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Fall in Estes Park, Colorado brings a magical transformation as the Aspen leaves change from green to golden hues. As the temperature starts to drop, it’s essential to pack accordingly for this picturesque season. In this blog post, we’ll guide you through the essentials of what to pack for Fall in Estes Park, Colorado and the Rocky Mountain National Park to make sure you have everything you need for an enjoyable experience!

Related: Top 20 Things to Do in Fall in Estes Park, Colorado

CLOTHING

Packing the proper clothing is incredibly important when heading to the mountains, but choosing the best attire can be difficult with the ever-chaning weather in the mountains.

Here’s some of the top essential clothing pieces you should pack when visiting the Estes Valley:

• Layered Clothing: Long-sleeve shirts, waterproof pants, sweaters, a lightweight jacket, and a waterproof/windproof outer layer for changing weather conditions.

• Beanie: A warm and insulating hat to protect your head from the cold.

• Sturdy waterproof hiking shoes or boots with excellent traction.

• Sweat-wicking hiking socks for comfort and to minimize blisters.

Here are some products we use & recommend:

GEAR & ACCESSORIES

Having the proper gear is just as important as clothing when you’re heading to the trails in the Rocky Mountain National Park!

Here’s some of the top essential gear and accessories you should pack when visiting the Rocky Mountain National Park:

• A daypack to carry water, snacks, and other essentials during hikes. Stay hydrated and energized on the trails.

• A reusable and insulated water bottle to stay hydrated throughout your adventures that wont freeze. Reduce waste and always have water on hand.

• Trekking poles to give you better support on the trail.

• Sunglasses and sunscreen to protect your skin and eyes from the sun’s strong rays.

• Insect repellent to guard against mosquitoes and ticks.

• Headlamp for hands free lighting during a time of year with less daylight.

• Binoculars to enhance wildlife spotting opportunities. Get a closer look at the park’s incredible wildlife while staying in a safe distance.

• A camera or smartphone to capture the stunning landscapes and wildlife encounters.

• A trail map, guidebook, or GPS device to navigate the park’s extensive trail system.

• A portable phone charger to keep your devices powered up during longer hikes.

Here are some products we use & recommend:

RESERVATIONS / PERMITS

To manage the significant increase of visitors to the park, Rocky Mountain National Park is implementing a system which requires people visiting to reserve a time-slot when they will enter the park. Be sure, you have all of the proper reservations on hand when visiting permit areas of the Estes Valley!

To make your visit runs smoothly, print physical copies of your reservations when visiting Estes Park and the Rocky Mountain National Park:

• Hotel reservations

• Campground / backcountry permits

• Rocky Mountain National Park Timed Entry Reservation

• National Park Entrance Pass

• Shuttle reservations

Related: Understanding the Rocky Mountain National Park Timed Entry Permit Reservation System

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We hope we’ve helped you better prepare for your visit with our list of essentials you should pack when visiting Estes Park, Colorado in autumn / fall! Are there any essential items that we missed? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!