If you’re thinking about planning a Colorado mountain town vacation, chances are you’re looking at a lot of great options. Colorado is home to a myriad of vacation-worthy locations, many of which would make for a fine holiday. But to take a good vacation and make it great, you don’t need to look further than Estes Park, Colorado for everything your idyllic mountain vacation could need. This week, we are looking at all things Estes Park and its qualities that make it the perfect home base for your next adventure.
The Location
Estes Park, a town of just under 6,000 year-round residents, is nestled in the beautiful Rocky Mountains and serves as a gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park. Only a ~2 hour drive from Denver will take you from the busy city toward towering peaks that begin to rise from the horizon as you travel north and west. The highways leading to Estes Park wind next to rivers full of trout, past grazing elk, deer, and bighorn sheep, and lead to beautiful vistas overlooking the town of Estes Park.
Downtown Estes Park is only about twenty minutes from the national park entrance, and is the perfect size to meander through. Estes Park can also serve as a small-town hub for day trips such as a drive over to Grand Lake, taking in the sights on the way to Nederland via the Peak-to-Peak highway, or even a quick jaunt to Glen Haven’s General Store for some of their famous cinnamon rolls. Regardless of your plans, Estes Park’s location is perfect for a mountain getaway.
“The Rocky Mountains realize – nay, exceed – the dream of my childhood. It is magnificent, and the air is life-giving.” -Isabella Bird
Proximity to Rocky Mountain National Park
Most visitors will be planning to visit Rocky Mountain National Park when embarking on a Colorado adventure, and Estes Park is the perfect home base for excursions into the park. Only about 20 minutes by car separates the park from the town, making it the most feasible place to stay, and isn’t too far away when you’re driving back after a long day of hiking and just want to get out of the car and relax. Additionally, being so near to RMNP gives Estes Park a bit of that wild feel that the national park exudes: wildlife roam the town, massive peaks frame in the valley, and the tap water is some of the best tasting water you’ll ever try. Add in that light pollution is significantly decreased at this altitude, making Estes the perfect place to stargaze, and you’ve got yourself a perfect vacation destination.
Things to Do
Estes Park is the larger of the two towns flanking Rocky Mountain National Park, and as such, has an excellent selection of hotels and resorts, restaurants and bars, and outdoor activities for the whole family. With lodging options ranging from quaint, secluded cabins to modest hotel rooms to fancy chalets, Estes has an option for everyone to come stay and play. Restaurants abound in Estes, with cuisine variety that is sure to please everyone in your crew: Italian, Mexican, American, barbeque, pizza, Thai, Nepalese, quick-service, and upscale options all flourish in Estes Park.
But of course, the reason so many folks come to visit Colorado: adventure-seeking opportunities run rampant in Estes. See the sights with your furry friend on a hike up Lily Mountain. Take the Estes Park Aerial Tram up Prospect Mountain to view the stunning landscape from above. Take a swing (or two!) at putt-putt with Ride-A-Kart. Rent an ATV or Jeep from Backbone Adventures and tackle the trail through the serene national forest. The list goes on and on of the many adventures to be had in Estes Park.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, there are many Colorado towns that claim to be the perfect vacation destination for a mountain excursion. If you’re looking for a very small, secluded village where you won’t need to see another person, some of the other options may be great. For others, the call of the hustle and bustle of a larger city may hold appeal. But if you’re looking for the Goldilocks of destinations, where the size is just right, there are just enough hotels and restaurants to keep things interesting, and the adventure options are plentiful without becoming overwhelming, Estes Park might just be your new favorite place to vacation.
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