Things to do & places to visit in Estes Park, Colorado, United States

Estes Park is located 7,522 feet above sea level, nestled in the heart of the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Shops, galleries and boutiques line the main street, which has a quaint, small-town ambiance. Exceptional outdoor adventures await both families and enthusiasts. Wildlife sightings, including elk and big horn sheep, are prevalent. Estes Park is the basecamp for adventures in Rocky Mountain National Park, where world-class hiking, rock climbing, backcountry skiing and scenic drives abound.

Estes Park city in Colorado, United States. Timezone: America/Denver, current date and time: Monday, May 06, 2024, 6:40.

Top things to do (23)

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 National Park Gateway Stables (861 reviews)
- Unique way to summit a mountain!
Monday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Horseback Riding Tours

Saddle up with our horses and guide as we ride through the scenic trails and meadows in the Colorado Rockies. We offer a range of tours from a two-hour ride which includes beautiful points of interest like Fall River, Hidden Meadow and the enchanting Horseshoe Park. Along with four and six-hour tours, we also offer a full-day experience for the most adventurous spirits that explores the Roaring River, Ypsilon Lake and the historic Lawn Lake. Bring snacks and water for the ride, or join us for our Dinner Ride which includes a ride through Rocky Mountain National Park and a dinner at the Trailhead Restaurant. As part of a family business with over 40 years of experience, we pride ourselves on the care and love we have for our horses, these mountains and your safety and experience. Join us soon for a unique western adventure soon! See more..
5.0 Riverwalk in Downtown Estes Park (745 reviews)
- Relaxing.
Spent 2-3 hours Scenic Walking Areas

Grab a coffee at one of the local coffee places and wander the river. The babbling water and beautiful foliage is very peaceful and relaxing. Plus, it allows you to cruise around Estes Park off the busy streets. See more..
5.0 Cowpoke Corner Corral (676 reviews)
- Fantastic Mountain Horseback Ride!!!
Monday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Horseback Riding Tours

Cowpoke Corner Corral allows guests to enjoy a horseback riding adventure through the gorgeous scenic and secluded mountain trails nestled within Roosevelt National Park in the Rocky Mountains. We offer a range of tours from short 60 minutes tours to full-day, nine-hour adventures through points of interest like Cub Lake, Fern Lake and Fern Falls. As part of a family business with over 40 years of experience, we pride ourselves on the care and love we have for our horses, these mountains and your safety and experience. Join us soon for a unique western adventure soon! See more..
5.0 Estes Park Massage (494 reviews)
- 60 minute upper body Sweedish
Monday: 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM Spas

At Estes Park Massage we focus on providing bodywork and healing. Each massage is catered to the requests of the client. Quality is always our first priority, quantity is not. We have many massage modalities, hydrotherapy, face masks, elixirs, wraps, and scrubs. We love bodywork and look forward to relaxing you! See more..
5.0 Mountain Blown Glass (257 reviews)
- Beautiful pieces of blown glass
Monday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Art Galleries

A local family owned and operated hand blown glass studio and gallery! Watch live demo's daily! See more..
5.0 Aspen and Evergreen Gallery (169 reviews)
- Lovely Shop
Monday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Art Galleries

Estes Park's finest art gallery featuring the Fine-art Photography of James Frank as well as art by more than 75 Estes Park and Colorado artists. In addition to photography, you'll find an array of original paintings, artisan jewelry, sculpture, exquisite woodwork, blown glass, pottery, sculpture, and so much more. We're open all year, will ship your uniquely chosen art to you and offer free gift wrapping. We can't wait to help you find the perfect Colorado art for your home and gift-giving needs! See more..
5.0 Patterson Glassworks Studio & Gallery (110 reviews)
- A wonderful find!
Monday: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Art Galleries

Art gallery and Glassblowing studio . Watch live blown glass demos and check out lots of blown glass in our gallery. See more..
5.0 Estes Park Memorial Observatory (73 reviews)
- A Must Do!
Spent 1-2 hours Observatories & Planetariums • History Museums

