While the weather can be unpredictable (from beautiful sunny days to harsh snow storms) Springtime can still be a great time of year to visit Estes Park, Colorado! Spring in the Rockies is considered to be throughout the months of April & May and these months are still part of the snowiest time of year in Estes Park. But with the peak season still gearing up, you’ll likely see a more quiet town with less people and a more quaint experience. So grab a pen and write down your favorites from our list of top 18 things to do in spring in Estes Park and the Rocky Mountain National Park. Enjoy!
Related: What to Pack for Spring in Estes Park, Colorado
Go Horseback Riding
If you want a unique guided tour experience, hop on a horseback riding tour with one of the various companies within Estes Park! The National Park Gateway Stables are located right before the Fall River Entrance of the Rocky Mountain National Park and they take you directly into the National Park for your ride! They offer a variety of trail ride experiences from a 30-minute pony ride for children all the way up to an 8-hour full day ride through the Rockies!
Book a ride with the National Park Gateway Stables here.
Snowshoe Hike in Rocky Mountain National Park
Springtime in the Rockies still means of snow, especially as April is one of the snowiest months in Estes Park. With lots of snow still on the trails (until around mid-June) you can experience some great snowshoe hiking in the Rocky Mountain National Park! Rent some snowshoes or micro-spikes (depending on the trail conditions) at the Estes Park Mountain Shop before heading into the park. Just be sure you have the proper vehicle and tires to drive on the icy roads.
Check the road conditions of Rocky Mountain National Park here.
Click here to see snowshoe rental pricing from the Estes Park Mountain Shop.
Go Sledding in Rocky Mountain National Park
Sledding within the Rocky Mountain National Park is bound to bring a smile to your face whether you’re a child or an adult! While the snow will start melting in May, April is still a wonderful time of year to try sledding. Buy or rent a sled in Estes Park and head to the only area you are able to sled in the National Park, the Hidden Valley Snow Play Area just off of Trail Ridge Road. Remember to “leave no trace” and only sled in the appropriate areas within the park.
★ Book a Winter Tour with Explore Estes & add a sled rental!
Click here to see sled rental pricing from the Estes Park Mountain Shop.
Tour the Rocky Mountain National Park
If you’re unsure about driving on the icy and snowy roads yourself, you can always hop on a tour to safely experience the Rocky Mountain National Park in a winter wonderland! Estes Park has an abundance of tour companies that offer group or private tours, just choose your favorite and sit back to enjoy the ride.
★ Book a Private Winter Tour with Explore Estes!
Go Fly Fishing
Springtime is one of the most anticipated times of year for fly fishing in Estes Park. With warmer days, increased insect activity, and higher water levels, the spring is easily one of the most popular times of year to get into the water for some great fishing! Kirk’s Flyshop offers guided fishing trips from 4 to 8 hours with all of the necessary gear included!
Book a guided fly fishing trip with Kirk’s Flyshop here.
Go Rock Climbing
If you want some adventure, but prefer to stay warm indoors, why not try some indoor rock climbing? The Estes Park Mountain Shop has everything you need to try your hand at some rock climbing for all ages!
Check the rates for indoor rock climbing at the Estes Park Mountain Shop here.
Photo by the Visit Estes Park
Go Swimming
For some more indoor fun, head to the Estes Valley Community Center to check out all of the amazing amenities they have to offer! One great activity for the whole family is their indoor swimming pool! After your done taking a dip, you can dry off in their extremely cleanly locker rooms.
Check the Estes Valley Community Center’s schedule for open swimming here.
Photo by the Mustang Mountain Coaster
Ride the Mustang Mountain Coaster
The newest attraction in Estes Park is an awesome experience and it’s open year-round! The Mustang Mountain Coaster is tucked away in the mountains in Estes Park. Their gravity mountain coaster offers a quick thrilling ride down the mountain. An experience that’s not to be missed!
Buy your mountain coaster passes online here.
Photo by the Stanley Hotel
Grab a Drink
After spending a day in the mountains, what better way to wind down than with an adult beverage? Estes Park has everything from small breweries to distilleries and even a local winery. Or, stop at a bar for a wider variety of drinks. (We recommend The Whisky Bar within the Stanley Hotel!)
Related: Top Restaurants & Best Places to Eat in Estes Park, Colorado
Go Bowling
If you’re looking for something else to do while you also grab a drink, head to our local bowling alley, The Bull Pin! Previously, Chippers, the Bull Pin is now under new ownership and has been updating this spot to be the “ultimate hangout” with an arcade and even karaoke each Thursday night!
Reserve a bowling lane at The Bull Pin here.
Watch the Wildlife Having Their Springtime Babies
One of our favorite parts of Spring is seeing the wildlife have their babies! Bobcats & coyotes begin giving birth in early Spring and the elk & moose calving season begins in late May through June. The Rocky Mountain National Park is always the perfect spot to view wildlife, we recommend the Sheep Lakes or Moraine Park for wildlife viewing!
Spend Time at Lake Estes
Head to Lake Estes for a variety of activities from walking the 4-mile paved trail around the lake, renting bikes or boats at the Lake Estes Marina, or having a nice picnic on the lakeshore. With fantastic views of the Rocky Mountains all around you, you can’t beat spending a day at the lake! Make sure to keep your eyes peeled as the elk are calving and like to hangout around the lake!
Rent a boat or bike from the Estes Park Marina here.
Photo by the Stanley Hotel
Tour the Stanley Hotel
When visiting Estes Park in any season, you can’t miss a trip to the historic Stanley Hotel! Winter is an especially fun time of year to visit the Stanley to get a similar feeling of the setting written in Stephen King’s, The Shining, which was inspired by King’s experiences of his stay at the Stanley Hotel in 1974. Be sure to hop on a tour of the Stanley for their history tour during the day or their spooky ghost tour at night!
Book your Stanley Hotel Day History Tour here.
Book your Stanley Hotel Night Ghost Tour here.
Photo by Brett Levin
Watch a Movie at Our Historic Theater
If you’re interested in history, you can’t miss watching a movie in the oldest single house motion picture theater in the United States that is still in operation. At the Historic Park Theater, you can watch anything from classics to modern new flicks during their release. But beware for spooky encounters as this theater is also said to be haunted…
Check showtimes and grab tickets for the Historic Park Theater here.
Photo by Visit Estes Park
Go Shopping in Downtown Estes Park
What is a vacation without some shopping? The downtown area within Estes Park has a perfect strip of souvenir shopping, art galleries, and more. Don’t forget to grab some delicious taffy!
Ceramic Painting
Just down the road from the main shopping area is a great spot to get the creative juices flowing. Visit the Creativity Cabin for a family-fun ceramic painting experience where you can create your own special souvenir to take home with you!
Book an appointment at the Creativity Cabin here.
Photo by John Berry for Visit Estes Park
Bigfoot Days
You can’t head into the mountains without the hopes of catching a glimpse of Bigfoot. If you’re headed to Estes Park in April, be sure to checkout our Bigfoot Days Festival for live music, squatchy crafts, and even hear celebrity Sasquatch hunters talk about their investigations!
See the Bigfoot Days Festival events calendar here.
Dinner with a View
Make a reservation for sunset at a restaurant literally named, The View, for a perfect end to your day of exploring Estes Park. The View is located within the Historic Crags Lodge which rests atop a mountain overlooking Estes Park. Take in the beautiful skies as you watch the sun set over a snowy Estes Park.
Click here to see The View Restaurant menu.
We hope we’ve helped you create the perfect itinerary with our list of our favorite 18 things to do in spring in Estes Park! Are there any spring activities that we missed? Or have you tried any of our recommendations before? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
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