Spend the day in Rocky Mountain National Park traversing the renowned Trail Ridge Road, an engineering marvel that soars above 12,000 feet and allows for spectacular views of the park’s grandeur. We’re talking jaw-dropping sweeping panoramas like you’ve probably never experienced. This drive combines awe-inspiring vistas, wildlife encounters (at a distance), and leisurely hikes. You’ll be fully immersed in the RMNP experience.
Drink in a majestic Colorado sunrise. Wolf down a hearty breakfast in Estes Park. Walk around Sprague Lake or Bear Lake. Head back to Estes for lunch (or better yet, you will have packed a picnic). Traverse Trail Ridge Road. Retrace your drive, and end with an exquisite dinner at a local favorite restaurant. Oh, and I dare you not to hum “Rocky Mountain High, Colorado” at some point in (or throughout) the day. I’m always ecstatic above 10,000 feet. I hope you will be too!
Trail Ridge Road Summit, Estes Park, CO, USA
Estes Park, CO, USA
Sprague Lake, Colorado, USA
Bear Lake, Colorado, USA
Many Parks Curve Overlook, U.S. 34, Estes Park, CO, USA
Kind Coffee, East Elkhorn Avenue, Estes Park, CO, USA
La Cocina De Mama, South Saint Vrain Avenue, Estes Park, CO, USA
Nymph Lake, Colorado, USA
Dream Lake, Colorado, USA
Emerald Lake, Colorado, USA
Alpine Visitor Center, Trail Ridge Road, Grand Lake, CO, USA
Bird & Jim, Moraine Avenue, Estes Park, CO, USA
Scratch Deli & Bakery, Moraine Avenue, Estes Park, CO, USA
Grand Lake, CO, USA
Milner Pass, Colorado, USA
The Rock Inn, Colorado 66, Estes Park, CO, USA
Dunraven at The Estes Park Resort, Colorado Peaks Drive, Estes Park, CO, USA
Stanley Hotel, East Wonderview Avenue, Estes Park, CO, USA
Della Terra Mountain Chateau, Fall River Road, Estes Park, CO, USA
Before Breakfast in Rocky Mountain National Park & Estes Park
Many Parks Curve
Wake up early today. It’s worth it. The Many Parks Curve overlook, about 10 miles and 45 minutes from downtown Estes, is an amazing place to catch a breathtaking sunrise. Connect with a Higher Power here. The view offers a panorama of park valleys and meadows bathed in the morning light. Dress warmly. Keep your eyes peeled for elk and moose.
Let’s talk weather and altitude. The weather can and does change on a dime. Watch for dark clouds, especially in the afternoons. There’s no cure for altitude sickness except to escape to a lower elevation. Drink plenty of water, eat well, and take your time.
Best Places for Breakfast in Rocky Mountain National Park & Estes Park
Kind Coffee
The lively and colorful Kind Coffee offers an eco-conscious ethos, offering organic, fair-trade coffee. Their extensive coffee menu ranges from classic drip to artisan espresso drinks. The ‘Rocky Mountain Mocha’ is a decadent favorite. Fuel up with bagels and breakfast burritos — and gluten-free options. Don’t miss the outdoor seating by the river — a treat.
Best Things To Do in the Morning in Rocky Mountain National Park & Estes Park
Bear or Sprague Lakes
If you are in shape, you will be mightily rewarded! Take the 3.8-mile out-and-back trail to Bear, Nymph, Dream, and Emerald Lakes. It’s moderately challenging and takes about two hours without much lingering. But you’ll never forget it.
It’s super popular and the parking lot fills up, so get there early or take a shuttle. You can always walk take the Bear Lake loop, short and flat and glorious in its own right.
Sprague Lake, on the way, is an 0.8-mile circle trail that’s easy and meditative. All these trails are accessible year-round. I particularly love snowshoeing the 3.8 miles from Bear to Emerald.
Best Places for Lunch in Rocky Mountain National Park & Estes Park
The Alpine Visitor Center on Trail Ridge Road has a little seasonal cafe and coffee bar, open from about late May to early October. If you’ve brought a picnic from Estes, this is a great place to eat.
Bird & Jim
Head back into town to Bird & Jim, which embodies modern Colorado cuisine with a focus on organic ingredients. It’s rustic, refined, and contemporary. Go for the bison burger, served with truffle fries, or the grilled Colorado trout, sourced from local waters. Vegetarians and gluten-free options are available, too, reflecting an inclusivity that’s appreciated. Skip the craft brews since we’re heading out to high altitudes after lunch. Service is attentive. NOTE: This place is fab for dinner, too.
Scratch Deli and Bakery
Call in your order for takeout at Scratch Deli and Bakery. Sandwiches are their jam: roast beef, tuna melts, turkey avocado BLT, grilled veggie, and the like. As for the bakery part, yeah, um, I recommend the carrot cake or a flaky croissant. The latter doesn’t travel well for a picnic lunch, so just eat it first. The bread is baked daily in-house and the sandwiches are large.
Best Things To Do in the Afternoon in Rocky Mountain National Park & Estes Park
Trail Ridge Road
I’ll go out on a limb: You’ve never driven anything like Trail Ridge Road. Top of the Rockies. From downtown Estes, it’s about 25 miles and takes a bit more than an hour if you don’t stop. Which you will. Stop everywhere, including Forest Canyon and Rock Cut. Stop at the Alpine Visitor Center, the highest-elevation visitor center in the National Park System. It has great exhibits on the alpine tundra, and hungry marmots outside. Take an easy walk (except for that pesky elevation thing) on the Alpine Ridge Trail, which is just over half a mile round trip.
From here it’s another 22 miles and about 45 minutes (without stopping, which, again you must) along Trail Ridge Road to the park’s western gateway at Grand Lake. Again, stop everywhere. Lake Irene is serene. Take a pic on both sides of the Continental Divide at Milner Pass. Each stop tells a different story of the park’s formation and evolution.
Turn around and experience the same drive in reverse back to Estes. It looks completely different. Depending on the time of year, watch the sunset from anywhere. Maybe even close to the summit at 12,183 feet.
Best Places for Dinner in Rocky Mountain National Park & Estes Park
The Rock Inn
The Rock Inn, housed in a log cabin, exudes a cozy mountain lodge atmosphere, complete with a stone fireplace and vintage photographs on the walls. The menu is best described as mountain casual. Think hearty meats like elk medallions and trout almondine. There are seafood choices for the non-meat eaters among us. Local craft beers, regional wines, and in-house desserts like apple crisp round things out.
Best Places to Stay in Rocky Mountain National Park & Estes Park
Stanley Hotel
The historic Stanley Hotel offers luxurious accommodations with a Rocky Mountain backdrop. It’s famous as the inspiration for Stephen King’s “The Shining.” A grand, early 20th-century hotel that exudes a classic charm, the Stanley offers tasteful, comfortable rooms, a wellness center, and on-site tours.
Della Terra Mountain Chateau
The romantic Della Terra Mountain Chateau provides secluded boutique accommodation in the mountains. Each room comes with a private balcony with a hot tub, a perfect way to relax after a loooong day of exploring. Their attention to detail and top-notch service sets them apart.