Rocky Mountain National Park in Summer 

Summer Itinerary

Estes Park Summer Activities

Summer is arguably the most popular season to visit Estes Park and with the wide variety of outdoor adventures, it’s easy to see why. If you’re unsure of where to start or what activity to plan first, take a look at our five-day summer itinerary to help you plan your Estes Park vacation.

Friday

Start your Wild West adventure by checking in and getting the keys to your cabin rental. You’ll really get the feel of Estes Park’s history in our rustic cabins that have been upgraded with all the conveniences and amenities you expect today.

You can either opt to stop by a local grocery store and make dinner at your cabin, or try one of our great restaurants! If you opt to make dinner in your cabin, we highly recommend taking a walk along Elkhorn Avenue to visit the candy, taffy, and ice cream shops for dessert!

Now, get to bed early as you have a full day of fun planned for tomorrow.

Saturday

Get up and at ‘em nice and early to head over to Rocky Mountain National Park! Be sure to make a delicious breakfast in the comforts of your cabin before you go as there won’t be much for food once you’re in the park. You may also want to consider packing a picnic for lunch.

The park fee is $35 per vehicle and your pass is valid for seven consecutive days. When you pay your fee, you’ll receive a map to help guide you around the park and navigate the 355 miles of hiking trails.

If hiking isn’t your thing, don’t worry as there are plenty of scenic stops along the way for photographs or just stretching your legs. Trail Ridge Road is a very popular route in the summer as it’s closed during the winter and spring due to snow. This pass winds its way through the park and is quite a popular road. Another popular destination is Bear Lake for its beautiful views and easy walk on a paved path around the lake.

After hiking or enjoying the scenery, head over to a picnic area and stop for lunch. Please remember to throw away all of your trash in the right receptacle to prevent the wildlife from getting to it.

After lunch, you can continue driving through the park or head back to your condo for a little break after your early morning adventure. You could also head back and enjoy the use of our outdoor heated swimming pool.

Spend a lazy afternoon by the pool and then head back to your cabin for a delicious home-cooked meal.

Sunday

Head over to The Rock Inn for their Sunday brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., that way you can sleep in a little bit after your long day in the park yesterday.

After a filling breakfast, let someone else do the walking as you take the reins on a horseback riding tour! From short jaunts through the Rockies to full-day rides where you can learn about the wildlife and history of the area, a horseback tour is a fun way to see Estes Park.

Though you may be tired of sitting, end your Sunday with a visit to the Estes Park Brewery for wonderful Colorado brews, like the wild honey wheat, stout, or elk lager, as well as dine on some comfort American food.

Monday

Make a protein-packed breakfast at your cabin to fuel up for your journey down the river as you try white water rafting!

Whether you’re in it for the waterfront scenery or the thrills of the rapids, white water rafting is a fun and safe activity for everyone in the family. Expect to be on the water for about two hours with this activity.

After a ripping ride down The Cache La Poudre, dry off and head into town for some shopping! You can’t forget to buy some souvenirs for yourself and your friends, as well as make a return visit to one of our famous taffy or fudge shops.

Tuesday

On your last day, seek the thrills of biking around Estes Park or head back up into Rocky Mountain National Park for a more challenging ride. Getting an early start can be important to avoid afternoon thunderstorms and it allows you to bike in cooler temperatures.

After your morning bike riding adventure, get some lunch at one of the delicious Estes Park restaurants.

Round out your day with a trip to the pool to relax or soothe out some of those aching muscles from a week of Rocky Mountain adventures! While you’re packing, you could call our reservations line to see if you can extend your trip because you know it won’t be time to go home yet!

Be sure to view all Estes Park summer activities to plan your perfect Rocky Mountain itinerary.

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