10 Fun Things To Do in Estes Park Colorado

Have you heard of beautiful Estes Park, Colorado? Its proximity to Rocky Mountain National Park—just minutes down the road—makes it the perfect place to stay when visiting the park. Even if you don’t plan to enter Rocky Mountain National Park, there are plenty of things to do in Estes Park. Getting there from Denver is relatively easy, roughly 70 miles from downtown, and just under 90 minutes drive time. We spent four nights as part of a summer vacation in Colorado, with plenty of time to explore both downtown Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. With an elevation of 7,522 feet in town, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the beautiful scenery no matter the season. Keep reading to learn more about what to do in Estes Park during the summer.

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1. Stroll the Estes Park Riverwalk. Upon arrival in Estes Park, we planned to walk around town to adjust to the altitude before heading to a higher elevation. The Estes Park Riverwalk was a perfect way to see the town while getting some exercise. From the Riverwalk, you can directly access shops and restaurants. As a bonus, we found less crowds on the Riverwalk than on the busy sidewalk on the main street. We loved all the benches along the rushing Big Thompson River, perfect for a few minutes of relaxation.

2. Enjoy Lake Estes. When you drive into town via US 36, you are greeted by Lake Estes with its scenic mountain backdrop. Exploring the lake by foot, bike, or on the water should definitely be on your list of Estes Park things to do. A paved trail runs about 3.5 miles around the lake, making it a good family-friendly spot to stretch your legs, enjoy the scenery, or go trout fishing. We enjoyed the gorgeous views on the easy walk from the Riverwalk to the trail around the lake. If you are interested in getting out on the water, stop by the Lake Estes Marina for rental information for kayaks, paddle boards, and small pontoon boats. Reserve in advance during the busy summer season.

3. Tour the Stanley Hotel . When you visit Estes Park, it’s hard to miss the majestic Stanley Hotel sitting on the hillside with a dramatic mountain backdrop. The Stanley Hotel has been a part of Estes Park since 1909 and offers several options for accommodations scattered throughout the property. The hotel also served as author Stephen King’s inspiration for The Shining. Luckily you don’t have to be a hotel guest to enjoy the specialty tours, including the Shining Tour. We made reservations several weeks ahead to take the hour-long tour on our first night in town. Our guide shared details about the historic property, ghostly activity, and how King was inspired. Be sure to pop into the hedge maze before you leave!

4. Look for Wildlife. Based on everything I read about Estes Park, I expected to see elk around every corner, but that was not the case. We learned that animal sightings are more likely during the spring and fall. We did come across two mother elks with young calves as we drove into town on our first night. Remember to always drive slow, especially in the morning and early evening, and don’t approach wildlife. Several signs around Lake Estes also warned of potentially aggressive elk, so always be mindful when walking on the trails. We did observe two elk herds, marmots, and several mule deer while driving Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park.

5. Watch a Movie at a Historic Theater. In today’s world of reclining seats and massive screens, it was a throwback treat experiencing downtown Estes Park’s historic Park Theatre. It’s “the oldest single house motion picture theatre in the United States that was originally built as a movie theatre and is still operating today.” An overcast afternoon was the perfect time to experience a bit of nostalgia in this family-owned theater. Don’t worry, since construction first started in 1913, they’ve made some upgrades to the projector and screen! An interesting note, the towering structure at the front of the building was known as the Tower of Love built to symbolize the owner’s love for a special woman in his life.

Find a place to stay in Estes Park

6. Explore Rocky Mountain National Park. We have stayed in many towns near national parks, but Estes Park was the most convenient to the park entrance at Rocky Mountain. Our cabin at the Rams Horn Village Resort was minutes from the Beaver Falls entrance. Due to high visitation numbers, timed entry passes are required (for 2023, timed entry passes are required through October 22, 2023). It’s important to note a specific pass is required to enter the Bear Lake Road area. Download the National Park app, and save RMNP, for offline use; WiFi access is limited within the Park. The app provides access information, hiking in the park, starting with strolls around scenic Sprague and Bear Lake to longer hikes to Lake Haiyaha (pictured below) and Bierstadt Lake. If nothing else, drive a portion of Trail Ridge Road. Or consider taking a tour such as the Half Day Rocky Mountain National Park “Lakes and Meadows Tour.”

7. Ride the Mustang Mountain Coaster. If you are looking for a quick adrenaline rush, the Mustang Mountain Coaster might be for you! Zoom down the mountain using the hand brake to control the speed. Options for single and multiple-ride passes are available. They even offer seasonal night rides. To better understand the rules about minimum age and height requirements, read the FAQs before you go. We didn’t make it to the coaster on this trip but look forward to trying it another time.

8. Eat Local. When we travel as a family, we try to mix eating out with cooking a few simple meals at our rental home. There was no shortage of restaurants in Estes Park, and we had a chance to try a few. One night, we picked up a Family Meal from Smokin’ Dave’s BBQ and Brew. With brisket, St. Louis pork ribs, chicken, pulled pork, and cornbread, it was quite a feast for 5 of us (with tons of leftovers)! We also tried breakfast at You Need Pie. Besides a large breakfast menu (and a gluten-free menu), this diner offers a wide variety of fabulous fruit pies by the slice. There’s no better time to have pie for breakfast than on vacation! We also enjoyed several pizzas from Village Pizza, including a gluten-sensitive option. If you are looking for grocery stores in the area, the town is home to a Safeway and the locally owned Country Market. We stocked up on breakfast and lunch supplies at the Country Market shortly after our arrival in Estes Park.

9. Enjoy the Scenery from Horseback. If you have ever gone horseback riding in the mountains, you know there is something special about the view from high up in the saddle. We’ve done horseback rides in other locations and national parks, and it’s a good way to cover more distance or elevation, especially if the kids are tired from hiking. National Park Gateway Stables and Sombrero Stables are two companies with solid reviews, with rides around Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. Viewing the scenery from horseback is definitely on our list for the next visit to Estes Park.

10. Drive the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway. Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful scenery on the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway as you travel to or from Estes Park and Boulder/Denver. I’m so glad we took the time to drive part of this byway on our return trip to Boulder. The entire road is 55 miles long and easy to navigate in the summer. Apparently, in fall, the foliage puts on quite a show. We stopped in Allenspark to see the Chapel on the Rock and detoured to drive a bit on the road to Eldora Mountain Resort near Nederland.

Other things to note about Estes Park:

Expect crowds! As we drove into Estes Park on a busy July weekend, there were people and cars everywhere. There are plenty of options for rentals that offer a relaxing space away from the hustle and bustle of the main area. We loved our cabin at the Rams Horn Village Resort, with two bedrooms, a kitchen, and outdoor space, all just a short drive to everything but away from the crowds. It’s one of the reasons we enjoy vacation rentals for family travel.
During the busy summer season, take advantage of the free shuttle if you don’t want to deal with the hassle of parking. There are several routes that will take you to the popular spots around town. We could have easily taken the brown route from our cabin into town if we didn’t feel like driving.
Download the Park Mobile app before you go. Use it to easily pay for parking at the various lots in town. Even during the busy 4th of July week, we were able to find parking at one of the many public lots around town, and it was relatively cheap for a few hours.
We were looking forward to experiencing the Estes Park Aerial Tramway. Sadly, the family who originally built and ran the popular attraction since the 1950’s had to close the business in 2023. Hopefully a new owner can purchase and revive this attraction in the near future.
If you are heading into Rocky Mountain National Park, check out these tips to help prepare for the higher altitude. We used our first day in Estes Park to get acclimated after spending a few days in the Denver area.