While any time of year is great for visiting Estes Park, summer is particularly fun with its abundance of outdoor activities. Whether you are here for a family vacation, romantic weekend getaway, or just hanging with some friends, discover our favorite activities for summer fun in Estes Park.
Rafting
Despite our higher elevation, summer days in Estes Park can get hot and one of the best ways to cool off is with a rafting adventure. The Purdue and Colorado Rivers are within driving distance with an entire fleet of companies offering rafting trips near Estes Park! Depending on who is in your group, most tour companies feature routes that range from easy to hard. So, if you’re just starting out a gentle Class 3 or 2 might be more your speed, but if you’re looking for more of an adrenaline rush a Class 5 or 4 might be what you want.
Many tour companies offer half-or full-day trips, as well as hourly-length trips. Some of the longer trips will include extra amenities like a packed lunch or even a hike to make your afternoon on the river complete.
Hiking
A summer vacation to Estes Park wouldn’t be complete without at least one hike. Whether you choose to hike in Rocky Mountain National Park or along the many scenic trails outside the park, there is always something magical to see. Discover a few of our favorite hikes and some of the most popular waterfall hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park that are perfect for summer fun in Estes Park!
Jeep tours
Cover more ground and give your legs a rest by signing up for a jeep tour. See the beauty of the Colorado mountains on an ATV, 4-wheeler, or even on a guided jeep tour. Summer is one of the best times to explore with off-road vehicles because almost every area of the mountain is accessible with little to no snow left. The best months are July and August to explore the areas that are not able to be accessed the rest of the year.
There are several companies in Estes Park that offer guided jeep tours that range from photo safaris to sunset tours. Most will have off-road permits that will allow you to explore places that others aren’t able to access without a permit.
Fishing
Fun for the entire family, fishing is a popular year-round activity, but particularly in the summer. Notable fishing rivers include the Roaring River and the Big Thompson River, where you’ll find a variety of trout, including Rainbow, Brown, Brook, and Greenback Cutthroat. More than 16 lakes, 20 rivers, and 24 catch-and-release areas can also be found at the Rocky Mountain National Park. These rivers are noted for their stocks of Rainbow, Brown, Colorado River, Greenback, and Brook trout. Visit Mary’s Lake and Lake Estes, which also has a marina, for in-town fishing opportunities.
Summer fun at Valhalla Resort
Of course, one of the best ways to have some summer fun in Estes Park is with a stay at Valhalla Resort! Our property boasts a swimming pool, mini-golf course, a playground, and shuffleboard, plus a basketball and volleyball court. In addition to all this, we also feature an activities center with a ping pong table, foosball, cable TV, and more.
Guests can choose from one, two, three, and four-bedroom cabins. Ranging from cozy cabins for two to larger cabins that can sleep up to 16 people, there’s something for you no matter your group size. Choose from cabins on the river, cabins with a hot tub, cabins with a fireplace, or both. Plus, guests also enjoy fully equipped kitchens, outdoor patios, mountain views, and modern amenities such as Roku TV and free Wi-Fi.
Book your summer getaway to Estes Park today at Valhalla Resort!