The Estes Park Memorial Observatory (EPMO) is a community resource dedicated to fostering scientific education of children in Estes Park and serving as an educational venue for the community and visitors. EPMO holds events throughout the year in conjunction with the local school system, the Estes Valley Astronomical Society and the Rocky Mountain National Park. The observatory schedules private and group viewing sessions and hosts educational lectures on astronomy, cosmology, astrophotography and special astronomical events such as comet fly-bys and more! We also have fun on going projects like our Human Sundial Project. EPMO is currently offering opportunities for volunteers. Just contact us to get involved and learn about our sky along the way! Can't help? Donate to our Estes Park Observatory and come visit anytime! See more..
5.0 Colorado Mountain School (73 reviews)
- Amazing Multi-Pitch Experience with Meg!
Monday: 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM Spent More than 3 hours Sports Camps & Clinics

Colorado Mountain School (CMS) offers courses and privately guided group and individual adventures in rock climbing, mountaineering, skiing, avalanche training and ice climbing throughout Colorado. We are based locally in Boulder and Estes Park. CMS is the largest guide service in Colorado and has more American Mountain Guides Association certified Guides than any other guide service in the state. Our Estes Park Adventure Hostel is located in Estes Park, Colorado, and is the perfect basecamp for your adventures. See more..
5.0 MacGregor Ranch Museum (67 reviews)
- A little gem my husband found!
Monday: Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums

My husband and I had a couple hours to kill while we were in Estes Park, and he suggested we check out this quaint ranch. We were the only 2 on the tour, but it was the BEST $5.00 you will spend. The tour guide was very knowledgeable about the ranch, and the setting was the most BEAUTIFUL around Estes! (And that is saying something!!) I would definitely recommend taking a couple hours and check it out! See more..
5.0 Mustang Mountain Coaster (46 reviews)
- Fun for the whole family!
Monday: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM Amusement & Theme Parks

Mountain coaster with stunning views. An Estes Park’s “must visit” attraction. You control the speed and there is a video with a free preview that can confirm if your a brake riding site seeing type or an all out adrenaline junkie. None just rides once get the 3 ride pass up front since you will want to ride 3 times anyway. See more..
5.0 Fall River Jewelry & Antiques (30 reviews)
- AMAZING history in this place
Monday: 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Antique Shops

We went in to try to replace the butterfly back on a pair of earrings I lost the day before arriving in Estes Park and I was floored at the amount of stuff in this place. It was awesome! I'm not much for knick knacks so the silver ingots were right up my alley as gifts to bring home for the kids. If you are looking for WWII or Civil War memorabilia I highly suggest you stop in. Plus of course, the jewelry selection was terrific - new and old. Also rare books! See more..
5.0 Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church (28 reviews)
- Beautiful church
Churches & Cathedrals

We used to stay at a hotel walking distance to this beautiful church. I always tried to attend when we were there. See more..
4.5 Peak to Peak Scenic Byway (1.830 reviews)
- Beautiful drive, but you can’t go all the way up to the top in the winter
Scenic Drives

Popular route from Estes Park to Black Hawk. See more..
4.5 Estes Park Aerial Tramway (1.462 reviews)
- Amazing views, well worth it
Monday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Trams

This property is temporarily closed. 2022 Season May 28, 2022 through September 5, 2022, We are open every day. September 6, 2022 through September 25, 2022, We are open only on Saturday and Sundays. See more..
4.5 Downtown Estes Park (1.005 reviews)
- Fun Town with Cute Shops
Spent More than 3 hours Neighborhoods

We really enjoyed downtown Estes Park although we couldn't fully enjoy it because it started to rain (we went during spring) so the town was not crowded like I've heard it is other times of the year. It is definitely touristy. Many quaint and cool shops to explore. I love how the river runs right through town. Be sure to walk the river walk and take in the Stanley Hotel, both are so worth seeing. Don't forget to bring home some fresh salt water taffy. The place pretty much closes down after about 5 pm. There are great places to stay too all along the beautiful scenic roads. This is a family town and there is tons for the kids to do. Rocky Mountain National Park is right there, and that will take you at least a full day to see, so plan to stay overnight if you want to get it all in. See more..
4.5 Estes Park Visitor Center (646 reviews)
- Amazing Women Travel on the Trolley
Spent < 1 hour Visitor Centers

