"Park" in this case is a term that means a valley or meadow. Estes Park is named after an early settler, Joel Estes, who attempted to make a living by farming. Because of the short growing season it never really worked out. Since the mid-1800's the main business of Estes Park has been tourism. The clientele ranges from hard-core backcountry types to tour-buses full of drive through sightseers. The main draw is the scenery, which is awesome.
Year-round population is approximately 6,000 people, adding the surroundings it may be 10,000. In the peak of tourist season that probably triples. The best time to visit for outdoor activities is July through September. Everyone else thinks so too, so it can get kind of crowded. The heaviest traffic is probably in August. The family/kids crowd thins out after Labor Day.
Winter is a charming time of the year as well, since it is an excellent time to go snow shoeing and cross country skiing. Winter also provides greater opportunities to enjoy the tranquility of the Rocky Mountains as there are fewer tourists.
Winter weather is warmer than most mountain towns. But summer is also short. Summer temps peak in the low 90's(F) in town, much cooler as elevation increases. If you plan on spending any time out of your car up on Trail Ridge Road take a jacket. Estes is in a dry zone, getting maybe 13-15 inches of moisture a year. During the summer the regular weather pattern is clear mornings with a buildup of clouds at midday and sometimes a short rain shower.
Elevation in town is 7,522 feet above sea level. Some people experience discomforts due to altitude.
East from Grand Lake, CO via US-34 over Trail Ridge Road through Rocky Mountain National Park. This route is seasonal (it usually opens at the end of May and closes sometime in October depending on the snowfall) and you will have to pay an entrance fee to get through the National Park.
Getting around Estes Park has become easier in recent years. The town itself is small and can be covered reasonably well by walking. Most tourist visitors have their own car. You can park in one of the city lots (free) and walk a couple of blocks to get downtown.
Estes Park has implemented a free shuttle bus system [4] that begins at the Visitor Center and has stops in Rocky Mountain National Park as well as a variety of stops within town.
There is some provision for bicycles. Paved trails radiate out from Lake Estes toward the south and west. But the part of the trail that goes downtown is restricted to walking only. Cycling on the main roads is OK, but shoulders can be sparse. Be careful of "tourist drivers" who will perform strange unpredictable maneuvers.
There is a local taxi-cab company [5], but do not depend on this as your only transportation option to get around the town as it is inconsistent at best.
Transport within the National Park is mostly by private vehicle but shuttle bus service between the Moraine Park / Bear Lake areas has become more popular in recent years. Shuttle bus service between the Estes Park Visitors Center and Rocky Mountain National Park started in 2006. While the shuttle bus is free, you will need to purchase a National Parks pass prior to entering Rocky Mountain National Park. According to the Visitor's Center staff, there is an automated machine available at the Visitor's Center from which you can purchase 7-day or annual passes.
Hitchhiking can sometimes be effective particularly if you look like you are making an effort and have good personal hygiene. Speaking of hygiene, the laundromat in upper Stanley village also sells showers.
Most visitors to town are here for the nature, and activities such as camping, hiking, fishing, horse riding, mountain climbing (in particular, Longs Peak), birding and rafting are very popular. There are also 27 holes of golf.
Stanley Park (playground) 1209 Manford Ave. (970)-586-6104
Riverspointe Spa, 121 Wiest Drive, ☎ +1-970-577-6841, [6]. Slip into a soft robe, sip hot tea, listen to the river running by. Stay after your treatment to sit in the sauna.edit
This place has been a tourist destination since day one and numerous stores exist allowing you to outfit yourself for camping, hiking, fishing, biking or just about any other outdoor activity. In addition, there are quite a few fine art galleries as well as stuffed-bear stores, Christmas ornament stores, cowboy hat stores, and two Starbucks. Options also exist for those looking for t-shirts and "rubber tomahawks".
For groceries it's Country Market or Safeway and prices are comparable to the front range area. Car/RV service, parts and repair are available but somewhat limited. Gas prices are usually 10 cents/gal higher than Loveland or Longmont. There is no WalMart, so for odd items you may need to go to one of the hardware stores or to the sundries aisle at Safeway. There are at least three pharmacies and a nice local hospital.
