Estes Park is an ideal summer vacation destination that offers up world-class hiking and biking trails, climbing and mountaineering, fishing, golfing, live music concerts, and festivals. On the main block of the downtown area, you'll discover over 200 shops and restaurants, including souvenirs, clothing shopping, art galleries, crafts, and more.
Trail Ridge Road Connecting You to Grand Lake
The Arapahoe Native American tribes visited the area for thousands of years, but it was a pretty well-kept secret in Colorado. Estes Park was named after Joel Estes, an early settler to the area. Surrounded on all sides by national forests, this warm and friendly town sits alongside the Rocky Mountain National Park, and rests on the banks of the Thompson River. During your stay, you should consider driving the Trail Ridge Road, the highest continuous highway in the United States, from Estes Park through Rocky Mountain National Park. While there, visit the Grand Lake that sits over the continental divide. Read more about the history of the area.
Things to Do
Any time you visit, there are oodles of activities, fun things to see and do, as well as family-friendly activities. And the folks in town will make you feel right at home. Festivals and events fill the air during the summer months., beginning with Jazz Fest held each May and continuing through the holiday season's "Catch the Glow' celebration.
You’ll find awesome lodging choices, from cabins & chalets to hotels, motels, dude ranches, bed & breakfast, inns, camp grounds, transportation, RV parks and more. Those with a back bone and bravery, will stay at the world-renowned Stanley Hotel where Stephen King wrote a good bit of "The Shining." The Stanley is listed on the National Register of historic Places and is only six miles from Rocky Mountain National Park.
Getting Here
The town is about 80 miles from Denver International Airport through the town of Lyons. An alternate route is U.S. 34, through Loveland and along the scenic Big Thompson Canyon.
Summer Vacation Travel Deals
Looking to take a Rocky Mountain National Park summer vacation on a budget or looking for travel deals and discounts to save some money? Well, we are about to make it a lot easier for you. You will find money saving coupons, discounts, deals, budget helpers, and year-round bargains galore when you explore the categories available.
