Crews are working to improve access to and from Rocky Mountain National Park with the Downtown Estes Loop Project.

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Family Hike Elk

What's Up with the Elk Rut?

The sound of a bull elk bugling during mating season is one of the most plaintive and captivating things that you can hear in the mountains, and it happens every fall in Estes Park. It begins with a few growly bars, increases a few registers to a high-pitch scream and then ends with a series of…

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10 Reasons to Visit Estes Park this Fall

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…

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An Insider’s Guide to Wildlife Watching in Estes Park

Written by Emma Walker for Matcha in partnership with Visit Estes Park. There are countless draws to visit Estes Park, Colorado: Seeing the wildlife that inhabit the high-altitude Rocky Mountains is near the top of the list. The area is home to dozens of species of mammals, more than 250 types of…

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Best Estes Park Elk Photos from the 2019 Rut

The elk rut is a magical time of year when you'll hear bugles echoing around the valley and find bulls sparring and rounding up their harems. It's the pinnacle of wildlife watching, requiring a telephoto lens, binoculars, and safety (for yourself and the animals) at the forefront. It's important to…

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Deer, elk, moose: what’s the difference?

These mighty four-legged creatures inspire wonder and awe… and sometimes confusion. If you’ve ever wondered how they’re different, read on. First. Let’s be honest, many of us haven’t just wondered how they’re different. Many of us have wondered, at times, which one we are actually looking at –…

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5 Fall Itineraries in Estes Park

5 ways to do fall in Estes. Leaf Peeper There are so many ways to see the leaves. Hiking and scenic drives are the most obvious – and for good reason! Check out our 10 favorite trails for leaf-peeping, because the only thing more magical than seeing the golden aspens from afar, is walking through…

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8 Fascinating Facts About Elk

Often known as the unofficial mascots of Estes Park, the elk are certainly the most oft-spotted, and popular wildlife around. But how much do you really know about these magnificent mammals? Here are a few of the most fascinating – and occasionally weird – elk facts. AMAZING ANTLERS: An elk’s…

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11 Tips to Nail Your Dream Elk Shot

Expert photography tips from a local Estes Park pro One of the surefire joys of visiting Estes Park are the all-but-guaranteed life list wildlife sightings. And tops for most aspiring photographers is capturing one of our eminently majestic elk. Estes local Dawn Wilson moved to Colorado in 2002, and…

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8 Ways to See Fall in Estes Park

The scenic drive is a classic and fully enjoyable way to cover a lot of ground for your leaf-peeping efforts around Estes Park. But, venture off-road this autumn, and you’ll be rewarded with a different point of view when soaking in the brilliant fall colors--and perhaps a bit of solitude, too…

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Tips for the Best Elktober Escape

A few years ago the mayor of Estes Park officially decreed the month of October to be known as 'Elktober'. This may seem strange to outsiders, but residents and frequent visitors know that the hundreds of elk that call this area home are a very special part of our local culture. Those who are even…

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