Where Is Estes Park In Relation To Denver?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Just

70 miles

from Denver, Estes Park is the perfect mountain getaway from the city…

What is special about Estes Park?

Estes Park, just 90 minutes from Denver, is located at the eastern entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park.

A majestic mountain destination known for outdoor adventure, watchable wildlife and scenic beauty

, Estes Park is Colorado’s quintessential mountain town.

Is Rocky Mountain park the same as Estes Park?

The easy, honest answer is: “It’s free! Estes Park is a town—you can come and go as you please.”

Rocky Mountain National Park (a different type of park all on its own) does require a timed-entry permit (plus an entrance pass)

.

How far is Grand Lake from Estes?

Deep inside the Colorado Rockies, Grand Lake is located just 98 miles from Denver, Colorado, and

46 miles

from Estes Park, Colorado (via Trail Ridge Road, which cuts through Rocky Mountain National Park).

How is the drive from Denver to Estes Park?

The fastest route from Denver to Estes Park is via I-25 to U.S. 36 E near Boulder. In Estes Park, U.S. 36 meets up with U.S. 34, with the Big Thompson Canyon and continues through Rocky Mountain National Park to Granby and Grand Lake. The drive is

an estimated an hour and a half from the central part of Denver

.

How far is Breckenridge from Estes?

The direct drive from Breckenridge to Estes Park is

135 mi (218 km)

, and should have a drive time of 2 hrs 49 mins in normal traffic.

How far is Rocky Mountain National Park from Estes?

Perched at 7,200 feet and

90 miles

away from Denver, Estes Park is a fantastic basecamp for exploring Rocky Mountain National Park’s eastern side. You also can access the park’s west side via the park’s spectacular Trail Ridge Road, which connects the two sides of the park.

Is Estes Park part of RMNP?


Rocky Mountain National Park

, home to 300 miles of hiking trails within 415 square miles of protected mountain wilds, borders Estes Park at its eastern entrance.

Is Estes Park worth visiting?

Estes Park is an idyllic “base camp” town at the Eastern entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park and is

well worth exploring prior to your visit

. Of course, this is the ideal spot to purchase plenty of supplies before you head deep into the national park.

How long does it take to drive through Estes Park?

Continue driving north into Rocky Mountain National Park via Trial Ridge Road, and keep an eye out for some magnificent view points along the way. If you choose to drive the full length of this scenic pass through to Estes Park, the drive will take approximately

1.5 to 2 hours

.

How long is the riverwalk in Estes Park?

The Riverwalk in Downtown Estes Park

The Riverwalk is a

1 mile

section trail that allows you to stroll along the banks of the Big Thompson River as it wanders along the back side of the shops and restaurants.

What is the best time to visit Estes Park?

The best time to visit Estes Park is from

June to September

. The four-month period of warm weather allows travelers to comfortably explore the area’s offerings.

Is Estes Park a city or park?

Estes Park /ˈɛstɪs/ is

a statutory town

in Larimer County, Colorado, United States. The town population was 5,904 at the 2020 United States Census. Estes Park is a part of the Fort Collins, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Front Range Urban Corridor.

How much does it cost to get into Estes Park?

An entrance fee is charged to get into Rocky Mountain National Park. Currently there is a

$35 per vehicle entrance fee

which is good for 7 days. The Annual Park Pass is currently $70, so if you’re coming more than once, it pays for itself. The park has a “Day Use Pass” valid for one day only and costs $25.

Can you drive from Grand Lake to Estes Park?

It’s located within the Rocky Mountain National Park and connects Estes Park and Grand Lake. It has a total distance of 48 paved miles and

would require at least 2 hours of driving to complete

.

Is it better to stay in Estes Park or Grand Lake?

Both Estes Park and Grand Lake are great options for where to stay when visiting Rocky Mountain National Park.

Estes Park is livelier and gives you better access to in particular the Bear Lake area

. On the other hand Grand Lake is the more peaceful option that feels further away from it all.

Does Estes Park close?

Rocky Mountain National Park is

open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, weather permitting

.

Can you drive through Estes Park?

Trail Ridge Road, the highest paved road in the US, is the most famous scenic drive in Rocky Mountain National Park – a day trip not to miss through high alpine tundra panoramas!

Even driving up to Estes Park from Colorado’s Front Range is scenic!

Can you leave food in your car in Rocky Mountain National Park?

Day use visitors

parking at trailheads must store all food items and garbage by one of the following methods: Inside vehicle trunks

. In vehicles with no trunk, such items may be placed as low in the vehicle passenger compartment as possible and covered from sight, with vehicle doors and windows closed.

Is there a train from Denver to Estes Park?


From the Denver’s Union Station (or the Denver International Airport or Denver Greyhound Bus Station), you can ride with a private operator to Estes Park

(970-586-5151, estesparkshuttle.com). It’s $95 round-trip ($55 one-way), which is a bit more expensive but faster.

Which is better Breckenridge or Estes Park?


Breck will be slightly less crowded and less touristy

. It has a wider variety of restaurants and shopping. It also has access to the Epic summer activities (mountain coaster, zip line, etc) There is hiking, but it’s less concentrated than Estes.

Is Estes Park near Vail?

Top cities between Rocky Mountain National Park and Vail. The top cities between Rocky Mountain National Park and Vail are Denver, Boulder, Breckenridge, Estes Park, Fort Collins, and Golden. Denver is the most popular city on the route — it’s 2 hours from Rocky Mountain National Park and

2 hours from Vail

.

How do I get from Breckenridge to Vail?

  1. Take the bus from Breckenridge Station to Frisco Transfer Center.
  2. Take the bus from Frisco Transit Center to Vail Transportation Center.

Are there grizzly bears in Estes Park?

Are there grizzly bears in Rocky Mountain National Park?

No, there are no grizzly bears in Rocky Mountain National Park or the entire state of Colorado

, but at one time, there were. The Rocky Mountains of Colorado used to be home to an abundance of grizzly bears until they were declared extinct in Colorado in 1953.

Does Estes Park have a downtown?


Estes Park’s bustling downtown

is filled shops, boutiques, and galleries offering something for everyone.

Does Trail Ridge Road cost money?

The road, which is

free to access with park admission

, is open from roughly late May to mid-November; the rest of the year, it is buried under snow. For the most up-to-date information on the road’s conditions, call the Trail Ridge Road Status Line.

Kim Nguyen
Author
Kim Nguyen
Kim Nguyen is a fitness expert and personal trainer with over 15 years of experience in the industry. She is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and has trained a variety of clients, from professional athletes to everyday fitness enthusiasts. Kim is passionate about helping people achieve their fitness goals and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.