Estes Park [Oct 2025]

winter | spring | summer | fall

Estes Park

A s a gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP)—one of the most visited National Parks in the country—perhaps you’ve heard of Estes Park. But this northern Colorado mountain town, situated about a 90-minute drive from Denver, is so much more than just a reprieve from the long drive on a summer day trip into the mountains. Consider this your ideal Rockies base camp.

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Snow hike with KMAC Guides | credit: Visit Estes Park / John Berry

credit: Visit Estes Park / John Berry

Winter

Spring

Summer

Fall

Elk near Longs Peak | credit: Visit Estes Park / John Berry

Plan your trip

Estes Park | credit: Visit Estes Park / John Berry

Dream Lake | credit: Visit Estes Park / John Berry

Estes Park Skijor | credit: Visit Estes Park / John Berry

Rooftop Rodeo | credit: Visit Estes Park / John Berry

Winter in Estes Park | credit: Visit Estes Park / John Berry

Shopping in town | credit: Visit Estes Park / John Berry

Frozen Dead Guy Days | credit: Visit Estes Park

Rock Cut Brewing | credit: Visit Estes Park / John Berry

Paddleboarding on Lake Estes

The Taffy Shop | credit: Visit Estes Park / John Berry

Hermit Park | credit: Visit Estes Park / Colorado Tourism Office

Elk Fest | credit: Visit Estes Park / John Berry

The Stanley Hotel | credit: Visit Estes Park / John Berry

A defining feature of Estes Park is its resident elk. During the elk rut (their mating season) in September-October, it’s not uncommon to see these majestic creatures wandering around town. It’s an unbelievable sight to see an elk wandering along the downtown shops, but they can be very aggressive. It’s imperative to keep a safe distance from all wildlife, any time of year. (Estes Park has prepared these tips for safely visiting.) To mark the occasion, Estes Park hosts an Elk Fest every fall. Find bugling contests, educational presentations, live music, food trucks and more. For more fall vibes, the Autumn Gold Festival is a self-described “festival of beers, brats and bands” (the essentials). The event has been held by the Estes Valley Sunrise Rotary for over 30 years. Later in the season, an aptly named Pumpkins and Pilsners Festival offers the opportunity to pick the perfect pumpkin, sip on a pleasant pilsner and make core fall memories.

Now, for spooky fall vibes, we’ll direct you to the famed Stanley Hotel. This beautiful, historic hotel is situated next to the mountains and is a great accommodation option when visiting. However, it is perhaps best known as Stephen King’s inspiration when writing “The Shining.” The hotel is now offering a “The Shining” Tour that dives into its paranormal lore and offers a view into some of the hotel property. The start of any perfect autumnal day begins with a cozy, caffeinated beverage. Kind Coffee located downtown has you covered. Pick up your regular coffee order or try a house latte like the Aline Miele made with vanilla, honey and cinnamon. With drink in hand, you’ll be ready to start exploring.

With autumn comes fewer crowds, crisp mornings, sunny and mild afternoons and beautiful golden Aspen trees. The stunning fall foliage takes any hike, bike or drive to the next level. For a hiking option that doesn’t require a reservation, consider Kruger Rock, located inside Hermit Park. This intermediate hike is about four miles roundtrip, with an incredible view at the top. Or, pack in the views with a scenic drive for some prime leaf peeping.

It’s hard not to be inspired after spending time in Estes Park. Awe-inspiring views, incredible wildlife, kind residents. So it’s not surprising to see that inspiration shine through local businesses, like The Hive at Estes Park Brewery. Their craft brews carry names like Longs Peak Raspberry Wheat, Staggering Elk and Redrum Ale (an homage to “The Shining”—we’ll connect those dots soon). And their culinary options include Bison Bolognese and Rocky Mountain Trout. Whether you’re a kid or kid-at-heart, there’s something wonderful about topping of a perfect summer day with a sweet treat. The Taffy Shop downtown will satisfy just that. They’ve been crafting fresh taffy since 1935 (and you can actually see it for yourself on their live taffy cam).

Rocky Mountain National Park sees so many visitors from late May through mid-October that timed entry permits are required in addition to the entrance fee. Travel tends to peak in July and August. While the park is an obvious summertime pull, there’s loads of adventures to be had outside of it. As you drive into town, you’ll notice Lake Estes just minutes from downtown, surrounded by stunning mountain views. Get out onto the water yourself by renting a kayak, standup paddleboard or pontoon boat from the Lake Estes Marina. You can also pick up fishing essentials if you’d like to drop a line for some trout. Or, opt to simply walk along the Lake Estes Trail that circles the mountain lake, an ideal way to spend a cool summer morning before the temperature rises.

While the weather may be unpredictable, in town dining options are reliably tasty and comforting. Bird & Jim is one such beloved restaurant. Their rustic digs offer incredible mountain views. It pairs perfectly with their mountain fare menu, influenced by the changing seasons and sourced when possible from local farmers and ranchers. Highlights include a smoked pheasant chowder, a bison burger, and elk striploin. With spring comes the start of patio season, and Rock Cut Brewing offers just that. Stop in for one of their craft beers (brewed on site) best sipped taking in the mountain vistas in the distance.

Spring in Estes Park can be very transformative. Wildlife babies are born. Waterfalls start to flow once again. A freshly poured pint is finally cooler than the temperature outside. But, spring weather can still be a bit of a wild card. March and April are some of the snowiest months here, followed by the May and June mud season. If your travel style is as unpredictable as spring Colorado weather, then this season may be for you (just remember to pack layers). The perks being fewer crowds and still great snow conditions—making for an ideal time to try something new, like ice climbing. Whether you’ve never tried (let alone heard of) this daring pursuit or have a few climbs under your belt, Estes Park has guides like the Colorado Mountain School that bring you to the best spots and can show you the ropes. You’ll also find great hiking in spring. Late May is when Rocky Mountain National Park starts its super busy season, so timing your visit just before can mean beating the lines.

