2021-12-06 06:46:42
Morning One of the most popular parks in the country, Rocky Mountain National Park welcomes millions of visitors a year and still manages to offer moments of solitude. (Tip: A new seasonal Bustang route will take you to Estes Park and the national park from downtown Denver.) Take a drive on Trail Ridge Road, a rollercoaster route that crosses the Continental Divide and offers photo ops as you climb past subalpine forests and windswept tundra. Or enjoy a family wildflower hike to Gem Lake. For more challenge, try the Mills Lake trek for Longs Peak views. Stop at Moraine Park for prime wildlife watching. More than 3,000 elk and 800 bighorn sheep live in the park. The Rocky Mountain Conservancy offers year-round seminars, guided fly-fishing, naturalist tours and more. Estes Park and the national park are also superior birding spots, with more than 315 species — grab your binoculars for a self-guided exploration of Matthews-Reeser Bird Sanctuary. At the Open Air Adventure Park, rope bridges, aerial tightropes and swinging logs challenge folks, and the new Mountain Mustang alpine coaster offers thin-air thrills. Or, get above it all in a different way at Jurassic Park. This climbing area just south of town features rock outcroppings, slabs and challenging routes. There’s also a new via ferrata course at Kent Mountain Adventure Center. Afternoon Downtown Estes is the gateway into the park, but it’s also a destination unto itself. Stop by The Barrel, a seasonal alfresco beer garden, and windowshop along Elkhorn Avenue, with several new boutiques and eateries. Stop for coffee and sit along the Riverwalk. Take the path east for a tranquil walk around Lake Estes; stop at the marina to rent pontoon boats, paddleboards or kayaks. Estes Park Mountain Shop rents ebikes, as well. Then, grab a tasting at a handful of breweries and distilleries. Evening Wind down with dinner at the storied Stanley Hotel, 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. 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. Stay & Play Options Allenspark, Estes Park (page 182), Lyons (page 185) Sidetrips Go through lovely Lyons on your way to Estes. With galleries and public art on nearly every corner and plenty of craft beer, it’s worth a stop. Tubers and kayakers roll through the whitewater park and you can show off at the Dirt Jump Bike Track. Summer concerts send tunes into the mountain air while visitors soak up the relaxed scene. Lyons Quilting has more than 6,500 bolts for sale. Spirit Hound Distillers, Moxie Bread and Lyons Dairy Bar are musts for tasty treats and hanging out. The Redstone Museum offers mountain-town history in an 1881 school house as well as a historic walking tour. Winter’s ice rink means simple cold-weather pleasure. BOOK A FREE PRIVATE SESSION AT THE ESTES PARK MEMORIAL OBSERVATORY (DONATIONS RECOMMENDED) FOR A TOUR OF THE NIGHT SKIES FROM ITS 16-FOOT DOME. TAKE A BACKCOUNTRY DEVELOPMENT COURSE AT COLORADO MOUNTAIN SCHOOL TO LEARN ALL KINDS OF HANDY SKILLS LIKE MOUNTAINEERING, SPLITBOARDING AND ICE CLIMBING. WINTER FUN FROM ICE CLIMBING, BACKCOUNTRY SPLIT-BOARDING AND BACKCOUNTRY SKIING to more relaxed activities like snowshoeing and curling up by the fire, Estes Park caters to winter visitors. It’s easy to get there yearround and offers an alternative to the bustling ski resorts. A handful of new snowshoe tours pair with yummy side activities (fondue and whiskey tasting are two examples). Connect with Estes Park Mountain Shop, Colorado Mountain School and Kent Mountain Adventure Center for all the gear and guidance you may need.
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