Estes True Value, 461 E Wonderview Ave (Located in Upper Stanley Village), ☎ 970-586-3496, [7]. 8AM - 9PM. A hardware store that also offers camping and fishing supplies, sporting goods, clothing (including swimwear), toys and games, linens, housewares and $1.99 DVD rentals. It also has a RadioShack inside.edit
Big Horn Restaurant, 401 W Elkhorn, ☎ (970)-586-2792, [11]. (voted best breakfast/BBQ)edit
Bob & Tony's Pizza, 124 W. Elkhorn Ave., ☎ (970)-586-2044, [12]. Cheap, decent pizza. A teen hangout that's changed little since the 1950s - arcade games, pool tables and juke boxes in the back. If you can find an empty brick, write your name on the wall.edit
Ed's Cantina, 390 E. Elkhorn Ave., ☎ (970)-586-2919, [13]. One of the most popular local eats. Dinner $10-15. Largely Mexican food menu. Has both bar and restaurant seating areas.edit
Grumpy Gringo, 1560 Big Thompson Ave, ☎ (970)-586-7705, [14]. Great atmosphere and views. Impeccability clean dining and rest rooms. The service is friendly, and the owner often walks around to say hello. The food, however, is mediocre, the ground beef in tacos etc. always tastes odd.edit
Local’s Grill, 153 E. Elkhorn Ave., ☎ (970)-586-7600, [15]. edit
Nicky's Steakhouse, 1350 Fall River Road, ☎ (970)-586-5376, [16]. Good Greek food.edit
Penelope’s Burgers (voted best in Estes) 229 W. Elkhorn Ave.
Poppy’s Pizza Riverwalk, 342 E. Elkhorn Ave, ☎ (970)-586-8282, [17]. in Barlow Plazaedit
Rock Inn Mountain Tavern [18] (Steakhouse and live music) 1675 Hwy 66 / (970)-586-4116. Excellent entrées $15-$25. Good specials. Lively mountain atmosphere.
Sweet Basilico, 430 Prospect Village Dr., ☎ 970-586-3899, [19]. edit
Sundeck Restaurant, 915 Moraine Ave (Located beside Alpine Trail Ridge Inn.), ☎ 970-586-9832, [20]. Family restaurant specializing in fresh Rocky Mountain trout and serve a variety of Mexican, American, and German foods.edit
Kind Coffee, 470 E Elkhorn Ave (Intersection of Hwy 37 & Elkhorn), ☎ 970-586-5206, [21]. Locally roasted, organically grown, fair trade coffee. A nice break from the hordes that run to the green Starbucks sign like a pack of Pavlov's dogs.edit
There are a few chain hotels of the Holiday Inn / Best Western type, but most lodging is at mom and pop motels and cabins. Condos are available for rent also. Accommodations can fill up in the summer and on holiday weekends.
Alpine Trail Ridge Inn, 927 Moraine Ave, ☎ +1-970-586-4585 (toll free: +1-800-233-5023, alpine@alpinetrailridgeinn.com), [23]. Seasonal roadside motel located on US Highway 36 West near the South entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. Heated outdoor pool.edit
Aspen Lodge Ranch Resort & Conference Center, 6120 Highway 7, ☎ Local: 970-586-8133, Toll Free: 1-800-332-MTNS (requests@aspenlodge.net), [24]. The largest free standing log structure in Colorado, with 36 rooms, each with either a walk out balcony or porch, and 23 sleeping cabins with 1, 2 or 3 rooms.edit
Best Western Silver Saddle, 1260 Big Thompson Ave, ☎ +1-970-586-4476 (toll free: +1-800-528-1234, info@estesresort.com, fax: +1-970-586-5530), [25]. Five time winner of the prestigious "Best of the Best" award from Best Western International. Hot tub available by reservation with front desk in 15-minute increments (or longer if no other reservations).edit
Brynwood on the River, 710 Moraine Ave, ☎ 970.586.3475, 800.279.4488; email: info@brynwood.com, [26]. Cabins with private deck, hot tub, and fireplace.edit
Fawn Valley Inn, [27] 2760 Fall River Rd. Phone: 970-586-2388. Toll Free: 800-525-2961. E-mail: info@fawnvalleyinn.com. On Fall River, aspen log furniture. One mile from the entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park.
Gilded Pine Meadows Bed & Breakfast, 861 Big Horn Drive, Phone: 970.586.2124. Toll Free: 866.312.2124. E-mail: info@gildedpinemeadows.com [28] Historic Bed and Breakfast. Two guest rooms and one cottage available. Wedding and Elopement packages.
Lazy R Cottages, [29] 891 Moraine Avenue Phone: 970-586-3708. Toll Free: 800-726-3728. E-mail: info@lazyrcottages.com. One mile from Rocky Mountain National Park. 1,2 & 3 bedroom cabins (some with personal hot tubs).
