While visitor numbers slightly decrease in autumn in Estes Park, Colorado, the fall time is still considered part of our peak tourist season, and for good reason! The weather is cooler, the leaves are changing, and the wildlife is incredibly active. So grab a pen and write down your favorites from our list of top 20 things to do in fall in Estes Park and the Rocky Mountain National Park. Enjoy!
Related: What to Pack for Fall in Estes Park, Colorado
Photo by Images of RMNP
Hike in Rocky Mountain National Park
The Rocky Mountain National Park is absolutely beautiful in the fall time. Wildlife is active, the weather is cooler, and the Aspen leaves are changing from green to golden yellow throughout the trails. Timed entry reservations are also required if hiking in peak times throughout fall.
Learn about the Rocky Mountain National Park Timed Entry Reservation System here.
Watch the Wildlife and Experience the Elk Rut
September through October is the elk mating season, or the elk rut, and it is an incredible time of year to witness “National Geographic” type of interations in and around Estes Park! The Rocky Mountain National Park is also one of the best places to view wildlife in the whole United States! There are almost 60 mammal species, more than 280 bird species, 6 amphibians, 1 reptile, 11 species of fish, and countless insects. You’re bound to see some sort of creature when you head into the mountains. And you can see many critters within the town of Estes Park as well!
Some great wildlife viewing spots include:
- Lake Estes (elk & birds)
- Big Thompson Canyon (big horn sheep & elk)
- Moraine Park (elk, coyotes, deer, birds)
- Sheep Lakes (big horn sheep, moose, elk, deer, coyotes, birds)
- Old Fall River Road (marmots, bears, moose, big horn sheep, coyotes, deer, birds)
- Trail Ridge Road (elk, moose, deer, marmots, pikas, coyotes, birds)
Take a Scenic Drive in the Mountains
Enjoy a beautiful drive amongst the golden Aspen leaves in the fall time. Estes Park is nestled within the Rocky Mountains which means we’re surrounded by beautiful scenic drives! Our favorite scenic drives are within Rocky Mountain National Park where you can drive up Old Fall River Road (open July through September), which is a one-way dirt road leading to the Alpine Visitor Center, and you can drive on Trail Ridge Road (open June through early October) back down to Estes Park, or continue onto Grand Lake.
Some other beautiful scenic drives include:
- Bear Lake Road (Rocky Mountain National Park)
- Peak to Peak Scenic Byway (Highway 7 – towards Allenspark)
- Big Thompson Canyon (Highway 34 – towards Loveland)
- Highway 36 Canyon (towards Boulder)
Photo by Visit Estes Park
Spend a Day at Lake Estes
Lake Estes has many activities to do with the Estes Park Marina at your disposal. You can rent bicycles and ride around the whole lake with fantastic views of the Rocky Mountains all around you, or even take a stroll and instead walk the 4-mile paved trail. Make sure to keep your eyes peeled as elk love to play in and around the water! If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, rent a kayak or boat from the Estes Park Marina and enjoy some time sitting atop the lake.
Rent a boat or bike from the Estes Park Marina here.
Tour the Rocky Mountain National Park
If you’re unsure about driving on the steep mountain roads yourself or you want to know the perfect spots to watch the wildlife, you can always hop on a tour to safely experience the Rocky Mountain National Park during the fall time! 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 Fall Elk Rut Tour with Explore Estes!
Go Fly Fishing
Fall is still a great time to enjoy fly fishing on the rivers that flow through town or in the Rocky Mountain National Park! Fishing is allowed on all open-fishing lakes and ponds in the National Park. (We recommend Sprague Lake!)
Read the Rocky Mountain National Park Fishing Information and Regulations Guide here.
Go Camping or Backpacking
If you’re looking to spend more time in the great outdoors, pack a tent and go camping within town or in the Rocky Mountain National Park! If you’re looking for even more solitude in the mountains, plan a multi-day backpacking trip through the Rockies. But be sure to plan ahead as campsites book out months in advance!
Learn more about camping in Rocky Mountain National Park here.
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.
Go Rock Climbing
If you want some adventure, but want to stay dry during our afternoon storms, 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
Estes Park Aerial Tramway
Take a ride up Prospect Mountain on the unique Estes Park Aerial Tramway for amazing views of the Estes Valley! After a short scenic ride up the mountain, you can have a snack at the cafe or shop for souvenirs at the top of the mountain. The tramway usually operates from the end of May until September.
Learn more about the Estes Park Aerial Tramway 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 long day in the mountains, what better way to relax 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
Photo by the Estes Park Events Complex
Visit One of Our Autumn Festivals
Autumn is a great time to visit Estes Park as we have something fun going on almost every weekend! We have everything from craft shows, to wine tasting, and even outdoor concerts for the whole family to enjoy! Be sure to check out our Autumn Gold Festival to celebrate the changing on the leaves and Elk Fest to celebrate the elk rut!
Check out the Events Calendar for Estes Park 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! 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? Estes Park has a perfect strip of souvenir shopping, art galleries, and more. Don’t forget to grab some delicious ice cream and taffy!
Go Whitewater Rafting
If you’re a thrill-seeker, whitewater rafting is just for you! Rapid Transit Rafting offers a 6-hour, half-day, whitewater rafting excursion which departs from the Estes Park High School and takes you on an hour-long drive through the Big Thompson Canyon to the Cache la Poudre River in Fort Collins. They offer multiple trip times each day throughout the fall.
Book a rafting trip with Rapid Transit Rafting here.
Photo by Visit Estes Park
Visit the Open Air Adventure Park
For a unique outdoor experience, visit the Open Air Adventure Park in town! This aerial park includes 32 “challenges” set from 10 to 20 feet in the air and is family friendly from ages 6 and up. Or, try their awesome axe throwing lanes from ages 12 and up!
Book your Open Air Adventure 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 Estes Park.
Click here to see The View Restaurant menu.
Photo by Cowboy Brad Fitch
Attend the Annual John Denver Tribute Concert
Every year in Estes Park Cowboy Brad Fitch, performs his John Denver Tribute Concert at the YMCA of the Rockies. Attend this concert to take you back in time and hear John Denver tribute songs performed live by a treasured local of Estes Park!
Find more information about the John Denver Tribute Concert here
We hope we’ve helped you create the perfect itinerary with our list of our favorite 20 things to do in fall in Estes Park! Are there any summer 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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