Private Summer Rocky Mountain Tours
Explore the best of Rocky Mountain National Park
Join us for an incredible summer tour through the Rockies! We’ll create a unique experience that you’ll never forget.
Tour the Rockies in Summer
Not having any luck securing a timed entry permit? Skip the stress and take a private tour with Explore Estes with only your group! Let’s explore Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park together in comfort. We have pre-planned routes that we take our Explorers through, but we’re willing to accommodate small adjustments depending on what you, the Explorer, wants to do. Did we encounter a herd of elk and you want to sit and take photos? Just let your tour guide know and we will do our best to give your party the most memorable experience that you can only get with Explore Estes.
Explore Summer Options
Highway to the Sky Tour
June 1st – September 30th
3 – 4 hour private driving tour up & down Trail Ridge Road with little stops.
Half Day Rocky Mountain Tour
June 1st – August 31st
5 – 6 hour private driving tour of iconic locations in Rocky Mountain National Park with small strolls.
Highway to the Sky Tour
Private Tour available June 1st – September 30th:
Take a guided driving tour of Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park! Our Highway to the Sky Summer Tour picks you up at your location in Estes Park, then takes you on a journey up the iconic roads on the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park that are open for your visit (Trail Ridge Road – June through September, and off-road on Old Fall River Road July through September). You will see the ecosystems transition from valleys to the high alpine tundra with sweeping mountain views, and reach a peak elevation of 12,183 feet! There will be a quick 10-minute stop at the highest visitor center in the US National Parks, the Alpine Visitor Center, for a bathroom break before you drive down Trail Ridge Road back to Estes Park.
When Old Fall River Road is not open, you will drive up and back down the highest continuous paved road in the United States, Trail Ridge Road, also known as the Highway to the Sky.
Important Notes
This guided drive is not a hiking or walking tour, and instead focuses on driving through the National Park on the iconic roads with little time outside of the vehicle, while learning about the stories and history of Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. This tour does not have flexibility for itinerary adjustments.
Here’s what to expect
Tour Overview
Group Size: 1 – 5 people maximum. Private tours only, you will not be with another group.
Tour Times: 7:00am Everyday, except Tuesdays June – September
Duration: 3 – 4 hours
Activity Level: Easy, staying in vehicle for entirety of tour, quick stops for photos and bathroom breaks.
Tour Highlights: Rocky Mountain National Park – Trail Ridge Road (Jun – Sep), Old Fall River Road (Jul – Sep), Alpine Visitor Center. *This tour does not have flexibility for itinerary adjustments.
Vehicle: We tour our Explorers in the “Blubaru.” A 3-row 2020 Blue Subaru Ascent.
Food & Drinks: Complimentary bottled water will be provided. Food will not be provided, be sure to pack a sack lunch or snack!
Permits: Explore Estes covers your timed entry permit and up to $15 per guest for National Park entry. Any remaining fees for non-US residents must be paid by the traveler at the park entrance. (International visitor fees – an additional $100 per passenger for a day pass or $250 total for an annual pass)
Park Support: 3% of your tour cost goes directly to Rocky Mountain National Park as part of our tour licensing, which directly supports conservation efforts and visitor services.
Investment: Adult – $135 | 12 & under- $82 | Infant 2 & under – Free
*Please note that we have a 2 adult minimum tour rate which applies to single passengers.
Half Day Summer Rocky Mountain Tour
Private Tour available June 1st – August 31st:
Our general route on our 5 – 6 hour half day private summer tour picks you up at your location in Estes Park, starts you in the lower valley meadows, then takes you on a journey up iconic roads on the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park that are open for your visit (Trail Ridge Road – June through September, or off-road on Old Fall River Road July through September) where you will see beautiful mountain views and waterfalls, hopefully some wildlife along the way, and we’ll make a short 20-minute stop at the highest visitor center in the US National Park system before we drive back down the highest continuous paved road in the United States, Trail Ridge Road, on our way back to Estes Park.
When Old Fall River Road or Trail Ridge Road are not fully open, you will take alternate routes so you can still experience the beauty of the Rocky Mountain National Park.
Important Notes
This guided experience is not a hiking tour, and instead focuses on driving through the National Park with small strolls while learning about the stories and history of Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. This tour has some flexibility for small itinerary adjustments.
Here’s what to expect
Tour Overview
Group Size: 1 – 5 people maximum. Private tours only, you will not be with another group.
Tour Times: 12:30pm Everyday, except Tuesdays June – August
Duration: Half day, 5 – 6 hours
Activity Level: Easy, small strolls rated as easy walks, with stops at photo spots and bathroom breaks.
Tour Highlights: Stanley Hotel viewpoint, Rocky Mountain National Park – Horseshoe Park & Falls, Trail Ridge Road (Jun – Sep), Rainbow Curve, Old Fall River Road (Jul – Sep), Alpine Visitor Center, potential wildlife sightings. *This tour has some flexibility for small itinerary adjustments.
Vehicle: We tour our Explorers in the “Blubaru.” A 3-row 2020 Blue Subaru Ascent.
Food & Drinks: Complimentary bottled water will be provided. Food will not be provided, be sure to pack a sack lunch!
Permits: Explore Estes covers your timed entry permit and up to $15 per guest for National Park entry. Any remaining fees for non-US residents must be paid by the traveler at the park entrance. (International visitor fees – an additional $100 per passenger for a day pass or $250 total for an annual pass)
Park Support: 3% of your tour cost goes directly to Rocky Mountain National Park as part of our tour licensing, which directly supports conservation efforts and visitor services.
Investment: Adult – $185 | 12 & under- $107 | Infant 2 & under – Free
*Please note that we have a 2 adult minimum tour rate which applies to single passengers.
Ready to escape?
Explore other options
Praise from Past Explorers
★★★★★
“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.
★★★★★
“My wife and I had a fantastic tour of Fall River Rd and Trail Ridge Road with Riley. Riley was a perfect guide – personable and very knowledgeable about RMNP. He had some great stories about the history of the Park. The Outback was very comfortable and we could just relax and enjoy the sights. The Outback could easily fit 5 or 6 so it would be perfect for a family. Riley was very flexible in terms of what we wanted to see and even gave us time to do a couple of short hikes along the way. We saw a number of tour companies along the way which has a lot more people on their tours. I would highly recommend Explore Estes over these options for more privacy and flexibility. We even saw a couple of bears along Fall River Road which was a highlight.”
– Dana M.
