IN ESTES PARK, LIFE IS the way you wish it could be. This beautiful mountain town, surrounded by the majestic Rocky Mountains, is your gateway to the number one mountain destination in Colorado - Rocky Mountain National Park! Here, you'll find so much to do, see and enjoy and you'll discover wonderful treasures, both tangible and intangible, to take away with you.

The inspiring natural beauty of the Estes Park area will lift your spirits. The cadence of the mountain environment will both relax and invigorate you. The friendly faces and hospitality you’ll encounter will make you feel at home, and Estes Park will find a special place in your heart.

Estes Park, Colorado, and Rocky Mountain National Park are Colorado’s favorite family vacation destination. Rich in history, the town of Estes Park features hundreds of unique shops, galleries, and restaurants for you to enjoy. A variety of lodging properties provide accommodations to fit any budget.

www.estesparkchamber.com

Getting to Estes Park by Car
It is always a good idea to check road conditions to ensure your trip goes smoothly. Just call the Colorado Department of Transportation automated road conditions phone line at 877.315.7623

Directions to Estes Park from Denver
Take Interstate 25 to Colorado 66 (Longmont - Lyons) exit.
From the small community of Lyons you can travel either US 36 or Hwy 7 (Peak to Peak Highway) to Estes Park. Or you may take US 34 through Loveland, Colorado along the Big Thompson Canyon.

Getting around the town of Estes Park
There is no bus transportation in or to Estes Park. For the Estes Park Limousine call: 970.577.8687. There is a shuttle service: Estes Park Shuttle. For reservations and information: 970.586.5151.

Getting to Estes Park by Air
The nearest major airport to Estes Park is Denver International Airport (DIA) located in Denver, Colorado and is approximately 80 miles away. For more information about DIA, visit their website at www.flydenver.com

THE SUMMER SEASON IN Estes Park is heralded with events ranging from rubber duck races to free jazz concerts, fine arts shows and classic car parades. Midsummer brings celebration of fiber arts, Western heritage, classical music and, of course, Independence Day. Music and art are as much a part of the surroundings as nature's creations.

A stroll through the village reveals many artistic expressions created as a personal response to the beauty designed by nature. Sculptures in public places welcome you: a family of bighorn sheep, a soaring eagle, a cougar crouched on a rock, a beaver in a pond.

The music of the mountains underscores the artistic expressions of wonder. Listen to a chamber ensemble, a world-class orchestra in a concert setting, a brass band in a downtown park or a cowboy singer. Night spots around town feature country western, jazz, folk and rock music.

Five museums in and around Estes Park along with three in Rocky Mountain National Park celebrate the heritage of the Estes Valley from national landmarks to small treasures.

Visual artists strive to capture the beauty they see, sharing it with others through their work, whether through jewelry, glass, weaving, oil and watercolor, pottery or wood. Their representations can be found in Estes Park's numerous art galleries.

Visitors to The Estes Valley may enjoy one of our historically registered hotels or lodges and step back in time...

Hotels on the National Historic register include The Baldpate Inn 1917, Crags Lodge opened in 1914, the Stanley Hotel, which opened its Georgian Colonial Revival doors in 1909, and the Elkhorn Lodge, in business for 131 years of continuous lodging and guest ranch operations. It is the oldest guest ranch still operating in the entire Rocky Mountain Region, and the oldest continuously operating hotel in Colorado.

The Spur 66 corridor is a well-kept secret open to visitors for over 100 years. It is the site of the original entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. The Big Thompson River runs through the heart of the area. The winding road is quiet and scenic, while convenient to the downtown area. Another option is the Highway 34 through Big Thompson Canyon. It stretches from the city of Loveland to Estes Park, and is one of the most beautiful drives in Colorado. Lodging reflects the history of the area with cabins and cottages dating back to the early 1900s.

One can also enjoy the serenity of the Fall River Road, with cozy
cottages with wood-burning fireplaces to luxurious suites. This area offers a quiet peaceful choice and is convenient to the Fall River entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park.

A resort town is not complete without Bed and Breakfast Inns. Estes boasts over 15, including rustic, family oriented, romantic, modern or historic. All serve home cooked breakfasts and provide the personal touch of an onsite innkeeper.

