Our Estes Park Colorado blog delivers the latest news about the region from all of us here at the Estes Park CVB. Get tips, hints and insider information about Estes Park, Colorado. Ask questions and join the conversation on your desktop or through RSS feed. We want you to get the most out of your visit to our Colorado mountain town. And, Estes Park is the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, who's entrance is directly adjacent to town. We cover recreation in the park and around the region, lodging tips, restaurant suggestions as well as things to do. Our goal is to deliver you news you can use to plan ahead as well as when you make those last minute plans to come to Estes Park or Rocky Mountain National Park.
May 16 2012
Estes Park is a favorite relaxing mountain getaway for Denver city dwellers. Only 90 minutes away, Denverites can get up on a Saturday morning and be taking a mid morning stroll in Rocky Mountain National Park or be having brunch at one of Estes Parks many outstanding restaurants. Continue Reading »
Apr 12 2012
Lake Estes in Estes Park Colorado
Spring is in the air and after our enchanting winter season, many of you may be ready to trade in your snow shoes for hiking boots! There are so many things to do in and around Estes Park during the spring that we thought we would share our top 10 outdoor destinations in our Rocky Mountain backyard. Continue Reading »
Feb 15 2012
The premier entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park is an ideal destination for travelers looking for a budget-friendly mountain getaway this spring and summer. With an abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities, wildlife viewing, one-of-a-kind shopping and a variety of accommodation options, the destination has something for everyone. Here are a few things that are new and noteworthy for spring and summer 2012:
Courtesy of: Valhalla Resort
WHAT’S NEW
Journey to the Top! A Trail Ridge Road Bus Adventure. The Rocky Moutain Nature Association introduces a new excursion for 2012 that journeys through the National Park to the top of the nation’s highest continuous paved road, Trail Ridge Road. The family-friendly adventure is offered various dates from June to September.
VALUE PACKED DEALS
Rocky Mountain Explorer Packages. Partnering with Rocky Mountain Nature Association, guests at Rocky Mountain Park Inn can add more value to their stay through the property’s signature explorer packages. The packages include one-night accommodations for two, two passes to select educational field seminars, breakfast credit, boxed lunch in a souvernir backpack and a seven-day pass to Rocky Mountain National Park. As an added giving back bonus, a portion of the package proceeds go the the Rocky Mountain Next Generation Fund to support educational programs for youth.
EVENTS
Wool Market. Home to one of the largest natural fiber markets in the nation, the annual Estes Park Wool Market festival in June includes two days of wool exhibits, sheep-to-shawl weaving demonstrations, sheepherding, fleece competitions and vendor booths featuring natural wool products.
Not to Miss: Wildflower Hikes from late May to early July; Fly Fishing with lessons and tours; Museum Hopping to the Historic Fall River Hydroplant Museum where families can create electricty and view original machinery used by F.O. Stanley to power his hotel and the MacGregor Ranch Museum, one of the nation’s last working ranches that also doubles as a youth agricultural education center.
Nov 28 2011
There’s something magical about the holiday season in Estes Park and it’s been that way ever since I can remember. I recall being enthralled with Santa riding across the sky — presumably toward my home more than 100 miles east of the village. I just knew that Rudolph was leading the way to our ranch when I dreamed of Christmas while waiting for my older siblings to return from school.
It was later in my childhood when I realized Santa was a billboard mural designed and built just for the season. All the murals were created between 1958 and 1966. All are individually lit and provide a special addition to the ambience of the holiday season. They even erected a depiction of the Old Woman in the Shoe with all those children crawling in and out of windows. One mural helped my understand the meaning of Christmas with the Three Wise Men and the sheep standing on the hillside as they pointed toward a lighted star. They’ve all been refurbished now, but their presence evokes the essence of a simpler time.
Over the years, the village has become more magical. Even with my childhood fantasies erased, a new magic replaces my visions. Thousands and thousands of tiny white lights adorn all the trees throughout the downtown area. Leading into the village are 120 colorful trees hanging from streetlamp poles.
Last weekend about 300 people kicked off the season with an old-fashioned tree lighting ceremony in Bond Park. By Monday night all those twinkling lights called out to me.
And now there’s a nighttime lighted parade that’s become an essential element of the tradition that calls out to thousands of people. It started in the late 1980s and is held the day after Thanksgiving. The first three years, the parade was billed as “Santa’s Storybook Parade” and featured all walking characters. Today there are 40 floats, as couple of bands and a few other marching units. All the groups are decorated with lights.
As an adult, I cannot imagine a Christmas without the parade or a place where I’ve enjoyed the holidays more. Christmas in Estes Park is my tradition.
And I still love seeing Santa fly across the sky.
Nov 10 2011
Where are the elk?
I shrugged and gave the visitors from out-of-town the palms up—I didn’t have a clue. The elk had gathered every day for the past month on the 9-hole golf course, but after a recent snow they had disappeared. Not an elk in sight.
“Don’t you have a reserve where you keep the elk?” the visitor asked, a little frustrated.
Nope. Estes Park isn’t a zoo. The elk herds go wherever the big bull tells them to go. They don’t care about Park boundaries or fences built to keep them out. In fact, they’re probably in my backyard right now, rubbing their antlers on our deck and scaring the cat. Continue Reading »
