up high above treeline on the Continental Divide with views to the east and west of the Rockies.
There’s nothing particularly unique about this hike — no weird rock formations, no crazy peaks rising dramatically from some lake — but it’s just breathtakingly gorgeous the entire way. Moose encounters are not uncommon.
Note that the trailhead is a 45 minute drive from Estes Park, in the Indian Peaks Wilderness which borders Rocky Mountain National Park. It begins in the Brainard Lake Recreation Area (there’s a $12 fee, and it’s cash only). Also, dogs are welcome.
Sightseeing
KMAC is one of our two favorite guiding businesses in town. Hire these guys year round, for snow shoe or hiking tours, rock climbing classes, or best of all, their own private Via Ferrata where you climb sheer rock faces on steel ladders attached to the cliffs. Super fun! They also offer a cliff camping experience here on AirBnB.
Kent Mountain Adventure Center
1230 Steamer PkwyKMAC is one of our two favorite guiding businesses in town. Hire these guys year round, for snow shoe or hiking tours, rock climbing classes, or best of all, their own private Via Ferrata where you climb sheer rock faces on steel ladders attached to the cliffs. Super fun! They also offer a cliff camping experience here on AirBnB.
The guys at EPRC are simply fantastic for year round adventures in the mountains around Estes Park, whether it be a guided climbing, ski or snowshoe tour, or some other sort of back country adventure. If you or a friend or family member is a climber, EPRC has a great local climbing gym too for when the weather is bad.
Estes Park Rock Climbing
1230 Big Thompson AvenueThe guys at EPRC are simply fantastic for year round adventures in the mountains around Estes Park, whether it be a guided climbing, ski or snowshoe tour, or some other sort of back country adventure. If you or a friend or family member is a climber, EPRC has a great local climbing gym too for when the weather is bad.
One of the two main fly fishing guide services in Estes Park, offering trips into the National Park and also the Big Thompson River just down canyon from Estes along Highway 34. Visit their web site for a weekly fly fishing report.
Estes Angler
338 W Riverside DrOne of the two main fly fishing guide services in Estes Park, offering trips into the National Park and also the Big Thompson River just down canyon from Estes along Highway 34. Visit their web site for a weekly fly fishing report.
One of the go-to fishing guide outfits in Estes. Kirk’s has a lot of incredible fly fishing knowledge, particularly regarding all the local secrets. Book trips here into the Park and beyond, plus purchase gear.
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Kirks Flyshop and Mountain Adventures
230 E Elkhorn AveOne of the go-to fishing guide outfits in Estes. Kirk’s has a lot of incredible fly fishing knowledge, particularly regarding all the local secrets. Book trips here into the Park and beyond, plus purchase gear.
The Air Force lost a T-33 military jet at 9,000 feet in the Estes Park backcountry, and these guys will throw you on an ATV and let you loose in the woods to go find it. Way fun afternoon guided adventure and highly recommended.
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Estes Park ATV Rentals
222 E Elkhorn AveThe Air Force lost a T-33 military jet at 9,000 feet in the Estes Park backcountry, and these guys will throw you on an ATV and let you loose in the woods to go find it. Way fun afternoon guided adventure and highly recommended.
Rapid Transit is THE local rafting outfit. Note that there are no rivers to raft in in town — rather, they organize trips to the Poudre about an hour and a half away, outside Fort Collins. Awesome adventure nonetheless.
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Rapid Transit Rafting
161 Virginia DrRapid Transit is THE local rafting outfit. Note that there are no rivers to raft in in town — rather, they organize trips to the Poudre about an hour and a half away, outside Fort Collins. Awesome adventure nonetheless.
Gateway Stables is right at the entrance to the National Park on Fall River Road. You leave here and ride horses directly into the park. Really great outfit, locally owned, and offering half and full day adventures.
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National Park Gateway Stables
4600 Fall River RdGateway Stables is right at the entrance to the National Park on Fall River Road. You leave here and ride horses directly into the park. Really great outfit, locally owned, and offering half and full day adventures.
The Aerial Tramway in the center of town sits Prospect Mountain, and you can take a tramway from downtown straight up. You’ll enjoy an incredible view of the Estes Park Valley and the entire continental divide. Open summers only. This is a really fun and super unique experience.
