Estes Park Vacationland

03/12/2023

During this festive season of joy and giving, the National Park Service presents the entrance fee-free dates for 2024! On these days, and throughout the year, all are invited to experience the magic and wonder of national parks.

The entrance fee-free days for 2024 are:

⭐️ January 15 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
⭐️ April 20 – First Day of National Park Week
⭐️ June 19 – Juneteenth
⭐️ August 4 – Great American Outdoors Day
⭐️ September 28 – National Public Lands Day
⭐️ November 11 – Veterans Day

Learn more at: https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1207/national-park-service-announces-entrance-fee-free-days-for-2024.htm

29/11/2023

21/11/2023

🎉✨ The holiday season in Estes Park is officially underway, and what better way to dive into the festive spirit than with the "Catch the Glow Parade" sponsored by the Estes Park Visitor Center!

As you digest those delightful Thanksgiving feasts and warm your hearts with gratitude, gear up for a magical evening. The parade promises to dazzle with twinkling lights, joyful music, and holiday cheer.

Mark your calendar for the parade on Friday, 11/24, beginning at 5:30 PM at the Estes Park Events Complex. It's an event the entire family will cherish: https://bit.ly/3QlOcqS

16/11/2023

Web Map that displays information about planned, active, patrol/monitor, and completed prescribed fire activities on the Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland.

09/11/2023

Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) will implement a pilot reservation system using timed entry in 2024, beginning May 24.

The pilot is similar to that used in 2023 with two types of reservations available. One permit will be for the Bear Lake Road Corridor, which includes the entire corridor, as well as access to the rest of the park. This reservation period will be from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The second permit will be for the “rest of the park,” excluding the Bear Lake Road corridor. This “rest of park” reservation period will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Permits issued using the reservation system will allow park visitors to enter the park within two-hour windows of availability, with no set time for departure. The reservation system will apply to all areas of the park. The only cost associated with booking a reservation is a $2 recreation.gov processing fee.

The Bear Lake Road Corridor timed entry reservation system will continue through Sunday, Oct. 20. However, the rest of the park reservation system will end on Tuesday, Oct. 15.

Reservations to enter the park will be available through www.recreation.gov following the below schedule.

-Beginning at 8 a.m. MT on Monday, May 1. This round of reservations will be available to enter the park from May 24 through June 30.
- The next release will occur on June 1, for the month of July and any remaining days that have not been booked for June.
- On July 1, reservations will be available for the month of August and any remaining days that have not been booked for July.
- On Aug. 1, reservations will be available for the month of September and any remaining days in August that have not been booked.
- On Sept. 1, reservations will be available for October and any remaining days in September that have not been booked.

Modifications from the 2023 pilot system to the 2024 pilot system include making the night before reservations available at 7 p.m. MT through recreation.gov, rather than 5 p.m. These are expected to run out quickly and visitors are encouraged to plan ahead when possible.

RMNP is currently accepting public feedback on its Environmental Assessment for the park’s long-range day use visitor access plan. More details are available on the park website (https://go.nps.gov/romo/duvas) and comments can be submitted through Dec. 14, 2023. This plan is needed to provide day use visitor access in a way that protects resources while creating opportunities for high-quality visitor experiences in the long term.

Image Credit: NPS Photo

23/10/2023

Starting today, timed entry permits to enter Rocky Mountain National Park, including the Bear Lake Corridor, are no longer required

19/10/2023

Estes Park's Tree-Lighting ceremony relocates to Bond Park The Town of Estes Park is thrilled to announce details for the 2023 Tree-Lighting event, kicking off Catch the Glow in Estes Park. After 12 y

18/10/2023

Today, Wednesday, October 18, Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) officially closed for the season to through travel.

Trail Ridge Road is not designed to be an all-season road, with 11 miles above 11,500 feet, few guard rails, and no shoulders. Winter conditions of drifting snow, high winds and below- freezing temperatures occur above 10,000 feet.

