Spring has sprung, snow is beginning to melt, and the air holds the promise of warmer days ahead. While Estes Park still sees some snow at the beginning of spring, by mid- to late spring, the ground has begun to thaw, golf courses reopen for the season, and trails become easier to navigate. Enjoy an Estes Park spring break in our cool mountain town, where the outdoor opportunities are endless and the evenings end under starry skies.
Day 1: Play a Round of Golf During Your Estes Park Spring Break
Estes Park’s golf course reopens for the season in mid-April. Their 18-hole course offers panoramic mountain views, scenic water features, and a great opportunity to beat the high season rush. Their PGA pro shop offers individual and group lessons to help improve specific aspects of your game, and season passes with the same fees for residents and non-residents offer a budget-friendly option for enjoying a longer spring stay in Estes Park.
Day 2: Bird Watch at Matthews-Reeser Bird Sanctuary
Located along the western end of Lake Estes, the Matthews-Reeser Bird Sanctuary is an ideal destination for viewing wildlife. Home to more than 200 bird species, springtime at the Sanctuary brings increased wildlife activity. Migrant Warblers can often be spotted in spring, along with hummingbirds, red tailed hawks, flycatchers, vireos, swallows, wrens, thrushes, peregrine falcons, and more! Herds of elk can also often be seen near here. Paved and gravel trails wind their way through the sanctuary, offering a pleasant place for a stroll.
Day 3: Picnic Amid Stunning Scenery
There are so many options for enjoying a scenic picnic on an Estes Park spring break! From getting takeout to enjoy along the downtown’s scenic river walk to packing a lunch to be enjoyed after you’ve conquered a challenging trail, spring is a great time to enjoy an outdoor lunch. Nearby Lily Lake offers scenic views of Longs Peak and Mount Meeker, and the picnic tables situated along the lake’s east shore are situated near the edge of the lake with convenient access to the parking lot. If you’d prefer something more adventurous, Rocky Mountain National Park boasts hundreds of miles of trails, scenic vistas, and Instagram-worthy picnic spots!
Day 4: Gear Up and Hit the Trail
Choose from the miles of trails within Rocky Mountain National Park or one of the many excellent forest trails outside the park’s bounds for a day out in the wild. Spring weather can be either snow-filled or with clear trails and hints of warmth. Either way, it’s possible to get out and explore the trails with the right gear! Downtown Estes Park has a handful of gear shops that will get you kitted out and headed in the right direction with tips from knowledgeable locals. Check out Estes Park Mountain Shop for all the gear you’ll need, no matter the season. With snow still on the ground, you can pick up cross-country skis, downhill skis and snowboards, and snowshoes. If spring has sprung early and the snow has already melted, stop in to ask about recommended hikes and scenic trails. Biking is also a great spring activity, and the paved path around Lake Estes provides a safe place for families, while a network of trails offer excitement and challenge for experienced cyclists.
Day 5: Explore the Lake Estes Loop
Surrounding the sparkling Lake Estes is a 3.8-mile paved path great for a variety of activities. With spring in Estes Park, you may find yourself with a clear, sunny day or a day where snow still blankets the ground. Either way, the Lake Estes path can still be enjoyed. This path is frequented by walkers, joggers, cyclists, snowshoers, and more, depending on the weather! Choose your transportation mode of choice and enjoy scenic views of the lake, capture a postcard-perfect shot of Long’s Peak reflecting on the water, and take in sights of fly fishermen landing the day’s catch. Lake Estes is an iconic landmark in Estes Park, and the loop that encircles the lake is a great way to enjoy some of the area’s most scenic views.
Day 6: Kayak on Lake Estes
Lake Estes’ relatively small size makes it ideal for water adventures such as kayaking. With no speed boats to disrupt the serene waters, a kayaking experience here can be as peaceful as it is adventuresome. With boat rentals becoming available around the beginning of May, you’ll find kayaking Lake Estes a great activity for a trip scheduled for the end of spring. Lake Estes boasts 185 surface acres to explore, so it’s possible to kayak to the opposite side of the lake in approximately 45 minutes, making it the perfect size for a day of exploring. The mountain peaks rising up around Lake Estes cast a picturesque reflection in the water, making kayaking on this waterway both scenic and a great way to get in a day of exercise. In addition to kayak rentals, you will find stand up paddle boards, canoes, motorized fishing boats, pontoon boats, and paddle boats available for rent, so there are many options for customizing your day of boating on the beautiful waters of Lake Estes.
Day 7: Go Off-Roading
Estes Park’s wilderness can be explored in more ways than simply hiking. In fact, some of the most exciting adventures are had aboard an ATV or Jeep, exploring the backroads and rugged terrain of Estes Park. Backbone Adventures offers both ATV and Jeep rentals for your Estes Park off-roading adventure. Bunce School Road and Middle Saint Vrain are ideal for exploring via ATV, with their surrounding natural beauty and wildlife. Catch moose in your peripheral vision as you speed along rugged trails. Sites such as an Air Force jet plane crash provide interesting points of interest, where you can explore the plane’s remains. Forge through water crossings, feeling as if you are truly on the forefront of exploration! Jeep rentals are also available for exploring Storm Mountain in style.
Spring Rentals in Estes Park
Celebrate the arrival of spring with a stay in one of our Estes Park spring rental cabins. These exquisite cabins along the shores of Lake Estes provide a scenic spring break getaway. With excellent access to outdoor activities as well as beautiful scenery for those who prefer to enjoy the views while remaining in comfort, Estes Park is an ideal destination. Our spacious, 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom cabins offer modern touches that pair well with rustic features such as log interiors. An open concept great room offers space for your family to make special spring break memories. Many of our Estes Park spring rentals boast lake views through the dramatic two-story wall of windows. Soaring vaulted ceilings with a loft tucked away on the second level overlooking it all is the perfect setup for families. In addition, there is plenty of space to roam and relax, with a covered outdoor deck. Turn out the outdoor fireplace and slip in the hot tub to warm up at the end of a chilly spring day. When the last light of day fades away, take your pick from two master suites for your good night’s sleep. A majestic mountain sunrise awaits in the morning for another day of adventuring! Spend this spring in Estes Park, where the charming downtown and the nearby National Park offer a perfect mix of indoor and outdoor activity options. For accommodations with luxurious interiors and scenic mountain and lake views, near all of the best Estes Park things to do, browse our offerings along the shore of Lake Estes!