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Estes Park Aerial Tramway Top Terminal
The Aerial Tramway in the center of town sits Prospect Mountain, and you can take a tramway from downtown straight up. You’ll enjoy an incredible view of the Estes Park Valley and the entire continental divide. Open summers only. This is a really fun and super unique experience.
The Estes Park 9 hole golf course has a regular 9 hole course, plus an “open air” disc golf course, which of course comes with fantastic views of the entire Estes Valley, Lumpy Ridge, Longs Peak, and more.
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Lake Estes 9-Hole Golf Course
690 Big Thompson AveThe Estes Park 9 hole golf course has a regular 9 hole course, plus an “open air” disc golf course, which of course comes with fantastic views of the entire Estes Valley, Lumpy Ridge, Longs Peak, and more.
The YMCA of the Rockies has a great 18 hole disc golf course that winds its way through the woods surrounding the facility for a $10 fee.
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YMCA of the Rockies
2515 Tunnel RdThe YMCA of the Rockies has a great 18 hole disc golf course that winds its way through the woods surrounding the facility for a $10 fee.
Photographers
Local photographer offering awesome portrait and family sessions in and around Estes Park's secret spots.
Dreamtime Images Photography
410 Venner Ranch RdLocal photographer offering awesome portrait and family sessions in and around Estes Park's secret spots.
Local photographer offering awesome portrait and family sessions in and around Estes Park's secret spots.
Aamodt Studio
233 3rd StLocal photographer offering awesome portrait and family sessions in and around Estes Park's secret spots.
城市建議
交通資訊
Free Estes Park shuttle
In the summers there's a free shuttle that goes around Estes with many stops. You can find where it stops on Google. A great way to avoid summer traffic, which can be totally epic.
省錢方式
Buy the Friendship Card
Estes Park has a great local saver card, with many restaurants and shops offering significant discounts if you present the $10 card. One trip to Country Market will pay for it if you stock up for your vacation there.
需要帶些甚麼
Buy this book!
Before you arrive, try to pick up a copy of The Complete Hiking Guide written by Lisa Foster. It was so popular its first run went out of print nearly immediately and it took years to find it again.
交通資訊
Drive slowly up Bear Lake Road
Here's a great pro tip: when you drive up bear lake road, intentionally drive slow. Like, just slower than the speed limit. Bear Lake Parking Lot will fill up and if you drive up toward it slower than the person in front of you (who is probably on a race to get there), you give other hikers a chance to leave the parking lot. The larger the gap between you and the car in front of you, the better your chance of getting a parking spot.
需要帶些甚麼
Bring a water bottle and use it!
We are at a high, high elevation, and it’s extremely easy to get dehydrated. Town is at 7,500 feet and most of our favorite hikes are in the 8,500 to 10,500 foot range. You will likely feel this severely during your first days here. The easiest way to avoid headaches, dehydration and altitude sickness is drink a LOT of water. Keep in mind your alcohol tolerance will be dramatically diminished at elevation.
出發前完成預訂
Book an AWD vehicle from Oct to May
Weather is extremely unpredictable here, so you will need a vehicle that’s adequate for mountain travel from October to May. That means 4WD, AWD or 2WD plus snow tires.
風俗和文化
Understand mountain weather and homes!
Summers are nice, with highs in the mid-70s and lows in the 50s. Many homes here are older cabins and aren’t as well insulated as what you may expect. Almost no homes have air conditioning. Thankfully, the mountain air blows down from the high peaks each night to cool things off. We open windows and turn on fans in the evenings, and our homes cool really fast. During the days keep the blinds closed when you leave.
需要帶些甚麼
Bring all season gear!
Be sure to bring shorts as well as pants, insulation layers and rain gear. Nearly every day of the summer we get brief afternoon thunderstorms from 3PM to 5PM that last about half an hour. The sky will be clear one minute, completely ominous a few minutes later, and perfect again 20 minutes after that. Don’t get trapped above treeline after 2PM due to lightning. It seems that every year, people get struck.
需要帶些甚麼
Bring wind gear in winter!
We call this season WIND-ter, and for good reason. It is extremely windy. When the 30-mph winds combine with highs averaging in the 40s and overnight lows in the low 20s, things can feel a little nippy. Pack for cold.
交通資訊
Learn about the National Park's timed entry system
Search the Internet about the National Park's timed entry system, which lasts from early summer to late fall. It was in full force in 2021 and 2020, and basically you need a reservation to get into the National Park. Book in advance! It's only a few bucks on top of your entry fee.