Top Estes Park How to Get Around in 2026

We offer private, fully customizable hiking tours of Rocky Mountain National Park. Take a guided hike to see the best the area has to offer. You follow our guide to the trailhead (in your own vehicle) to begin your hike. All tours include a timed entry reservation, gear rentals, and 5 professional photos available for digital download. (Ask about our add-on package for more photos!) We offer fully inclusive and accessible options as well. Great for solo travelers or the whole family and all ability levels. We will text you to build your custom itinerary after we receive your booking request. 4 hour: Easy/Beginner 6 hour: Medium/Intermediate 8 hour: Hard/Advanced

Enjoy unobstructed views–come rain or shine–as you discover all that the Rocky Mountains have to offer in a retractable glass-top vehicle. This 3- to 4-hour, small-group adventure takes you above the treetops, to cascading waterfalls and past glaciers. Fill your lungs with Rocky’s fresh mountain air during a pleasant short hike or two to some of the points of interest.

Immerse yourself in Rocky Mountain National Park’s spectacular landscape with miles of rugged mountains, sparkling lakes, and abundant wildlife. On this private tour, take a scenic drive and cover more ground in less time with a step-on guide. A fully customized itinerary allows you to make stops for photo opportunities and hiking.

With this private tour, experience one of Rocky Mountain National Park's most famous events in worry-free, VIP style. Picked up from Estes Park, your driver/guide whisks you off into nature to see hundreds of elk coming down from the mountaintops. Drive along high alpine roads, stop at one of the highest visitor centers in the National Park Service system, and more with binoculars and bottled water provided, too.

Climb from the streets of the "Mile High City" to Rocky Mountain National Park, on a day trip that showcases the rugged beauty of Colorado's mountains. Weave through small, historic towns and drive over alpine passes, as you scan the horizon for mountain wildlife such as elk, black bears, or moose.

Explore the picturesque town of Estes Park—and leave the crowds behind—on this small-group e-bike tour around its scenic landscape. Discover highlights, including the historic main street and renowned Stanley Hotel, ride on the dedicated cycle path by Lake Estes, and take in panoramic views of Rocky Mountain National Park. Along the way, learn about the area and hear insights on local culture and traditions.

Leave the guidebook behind and spend an afternoon exploring Rocky Mountain National Park with a local historian and naturalist with decades of experience. This private afternoon tour can be customized based on your interests and is an ideal introduction to the massive park, which can be overwhelming for first-time visitors. Get wildlife viewing tips and learn about the area’s pioneer and Native American history along the way.

The basecamp to Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park offers unlimited high-elevation adventure—and with this tour, you’ll see that for yourself, *without* breaking a sweat. Following your guide, you’ll set off on an e-bike, traveling from the famous Stanley Hotel to downtown Estes to Rocky Mountain and more, getting to know this mountain town in the open air.

Bypass the timed-entry reservations at Rocky Mountain National Park when you book this private half-day tour. Your guide takes you to the best parts of the park and explains the wildlife, history, and ecology. Enjoy relaxed driving with optional easy walks to overlooks tailored to your interests, with hiking poles and microspikes provided for accessible hikes. Note that the park entrance fee is not included.

Take the guesswork out of visiting the Rocky Mountain National Park on this half-day hike from Estes Park, including a timed entry ticket. Follow a route designed for maximum beauty, take in picturesque lake and mountain views, and hike between roughly 3 to 5 miles (4.8 to 8 kilometers). Learn more about Colorado and visit spots you’d otherwise have missed along the way.

Skip the awkward group tours or finagling a ranger talk into your Rocky Mountain National Park schedule. This private self-guided tour lets you hit all the stops you want, always at your pace. With hours of content—enough for several days—you’ll get an in-depth look wherever you go in the RMNP area, from Estes Park to Trail Ridge Road to Bear Lake and beyond.

Explore the stunning landscapes of Rocky Mountain National Park on this private car tour from Estes Park. With expert local guidance. Where captivating views and memorable experiences await. This comfortable tour includes a variety of stops, from the serene Sprague Lake to the breathtaking Trail Ridge Road, ensuring every moment is picture-perfect. Enjoy the convenience of transportation, binoculars for wildlife watching, and refreshing water throughout the journey, all in about 3 hours. Ideal for families and nature lovers seeking a relaxing adventure in the heart of Colorado. - Private 3-hour car tour of Estes & RMNP! - Includes transportation, binoculars, and water - Perfect for families and nature enthusiasts looking for a stress-free experience

Explore the stunning beauty of the Rocky Mountains like never before on our guided tour of Rocky Mountain National Park! This self-guided audio tour will take you on a journey through the park's iconic peaks, and stunning alpine lakes, with views of breathtaking wildlife. Turn your phone into a personal guide as we share fascinating insights into the park's geology, ecology, and history. With stops at multiple viewpoints and scenic overlooks, you'll have plenty of opportunities to explore the park's stunning vistas and capture unforgettable photos. The tour provides directions, stories, music, and travel tips - all in the comfort of your own vehicle. It's like having a tour guide along for the ride. We've done all the planning, so you don't have to! *Download the Shaka Guide app to access your purchased tours.*

Get your creative juices flowing and participate in a painting workshop during your time in Estes Park, Colorado. Join a small group at a studio and discover a new art medium—acrylic pour painting. Every guest receives a canvas and learns how to pour the paints in a methodic way to create beautiful works of art. The best part is, that you can create your work without worrying about cleaning up.

