Things To Do

Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) is truly one of the wonders of Colorado. It is around a 10 minute drive from our wedding venue. Please note that RMNP is at a much higher elevation than Estes Park, make sure to stay hydrated! To enter Rocky Mountain National Park you will need a timed entry permit. You can purchase at recreation.gov. Permits for August 2024 will go on sale 7/1/24. We also highly recommend downloading the AllTrails app as it will give you all sorts of information on these hikes. As we are avid park goers and hikers, we have compiled a list of hikes/viewpoints in the park for you below.

Bear Lake Walking Trail

A 0.7 Mile nature walk in the heart of RMNP with scenic views of the mountain range in the park. Probably the most popular part of the park. There is a parking lot for this lake, but it is usually quite crowded, as it is the trailhead for a lot of the hikes in the park. You will see signs for a park & ride to bear lake which has plenty of parking. To enter Rocky Mountain National Park you will need a timed entry permit and for this hike you will need the Bear Lake Corridor option. You can purchase at recreation.gov. Permits for August 2024 will go on sale 7/1/24.

Emerald Lake Hiking Trail

A 3.2 Mile Out & Back trail with 702 ft of elevation gain. This is more of a moderate hike, however it offers breathtaking views and a phenomenal payoff. It generally takes about 1hr 40 minutes to complete. The closest parking lot to this trailhead is the Bear Lake lot. If there are no spots available, you can always park at the park and ride and take the shuttle! To enter Rocky Mountain National Park you will need a timed entry permit and for this hike you will need the Bear Lake Corridor option. You can purchase at recreation.gov. Permits for August 2024 will go on sale 7/1/24.

Chasm Falls Hiking Trail

This is a 4.7 mi hike with 531 elevation gain. This is an easy to moderate out and back trail that wraps around fall river road and leads to a waterfall at the top. Lots of great picnic locations at the base of this trailhead. This hike is not located in the Bear Lake corridor, so a great option if you did not get the bear lake corridor timed entry permit! To enter Rocky Mountain National Park you will need a timed entry permit. You can purchase at recreation.gov. Permits for August 2024 will go on sale 7/1/24.

Loch Lake Hiking Trail

A 5.4 Mile Out & Back with 1,062 ft of elevation gain. This is a slightly more difficult hike than Emerald Lake, however, it still would fit in the ‘moderate’ category. You are rewarded with waterfalls as you ascend to the Loch at the end of the hike. This hike generally takes just under 3hr to complete. To access this hike you can park at the Glacier Gorge parking lot or the Bear Lake lot. If the spots are all full, the park and ride shuttle is always an option! To enter Rocky Mountain National Park you will need a timed entry permit and for this hike you will need the Bear Lake Corridor option. You can purchase at recreation.gov. Permits for August 2024 will go on sale 7/1/24.

Lake Haiyaha Hiking Trail

A 4.0 Mile Out & Back with 846 ft of elevation gain. This hike is similar in difficulty to Emerald Lake and crystal blue waters await at the top! You will also view Emerald lake as you go up in elevation. Generally takes about 2hr to complete. The closest parking lot to this trailhead is the Bear Lake lot. If there are no spots available, you can always park at the park and ride and take the shuttle! To enter Rocky Mountain National Park you will need a timed entry permit and for this hike you will need the Bear Lake Corridor option. You can purchase at recreation.gov. Permits for August 2024 will go on sale 7/1/24.

Sprague Lake Trail

A 0.8 Mile nature walk around Sprague Lake offering scenic views of the Rocky Mountains. There is a parking lot for this lake. To enter Rocky Mountain National Park you will need a timed entry permit and for this hike you will need the Bear Lake Corridor option. You can purchase at recreation.gov. Permits for August 2024 will go on sale 7/1/24.

Lumpy Ridge Trailhead

This trailhead is only 1.5 miles from Black Canyon Inn and has several moderate difficulty hike options. There is some parking available on the road outside of the trailhead entrance that doesn't require a timed entry permit for the national park to access. We recommend the Gem Lake Trail - it provides a wonderful view of the town of Estes!

Lake Estes

If you are looking for some activities around the town, Lake Estes is a great choice! You can rent paddle boards, Kayaks, Canoes, bicycles, and more. Estes Park Mountain Shop is our favorite local shop with rentals of all of the above. For some shopping, make sure to go down the stairs in the mountain shop to find excellent deals on popular outdoor brands.

Estes Park Aerial Tramway Top Terminal

Super fun activity! Take a tram to the top of Estes for amazing views of the mountains and town. We suggest booking tickets in advance to ensure a spot.

Stanley Hotel

The Stanley Hotel is another cool attraction in the town. Stephen King stayed at this hotel while he wrote his masterpiece, ‘The Shining.’ He claims that the eerie vibe of the hotel inspired him for his novel, turned movie. The hotel offers tours to learn about its history.

Antonio's Real New York Pizza

The name says it all! This place serves up some amazing, New York style Pizza. They also have some incredible NY style desserts, such as Cannolis, rainbow cookies, etc.

Estes Thai Restaurant

An excellent thai restaurant right near the heart of the town. Family run and very authentic.

Cinnamon's Bakery

Go here for some of the best cinnamon rolls you’ve ever had. Even if you’re not a fan of cinnamon rolls, they have seasonal fruit flavors and an amazing Pecan Sticky Bun. They open at 7:30AM daily, but be sure to get there early as they sell out quickly!

The Post Chicken & Beer

This awesome chicken spot originated in Estes Park and saw enough success to open 6 other locations around Colorado. They also were on everybody’s favorite food network show - Diners, Drive-ins & Dives. This is an excellent option for any of our gluten free friends as they offer gluten free fried chicken.

Notchtop Bakery & Cafe

A comfy, diner style, brunch spot with a large menu and the best breakfast in town!

The Rock Inn Mountain Tavern

A classic Estes Park restaurant that has been open since 1937. This restaurant features live music most nights of the week and serves a menu of Colorado comfort food.

Kind Coffee

No better place to start your morning in Estes Park! Grab a coffee, some light eats, and head out to their back patio by the creek to enjoy some nature!

Bird & Jim

Great spot for a nicer lunch / dinner full of local Colorado cuisine. Make reservations in advance! Highly recommend the smoked trout dip!

Rock Cut Brewing Company

Scratch Deli & Bakery

Awesome spot for a really good sandwich. Almost everything is made in-house and the staff is super friendly.