Estes Park & Rocky Mountain National Park

Eastern gateway town to Rocky Mountain National Park, with Trail Ridge Road (the highest paved highway in the US), alpine lake hikes and elk herds.

Estes Park sits in the Front Range of northern Colorado at about 2,290 m (7,500 ft). It's the gateway town on the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park, about 1.5–2 hours' drive from Denver International Airport. Established in 1915, the park regularly ranks among the most visited in the US. It has more than 70 peaks over 3,660 m (12,000 ft), and the Continental Divide runs right through it. The main areas: the Bear Lake Road corridor is the heart of hiking, the starting point for Bear Lake, Dream and Emerald Lakes, Alberta Falls, Mills Lake and Sky Pond. Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuous paved highway in the US, linking Old Fall River Road and the Alpine Visitor Center before crossing west into the Kawuneeche Valley to see moose and the town of Grand Lake. Moraine Park and Horseshoe Park are the places to see elk and bighorn sheep, while Highway 7 to the south leads to Lily Lake, the Chapel on the Rock and Wild Basin's waterfalls. In town you'll find The Stanley Hotel, Elkhorn Avenue and Lake Estes. The best season is June–September; Trail Ridge Road is open from about late May to mid-October. Late September brings golden aspens and the spectacular elk rut, and in winter you can go snowshoeing. In summer and fall, park entry usually requires a timed-entry permit booked in advance; a vehicle pass costs about US$30–35—check the NPS website for details. Altitude sickness is common at this elevation, and afternoon thunderstorms are frequent in summer, so start hikes early. Plan on 3–4 days.

Top sights

Where to eat

Itineraries