I love parking here. It's free and we've always found a spot. Most of the time we walk under the road through an artsy walkway that goes straight to the river and main shops. But if you want, catch the trolley for a free ride back and forth to town. See more..
4.5 Snowy Peaks Winery (341 reviews)
- DELICIOUS WINE and fantastic views.
Monday: 12:00 PM - 6:30 PM Wineries & Vineyards

Handcrafted wines from Estes Park, Colorado. Our family friendly tasting room features boutique wines, artisanal cheeses, gourmet foods and unique gifts from around Colorado. Open year-round for winery tours and tastings. Plus, juice tastings and a playroom for the younger jet-setters. See more..
4.5 Lake Estes Marina (340 reviews)
- Great 4th of July destination!
Monday: 8:00 AM - 6:30 PM Marinas

We went to Estes Park during the 4th of July weekend, 2021. The Lake Estes Marina is definitely a great destination to visit during your trip. You can do a lot of fun things on the lake, such as boating, peddle carts, paddleboards... You can either bring your equipment or rent from the Marina (maybe reserve online in advance because spots ran quickly). You can also go fishing, riding your bike around the lake. Parking on the 4th of July is 20$ since there was a (firework) event happening at the night. Definitely gonna go there once again next year. See more..
4.5 Rock Cut Brewing Company (275 reviews)
- Great and unique beers
Monday: 12:00 PM - 9:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Breweries

Craft brewery featuring unique and quality beers in a family-friendly environment. Most current beer list can be found on our website or on Untappd. We do not serve food but often have a food truck parked on our patio -- visit our website calendar for additional information. Outside food also welcomed! Walking distance from downtown Estes Park, plenty of free parking. Outdoor patio is dog-friendly! See more..
4.5 Red Rose Rock Shop & Dick's Rock Museum (261 reviews)
- Beautiful selection
Speciality Museums

Wow!! Such a large selection of a variety of rocks. I can’t believe how much time we spent there. My only limitation was how to get my pieces back home as we were on vacation. You can get just beautiful pieces of a variety of rocks or stunning jewelry or carved pieces. See more..
4.5 Estes Park Ride-A-Kart & Cascade Creek Mini-Golf (258 reviews)
- Fun place to be a kid again!
Monday: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM Amusement & Theme Parks

Lots of fun stuff to do here, in a very nice setting in Estes Park. My girlfriend and I came here on two occasions on our vacation. They have two miniature golf courses, which are well maintained and not real hard to play. We also rode the go carts one day. The carts are well maintained and fast enough to enjoy them. All the staff we interacted with were very friendly and helpful. The only negative I can think of is the pricing. They are very expensive for everything they offer here, probably double what you would find in a “non-vacation” area. But, given the beautiful location, views and variety of activities here, I would definitely recommend giving them a try. Especially if you’re looking to nurture that inner child in all of us! See more..
4.5 Baldpate Inn Key Room Collection (146 reviews)
- Over 20K keys and historic memorabilia
Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums

Baldpate Key-thedral Theater is a delightful outdoor venue providing live theater and special events during the summer months in Estes Park, Colorado. Nestled in the pine and aspen forest next to Rocky Mountain National Park, our intimate performance area seats up to one hundred guests. Theater groups such as Encore! Encore! and The Fine Arts Guild of the Rockies have collaborated with Baldpate Key-thedral Theater to provide outstanding family entertainment each season. Comedy acts, musical performances, and seminars have as well all enjoyed highest reviews over the years. Performance schedules and Tickets will be available for purchase beginning June 1 each year. See more..
4.5 Estes Park Museum (136 reviews)
- A MUST for anyone intersted in area history!
Monday: History Museums