Mountain Shadows Bed & Breakfast, 871 Riverside Drive, Phone: 970-577-0397. Rates: $189/night. No children under 13. [30]
River Rock Cottages, 311 Virginia Drive, ☎ 970-586-2760, [31]. Has 6 cottages; 4 were completely renovated in 2008 and 2 newly built. Free Wi-Fi, full kitchens, & flat-screen TVs.edit
River Spruce Cabins, 2334 Tunnel Rd, ☎ 970-586-4543, [32]. No pets. Rocky Mountain National Park is the backyard and the Big Thompson River is the front yard. Private hot tubs and gas stove fireplaces.$120-205/night. edit
Solitude Cabins, 1885 Sketch Box Lane #7, ☎ +1 970 577-7777, +1 877 704-7777 (Info@solitudecabins.com), [33]. Cabin rentals with views of Longs Peak. All cabins have 2 bedrooms, each with a king bed, 2 baths, kitchens, gas grill, washer/dryer, deck and fireplace.edit
Stanley Hotel, 333 Wonderview Ave., Phone: 970-586-3371, Toll Free: 800-976-1377, Fax: 970-586-4964, [34]. Inspiration for Stephen King's The Shining (and even played the Overlook Hotel in the 1997 TV miniseries). Three-Star Hotel.
Timber Creek Chalets, [35] 2115 Fall River Road. Phone: 970-586-8803. Toll Free: 800-764-4308. E-mail: info@timbercreekchalets.com. Units are available with personal hot tubs, kitchens, wood-burning fireplaces, and patios with grills. Pet Friendly.
Triple R Cottages, [36] 1000 Riverside Drive. Phone: 970-586-3708. Toll Free: 800-726-3728. E-mail: info@lazyrcottages.com Historic cottages downtown, varying from small, rustic two-person cottages up to large, modern eight-person cabins with hot tubs. Pet Friendly.
Trout Haven Ranch & Trout Pond, 800 Moraine Avenue, ☎ +1 970-577-0202, +1 800-794-7857 (info@trouthavenranch.com), [37]. checkin: 3 PM; checkout: 11 AM. A lodge & two-bedroom cabins on a 12 acre meadow along the Big Thompson River, 2 miles from the entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. The Lodge sleeps up to 30 people.edit
Valhalla Resort, 2185 Eagle Cliff Rd. Estes Park, CO 80517, ☎ 970.586.3284 (info@valhallaresort.com), [38]. Valhalla Resort boasts a variety of Estes Park cabins and vacation rentals bordering Rocky Mountain National Park. Nicely secluded on 15 acres just 3 miles west of Estes Park, Colorado. All of the units are equipped with full kitchens, fireplaces, cable TV, and decks to enjoy the serenity and views of the scenic mountain surroundings.edit
Wildwood Inn, 2801 Fall River Road, Near Rocky Mountain National Park, 970-586-7804 Toll Free: 866-586-7025 [39]
Marys Lake Lodge and Resort, 2625 Marys Lake Rd, ☎ (970) 586-5958, 877-442-6279 (info@maryslakelodge.com), [40]. Lodge + condos for 4-12. Onsite restaurant and pub, outdoor heated swimming pool.edit
Romantic Riversong, 1765 Lower Broadview Road, Phone: 970-586-4666. Fax: 970-577-1336. E-mail: info@romanticriversong.com. Specializes in romantic getaways and elopements. One of the owners is a minister and will perform ceremonies on-site. Rates are different for each room, so contact the inn for more details. [41]
The Estes Park Resort, 1700 Big Thompson Ave, ☎ Toll Free: 1-855-377-3778 or Local: 970-577-6400 (info@theestesparkresort.com), [42]. Only lodging on Lake Estes. Great views of Rocky Mountain National Park. Has a conference center and banquet facilities and is great for weddings!edit
Estes Park Condos, 1400 David Drive, ☎ (970) 577-0068, 800-349-1003 (info@estescondos.com), [43]. Offers three beautifully secluded properties all ideally located in a grove of majestic pines, along beautiful Fall River, with mountain views.edit
There are at least 5 commercial campgrounds in/near town, and additional campgrounds in the national park. There are also informal (free) camping sites on national forest land not far from town.
Cell phone service is pretty good in town, depending on the carrier, but spotty in the National Park unless you are on high ground. The local library has Internet terminals available for walk-in use, sign-up required. Kind Coffee, Notchtop Bakery, Barlow Plaza and various hotels and restaurants have free wireless Internet.
