Estes Park is so so magical to stay in and you're just minutes away from RMNP. I've gone here every year for the past few years and here are some of my recs!
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Easy Hikes/ Sites
Food & Stay
Easy Hikes/ Sites
Easy hikes in Rocky Mountain Nation Park, near Estes Park
You can basically drive here & take a walk around the lake. Great for a day 1 activity to get used to elevation! Make sure you buy passes with Bear Lake road access :)
Bear Lake Trailhead
One of the more popular loop hikes - Nymph, Haiyaha & Emerald. The beginning is the toughest part with the incline + crowding.
Nymph Lake
My favorite of all the lakes! So blue & magical.
Lake Haiyaha
All in the name!!
Dream Lake
End of the hike, lots of people save their snacks & lounging for this spot.
Emerald Lake
Can connect to Bear Lake through a wooded trail. Saw moose here :)
Bierstadt Lake
Leads to Cub Lake- saw the most wildlife on this hike!
Beaver Meadows Loop Hike (Rocky Mountain National Park, CO ...
REALLY helpful app! Download offline maps and you'll never feel lost :)
AllTrails: Hike, Bike & Run - Apps on Google Play
Drive on the park's first road to the peak (a one way road): Old Fall River Road. Should only be taken by confident drivers- you're literally driving on the edge of a cliff. You can also take an alt route!
Alpine Visitor Center
Food & Stay
Some foodie/coffee recs in Estes Park
Best breakfast in Estes Park!
The Egg of Estes
My fave coffee shop in Estes Park
KIND COFFEE
A bucketlist item for the area- grab coffee & buy some corn to feed the ducks in the nearby pond
Coffee on the Rocks
Stay on Fall River Road for some nice views! Rent a place where you have kitchen access- not a ton of great food in the area.
Woodlands On Fall River
Ordered for takeout- shockingly good sicilian pie (coming from someone from nyc!)
Antonio's Real New York Pizza
Pretty yum! Would only recommend if you're not from somewhere where BBQ is popular.
