Let’s explore together
We know the struggle of trying to figure out how to get around Estes Park and the surrounding area. Finding private, clean, and reliable transportation for your vacation can be a hassle, but that’s where we come in! Whether it is a trip down the mountain, a ride to the Stanley Hotel, or an exploration into Rocky Mountain National Park. We’ve got you covered!
Our story
We are a husband and wife owned small business in Estes Park. We have traveled around the world, but no place has captured our hearts the way Estes Park has. We love this place so much that we got engaged and married within Rocky Mountain National Park. Now, we want to share our love for the area with others by making transportation easy for anyone that comes to visit the Estes Valley.
Explore Estes is proud to be the only business in Estes Park fully licensed to provide small-party transportation services to the Estes Valley for 3 years and counting!
Meet Your Team
Riley Higgins
Tour Guide + Driver
Creating lifelong memories, one tour at a time.
Marriah Higgins
Admin + Driver
I’ll take care of the boring stuff, you go enjoy yourself.
Elizabeth Potter
driver + Storyteller
Free local history lesson with every ride!
Raffie Higgins
Manager + Support
Supporting the team to help you Explore Estes Park.
Your Rides
The Blubaru
Tours & Ride Services
Driver: Riley
The Blubearry
Ride Services
Driver: Marriah or Elizabeth
Sit back and enjoy the ride as we pick you up in either of our comfortable rides. Both of our Subaru Ascents are equipped with all-wheel-drive, so if your journey includes dirt roads, rain, snow, or ice, you don’t have to worry one bit. Our vehicles were made for the mountain roads!
Both of our vehicles can fit up to 6-passengers total. Check out some of the awesome features that both vehicles have below.
5-star NHTSA safety rating to keep your family secure
Equipped with All-Wheel-Drive for dirt, snow, or icy roads
Moonroofs that open up and allow for top views
Leather seating that we frequently sanitize
1st & 2nd row heated seats to keep you warm in the winter
Hatchbacks to maximize storage for your luggage or hiking gear
What you can expect during our time together
When you ride with us, we will make sure you have a comfortable and enjoyable experience no matter if you’re simply joining us to get from point A to B, or cruising through Rocky Mountain National Park on one of our tours. To better accommodate our explorers, we will pick you up right at your location in Estes Park.
During your ride, we like to tell interesting stories about Estes Park and facts about Rocky Mountain National Park. So sit back, relax, and take in the beautiful views as we explore the Rockies together.
Licensing & Credentials
Licensed Transportation Business in Colorado
We are one of the few licensed transportation businesses in Estes Park. We are officially licensed by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission. Our PUC number is 55972.
Licensed Rocky Mountain National Park Tour Guide
We are fully licensed to operate as an official tour guide within the Rocky Mountain National Park. This includes driving tours and trailhead drop-offs. Our CUA number is IMR-ROMO-5300-566
Fully Insured with Commercial Liability Insurance
We are fully insured and we operate under commercial auto and general liability insurance to keep our Explorers protected inside and out of our service vehicles.
CPR & First Aid Certified
All of our drivers are required to be certified in CPR and First Aid to keep your family safe in an emergency situation.
Clean Driving Record & Background Check
All of our drivers are required to pass a background check and have a clean driving record that is free of accidents, moving violations, or points.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of vehicle will I be picked up in?
For our tours and our ride services, we pick up our guests in one of our 3-row blue Subaru Ascents that say, “Explore Estes” on the side.
Our vehicles have an overall 5-star rating from the NHTSA. For our explorer’s safety, we make sure to keep our vehicles maintained on a regular basis as well as properly sanitized. Just look for our Explore Estes decals on the side of the vehicle when getting picked up!
What types of payment do you accept?
For our tours, we accept online credit or debit card payments from:
- Visa
- Mastercard
- American Express
- Discover & Diners
- China UnionPay (CUP)
- Japan Credit Bureau (JCB)
For our other ride services, we accept online and in-person credit or debit card payments from the above accepted card types as well as cash.
We do not accept check payments.
Do I need to tip my driver?
Tips are greatly appreciated as they show gratitude for the time and effort your driver has put into getting you to your destination(s) safely, but they are not mandatory.
Do you offer pickup outside of Estes Park?
Estes Park is our focus area and we currently only offer pickup within the town of Estes Park as there is very limited transportation options in the area. Uber, Lyft, and taxi services are prevalent in areas outside of Estes Park and down the mountain.
What if I want a longer tour?
Let us know before booking your tour with us if you’re interested in extending your time in Rocky Mountain National Park and we’ll discuss options to help you customize your tour!
If added, extra tour time will be charged at the additional rate of $75/hour due at the end of your tour.
What if I'm late to meet my driver at the pickup location?
We give our explorers a 10-minute grace period for pickup. If you anticipate you will be late, be sure to give your driver a call to let him know to wait for you. If we don’t hear from you within the 10-minute grace period, our driver will leave your pickup location and you will charged as if you had taken our transportation service or tour, without a refund given.
What if I have to cancel?
If you need to cancel for any reason, please let us know at least 48-hours in advance from your original booked time to receive a full refund. If we receive your cancellation after 48-hours of your booked time, a 50% cancellation fee will be applied to your refund. If we receive your cancellation within 24-hours of your booked time, you will not receive a refund.
What if I miss my scheduled tour?
Our driver will wait up to 10-minutes at your pickup location. If we don’t hear from you within the 10-minute grace period, our driver will leave your pickup location and you will charged as if you had taken our transportation service or tour, without a refund given.
How are you keeping passengers safe during the COVID-19 pandemic?
We are doing everything we can to keep our driver and passengers safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. We reserve the right to refuse or terminate our services without refund to any individual or group that does not adhere to our safety guidelines. Our safety guidelines include:
- Our team is fully vaccinated.
- Masks are optional. We’ll be happy to wear a mask at your request.
- Providing alcohol-based hand rubs containing at least 60 percent alcohol for both our driver and passengers.
- Routinely cleaning and disinfecting all door handles and inside surfaces with Environmental Protection Agency-approved cleaning chemicals.
We’re sure to have a blast if…
You enjoy exploring at your own pace
You want to be chauffeured through the mountains
You value businesses who follow strict safety regulations
You appreciate learning small facts about where you are
You enjoy spontaneous detours and scenic routes
You love supporting small, family-owned businesses
Praise from Past Explorers
★★★★★
“Did the tour with Riley yesterday and it was my first experience with a private guide. Riley did an amazing job taking the time to explain all the facts and details around Rocky Mountain Park. We even saw a black bear which is not as common to see in the park. You can tell Riley and his wife take a lot of pride in their business. They showed up early to pick us up, the Subaru was in perfect condition inside and out and the service with great. Highly recommend this company for your next tour in and around Estes Park.“
– Jay K.
★★★★★
“If you want an exceptional and personal experience getting acquainted with the Rocky Mountain National Park, I would encourage you to hire Riley! He picked up my cousin and me right on time in a very comfortable new Subaru Ascent, with water bottles, Kleenex, cell phone chargers and even binoculars! He hiked Sprague Lake and Bierstadt Lake with us, filling is in on all sorts of facts and stories (past and present) about the Park. Then he drove us all around other parts of the park, stopping along the way for photos of long horn sheep, moose, and vistas. Riley is engaging and knowledgeable and he and his wife have developed a fantastic business.“
– Carolyn R.
