Long before Rocky Mountain National Park became a popular destination for hiking, camping, and exploring nature, Indigenous peoples lived, traveled, and maintained deep connections to these mountains and valleys. The Estes Valley is part of the traditional homelands of the Ute, Arapaho, and Cheyenne…
Continue Reading
Autumn in Estes Park is when everything falls into place. Your rock shoes will stick a little better, the trails are in ideal condition for mountain biking, trail running, or hiking, and the trout are biting. It's peak season for your favorite activities but not for the crowds if you can play hooky…
Continue Reading
Fall here is beautiful, but it isn’t necessarily sweater weather all day. You can leave under blue skies, hit much colder conditions at elevation, encounter an early snow, hear elk bugling on the way back and realize you still needed sunscreen. That unpredictability is part of what makes fall in…
Continue Reading
Since the elk clearly run this town, it’s the perfect moment to talk about how to safely admire them. Keep Your Distance (75 Feet Is a Must) When elk are around, think two school buses away—that’s about 75 feet (23 meters). If an elk lifts its head and stares, you’re too close — take a step back…
Continue Reading
A stay in Estes Park makes it easy to experience more of Colorado without packing up and changing hotels every night. From here, you can head into Rocky Mountain National Park and across Trail Ridge Road (when it’s open) or explore nearby small mountain towns that are all within a comfortable day…
Continue Reading
Looking for an Estes Park trip with more speed, challenge and “we actually did that” energy? Play in Estes is your guide to higher adventure, with via ferrata, rock climbing, off road rides, whitewater rafting, big hikes, mountain biking and full-body mountain days. This is for travelers who want to…
Continue Reading
Looking for a mountain getaway that feels refreshing, not rushed? Press Pause in Estes Park is your guide to softer adventure, with easy trails, scenic drives, lake views, local art, spa time and plenty of fresh mountain air. This is for travelers who want to be outside without turning every day…
Continue Reading
Planning a visit to Rocky Mountain National Park? A little preparation goes a long way, especially during the busy summer and fall seasons. As one of the most visited national parks in the country, Rocky Mountain National Park rewards travelers who plan ahead. Timed-entry reservations are required…
Continue Reading
Timed Entry Permits are required from May 22-mid October 2026 Timed entry permits are required to enter the Park from May 22 through mid October 2026, entrance passes continue to be required. Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most visited national parks in the country and summer is its…
Continue Reading
By David Obuchowski This is an article about Estes Park, Colorado. But for me, it really begins in New York City in the year 2004. That was the year I went on my first tour with my band. By early 2007, we were doing cross-country tours over a month long, and going out on the road three or four times…
Continue Reading
