Falling in Love with Estes Park, Colorado
This our most favorite place in the United States to visit and for good reason.
Visiting Estes Park in Colorado has been one of the most incredible and memorable experiences of our lifetime.
No matter which highway you take to this small town nestled in the valley of Rocky Mountain National Park, you'll quickly be overwhelmed with a sense of wonder as you encounter majestic scenery in every direction.
The enormous power of the mountains and the beautiful emerald-green trees certainly make their presence known. They reach as far as the eye can see. You could get lost there and never be found.
Estes Park feels like a slice of heaven on earth, a place where you can find endless happiness and discover overwhelming peace to fill your soul.
Words could never fully capture the experience, but we can give you a glimpse of what it will be like.
The Town
The town of Estes Park itself is something special, like one of those quaint, happy places from a cheesy Hallmark Christmas show. Only a thousand times better.
Lying at the mouth of Rocky Mountain National Park, the town is filled with a variety of shops, galleries, cafes, and restaurants. It’s a popular tourist destination that doesn’t feel like a tourist trap, striking the right balance between business and pleasure.
There can be huge crowds and heavy traffic that test your patience, but the energy is absolutely contagious. It makes you want to be here.
As you walk the main street, you will notice people from all walks of life and different countries coming together to enjoy a magical setting. And if you’re lucky, you will see the incredible herds of elk who make their way into town, owning the roads and outdoor spaces as they roam.
If you know the secret routes and the times to explore, you can sometimes avoid the larger crowds and have more space for yourself.
This is how it was to us in the six weeks we stayed in Estes Park, and it started to feel like home, a comfortable and welcoming place we never wanted to leave.
The Outdoors and Wildlife
If you enjoy being outdoors and seeing an abundance of wildlife, you’ll soon discover Estes Park delivers it all.
Taking your time to walk around Lake Estes does so much to energize your mind, body, and soul. You’ll be able to spot bald eagles, watch herds of elk, gaze at the beautiful mountains, ride your mountain bikes, or sit in solitude with a zen-like feeling at various points around the path.
The hiking trails in the area are endless joys of wonder.
No matter if you’re a beginner or an expert, you have unlimited options for hiking without even going into RMNP. We loved our time at Lily Lake and on the other trails. We even managed to reach the summit of Twin Sisters Peak.
The wildlife is also unlike any place I’ve been.
Besides the gobs of wild turkey, rabbits, chipmunks, and mule deer, we spent hours watching large herds of elk do their thing all over town. We also saw bighorn sheep and moose, but unfortunately, no bears.
It was so refreshing and invigorating.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Whether you decide to take US-34 or US-36 from town, the drive towards Rocky Mountain National Park is absolutely stunning. However, you have to be careful because the roads can be overrun at times by herds of elk.
In our experience, there’s nothing quite like driving through and exploring RMNP! You can spend days hiking on trails, taking photos, watching wildlife, or just standing in awe of the captivating views throughout the property.
Once you enter RMNP, we highly recommend driving the entire Bear Lake Road route, even if you need to take the free shuttle. Plus, walking around Sprague Lake and stopping at Sheep Lake (where moose, elk, and sheep are often found) are also a must!
The downside can be the crazy amount of traffic.
It’s not uncommon to have to wait an hour to get into the park at certain times of the day, and when any wildlife appears close to the roads, you’ll come to a complete standstill. We highly advise being prepared by carrying food, water, layers of clothing, and filling your gas tank before entering the park.
And as much as we don’t want to share this secret, if you prefer to avoid the crowds and see more wildlife, it’s best to start your visit very early.
Our List of Recommendations
Road Life Magazine has plenty of recommendations for your next visit to Estes Park, Colorado. Please note that some options are available only seasonally.
Shopping
Brownfields: Hands down the best place to get souvenirs at great prices.
The Lazy Moose: Fun and quirky apparel
Food and Drinks
Smokin’ Daves BBQ: The best food and value we found in town!
Kind Coffee: Amazing coffee and people, plus they have sugar-free options.
Fresh Burger Stop: Great burgers, fantastic prices. Located in Sinclair.
The Barrel: Delicious beer and outdoor vibes.
The View: Upscale dining and incredible views. Open seasonally.
Hiking and Walking
Lake Estes Visitor Center: So much to do around here and beautiful walking paths around the area.
Lily Lake Loop: Take this breathtaking route into the mountains and then walk the easy path around the small lake. It’s totally worth it!
Lumpy Ridge Trail and Gem Lake: This hike is moderate, with stunning views and rock formations.
Emerald Lake Trail: A moderate and challenging hike, but with incredible views for photography.