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Fun Adventures

Fun Adventures

Let Them Do The Driving

An environmentally-conscious company, Green Jeep Tours, can take you off-roading or on a scenic adventure. Their entertaining guides bring you to amazing scenic places while sharing interesting facts and stories. Tours include Trail Ridge Road and Old Fall River Road.

They offer private tours for small groups, families, or large groups. 970-577-0034, GreenJeepTour.com.

Driving App for Rocky

GuideAlong is an app designed specifically for Rocky and will enhance your drive through the national park.

This app turns your tablet or smartphone into your personal tour guide. With automatic commentary while you drive, the app makes you feel as if you have a local friend riding along with you. All you have to do is listen to the commentary and enjoy the spectacular scenery. You will be told of upcoming viewpoints and the best things to see.

GuideAlong uses cutting-edge technology and, once downloaded, doesn’t require data or a cellular network while you are driving. GuideAlong.com.

Scenic Bus Tours

Join the Rocky Mountain Conservancy for a guided bus tour throughout Rocky Mountain National Park to areas including Trail Ridge Road, Bear Lake Road, Grand Lake, and other popular spots in Rocky Mountain National Park June-Oct.

Each family-friendly tour offers a different adventure and is led by one of their talented naturalist guides. Custom tours are also available. 970-586-3262, RMConservancy.org/Events.

Learn About Nature

If you want to learn more in-depth about nature and wildlife, The Rocky Mountain Conservancy and the YMCA of the Rockies both have classes and seminars during the summer and fall months.

Nature and wildlife experts will teach about the local flora, fauna, and wildlife that all survive in this high altitude. RMConservancy.org, YMCARockies.org.

The Perfect Shot

Dawn Wilson Photography takes visitors on Nature Photography Tours in Rocky Mountain National Park. These customized tours focus on getting memorable images of wildlife like moose babies in early summer, elk bugling during the fall rut, or sunrises and sunsets (depending upon tour length).

Dawn is an award-winning nature photographer with knowledge about animals and how to best photograph them. Timed entry included with a tour. 970-567-6109,  DawnWilsonPhotography.com.

Book a tour with Rock Light Photo Tours to capture the majesty of RMNP. Photograph a sunrise reflected in a mountain lake, a scenic hike with wildflowers and roaring waterfalls, or sunset vistas of three different mountain ranges off Trail Ridge Road.

Local pro photographer Colin D. Young specializes in teaching photographers how to capture the Milky Way at 12,000ft, with half-day to multi-day tours customized with as much or little hiking as you prefer.  917-902-3063, RockLightPhotoTours.com.

Family Fun

For an afternoon or evening of great family fun, head to Circle 119, or “The Legion.” The Legion is open to the public and offers family-friendly events: live music, bingo, trivia, pool, games of chance, and more.

Check their website or Facebook page for details. EstesLegion.org.

Go On The Search

Pikas in the Park is a fun activity for the whole family in downtown Estes Park. Pikas are cute small mammals that live in high rocky slopes in Rocky Mountain National Park.

There are 12 bronze pika sculptures hiding in downtown Estes Park, from the east end of the Riverwalk to the west end of downtown. Each pika is named after a famous character from the history of Estes Park. Pick up a pika clue brochure at the Estes Park Visitor Center and try to find all 12 of these cute bronze creatures.

If you find them all, go to the Estes Park Visitor Center and get your “I found the Pikas in Estes Park” badge!

The True West

If you want to experience an authentic cowboy supper and live western music, then head to the Lazy B Chuckwagon and Show.

This event features hot BBQ brisket, pulled pork, and all the fixins’, followed by a family-friendly show featuring acoustic instruments and songs of the old west. The show is indoors, but guests can also enjoy the large deck with a view of Longs Peak.

Established in the early ‘60s, the Lazy B is a summertime tradition in Estes Park and perfect for families and small groups.

Located at the Dao House, eight miles from Estes Park on CO Hwy 7. Open mid-June through late-Sept. (see their website for more details). Wine, beer, and spirits available. Vegetarian and gluten free options available. Purchase tickets online, or call for more information. 970-235-9400, LazyBChuckwagon.com.

All The Fun Stuff!

Estes Park Ride-A-Kart is a 3rd generation family-owned entertainment center that offers the full gamut of amusement park-style adventures for the entire family.

In business for more than 60 years, Ride-A-Kart has go-karts, bumper boats, bumper kars, batting cages, Casey’s Train, extreme bungee trampoline, water wars, arcade, and two 18-hole mini-golf courses alongside the Big Thompson River.

