From bugling elk, to landscapes glittered in yellow and orange, experiencing October in Estes Park has always been one for the books, but perhaps something that may not immediately come to mind when you think of fall in Estes Park is…ghosts!

Home to the iconic Stanley Hotel, which many associate with Stephen King’s quintessential, “The Shining,” it turns out, there’s more to the ghosts of Estes Park than you may know. 

Here are some local spooky spectacles you won’t want to miss! 

Jack-o-Lantern

Seven Keys Lodge 

The famous Stanley Hotel isn’t the only haunted hotel in town! Previously known as the Baldpate Inn, the newly renamed Seven Keys Lodge has a ghost story of its own!

It was over one hundred years ago that the owners of the lodge, Gordon and Ethel Mace originally came to Estes Park on their honeymoon. After acquiring a homestead in the area, they created a rhubarb farm, and then built an Inn on the property. 

It became tradition that guests of the inn would bring their own keys to the property, leading to a competition of who could bring the most exotic key, until Gordon and Ethel acquired an impressive collection. 

Today, legend has it that Gordon and Ethel still linger at the lodge, basking in their beautiful collection which is now displayed in the bar area of the lodge. 

Here is the complete story of the Haunting at the Baldpate Inn.  

Seven Keys- Fall

The Legend of the Blue Mist 

Estes Park's history is full of characters such as Rocky Mountain Jim, Griff Evans, and Lord Dunraven, but one you may not have heard of is known as, Miner Bill. 

Miner Bill came to Estes Park in 1883. After spending about a year in an insane asylum, he came to Estes Park to be a Prospector where he continued to puzzle the townspeople with his strange ways. 

On cloudy nights, Bill said, a “Being” would appear among a blue mist in the trees. He said the “being” would leave three-toed claw marks in the snow as well as on the trees. At the same time, animals were often found dead with nothing left but bones, this troubled Bill for quite some time as he believed the dead animals to be in connection with the blue mist. 

Ready for some goosebumps?? 

Eventually, Bill went missing and was later found dead with nothing left but bones and…wait for it… three-toed animal tracks surrounding him… 

Read more about the Miner Bill and his sightings here

All things Stanley 

Spooky Stanley

We couldn’t write a blog about haunted things in Estes Park without talking about The Stanley Hotel

Any horror gurus out there probably see the word, “Stanley,” and almost simultaneously think, “The Shining,” but did you know that many of the stories of ghosts at The Stanley actually involve true stories stemming back to the early 1900’s? 

After a couple of nights in the hotel just before it closed for the season, Stephen King found the inspiration for his spine-chilling novel. 

In fact, King and his wife were the only guests in the hotel during their stay in the 1970s. They stayed in room 217, believed to be haunted by a chambermaid who fell through the floorboard in an oil lamp explosion in 1911. 

After having a nightmare while staying in the room, King said he lit a cigarette, stared out the window, and came up with a rough plot for, “The Shining.” 

If that “spooks” your interest even more, take one of the Stanley Hotel’s Ghost Tours. This 60-minute walking tour takes you through the hotel after dark as you learn about some of the hotel’s more “spirited” guests. 

Learn all about the true stories of the ghost believed to walk the halls of The Stanley to this day, and check out this article from Travel + Leisure featuring The Stanley Hotel as one of the 20 most haunted places in America!

Aiden Sinclair’s, “The Underground” 

If that still isn’t enough to send a chill up your spine, here’s another hair-raising secret found only in Estes Park. Hidden beneath The Stanley Hotel’s Carriage House, is a subterranean theater where you can experience a once-in-a-lifetime performance from world-famous illusionist, Aiden Sinclair

These performances are far from your birthday party magic show. Designed for mature audiences, they will leave you somewhere in between fantasy and reality, as you explore the supernatural. Expositions this October range from interactive magic shows, to seances and conjuring, this is the real deal when it comes to the ghostly side of Estes Park. 

Feeling brave? Book your tickets now!

The Historic Park Theatre

Historic Park Theatre

Built in 1913, The Historic Park Theatre is the oldest operating cinema in the Western United States. The construction of the theatre was sold to Ralph Gwynn in 1926 who added its landmark tower. The tower would be known as the "Tower of Love" after the love of Gwynn's life. Gwynn operated the theatre for the rest of his life. The theatre is thought to be haunted by ghosts to this day.

This October, The Historic Park Theatre will be the host of several bone-chilling shows, ranging from movie showings to live performances. From showings of spooky films, to live talks with filmmakers, to ghost hunts and more, this is a perfect hub for anyone seeking a little thrill and chill. Find everything coming to the Historic Park Theatre this October here

We covered the tricks, time for the treats

Laura's Fine Candies

Of course, October is also peak season for those with an overactive sweet tooth, and Estes Park never disappoints when it comes to candy shops. 

Rocky Mountain saltwater taffy, homemade fudge, and freshly dipped caramel apples are good enough to scare away any competition–here are some of the sweet shops you must visit with that million-dollar question, “Trick or treat?”

You will find most of your homemade candy gems strolling downtown on Elkhorn Avenue. For all chocolate lovers, Laura’s Fine Candies is an Estes Park classic. Plan ahead for your dinner to be spoiled, and try a variety of homemade fudge flavors from peanut butter to caramel-pecan turtle. They also have an incredible selection of caramel and candy apples. 

Just down the street, the sugar high continues at The Taffy Shop. If the fresh taffy spinning in the window gets your mouthwatering, just wait until you try some of the melt-in-your-mouth flavors like salted caramel, vanilla, and molasses. 

Make sure your treat bag is filled to the brim before you leave Elkhorn with a stop just around the corner at The Estes Park Sugar Shack. This is a candy-lovers dream that seems like it may have popped out from the pages of a Roald Dahl novel. With ice cream, fudge, popcorn, and an array of homemade candies, they call themselves, “the sweetest show in town.” 

Haunted histories, phantom-filled fantasies, and taunting treats, all against a backdrop of golden leaves and crisp mountain air make the spooky season in Estes Park a Halloween fanatic’s dream come true.

Find a full list of October events, tricks and treats here