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MORNING One of the most popular parks in the country, Rocky Mountain welcomes 4 million visitors a year and still manages to offer moments of solitude. Take a drive on Trail Ridge Road (4), the highest paved through-road in North America. This roller-coaster route crosses the Continental Divide and offers breathtaking photo ops as you climb past sub-alpine forests and windswept tundra to 12,183 feet above sea level. Or enjoy a family wildflower hike to Gem Lake or Bridal Veil Falls. For a little more challenge, try the 2.8-mile Mills Lake trek. You’ll be rewarded with grand views of 14,259-foot-tall Longs Peak and the Keyboard of the Winds, a whimsical rock formation named for its shape. Pull over at Moraine Park for prime wildlife watching. More than 3,000 elk and 800 bighorn sheep live in the park, which is a regular gathering spot for bugling. Inside the park, the Rocky Mountain Conservancy offers year-round seminars, guided fly-fishing, naturalist tours, hiking and photography classes. Estes Park and surrounding Rocky Mountain National Park are also superior birding spots, with more than 315 species to be seen. Grab your binoculars for a self-guided exploration of Matthews-Reeser Bird Sanctuary, or opt for a ranger-led bird walk within the national park. At the Open Air Adventure Park, rope bridges, aerial tightropes and swinging logs challenge folks 5 years old and up. Or, get above it all in a different way at Estes Park’s own Jurassic Park. This climbing area just south of town features rock outcroppings, slabs and routes that make for a perfect outing. AFTERNOON Downtown Estes Park (3) is the gateway into the national park, but it’s also a destination unto itself. Stop by The Barrel on Moraine Avenue, a seasonal alfresco beer garden, and window-shop along Elkhorn Avenue (2), with one-of-a-kind stores, several new boutiques and restaurants and plenty of places for an afternoon snack. Stop for coffee and sit outside on the Riverwalk. One block off Elkhorn, the path follows the Big Thompson River as it flows through town and hosts street performers in the summer. Take the path east for a tranquil walk around Lake Estes, or stop at the marina to rent bikes, pontoon boats, paddleboards or kayaks. Then, enjoy a tasting at Snowy Peaks Winery, Elkins Distilling Company, Rock Cut Brewing Company or Lumpy Ridge Brewing Co., a former gas station with a beer garden and new brews on tap regularly. Keep an eye out for the Two Chicks Wings & Hen-house food truck, usually parked near Rock Cut (despite the name, these chicks have excellent vegetarian options). EVENING Wind down with dinner at the storied Stanley Hotel (1), an elegant 109- year-old, white-pillared landmark. Guided ghost tours reveal how Stephen King was inspired to write The Shining while staying in room 217. Stop by the beautifully crafted antique Cascades Whiskey Bar to choose from 250 different wine labels and the largest whiskey collection in the state. Newer to Estes Park’s dining scene, the farm-to- table cuisine from Seasoned – An American Bistro and Bird & Jim’s artisan approach have locals raving. WINTER FUN From extreme sports such as ice climbing, backcountry split-boarding and skiing to more relaxed activities like snowshoeing and curling up by the fire, Estes Park also caters to winter visitors. It’s easy to get there year-round and offers an alternative to the bustling ski resorts. QUICK TIP During warm-weather months, utilize the free Hiker’s Express shuttle from the Estes Park Visitor Center to reach Rocky Mountain National Park, where you can transfer to two other free shuttle routes and gain easy access to hiking trails around Bear Lake and Moraine Park. STAY & PLAY OPTIONS Allenspark, Estes Park (page 196), Lyons (page 201)
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