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Statutory town in Larimer County, Colorado, United States
Photo: Wusel007, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Estes Park is a town in the Front Range region of the state of Colorado in America. It is located 90 miles northwest of Denver, on the eastern slope of the Front Range in north central Colorado. Estes Park sits at the east entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park.
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September.
First weekend in October.
Weekend after Thanksgiving.
Annual event in September.
Swinging on suspended ropes, riding a snowboard 21 feet in the air, or crossing on zip lines are just a few of the 32 elements you can challenge yourself on.
Playground.
The Estes Park area has two iron ways: one named Peregrine Ridge, and the other named the Cloud Ladder. Built in 2021, the Cloud Ladder is the steepest via ferrata in the United States.
Formerly The Egg and I
Great place for breakfast. Popular with locals and seasonal guests/workers.
Voted best breakfast/BBQ.
Cheap, decent pizza. A teen hangout that's changed little since the 1950s - arcade games, pool tables and juke boxes in the back. If you can find an empty brick, write your name on the wall.
One of the most popular local eats. Dinner $10-15. Largely Mexican food menu. Has both bar and restaurant seating areas.
Voted best in Estes.
Steakhouse and live music. Excellent entrées $15-$25. Good specials. Lively mountain atmosphere.
A western-frontier themed restaurant serving burgers, steaks and wild game. Indoor as well as covered outdoor seating in the back.
Family restaurant specializing in fresh Rocky Mountain trout and mountain fare.
Italian, seafood and steaks.
Locally roasted, organically grown, fair trade coffee. A nice break from the hordes that run to the green Starbucks sign like a pack of Pavlov's dogs.
Has three fairly extensive (and extremely popular) cabin complexes. As with many things "Y," religion is optional.
Lodge with rooms and variety of small to large cabins.
Seasonal roadside motel located on US Highway 36 West near the South entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. Heated outdoor pool.
The largest free-standing log structure in Colorado, with 36 rooms, each with either a walk out balcony or porch, and 23 sleeping cabins with 1, 2 or 3 rooms.
Five time winner of the prestigious "Best of the Best" award from Best Western International. Hot tub available by reservation with front desk in 15-minute increments (or longer if no other reservations).
Cabins with private deck, hot tub, and fireplace.
On Fall River, aspen log furniture. One mile from the entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park.
One mile from Rocky Mountain National Park. 1,2 & 3 bedroom cabins (some with personal hot tubs).
Rates: $189/night. No children under 13.
Has 6 cottages; 4 were completely renovated in 2008 and 2 newly built. Free Wi-Fi, full kitchens, & flat-screen TVs.
No pets. Rocky Mountain National Park is the backyard and the Big Thompson River is the front yard. Private hot tubs and gas stove fireplaces.
Cabin rentals with views of Longs Peak. All cabins have 2 bedrooms, each with a king bed, 2 baths, kitchens, gas grill, washer/dryer, deck and fireplace.
Inspiration for Stephen King's The Shining (and even played the Overlook Hotel in the 1997 TV miniseries). Three-Star Hotel.
Units are available with personal hot tubs, kitchens, wood-burning fireplaces, and patios with grills. Pet Friendly.
Historic cottages downtown, varying from small, rustic two-person cottages up to large, modern eight-person cabins with hot tubs. Pet Friendly.
A lodge & two-bedroom cabins on a 12-acre meadow along the Big Thompson River, 2 miles from the entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. The Lodge sleeps up to 30 people.
A variety of cabins and vacation rentals bordering Rocky Mountain National Park. Secluded on 15 acres 3 miles west of Estes Park.
Near Rocky Mountain National Park
Only lodging on Lake Estes. Great views of Rocky Mountain National Park. Has a conference center and banquet facilities and is great for weddings.
Lodge + condos for 4-12. Onsite restaurant and pub, outdoor heated swimming pool.
Specializes in romantic getaways and elopements. One of the owners is a minister and will perform ceremonies on-site. Rates are different for each room, so contact the inn for more details.
By plane
The closest major airport is DIA in Denver, about 90 miles away. A shuttle service or limo service to Estes can be obtained.
The town is small and can be covered reasonably well by walking. Most tourist visitors have their own car. You can park in one of the city lots (free) and walk a couple of blocks to get downtown.
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Denver · Regional · BJC
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