Estes Park, Colorado

Top Spots in and near Estes Park

Estes Park, Colorado
Climb at Lumpy Ridge

Lumpy Ridge is mostly a traditional climbing area with most climbs being two or more pitches after a mile to 3+ miles of mostly flat walking. From climbers left to right the larger areas consist of Sundance Buttress, The Bookend, The Bookmark, The Book, and Twin Owls. There are smaller formatio...
Read more
Estes Park, Colorado
Lumpy Ridge to Gem Lake

4.3

3.12 mi / 950 ft gain

Begin by parking at the Lumpy Ridge trailhead, which is a couple miles outside of Estes Park on McGregor Avenue. At the trailhead, there are numerous signs indicating hiking trails, climbing routes, and other information about the area. After parking start hiking on the trail to the right of the ...
Read more
Estes Park, Colorado
Photograph at The Estes Park Sign

This sign is on the mountainous decline just before you reach town. There's a small parking lot that fills up quick in peak season, but most people only spend a few minutes here on their way in to Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. It is easy enough to have people take your picture, jus...
Read more
Lyons, Colorado
Hike the Kruger Rock Trail

4 mi / 1000 ft gain

Cutting through the forested hills surrounding Estes Valley, the Kruger Rock Trail is a well-marked 4 mile loop to the top of Kruger Rock. The trail begins in Hermit Park Open Space, located just a few miles southeast of Estes Park and is a moderate hike with around 1000 feet of elevation gain. C...
Read more
Estes Park, Colorado
Photograph Elk in Moraine Park

The perspective here is vastly different from other areas in Rocky Mountain National Park as Moraine Park is essentially a large, very flat valley surrounded by tall mountains. You'll want to come during the elks' rutting season, which is between mid-September and mid-October. Park at the lot on ...
Read more
Estes Park, Colorado
Camp at Aspenglen Campground

5.0

Aspenglen is one of the four main campgrounds within the park boundaries. The campground is for car camping and there are areas just for tents and then broader areas for tents and campers. There are 53 sites at this campground and it fills up quickly each year. Reservations are available six mont...
Read more
Estes Park, Colorado
Winter Camp at Moraine Park

5.0

For the extra-adventurous (my friends call me crazy for this), I recommend experiencing Rocky Mountain National Park in the off-season, when nobody else is there. Dead winter.Of course, you'll want to be uber prepared if you choose to take on this adventure, as the mountains are very unforgiving,...
Read more
Estes Park, Colorado
Camp at Moraine Park

4.7

Moraine Park Campground is the only year-round campground at Rocky Mountain National Park. During the summer there are 244 reservable campsites and 77 first come first serve during the winter. Large numbers of elk gather in Moraine Park during the rut (September-October) and it's a popular wildli...
Read more
Estes Park, Colorado
Hike Deer Mountain

6.03 mi / 1200 ft gain

Beginning in Rocky Mountain National Park near the Deer Ridge Junction (where US 34 & US 36 meet), park your car in one of the 20 spots on either side of the road. Start at the trailhead booth and head north, keeping to the right-side trail at the first intersection about a tenth of a mile fr...
Read more
40.387035,-105.610770
Rocky Mountain NP's Trail Ridge Road

4.9

39.06 mi

Start by entering Rocky Mountain National Park through Estes Park, Colorado. After acquiring a map start your ascent on Trail Ridge Rd (the road is closed in winter). The Road will take you up in elevation into the mountains so a good car is strongly recommended. As you wind up the switch backs,...
Read more
Estes Park, Colorado
Hike along Tombstone Ridge

4.3 mi / 3250 ft gain

Tombstone ridge can be accessed via the ute trail from two directions. The lower trail starts at upper beaver meadows and is ~4.3 miles with 3250 feet of elevation gain. It can also be accessed at the Ute trail crossing along trail ridge road, which leaves you a 1.1 mile hike with just under 300 ...
Read more
Estes Park, Colorado
Run or Hike Estes Cone

4.0

7.5 mi / 2275 ft gain

The trail begins on the left on a park service road before reaching a junction with the Storm Pass Trail just past .2 miles. Follow the trail as it enters the forest and continue past the private property signs and over a footbridge. Past the bridge the trail climbs more steadily for just under 2...
Read more
Estes Park, Colorado
Rock Climb above Lilly Lake

3.5

Lilly Lake is known as a very popular, easy hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. Lilly Lake itself is very pretty and also has some good fishing and walking opportunities.Rock rises up nearby the northwest area of the lake, and offers some of the most fun rock climbing in the area. There are num...
Read more
Estes Park, Colorado
Twin Sisters Peaks

5.0

7.48 mi / 2500 ft gain

The trailhead starts close to 9,000 ft elevation. It continues at a gradual slope through forest for a long way. The trail does not exit the tree line until close to the top, where there is a boulder field, of sorts (slightly over 11,000 ft). Don't worry, there is a nice trail all the way to the ...
Read more
Estes Park, Colorado
Paddle Lily Lake

Lily Lake allows boating in non-motorized watercraft and is only a short carry from your parking area by 7. Parking can be limited so get there in the morning early so that you can enjoy the morning wildlife and decreased crowds. You can spend an hour or so here kayaking slowly around enjoying th...
Read more
Estes Park, Colorado
Hike to Cub Lake

5.0

4.6 mi / 645 ft gain

Rocky Mountain National Park showcases 355 miles of hiking trails, 6 campgrounds, and hundreds of backcountry camp sites. The cost to enter the park is $20.00 per vehicle, I recommend buying the annual National Parks Pass for $80.00. Cub Lake is an excellent trail for viewing wildlife. There ar...
Read more