Campgrounds are abundant throughout the area of Estes. You can find campgrounds for RVs as well as tent camping, in RMNP and in secluded locations outside the park.

Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park is the major attraction for our area. Elk, mule deer, big horn sheep, moose, coyotes and a great variety of smaller animals call the 416 square miles (265,769 acres) of Rocky home. With elevations from 8,000 to over 14,000 feet it has some of the most spectacular scenery anywhere.

Estes Valley Recreation & Park District
Estes Valley Recreation & Park District is a public agency providing parks and recreation programs for members of the community and visitors to Estes Park. • 970.586.8191

Cultural Arts Council of Estes Park
"We are committed to ensuring that the arts are an essential part of the cultural environment of the greater Estes Valley." • 970.586.9203 • www.EstesArts.com

Winter Trails Day February 14, 2009
One-day event for those interested in the sport of snowshoeing & cross
country skiing. Demonstration, trials, kid’s scavenger hunt & more.
970.577.9900 • 800.44.ESTES • www.estesparkcvb.com/events.cfm

Rails In The Rockies Model Railroad Exhibition Feb. 14-15, 2009
With more than 15,000 sq ft of model railroading along with a fun area
for kids. $5 admission. Children under 12 get in FREE with an adult.
970.577.9900 • 800.44.ESTES • www.estesparkcvb.com/events.cfm

Estes Park Duck Race May 2, 2009

Annual Rotary Benefit Event. 970.577.9900 • 800.44.ESTES

Jazz Fest & Art Walk May 16-17, 2009
2 days of FREE great jazz at the outdoor amphitheater at Performance
Park accompanied by a self-guided Art Walk of Estes Park galleries.
970.577.9900 • 800.44.ESTES

Estes Park Antiques & Collectables Show May 23-24, 2008
An annual sale of special finds at more than 55 booths. $1 admission.
970.577.9900 • 800.44.ESTES

Wool Market June 13-14, 2009
16th annual fiber festival with 2 days of exhibits, demonstrations,
competitions & vendor booths. 970.577.9900 • 800.44.ESTES
www.estesparkcvb.com/events.cfm

Scandinavian Midsummer Festival June 27-28, 2009
www.estesmidsummer.com

Fourth of July July 4, 2009
Annual Celebration with Fireworks at 9:30pm.
970.577.9900 • 800.44.ESTES

Coolest Car Show in July 4, 2009
Check out vintage cars from the 1920s and beyond.
970.577.9900 • 800.44.ESTES

80th Rooftop Rodeo July 7-12, 2009
Stanley Park Fairgrounds. 970.577.9900 • 800.44.ESTES

Thursday Night Live Thursdays, August 2009
Free live summer outdoor performance series. 970.586.9203

Estes Park Heritage Festival August 29-30, 2009
www.estesparkheritagefestival.com • 970.577.1903

Longs Peak Scottish/Irish Highland Festival Sept. 10-13, 2009
www.scotfest.com • 970.586.6308 • 800.90.ESTES

3rd Annual Estes Park Film Festival September 12, 2009
Hosted by the Historic Park Theater.
www.estesparkfilm.com • 970.231.2580

Autumn Gold - A Festival of Bands, Brats ‘n Beer Sept. 26-27, 2009
A festival of brats & bands in down town.
800.44.ESTES • 970.577.9900

Elk Fest October 3-4, 2009
A celebration of all things Wapiti. Bond Park in the center of
downtown Estes Park. 970.577.9900 • 800.44.ESTES

Surprise Sidewalk Sale October 10-11, 2009
Where the surprise is what you’ll find. Downtown Estes Park.
970.577.9900 • 800.44.ESTES

Catch The Glow Holiday Celebration & Evening Parade Nov. 27, 2009
Kick off the holiday season downtown. All activities are FREE,
begining at noon & parade starts at 5:30pm.
970.577.9900 • 800.44.ESTES

Holiday House Christmas Bazaar November 28, 2009
Annual bazaar filled with homemade baked goods and crafts.
$1 admission. 970.586.7205

Holiday Home Tour December 5, 2009
An annual tour of showcase homes in the Estes Park area. Tickets:
$12 in advance; $15 on the day of the tour. Tickets available at the
Estes Park Visitors Center. 970.586.5800