Founded in 1859, Estes Park became an official city in 1917. The Arapaho Indians lived in the region for many years and built camps in and around Mary's Lake. They lived there for centuries before white settlers began arriving. Isabella Bird brought attention to the region after she settled there and wrote a popular book about her experiences. Not only is this book still in print today, but it's available at most gift shops in Estes Park. One of the more popular attractions in Estes Park is The Stanley Hotel. Built in the early 20th century, it is on the National Register of Historic Places and is known for its hauntings. Stephen King wrote his hit book “The Shining” after spending time there in the 1970s. The hotel also appeared in several films and television shows.
The Estes Valley Recreation & Park District maintains many parks that are fun for the whole family, including:
Baldwin Park
Tregent Park
Bond Park
Peacock Park
Performance Park
Mrs. Walsh's Garden is a park open to the public that has benches where you can stop and enjoy the flowers and animals. It also has a small footpath that you can easily follow. Not far away is Children's Park, which covers 2,500 square feet and has a huge playground with restrooms and picnic tables. You may want to visit Centennial Open Space at Knoll-Willows, which is close to Town Hall. This park has large signs that tell you more about the birds you might see.
Estes Park also has some fun museums you can visit. The Estes Park Museum has a large collection of local artifacts while the Red Rose Rock Shop & Dick's Rock Museum features thousands of rocks that you can view and buy. Mountain Blown Glass is a popular gallery that displays blown glass pieces. It's close to the Estes Park Memorial Observatory where you can see space through a large telescope. You can find even more things to do on your trip in our Estes Park local guide.
At Images of Rocky Mountain National Park, you can tour the gallery and see some of the photos taken at the park since it opened and buy prints to take back home. The gallery is close to the Estes Park Aerial Tramway, which gives you a unique way to view the city and surrounding areas from the sky. Many visitors also find it helpful to stop by the Beaver Meadows Visitors Center to pick up maps and brochures from the leading attractions as well as to use the restroom and find out about local events.
Boulder, Colorado
50+ Restaurants
100+ Gas Stations
2 Nearby Rest Areas
1 Campground
2 Nearby National Forests
3 Nearby State Parks
10+ Nearby RV Parks
2 Nearby Dump Stations
Fort Collins, Colorado
50+ Restaurants
10+ Gas Stations
2 Rest Areas
7 Campgrounds
2 Nearby National Forests
5 Nearby State Parks
7 Nearby RV Parks
2 Dump Stations
Lyons, Colorado
10+ Restaurants
1 Gas Station
2 Rest Areas
5 Campgrounds
2 Nearby National Forests
4 Nearby State Parks
4 Nearby RV Parks
2 Dump Stations
Colorado is home to four national parks, but Rocky Mountain National Park is the closest one. It sits between Grand Lake and Estes Park and covers more than 400 square miles. Trail Ridge Road inside the park is the nation's highest continuous paved road and climbs more than 12,000 feet in the air. You'll find more than 300 miles of trails for hiking, including Cascade Falls and Adams Falls that take you to waterfalls. Local rafters serve as guides and offer whitewater rafting excursions, but you can also book a fishing trip and try your luck at fly-fishing.
There are a few state parks just a few hours' drive away from Estes Park such as Golden Gate Canyon State Park. With nearly 12,000 acres of space to explore, the park boasts 22 miles of trails for bikers and 36 miles of trails for hikers. There's also Boyd Lake State Park which has a large lake. Fishing and swimming are the most popular activities, but visitors can also take a boat out on the lake. Boyd Lake State Park also has a few trails that you can access on foot or by bike that wrap around Boyd Lake.
While some of the top Colorado landmarks are near Estes Park, the city has some other landmarks to explore as well. The Stanley Hotel is one of the most famous. Not only can you book a night in one of the haunted rooms, but you can also take a tour of the hotel's most haunted spots. Riverwalk in Downtown Estes Park has historical markers and monuments that you can read while following the trail. Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church is also in the city. Not far away is the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway that offers some of the best views by car.
One of the best places to find popular events is at the Estes Park Events Complex. It has a large on-site events center and hosts a Hunter Jumper Show in summer along with Elk Fest in the fall. The Autumn Gold Festival allows you to enjoy the sights and sounds of fall while the Estes Park Wine Festival offers visitors the chance to sample some of the best wines produced in Colorado. If you love live music, you may want to head to the Rocky Inn Mountain Tavern or the Lazy B Chuckwagon and Show.
RVshare's top recommendations for hiking trails near Estes Park are all in Rocky Mountain National Park, including Lily Lake Trail. This 0.8-mile trail has a slight incline and is safe for hikers of all experience levels. Roosevelt National Forest has dozens of miles of biking trails and is near Estes Park. Inside the city is the Hermit Park Open Space, which provides access to those trails. The best places for whitewater rafting and other water fun include the Poudre River and Colorado River. Check out the Big Thompson River for fly-fishing.
The top choices for the best RV parks and campgrounds include Spruce Lake RV Park. Located on Mary's Lake Road, the RV park is close to the lake and other attractions. It has a hot tub and heated swimming pool that are open from Memorial Day to Labor Day and horseshoe pits along with a playground and yard games that all guests can play. You'll also like the Estes Park KOA Holiday Campground. Only five minutes away from Rocky Mountain National Park, the campground has a tour shuttle to get around Estes Park, along with a dog park.
Dump stations make it easy for you to hit the open road without worrying about what you carry. You can use fresh and clean water to rinse your tank and fill it up before or after you empty your waste tanks. There are different Colorado dump stations that you can use on your trip, some of which are open 24/7 and others that are only open during standard business hours. Many RV parks and campgrounds near Estes Park have on-site dump stations. They may charge you a small fee to use one if you aren't a registered guest.
