In 48 Hours

A great way to ease into your Rocky Mountain experience is the Bear Lake Nature Trail, a serene footpath that loops around a beautiful subalpine lake amidst panoramic mountain views and aspen trees. The trail is less than a mile, but it’s magnificent in any season and a beautiful setting to watch the sunrise. It is also a fantastic launching point to more stunning lake trails including Emerald, Nymph, Dream, and Haiyaha.

If you prefer to start the day on a more challenging note, The Loch is a fantastic half-day hike that showcases pretty much all of nature’s bounty — wildflowers, wildlife, and the beautiful cascades of Alberta Falls. Once past the falls, you will traverse along switchbacks to The Loch, where an extraordinary lake scene awaits. More experienced hikers can extend this outing to a full-day vigorous hike and continue toward Timberline Falls, Lake of Glass, and finally Sky Pond which tops out at 10,900 feet in elevation. You will be rewarded with breathtaking views however proper hiking gear and mindful altitude acclimation is essential.

If you are looking for a lunch spot, The Big Horn is a popular eatery downtown that serves up a well-rounded menu, from pulled pork and burritos to tuna melts and fish and chips. Friendly staff and huge portions are the trademarks of this family-run establishment. Just up the block is the lovely Inkwell & Brew, whose wares encourage life at a slower pace. This motto also matches their slow bar offerings of pour over coffee, cortado, and traditional cappuccino.

If you’re looking for the perfect post-hike craft beer, Estes Park features some of Colorado’s best craft-breweries. Check out the long-established Estes Park Brewery with over 12 hand-crafted beers on tap, food and apps, a beer garden, and mountain views. You can also try Lumpy Ridge Brewing Co, named after the popular Rocky Mountain Park trail. Lumpy Ridge is Estes’ more laid back and trendier addition. It’s housed in a former gas station, features resident art, and has rotating artisanal food trucks out front.

While the views in Rocky Mountain Park are exceptional, don’t miss your chance to take a ride on the historic Estes Park Aerial Tramway. Operating since 1955, the tram takes millions of visitors every year up to the top of Prospect Mountain for stunning views of Estes Park and neighboring Rocky Mountains. It’s a short 5 minute ride up, but visitors can stay at the summit and have coffee, shop for souvenirs, or explore a few light hiking trails.

Start the night off at Casa Colina and enjoy contemporary locally sourced tex-mex fare, select craft beers, and specialty cocktails in a warm atmosphere with a casual vibe.

After dinner, we invite you to sit around our nightly campfire and relax with a cold brew or hot toddy, with the chance to connect and experience the moment with others—the perfect ending to any day of exploration.

For an adventure of a lifetime, we highly recommend booking a tour with a professional guide. Our local partners have a deep well of experience and knowledge of the park and its diverse terrain, and they can accommodate all abilities and interests. This is a great option for those who have limited time but want to experience the ins and outs of the Rocky Mountains, without all the planning.

Lake Estes is nestled in the center of Estes Valley and is a wonderful recreational hub for water and land activities. The marina (Highway 34) at Lake Estes offers rentals for boats, kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, as well as bicycles to enjoy the loop trail around the lake. For a more mellow experience, there is a sandy shore next to the marina for sunbathing or relaxing.

Trail Ridge Road is perfect to experience at any time of the day. This east to west byway, also known as “highway to the sky,” will take you past peaks reaching 12,000 feet, scenic vistas, and high alpine tundra that is perfect for spotting wildlife during the summer months. While driving is at the heart of this adventure, panoramic views take precedence, and there are several opportunities for strolling and hiking.

Grab a table at Bird & Jim, named after 19th century Englishwoman Isabella Bird and Estes mountain guide Jim Nugent (Mountain Jim). The duo’s unconventional friendship and spirit of adventure is the daily inspiration behind their rotating menu of local mountain cuisine.