Whenever you set your travel sights on time in Estes Park, you’re guaranteed to be in for an amazing adventure. Here, there’s often a long list of top-rated attractions visitors can’t wait to check out, but there are great off-the-beaten-path stops to discover as well! When you’re looking for a few lesser-known places to explore, the following are the top 10 hidden gems in Estes Park for your next vacation.
Rock Cut Lookout
There’s a good chance that your trip to Estes Park will include quality time exploring Rocky Mountain National Park. That gives you the perfect opportunity to add a stop at the Rock Cut Lookout to your list. Sitting at 12,178 feet in elevation, Rock Cut Lookout is an amazing place to treat yourself to stunning views out and over Longs Peak. You’ll also have a vantage point over the blue Gorge Lakes, Hayden Gorge, and the Never Summer Mountain Range from this vantage point. It’s an idyllic destination for a photo, and a wonderful place to simply sit, reflect, and breathe deeply during your stay.
Birch Ruins
If you’re spending time in Estes Park and have a passion for history, Birch Ruins could be a highlight of your stay. Sitting above downtown Estes Park, Birch Ruins is what remains of a charming stone home built by former mayor Joel Birch back in the early 1900s. You only have to make a short hike to reach this hidden gem, which also provides visitors with gorgeous views out over Lake Estes once you arrive.
The Rock Inn Mountain Tavern
What was once a dance hall in the 1930s is today known and loved as The Rock Inn Mountain Tavern in Estes Park. You’ll find this inviting eatery at 1675 CO-66, and it’s a one-stop hub for comfort food and live music, too. The vibe is decidedly laid back, whether you stop for dinner or you just drop by for drinks with friends over Happy Hour.
The Estes Park Memorial Observatory
If your interests have you frequently gazing toward the sky, you’ll want to make sure to make time on your itinerary for a trip to the Estes Park Memorial Observatory on your next trip to Colorado. This is a volunteer-run observatory found at 1600 Manford Avenue, which hosts educational programs throughout the year as well as public viewing nights. It’s a great place to enjoy prime stargazing fun and use specialized telescopes on-site.
Kruger Rock Trail
Estes Park is packed with popular hiking routes, but when you’re looking for a pathway that’s easy and perhaps less traveled, try the Kruger Rock Trail while you’re here. This is a nearly 4-mile out-and-back trail that far too often gets overlooked as hikers make their way to better-known Emerald Lake and Bear Lake. When you take time to explore the Kruger Rock Trail, your reward comes in the form of stunning rocky summit overlooks that showcase the best of Estes Valley. If you love wildlife too, you’ll find this overlook is often great for spotting elk in the valley below.
Stanley Hotel Underground Tours
Those with a love for all things spooky will very likely be spending time on at least one tour of the iconic Stanley Hotel during their stay in Estes Park. However, not everyone is as aware that the hotel also offers underground tours! Take time to ask about these one-of-a-kind guided and subterranean experiences that show you an entirely new side of this top attraction. Not to worry if you’re looking for that spooky factor, because these tours infuse paranormal lore as well.
The Estes Park Riverwalk
When it’s a vibrant and high-energy day of strolling, shopping, and dining you’re after in Estes Park, Elkhorn Avenue is a popular place to be. However, when you’re looking to enjoy something a little more peaceful, you’ll want to consider exploring the Estes Park Riverwalk instead. You’ll find this meandering route following the Big Thompson River, tucked behind a collection of shops. Year-round, there are quiet benches to take a seat on or flower and foliage-lined paths to admire, but in certain seasons, you can enjoy rotating art installations along the riverwalk, too.
The Lake Estes Marina
Understandably, the alpine waterways that call Rocky Mountain National Park home get a lot of love from travelers heading this way. That said, if you’re looking forward to time on the water with fewer crowds to contend with, spending time at the Lake Estes Marina is always a great option. Here, you can easily rent pontoon boats, kayaks, or paddleboards for the day and explore the waves at your own pace. There are also great surrounding hiking trails to check out when you want to see the water from varying vantage points.
MacGregor Ranch Museum
If you make your way to 180 MacGregor Lane in Estes Park, you’ll find yourself at the entrance to the MacGregor Ranch Museum. This is a place where visitors are invited to step back in time as they tour a museum that reflects authentic 19th-century homesteading life in Colorado. The MacGregor Ranch Museum is a working cattle ranch and learning center where you can enjoy a guided tour, explore historic buildings, or walk the many scenic trails.
Horseshoe Park
Sitting within Rocky Mountain National Park, Horseshoe Park is a well-known scenic lowland meadow to explore. While many visitors head this way in the daytime, it becomes much more of a hidden gem at twilight when the crowds have dispersed! This is when you can enjoy watching the sun set over the horizon without a care in the world. When you’re looking for a peaceful place to watch the stars begin to appear near Estes Park, this is definitely it.
Book Your Stay Today
No matter when you choose to enjoy a much-needed vacation to scenic Estes Park this year, booking your accommodations through Mountain Village at Lake Estes ensures you’ll have the luxury, comfort, and style you deserve to enjoy while you’re here. Reach out today to learn more about our inviting rental options available and to start turning travel plans into a reality soon!