Trail Ridge Road is currently closed at Many Parks Curve on the east side of RMNP and at the Colorado River Trailhead on the west side of the park. Closure points on the road may fluctuate this fall, however the road is closed to through travel for the season.

Trail Ridge Road and Old Fall River Road remain open to bicycles, hikers, and people walking leashed pets through November 30. Leashed pets and bicycles are only allowed on the road, not on side trails. On December 1, both of these roads will revert to "winter trail status" which means that bicycles and leashed pets will no longer be permitted beyond the closed gates, but pedestrians, snowshoers and skiers are.

Visitors coming to Rocky in October should be prepared for winter driving conditions at any time and be ready to adjust travel plans as needed.

Image Credit: NPS Photo - Snow on Trail Ridge Road, taken October 16, 2023

08/09/2023

Hard to believe it’s been ten years…

News and events in Estes Park, Colorado and Rocky Mountain National Park

06/09/2023

03/09/2023

Antonio's Real New York Pizza is made by actual New Yorker's using top shelf ingredients. Long Island Born & Raised.

03/08/2023

Want to fish in Rocky Mountain National Park? A valid Colorado fishing license is required, although there are special regulations and possession limits.

Artificial lures & flies only. No fishing in Bear Lake. For more information, visit https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/fishing.htm

Image Credit: NPS Photo

31/07/2023

Are you planning to visit Rocky during the month of September? Timed entry permits for all days in September will be available to reserve on www.recreation.gov beginning tomorrow, August 1 at 8 a.m. MDT.

Don't have a Recreation.gov account yet? Now is a great time to become familiar with the Recreation.gov webpage or mobile app and take time to create your account. There are two timed entry permit options available to choose from: Park Access or Park Access+.

For all details and to see a list of frequently asked questions, visit the park's Timed Entry webpage at go.nps.gov/romo/timedentry.

It's best to plan ahead if you can. Additional reservations are released through Recreation.gov the day before a chosen arrival date at 5 p.m. MDT. Remember, you don't need a timed entry permit to visit most areas of the park before 9 a.m. (give yourself plenty of time to arrive) or after 2 p.m.

Image Credit: NPS Graphic

15/07/2023

Do You Follow the Rule of Thumb?

It’s important to give wild animals their space for their safety and yours. The “rule of thumb” is to make a thumbs up; extend your arm all the way; close one eye; and see if you can hide the animal with your thumb. If you can still see the animal, you are too close. Take steps back until the animal is completely hidden.

If wildlife approaches you, back away and maintain a safe distance. If a wild animal changes its behavior due to your presence, you are too close.

How close is too close? For animals like elk and bighorn sheep, keep back at least 75 feet, or two bus lengths. For Bears and Moose, keep back at least 120 feet or 36 meters.

For more wildlife viewing tips, visit https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/wildlife_view.htm

Image Credit: NPS Graphic

15/07/2023

https://ci.ovationtix.com/35551/performance/11321017?performanceId=11321017

12/07/2023

Fireworks this Saturday, July 15th, 9:30 pm. The Fourth of July fireworks display over Lake Estes was postponed due to unsafe weather conditions. Watch for free! Enjoy!

07/07/2023

No one ever tells stories around the microwave.

Sorry, meecro-wah-vey. Alright, maybe a few. Like that time you forgot to put water in your cup of noodles causing the entire office to evacuate leading to a visit from a Smokey Bear impersonator who was not impressed with your commentary about putting a potato in the microwave, hitting the pizza button, and when it’s done it’s still a potato. Classic.

We digress. This post is about campfires obviously. Having an open fire is often an enjoyable part of camping. The pop and hiss of burning wood brightens any night out in the woods, mountains, the weekly sharing of ghost stories with the midnight society, or the beach.