They also offer yummy munchies to satisfy your hunger after your fun!

New in 2023, both mini golf courses will offer local beer and wine. They will also be debuting new electric bumper boats with hand-held water squirters to help cool you off on the hot summer days. 970-586-6495, RideAKart.com.

Bike Path

Pedal, walk, or rollerblade the four-mile, paved loop that circles Lake Estes.

Across from the fairgrounds, the path branches to the south under US Hwy 36. The trail takes you through Stanley Park, past the dog park and the ball fields for another .7 miles.

Rent A Bike And Go Explore

There’s no better place to ride mountain bikes than in the mountains! Estes Park Mountain Shop rents full-suspension mountain bikes that are perfect for exploring the single and double track trails in the area. The staff has some great trail recommendations.

Didn’t bring your favorite road bike to ride Trail Ridge Road? They also have road bikes available to rent.

Want to explore some local roads with a little assistance? Rent an e-bike.

The Estes Park Mountain Shop also offers a fun line of e-bikes. E-bikes are allowed on the bike paths and local roads. 970-586-6548, EstesParkMountainShop.com.

Paddle About

Head to Lake Estes and take in the majestic views from a kayak, canoe, stand up paddle board, or 10-person pontoon boat. If you brought your own boat in tow, a boat-launching area is available.

There is a small beach with a picnic ground and horseshoe/volleyball area.

Finding BigFoot

They do exist and you can take a selfie with one! Squatchy Donuts is the place to go for all your Bigfoot needs.

They serve made-to-order mini donuts in more than 35 flavors. As your order is being made, stroll through the retail shop and listen as purported Sasquatch sounds play. Learn the history of Sasquatch at this mini museum filled with artifacts such as skulls and plaster casts of actual footprints.

Examine evidence that was found in Estes Park and in Rocky Mountain National Park. Book a Full Potential Wilderness Tour with local researcher Kenny Collins.
Head to Squatchy Donuts for coffee, mini donuts, and souvenirs. 720-934-3281.

4x4 Exploring

If you want to head out and explore this area in a 4x4, there are several options.

The historic Old Fall River Road is a beautiful nine mile, one-way drive in Rocky. The road opens July 4 weekend and closes the end of September. You will need a timed-entry permit unless you go in before 9am or after 2pm. The road ends at the Alpine Visitor Center where you can then drive down Trail Ridge Road back to town.

Pole Hill, located off US Hwy 36 just north of the Jellystone Campground, is a nice option. Drive out and back or all the way to Carter Lake just outside the town of Loveland.

Storm Mountain east of Glen Haven has a variety of options. There are many trails from easy to moderate with amazing views. You can see evidence of the Cameron Peak fire in this area.

Bunce School Road is south of Allenspark on CO Hwy 7. This is a popular trail system with easy to moderate trails with a few advanced trail options as well.
The best trail guidebook to have with you is FunTreks. The guidebook provides first-hand knowledge with turn-by-turn custom-designed maps highlighting trouble spots and details on every aspect of the trails. You can order one online at FunTreks.com or look for them at Macdonald Book Shop.

On Belay

Estes Park has world-class rock climbing. Whether you are a beginner or have been climbing for years, work out your moves on the indoor walls at Estes Park Mountain Shop.

They have more than 4,500 square feet of climbing terrain, including state-of-the-art training tools. They also carry all sorts of gear and can help with local routes and conditions. 970-586-6548, EstesParkMountainShop.com.

Hermit Park Open Space

Located about 2.5 miles southeast of Estes Park just off US Hwy 36, the 1,362-acre Hermit Park Open Space offers several outdoor experiences.
There are more than 10 miles of trails to explore. Kruger Rock Trail, with its 360-degree views of Rocky Mountain National Park, is for hikers only. Two trails are designated mountain biking trails.

Restrooms are located at most trailheads. Pick up a map at an adjacent kiosk or check COTREX app (Trails.Colorado.gov) for a paperless version.
The open space requires entrance and camping permits. Open March through mid-December. $10/day per vehicle. Pay at the visitor center or entrance self-serve stations via credit card.  Leashed dogs are allowed.

For more information, 970-619-4570, Larimer.org/NaturalResources.

Spa Time

For a relaxing and rejuvenating day, book a treatment at Elements of Touch Wellness Spa. They offer spa treatments with special products they’ve created that are unique to the spa. 

They use pure ingredients in all of their treatments. The spa is in a beautiful mountain setting along the river so you will leave stress and pain free.

They also offer a vacation rental above the spa. Packages are available at this unique retreat. 970-586-6597, ElementsofTouchEstesPark.com.

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