Named for Joel Estes, who settled here in 1859. Now the eastern gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park and a town that hosts four million park visitors a year. Six thousand residents, 3,000 elk. The Stanley Hotel opened in 1909, inspired Stephen King to write The Shining, and now claims to be haunted. Trail Ridge Road starts here and climbs to 12,183 feet, the highest continuous paved highway in the country. Downtown fills with shops and restaurants, elk graze on the golf course, and the Rockies rise behind everything.
Where to Stay
The Stanley Hotel
Georgian Revival hotel built in 1909, on the National Register of Historic Places. Stephen King stayed in 1974 and wrote The Shining. Now it has ghost tours, a whiskey bar with 1,200 varieties, and views of Longs Peak. Allegedly haunted, genuinely historic.
The Landing at Estes Park
Boutique riverside retreat on the Big Thompson River, two miles from the main entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. Stone fireplaces, handcrafted hickory furniture, private balconies over the water. Adirondack chairs and fire pits along the riverbank. Locally owned, veteran-owned. Quieter and more intimate than anything in town — the river does most of the talking.
Where to Eat
Bird & Jim
Colorado cuisine in a renovated 100-year-old building that started as a hamburger stand in 1926. Locally sourced, seasonal menu, impressive whiskey list. The kind of restaurant that takes its ingredients seriously without being precious about it.
Nepal's Cafe
Himalayan food in a mountain town. Momos, curries, lentil soups. Cozy, vegetarian-friendly, and different from everything else on Elkhorn Avenue.
The Rock Inn
Started as a sandwich shop in 1937, added a dance hall in 1943, now the local spot for live music and comfort food near the park entrance. Wood-burning stoves in winter, stone fire pit on the patio in summer. Friday nights they clear the floor and the band plays on an 80-year-old stage.
Where to Drink
The Whiskey Bar at The Stanley Hotel
Colorado's largest whiskey collection: 1,200 varieties and counting. Part of Cascades Restaurant at the Stanley. Open 10am to 1:30am. For serious tastings, book The Vault for limited-edition pours. Worth visiting even if you're not staying at the hotel.
Rock Cut Brewing
Local craft brewery. Build-your-own flights, solid post-hike beers. Less scene than some of the downtown options.
The Wheel Bar
The locals' dive, open since 1945. Pool tables, shuffleboard, foosball, and a good beer selection at prices that haven't caught up to the tourist economy. Family-owned, strictly 21+. Where Estes Park drinks when it's not performing for visitors.
Getting Around
Car needed? Essential
You need a car. Trail Ridge Road is 48 miles one way. The park's timed entry reservation system requires you to enter at your reserved time. Downtown Estes Park is walkable once you've parked.
Beyond the Park
Elk Watching
Three thousand elk live in the Estes Park area. You'll see them on the golf course, near the visitor center, in Moraine Park and Horseshoe Park inside Rocky Mountain. The rut runs mid-September to mid-October, when bulls bugle and spar. Keep 75 feet away.
Trail Ridge Road
The highest continuous paved highway in America, reaching 12,183 feet. Runs 48 miles from Estes Park to Grand Lake over the Continental Divide. Above treeline, look for marmots in the boulder fields. Typically open late May through mid-October, weather depending.
Pro Tips
- Trail Ridge Road closes in winter, typically late October through late May.
- Rocky Mountain National Park uses timed entry reservations from late May through mid-October. Book ahead.
- The Stanley Hotel offers ghost tours if you want the full Shining experience.
- Elk are wild animals. Keep 75 feet away, especially during the fall rut when bulls are aggressive.