However, you want to make sure you control your fire, and not the other way around! Each park has their own rules on where and when you can have a campfire. Not all campfires are the same! For some people, the idea of a campfire is two logs quietly burning in a fire ring, while for others, it means a four-foot tall blazing pile of wood and brush. You know who you are. Different parks allow different sizes and types of fires. Don’t assume a bonfire is going to be ok in a busy campground full of kids, RVs and trees. Ask at the visitor center or find the campground host to see if specific areas are set aside for fires, and if there are rules on the size of your blaze.

Most importantly, when you’ve had enough smoke in your face, (it keeps following me) never leave the fire unattended or go to sleep. If you have water available, be sure to put it in your cup of noodles, sorry, douse your fire and coals when you’re ready to call it a night.

We have a lot more campfire tips. We’d share them here, but we’ve already said so much. If you’re still reading this, good for you, you’ve made it farther than at least 70% of people scrolling on here. We made that number that up, but seems legit. Learn more tips at: https://www.nps.gov/articles/campfires.htm

📸: A campfire burns on the beach at sunset at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, MI..

27/06/2023

With only eight days until the Rooftop Rodeo, make sure to book your experiences now! Head over to www.RooftopRodeo.com to book your Behind the Chutes Tour, sign your kids up for the Cash Catch and buy your tickets! We’ll see you July 5-10 in 📷: Steve Gray Photos Cervi Championship Rodeo

Get your tickets at www.RooftopRodeo.com and join us for all the fun July 5-10 in beautiful .

16/06/2023

Interested in visiting destinations in the Bear Lake Road Corridor, but didn't get a Park Access+ Timed Entry Permit? The Hiker Shuttle is another great option.

The Hiker Shuttle provides transportation from the Estes Park Visitor Center to RMNP's Park & Ride Transit Hub. After arriving at the Park & Ride Transit Hub, riders can transfer to the park's free Bear Lake or Moraine Park Shuttles to access destinations along the Bear Lake Road Corridor.

Shuttle service is not available outside of the park's Bear Lake Road Corridor.

As part of the park's overall pilot timed entry system, Hiker Shuttle riders will need two things: a reservation for Hiker Shuttle Tickets and a valid park entrance pass. Reservations for Hiker Shuttle Tickets are available at www.recreation.gov. There is a $2 processing fee. One reservation is good for up to 4 Hiker Shuttle Tickets per party.

Advanced reservations for Hiker Shuttle Tickets are available through July 31. Additional reservations will be released on Recreation.gov beginning at 5 p.m. the night before a chosen arrival date. For example, if you want to reserve a spot on the Hiker Shuttle for June 28, additional Hiker Shuttle Tickets will be available at 5 p.m. the night before.

Seating capacity is limited; please only reserve the number of Hiker Shuttle Tickets needed for your party. For more information, visit the park's webpage at https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/shuttle-buses-and-public-transit.htm.

Image Credit: NPS Photo

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02/06/2023

02/06/2023

30/05/2023

26/05/2023

22/05/2023

Hiker Shuttle service resumes for the summer season beginning this Friday, May 26!

The Hiker Shuttle provides riders transportation from the Estes Park Visitor Center to RMNP's Park & Ride Transit Hub during specific times of day, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m daily. After arriving at the Park & Ride Transit Hub, riders can transfer to the park's free Bear Lake or Moraine Park Shuttle Routes to access destinations along the Bear Lake Road Corridor.

Shuttle service is not available outside of the park's Bear Lake Road Corridor.

As part of the park's overall pilot timed entry system, Hiker Shuttle riders will need two things: a reservation for Hiker Shuttle Tickets and a valid park entrance pass. Reservations for Hiker Shuttle Tickets are available at www.recreation.gov. There is a $2 processing fee. One reservation is good for up to 4 Hiker Shuttle Tickets per party.

Reservations for Hiker Shuttle Tickets are currently available for the dates of May 26 through June 30. Additional tickets will be released on Recreation.gov beginning at 5 p.m. the night before a chosen arrival date. For example, if you want to reserve a spot on the Hiker Shuttle for May 27, additional Hiker Shuttle Tickets will be available on May 26 at 5 p.m.