Thanks to the best RV storage facilities, you can leave your camper parked in a safe location until you're ready for your next adventure. The most popular spots include Estes Valley Self Storage and Alpine Self Storage, both are within the city limits. You may want one that offers 24/7 access so that you don't need to follow the schedule of the office, or you may want one that offers indoor storage to protect your RV from wind and snow. Some of these RV storage facilities have a convenient location that is on your way to the Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forest or Signal Mountain.
The Peak to Peak Scenic Byway is one of the most beautiful drives in Colorado. It follows Colorado State Highway 119 from Nederland to Estes Park, and it passes through several towns along the way. The byway begins at Nederland and passes through Allenspark, Ward, Magnolia, and Allenspark before reaching Lyons. From Lyons, the byway continues to Estes Park and Grand Lake. The Estes Park Aerial Tramway is one of the most unique and scenic ways to get up into the Rocky Mountains. Take the tram high above Lake Estes and enjoy the views of Longs Peak, which at 14,259 feet is one of Colorado’s highest peaks. You'll also be able to see miles upon miles of mountains in all directions. At the top, there is a restroom, a coffee shop, and a souvenir/gift shop. Surrounding the upper terminal, guests have the opportunity to take in the view by exploring a few light hiking trails where wildlife encounters are possible. Adult tickets are $16; Seniors (60+) tickets are $14; Kids(6-11) tickets are $10; Tickets for kids 5 & under are FREE. Snowy Peaks Winery, located in the popular resort town of Stateline, Colorado, is a wonderful place to spend an afternoon. The winery offers tastings every day from 10am to 5pm. There are also two restaurants onsite for your dining pleasure. Handcrafted wines from Estes Park, Colorado. The family friendly tasting room features boutique wines, artisanal cheeses, gourmet foods, and unique gifts from around Colorado. Open year-round for winery tours and tastings. Plus, juice tastings and a playroom for the younger jet-setters.
The Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is one of the least-visited national parks in the country. The dunes are the tallest dunes in North America, reaching 750 feet high at their peak. Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the highest national parks in the nation, with elevations from 7,860 feet to 14,259 feet. Sixty mountain peaks over 12,000 feet high result in world-renowned scenery. The Continental Divide runs north-south through the park and marks a climatic division An hour and a half north of Telluride, you'll reach Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. This steep, deep canyon carved by the Gunnison River provides breathtaking views of Painted Wall, Colorado's highest cliff. The South Rim Campground has 23 sites with hookups.
Golden Gate Canyon State Park is a great place to go if you are looking for a quiet retreat in the mountains. It has over 20 miles of trails that can be used for hiking, biking, or horseback riding. There is also a campground and picnic areas available for visitors to enjoy. Jacks Gulch Campground is located adjacent to Pingree Park Road (CR63E) and Old Flowers Road. It is situated in a ponderosa pine forest setting with scattered clones of aspen. It is also an area that has abundant wildflowers at certain times of the camping season. The Columbine Loop has 27 sites with electrical hookups. This loop also provides access to 10 walk-in tent sites. Boyd Lake State Park is located in Northeast Colorado. The park offers fishing, boating, and non-motorized water sports to visitors. Visitors can also enjoy hiking and nature study in the area's forests. Boyd Lake State Park is surrounded by Boyd State Forest, a state forest that offers more than five miles of trails for mountain biking, hiking, and horseback riding. State Forest State Park is high country, ranging in elevation from 8,500 to 13,000 feet, so visitors may find they need time to acclimate.
Boyd Lake State Park is a beautiful lake that is surrounded by forests and hiking trails. Boyd Lake State Park is a great place to get away from the hustle and bustle of modern life, and it offers opportunities for fishing, boating, and swimming. The State Forest State Park is a great place for outdoor lovers. This park features miles of trails for hiking and biking, as well as opportunities for camping and horseback riding. State Forest State Park is a fantastic state park with plenty to do. Your dog is welcome at the campsites and hiking trails. State forest lands are available for a variety of recreational activities, including hunting, trapping, off-highway vehicle riding, camping, fishing, mountain biking, horseback riding, and wildlife watching
Manor RV Park has some great amenities for people who are traveling with their pets. Pets are welcome at the park, there is a convenient dog wash area, and you can take your pets to the dog park located nearby. There is also a swimming pool and a playground for kids.
There are 4 dump stations in Estes Park, Colorado, to keep your RV waste tanks empty. Find the best dump station near your location when you use RVshare’s dump station finder. The sites include Spruce Lake RV Park, KOA - Estes Park KOA Campground, Elk Meadow Lodge & RV Resort, and Mary's Lake Campground & RV Park.
If you're planning a vacation in Estes Park, Colorado, popular RV rentals are the best way to maximize your trip. Budget-friendly as well as affordable RV rentals Class C and Class A motorhomes are available for rent in the area. Whether you're in the market for a brand new travel trailer, or a second-hand motorhome, you can find Popular Estes Park Colorado RV Rentals. In fact, there is no shortage of RVs available for rent in the area. If you're looking for an RV rental at the lowest possible price, look no further than Colorado's selection of budget vehicles. These are older models that aren't as flashy as other RVs but will get you where you need to go comfortably. It is a great option for more amenities.
Motorhomes are divided into Class A, B, and C vehicles. On average expect to pay $185 per night for Class A, $149 per night for Class B and $179 per night for Class C. Towable RVs include 5th Wheel, Travel Trailers, Popups, and Toy Hauler. On average, in Estes Park, CO, the 5th Wheel trailer starts at $70 per night. Pricing for the Travel Trailer begins at $60 per night, and the Popup Trailer starts at $65 per night.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Estes Park?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Estes Park from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in Estes Park?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.