Head into town to warm up after a day in the winter weather. Refuel with a meal at Claire's Restaurant and Bar. This hometown staple has been around for over 30 years. Their menu features comfort classics like a club sandwich or roasted chicken but also has unique local fare like an elk burger, elk sausage fettuccine and wild game meatloaf. Be sure to leave room in your suitcase for some holiday shopping. For unique options to complete your gift list, stop into Trendz at the Park and the Mad Moose. These shops are filled with souvenirs, toys, home goods, clothes and more. Simply Christmas keeps the spirit alive year-round lining the walls with holiday decor, ornaments and more to add to your decoration collection.

Estes Park and the Rockies will typically see snow starting in early fall (or even late summer). By the time winter hits, the mountain tops are glistening white and the trails are snow-packed—prime time for some winter adventures. For an approachable and family-friendly way to enjoy the winter weather, the YMCA of the Rockies offers ice skating, sledding and snowshoeing. But if you’d like to step out of your comfort zone to learn a new winter sport like cross-country skiing, ice climbing, backcountry skiing or splitboarding (uses a specialized snowboard that splits in half to work like skis on the way up), consider signing up with a guide service. They’ll also typically provide most of the equipment you’ll need for the day and will know the best places to go. Prepare for a winter trip to Estes Park with this essential list of tips, including how to dress (early morning temperatures could be in the teens, but the highs reach the 40’s); sun protection; winter driving safety; how to monitor weather conditions and more.

One of the many beautiful things about Estes Park, is that it’s made for any adventure level—whether that stroll on the paved lake trail sounds perfect to you, or if your adventure is more cliff camping. Yes, that’s right, cliff camping. The Kent Mountain Adventure Center hosts this, plus guided rock climbing, via ferrata, hiking and more. A family-friendly highlight during summer is a trip up the Estes Park Aerial Tram. Its history dates back to 1955 but was reopened in 2024 after some modern upgrades. Operating from mid-May through early November, the tram soars above the trees to bring you to the top of Prospect Mountain. For more family fun, the Estes Park Ride-A-Kart has loads of activities like go-karts, mini golf, bumper boats, a miniature railroad and more. Live music takes center stage during an Estes Park summer, when there’s concerts happening nearly all summer long. Catch yearly events like the Estes Park Jazz Fest, Friends of Folk Festival and Snowy Grass Music Festival.

Estes Park has celebrations all year, but the spring event lineup may take the quirky cake. Like Frozen Dead Guy Days. The annual festivities will return in all their weird and wonderful splendor March 27-29, 2026. (The origin story of the “frozen dead guy” has to do with cryonics and a Norwegian grandfather, which you can read more about here.) You can expect coffin races, a polar plunge, live music, a bar crawl and more. And not to be outdone, April brings with it the Estes Park Bigfoot Days. The Sasquatch celebrations include axe throwing, a Bigfoot calling content, crafts, food and live music. In May, the Great Estes Park Duck Race returns when 13,000 rubber ducks are released into the Fall River—a sight sure to quack you up. The ducks are available to adopt, with proceeds going to charity. The tradition started in 1989, and the organizers say they’ve raised over $3 million for local nonprofits and community groups.

Time your winter trip during the holiday season, and you’ll feel like you’ve been transported into a cheesy, romantic, made-for-TV holiday movie (in the best way possible). Expect a lineup of festivities all season long, starting with the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on November 22. The town’s mayor will flip the switch to a 36-foot dazzling spectacle and families can enjoy holiday crafts, horse-drawn carriage rides and pictures with Santa. Keep the cheery vibes going with the Catch the Glow Parade on November 28, featuring festive floats and marching bands; the Snowman Scavenger Hunt, running November 22–December 31; and a self-guided driving tour of the town’s twinkling holiday light displays. New this year, the Sleigh the Games festival will feature holiday-themed obstacle course races, activities and more December 12-15. More events lie ahead in the new year, including Estes Park Skijor weekend January 23-25. This sport consists of a skier, horse and rider team navigating a course of obstacles at high speed. Check out these thrilling competitions at the Estes Park Events Complex.

credit: Visit Estes Park / John Berry

East Inlet Trail, Rocky Mountain National Park | credit: John Berry

credit: Visit Estes Park

Jaw-dropping scenery. Crisp mountain air. A charming downtown lined with welcoming mom and pop shops and locally owned restaurants. And at its core, a local community dedicated to sustainability and protecting the parts of Estes Park that have drawn people in for generations. This all creates a vibrant experience for residents and visitors alike. This town embraces all four seasons (even if it might snow in May). You’ll find year-round celebrations that commemorate holidays, resident elk and a “Frozen Dead Guy”—more on that later. Incredible outdoor activities that range from chill to thrill. And vacation options fit for the family; a “friendcation”; or a cozy, romantic escape. Read on for a seasonal guide to visiting Estes Park.

Views from Trail Ridge Road | credit: Visit Estes Park / John Berry

If you’d like to pack in some activities that will keep you entertained no matter the weather, you have options. The Bear & Bee | Maker's Studio & Boutique has a daily craft menu with the opportunity to try pottery wheel throwing, custom candle making, create a pressed flow suncatcher and more. There are also kids’ craft options, like working on a bird house and embroidery. You can also reach new heights with indoor climbing at the Estes Park Mountain Shop, where day passes and equipment rentals are available.

Bumper boats at Estes Park Ride-A-Kart | credit: Visit Estes Park / John Berry

Estes Park Aerial Tram | credit: Visit Estes Park / John Berry

Cliff camping with Kent Mountain Adventure Center (KMAC)