Seating capacity is limited, please only reserve the number of Hiker Shuttle Tickets needed for your party.

For more information and a list of frequently asked questions, visit our website at https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/shuttle-buses-and-public-transit.htm

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14/05/2023

It’s important to stay Bear Aware when visiting Estes Park!

12/05/2023

10/05/2023

A little inconvenience for some much welcomed improvements

The Sprague Lake Trail, Picnic and Parking Area will be closed to all users on Thursday, May 18. This closure will be in place for the safe staging of building materials and equipment that will be used to replace and repair a 210-foot-long section of the Sprague Lake Boardwalk.

Located along Bear Lake Road, Sprague Lake is a popular destination for many park visitors. There is a 0.7-mile loop trail around the lake, as well as an accessible backcountry campsite, picnic area, and vault toilets near the parking area. Sprague Lake offers spectacular scenic views of the lake itself and the Continental Divide. The Sprague Lake Boardwalk was first constructed in 2000 and is due for repairs.

During the Sprague Lake Boardwalk Replacement Project, the park’s trail crew, assisted by a Rocky Mountain Conservancy Conservation Corps trail crew, will replace failing wooden boards, as well as widen a section of the boardwalk. Crews will also repair the substructure by replacing with steel beams to extend the total life of the bridge. These improvements will improve accessibility for visitors who use wheelchairs and strollers. The project will also improve two scenic overlooks. Once complete, the new Sprague Lake Boardwalk will look very similar to the Lily Lake Boardwalk.

While the staging of equipment and building materials will happen on May 18, the majority of the boardwalk replacement work will take place beginning in August 2023. This will help minimize impacts to wetlands areas, as the water in the impacted area will be lower and the ground in the wetlands dryer.

Once project work begins, there will be a full closure in place for a small portion of the Sprague Lake Trail. The majority of the Sprague Lake Trail will remain open to park visitors. This trail project is scheduled to be completed in late fall 2023.

Image Credit: NPS Photo - A section of the Sprague Lake Boardwalk that will be replaced.

19/04/2023

18/04/2023

Construction began in early November for a new and improved entrance station at the Fall River Entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. The Fall River Entrance is one of two major entrance stations on the east side of the park and is located on U.S. Highway 34, just inside the park boundary.

Initially, it was anticipated that the project would be completed by late June. However, due to unforeseen site conditions and utility coordination challenges the revised schedule is for completion in late fall.

The Fall River Visitor Center and the Rocky Mountain Conservancy Nature Store are open during this construction project. The Gateway Gift Shop and Trailhead Restaurant, located next to the visitor center, are also open and welcoming visitors.

During this major construction project, only one lane at Fall River Entrance is operational to enter the park and one lane to exit. Park visitors are encouraged to avoid the Fall River Entrance and use the Beaver Meadows Entrance. During this major project, park visitors should expect extended wait times at both major east side entrance stations.

Originally designed for summer operations nearly 60 years ago, the facilities at the Fall River Entrance Station no longer meet the safety or operational needs of the park. When the entrance station was designed, the park had approximately one and a half million annual visitors. By 2019, annual visitation almost tripled, to over four and a half million annual visitors. Improvements are needed to improve visitor access and convenience, reduce traffic congestion, and provide a safe and efficient space for park employees.

To learn more about this project, visit https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/fall-river-entrance-construction-project.htm.

Image Credit: NPS Photo

14/04/2023

If you are looking for something to do this weekend, we have you covered. From a kite festival to a cat show and more, there are plenty of things to do across Colorado.

11/04/2023

It’s been a snowy winter. It’s so fun to drive over Trail Ridge Road when it first opens and drive through the deep valleys of snow cut by the plows. It’s worth the trip!

This is the Alpine Visitor Center as it was last week on Trail Ridge Road.