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A little about Estes Park

The village of Estes Park is at 7,522 feet above sea level and cradled by mountain peaks ranging from 9,000 to 14,259 feet. It is the mountain getaway at the foot of Rocky Mountain National Park and only a 90-minute drive from Denver. This year-round, family-friendly community welcomes you to enjoy the Rocky Mountains. Wildlife is part of the scenery. Don’t be surprised to discover elk bedding down on the seventh fairway or walking across aptly named Elkhorn Avenue downtown. Bighorn sheep favor the Big Thompson Canyon or hang out at Sheep Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. The Rocky Mountains are on full display as you drive into town, so sightseeing is a must. Drive up the winding Bear Lake Road in Rocky Mountain National Park and marvel at the thundering Big Thompson River. Avid photographers drive Trail Ridge Road for the best picture spots at Many Parks Curve and Forest Canyon Overlook.

The history of Estes Park

Before white men came to the Estes Park valley, the Arapaho lived there in the summertime, and called the valley "the Circle." When three elderly Arapahoes visited Estes Park in 1914, they pointed out sites they remembered from their younger days. A photograph at the Estes Park Museum identified the touring party as Shep Husted, guide; Gun Griswold, a 73 year old judge; Sherman Sage, a 63 year old chief of police; Tom Crispin, 38 year old reservation resident and interpreter; Oliver W. Toll, recorder; and David Robert Hawkins, a Princeton student. In 1903, a new road was opened from Loveland through the Big Thompson River canyon to Estes Park, increasing access to the valley. In 1907, three Loveland men established the first auto stage line from Loveland to Estes Park with three five-passenger touring Stanley Steamers. The following year, Mr. Stanley built nine-passenger steam busses and opened a bus line between Lyons and Estes Park.

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