Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park, a spectacular 415-square-mile preserve just west of Estes Park, is a must-see area attraction. The Fall River Entrance Station is a short drive west on US-34 north of town. A vehicle entrance pass is $20, while pedestrian entrance passes are $10 per person; all entrance passes are valid for seven days.

Hiking is an especially popular activity in the park, with 355 miles of trails ranging from from flat lakeside strolls to steep mountain-peak climbs. Before heading out to the trails, please check the current hiking conditions and closures.

Trail Ridge Road

Trail Ridge Road, a 48-mile motorway connecting Estes Park and Grand Lake and reaching a height of 12,183 feet, is one of the park’s most popular attractions. Originally a Ute Indian trail, it is America’s highest continuous paved road, one of ten America’s Byways, and a nationally designated All-American Road. Despite the 4000-foot gain in elevation, its grade is shallower than that of many other roads in the park, and there are many scenic pullouts along the road. Open only between Memorial Day and mid-October.

If you don't want to drive Trail Ridge Road yourself, the Rocky Mountain Nature Association offers “Journey to the Top! A Trail Ridge Road Adventure”, an educational adventure bus tour along the road. The tour is available Wed–Fri, including July 3–5, 2013, and lasts from 9 am to 3:30 pm. The fee is $65 and includes lunch and entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park.

In Estes Park

July 4 in Estes Park

July 4 is one of the most active times of the year in Estes Park. Here are some of the activities going on there this year; more details and an up-to-date listing of events are available from the Estes Park CVB.

• Annual Pancake Breakfast, 7:00–10:30 am, at Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church, 920 Big Thompson Avenue. $6 for adults, $3 for children.
• Coolest Car Show in Colorado, 9 am to 2 pm, in Bond Park. More than 120 steam and electric cars will be on display, along with other street rods, stock cars, muscle cars, sports cars, vintage and classic cars. $5 for adults; $10 for a family of four (two adults, two children); children under five free.
• Estes Village Band, starting at 7 pm, Performance Park Amphitheater. Free patriotic concert featuring the works of John Philip Sousa and others.
• Fireworks over Lake Estes, starting at 9 pm, weather permitting. Watch one of Colorado’s most brilliant fireworks displays unfold in the sky over Lake Estes.

The Red, Silver, and Blue routes on the free Estes Park shuttle buses will also operate until 11:00 pm on July 4.

Golf

Estes Park hosts two golf courses: the Lake Estes 9-hole executive course and a regulation 18-hole, par-71 course, recently recognized as the sixth most beautiful golf course in the United States by Mitch Kaplan, author of The Golf Book of Lists. Call (970) 586-8176 to reserve a tee time, or get more information in the golf section of the Estes Valley Recreation and Park District website.

Tours of the Stanley Hotel

The Stanley Tour (formerly the Ghost & History Tour) recounts the history of the Stanley Hotel, peeks into room 217, where the creation of Stephen King’s The Shining began, and visits the most haunted rooms through the hotel’s underground tunnel. The 90-minute tour starts at 8 pm and costs $20 per person; parking is an additional $5. Advance reservations are required and should be made at (970) 577-4111. Other tours that focus more on the paranormal history of the hotel are also available.

Mrs. Walsh’s Garden of Mountain Natives

Demonstration xeriscape (irrigation-minimizing) garden showcasing native plants from Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. On West Elkhorn Avenue across from the Big Horn Restaurant. Free admission; open from dawn until dusk.

Food & Drink

Breweries

Colorado is home to a staggering number of craft breweries, and the Estes Park region is no exception. Here are some breweries to visit there and in neighboring regions, and some recommendations of particular beers from the 5280 magazine.

• Estes Park Brewery, 470 Prospect Village Drive, Estes Park.
• Smokin’ Dave’s BBQ and Tap House, 820 Moraine Ave, Estes Park.
• Rock Inn Mountain Tavern, 1675 Hwy 66, Estes Park.
• Oskar Blues, 303 Main Street, Lyons.
• Left Hand Brewing Company, 1265 Boston Ave, Longmont.
• Upslope Brewing Company, 1501 Lee Hill Rd, Boulder.
• Boulder Beer, 2880 Wilderness Place, Boulder.
• Avery Brewing, 5763 Arapahoe Ave, Boulder.
• Southern Sun Pub & Brewery, 627 S Broadway St, Boulder.
• Twisted Pine, 3201 Walnut Street, Boulder.

Snowy Peaks Winery and Tasting Room

Sample over 20 Colorado wines, including wines made in Estes Park. 292 Moraine Avenue, Estes Park.

Estes Park Restaurants

Extensive list coming soon!