The Estes Park Musuem is a wonderful addition to the town of Estes Park. They have done a great job creating and maintaining exhibits which showcase local history. They also have traveling exhibits which highlight important events or people related to the area. In addition, they have a wonderful lecture series as well as education programs for all ages. They even have a kids corner to keep the younger ones entertained so that you can enjoy your visit. I would highly recommend a stop at the musuem for anyone that loves Estes Park. You will certainly gain a great insight to some of your favorite EP places and people! See more..
4.5 Estes Valley Dog Park (118 reviews)
- Dog Heaven
Parks

This is a happiest place on earth for dogs! Wide open spaces for dog to run. Nice lake to splash and a seperate area for little dogs. There's even an agility course. Your dog wants to go, trust me! See more..
4.5 Elkins Distilling Co. (102 reviews)
- Outdoor Sipping & Great Whisky
Monday: 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Distilleries

Come try Colorado Craft Whisky and spiced liqueurs (and more to come) distilled and bottled in Estes Park. Enjoy patio views of Longs and Meeker Peaks, creative craft cocktails for whisky and non-whisky lovers alike, and take bottles home for gifting or drinking. Call for more info on tours and group events. See more..
4.5 Rocky Mountain National Park (99 reviews)
- Sunrise over Bear Lake
Monday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM National Parks

Did a sunrise hike at Bear Lake in RMNP. Arrived at the park entrance before 5am which allowed us access to Bear Lake Road before the timed entry kicked in. Otherwise you'll need to login the day before and try to obtain one of the limited entry passes with a 2 hour window and which does not guarantee you parking. But at this hour there was ample parking available at Bear Lake but I was still surprised at how many cars were already there. I was concerned about hiking in the predawn light but it was a super easy trail . Sunrise over the lake was peaceful and inspiring - well worth the early morning wake-up. Afterwards we hiked to Emerald Lake, stopping by Dream Lake and Nymph Lake. This hike is still considered "easy" but it did have a few short steep sections especially near the end. See more..
4.5 Lily Mountain Trail (90 reviews)
- Panoramic vistas and no timed entry pass required
Hiking Trails

We arrived in Estes Park a day early without a timed entry pass for RMNP for that day. The visitor center threw out some choices, one of which was Lily Mountain in Roosevelt National Forest, which did not require a pass. It did require some scrambling at the top but with my husband's help and taking our time, we were able to get there. The panoramic views are outstanding! I'm glad we did because we didn't get to summit Flattop mountain due to the weather and the fact we had trouble adjusting to the elevation and it made breathing harder. Lily Mountain is definitely a doable hike with breath-taking views! See more..
4.5 Lumpy Ridge Brewing (67 reviews)
- Great brewery in a unique setting
Spent 1-2 hours Breweries

We stopped in at Lumpy Ridge after a day of hiking and driving around Rocky Mountains National Park. It is an old service station made with corrugated steel siding, outdoor seating, great art and really good beer. We are beer snobs from San Diego so we are kind of picky about IPAs but Lumpy Ridge didn't disappoint. Pints were $7 and they had a great food truck outside. The mosaic slam beer was my favorite - crisp, citrusy and very pleasant. They also played ska and reggae music, in addition to the Ramones, so I felt like I was back in high school. The views from the outdoor patio and indoor warmer seating were fantastic, and it was dog friendly. We got some mosaic cans to take home with us. Excellent place to visit if you like local places and good beer! See more..
4.5 Kruger Rock (39 reviews)
- Good challenging hike
Geologic Formations

First off, we are Texans and not used to the Colorado altitude. We couldn't get into RMNP but heard Kruger Rock was a nice hike. We were not disappointed. It was about 2.5 hours up and 1 hour down and totally worth the effort. It costs $10 to get in and definitely bring some water, sunscreen, and bug spray. There were some pretty large flies buzzing around and some bugs at the top, but nothing to overly be concerned about. The hike was a challenge for my wife with asthma, but we paced ourselves and it was a fantastic family experience. Would definitely do it again. See more..