Trail Ridge Road. We would love suggestions on a scenic route that will be open April 1st. It’ll take you about an hour to travel from Grant to Georgetown as you climb above timberline and over the 11,669 foot pass. Searchable listings of Estes Park restaurants, bars, diners, and more. Distance from Denver: 1 hour 30 minutesWinding 48 miles through the heart of Rocky Mountain National Park from the east side in Estes Park to the west entrance in Grand Lake, this road gives you the chance to see the full scope of Colorado beauty in one drive. You’ll also go through the quirky town of Nederland, which isn’t known for ghosts but rather an actual frozen dead guy -- they even throw an annual festival in his honor. Babalax is right about the most scenic route, but I have to say that I love the drive through Big Thompson Canyon. This four-hour drive will take you from Denver to Estes Park, through Rocky Mountain National Park on the magnificent Trail Ridge Road and then through Grand Lake, Granby and Fraser to Winter Park, Colorado's favorite Playground. Request Free Travel brochures for Estes Park. While driving the Rocky Mountain National Park Scenic Loop, stop for at least a few minutes at some of the best overlooks and scenic spots along on Trail Ridge Road, including Rainbow Curve Overlook, Forest Canyon Overlook and Medicine Bow Curve Overlook. - See 1,783 traveler reviews, 595 candid photos, and great deals for Estes Park, CO, at Tripadvisor. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-73230243', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Denver to Estes Park is to drive the Peak to Peak Scenic byway. Trail Ridge Road closes annually for winter but the exact date is dependent on weather. Saint Catherine of Siena Chapel/Chapel on the Rock, Stop for a bite to eat and if you can see a show at the, Visit the relocated cabin that belonged to the “Father of the Rocky Mountain National Park” at the, Soak in the incredible hot mineral water at the, Built at the mouth of the Argo tunnel is the building known as the, Whether or not you believe in the mining gnomes that came over with the Cornish miners the, Rock climbers suggest some excellent routes at. As one of the most popular scenic drives in Colorado, Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuously paved road in the United States, at its highest point of 12,183 feet. read more. The Peak-to-Peak Scenic Byway runs south from Estes Park for a breathtaking ridge-top drive. People like The Wheel Bar and Lonigans in Estes Park for late night. Most visitors to Rocky Mountain National Park spend their nights in the town of Estes Park, which is about a 1.5-hour drive from Denver along the fastest route. On this loop you might be interested in visiting: Guanella Pass is closed during winters, but when it opens it is worth a trip out of the city, into the wild and over the mountains. For some seriously stunning scenery, skip the typical routes. Over 40 ago, Mayor Vaughn Gardinier in Littleton started a beautification program by planting crabapple trees along the city streets. Plus, it takes me straight to 36, which is my favorite way to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Best scenic route to Estes Park from Denver open April 1st? 1. Also, pull into the Moraine Park Visitor Center parking lot for a wonderful photo op. Some are only open certain days of the week like Thursday through Sunday or they close earlier in the evening. Deer Ridge Canyon: For a slightly shorter 6-mile round trip hike, take the Deer Mountain Trail through the aspen trees, keeping your eyes open for elk and deer while enjoying views of Longs Peak, Beaver Meadows and Moraine Park. Evans summit is open between Memorial and Labor Day. ", Below are the Free Visitor Guides for Estes Park. Discover Rocky Mountain National Park from Denver or Boulder, Hiking Adventure in Rocky Mountain National Park from Denver, Top of Trailridge Road - Green Jeep Tours, http://www.tripadvisor.com/pages/forums_posting_guidelines.html, Estes Park Has Highest Rate of COVID Cases in Larimer County, Visitors Need to Leave, Roads Closed Into Estes Park, 1st time Estes Park/Hiking with kids/wildfire/activities, Safest scenic drive from estes to denver? Distance from Denver: 1 hour Colorado’s oldest scenic byway, this route from Black Hawk north to Estes Park was established in 1918. You won't be disappointed! For drier conditions, the Twin Owls Overlook Loop is a good option. Traversing the Front Range from Idaho Springs to Estes Park, this spectacular and popular drive has some of the best roadside scenery in the state. The community followed suit and there are now over 7,000 trees along the seven mile route creating the Littleton Crabapple Route. You can look at reviews for Estes Park restaurants here. Take a swing at the gorgeous golf course at Granby Ranch before heading out of Granby toward Tabernash and Fraser. AVOID the E-470 toll road around DIA. Click here to view them all! ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-73232979', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Estes Park you find yourself surrounded by the mountains in an awe inspiring way. You go right through Boulder, which is just a really cool hippie town. But I-70 and 285, the two main routes to the mountains, can feel as crowded as a sold out concert (remember those?). Searchable lists of Estes Park tourism offices and other helpful government agencies. It was not busy on the Saturday afternoon we took the drive which made it even more pleasant. From there, you’ll head south on 91 over Fremont Pass with views of the 14,265 foot Quandary Peak in the distance. We went on a day it was cloudy/rainy in both Estes Park and Idaho Falls, which meant it was cloudy/rainy/foggy/inside a cloud along the whole highway. I recommend the drive. and click "Submit". From the Fern Lake winter parking to The Pool is a nice easy hike (5 miles round trip in winter/spring). You're there to enjoy the great outdoors, no need to hurry from point A to point B, the journey is where it is at for you anyway. Smokin' Dave's is everyone's favorite place to eat. There are numerous overlooks and excellent chances to see wildlife (elk, bighorn sheep, deer, moose, coyotes and more) along this scenic drive. We live in super flat Florida so the mountains are such a treat for us. The aspens and evergreens provided some amazing scenes.It was not a tough drive to make even though there are some serious curves on the drive. Backbone Adventures has off road vehicles for rent year round but trail options in nearby Roosevelt National Forest are limited in winter/early spring. Some places the visibility was about 50 feet. console.log($(this).find(".travelPlannerTT h5.featured").html()); Copyright 2020 - ©The Denver Ear All Rights Reserved. Members who are extremely knowledgeable about this destination and answer travellers’ questions frequently. You could easily make a whole day trip out of this 40 mile loop that will bring you on through Golden, Morrison, Kittredge, and Evergreen. Along the way, you’ll catch views of two of Colorado’s 14ers (aka mountains that are over 14,000 feet high), Mount Bierstadt and Mount Evans, plus plenty of potential wildlife sightings including the bighorn sheep that frequent the area. Community updates: COVID-19, Fires, & How You Can Help, Top Things to See & Do This Fall & Winter in RMNP. … Things to do near Peak to Peak Scenic Byway. Quick hikes in RMNP usually mean at least traction devices and maybe snowshoes around April 1st. Distance from Denver: 2 hoursGet a glimpse into the state’s mining past on this route that spans 131 total miles and tours former gold camps in Southern Colorado including Cripple Creek, Florence, McCourt, Adelaide, Wilbur, and Victor. Psst… This road might have closures due to weather or debris! Double whatever the suggested travel time is so that you can allow yourself plenty of time for stopping to take pictures along the way. Driving back to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? AVOID the E-470 toll road or rental car agencies assess daily surcharges plus the toll.. See my reply #5 at the topic below. You do have to pay a fee to access the road ($15 per adult or $50 for a car with up to five people) and currently due to construction, you’ll have to hop on a shuttle for the last few miles of the journey. Tip: Trail Ridge Road closes for the season sometime between mid-October and mid-November, depending on the weather, and it also closes temporarily during bad weather before that. Personally, I am a "fan" of E-470. It all depends on the weather and how recently it has snowed when you arrive. From Estes Park, you are only an hour from Boulder and from Fort Collins. The scenic drive begins in Central City and travels to Estes Park. It is easy to avoid. Estes Park through Big Thompson Canyon to DIA without the toll road, Estes Park through South St. Vrain Canyon to DIA without the toll road (2 options - highway 36 or 66/I-25), >>The views along the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway are much better if you travel it south to north so I would take the Peak to Peak on the way from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ?
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