Estes Park is the year-round adventure playground of Colorado and the base camp for Rocky Mountain National Park. With seemingly endless outdoor activities, there is truly something for every one. On the comfort of an electric bike enjoy the ride, take in the sites, and learn the history from your experienced tour guide. Experience a memorable two hour Guided Electric Bike Tour!

Download GuideAlong’s self-guided audio tour bundle for the US Rockies & Plains, featuring 15 tours including Yellowstone & Grand Teton, Glacier, Rocky Mountain, Mesa Verde, Theodore Roosevelt, Black Hills, scenic drives, and Yellowstone walks at Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic, and West Thumb. Discover geysers, peaks, wildlife, history, and wide-open landscapes with GPS-triggered stories that play automatically offline, making it easy to explore by car and on foot. Enjoy the freedom to explore offline at your own pace, spending more time at places that interest you and bypassing any that don’t. Stories, tips, and directions play automatically based on your location Travel at your own pace Tour offline using GPS. No cell service or WiFi is needed Suggested itineraries for half, full, or multi-day use No time limits or expiry, and free updates Like having a tour guide along for the drive Purchase one tour per vehicle.

If you're going to Rocky Mountain National Park for the animals, maximize your sightings with a full-day tour completely focused on wildlife. Travel with a guide who knows the best places to spot amazing Colorado creatures like bighorn sheep, moose, elk, and mule deer. Avoid the crowds at off-the-track locations, and learn about the park’s amazing biodiversity along the way.

Looking for an unforgettable adventure in Estes Park? Join us for a private, guided tour of Rocky Mountain National Park—customized just for you and your group! Whether you're chasing sunrise over snowcapped peaks, spotting elk and moose in the wild, or stargazing beneath one of the clearest night skies in the U.S., this is the experience that will elevate your trip from ordinary to extraordinary. What to Expect: Private tours for up to 6 guests—perfect for couples, families, or friends Pickup from your lodging in Estes Park Scenic overlooks, iconic photo spots, and wildlife sightings Optional easy hikes to alpine lakes or hidden gems Choose from morning, afternoon, sunset, or stargazing tours In summer, enjoy a full-day adventure over Trail Ridge Road to Grand Lake! Your passionate guides are locals who know the park intimately and love sharing its hidden stories, ecological wonders, and dramatic landscapes.

A Slingshot in Rocky Mountain National Park or the surrounding canyon roads is one of the most exhilerating experiences you can get in Estes Park. The open air experience puts you up close and personal to the views and wildlife encounters. Not to mention it's an absolute blast. Come see us at Backbone Adventures so you can experience the best vacation ever.

We are the only unguided Jeep rental service in Estes Park. In your opinion, this is the best experience. You go at your pace and create you're own adventure. If you want to take it easy, you can do that. If you want to crank it up and test your skills, you have that option. You're not forced onto one specific trail. You get to choose (Backbone Adventures help with that) a trail best suited for you.

We'll provide binoculars for wildlife spotting, basic gear like trekking poles (if hiking), extra water, and snacks to keep you fueled and comfortable throughout the experience. For your private guided tour in beautiful RMNP, be sure to come prepared with sturdy, closed-toe shoes—no sandals—as well as warm layers to adjust for changing mountain weather. Don’t forget to bring a water bottle to stay hydrated on the trail.

Backbone Adventures offers an excursion you'll never forget. We suggest choosing the Switzerland Trail or Rollins Pass (favorite). Rollins Pass for example will take you to high mountain lakes (bring your fly fishing poles), old mine shafts, and snowy glaciers (even in summer). It's so remote, you'll feel like the entire mountain range is your's and yours only. The Polaris Northstar UTV is luxury at it's finest with GPS trail navigation, bluetooth stereo, heat and AC, power windows, and a smooth ride. Plenty of room for the whole family.

ChatGPT said: Embark on a thrilling 2-day adventure through Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, where wildlife, history, and geology come alive. With expert guides, you’ll have the chance to spot moose, bison, elk, pronghorn, mule deer, black bears, grizzlies, wolves, bald eagles, foxes, coyotes, and even graceful swans. In the Tetons, explore the rich history of Jackson Hole, take in panoramic views from Signal Mountain, visit historic Mormon Row, and hike to the stunning Hidden Falls at Jenny Lake. In Yellowstone, uncover the fascinating story of its supervolcano and witness the geothermal wonders it fuels—Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, bubbling mud pots, and fumaroles. Stand in awe at the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and Artist Point Waterfalls, then journey into Hayden Valley, a premier wildlife-watching paradise. Along the way, scenic stops and local insight make this tour an unforgettable immersion into America’s most iconic landscapes.