Estes Park, CO & RMNP
4-Day Itinerary to Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park
Day 1: Arrival in Denver and Drive to Estes Park
Morning:
We flew from San Antonio to Denver, then rented a Jeep at the airport.
Grabbed coffee and a treat to fuel up for the 1.5-hour drive to Estes Park.
Afternoon:
Arrived in Estes Park around noon and had brunch at the popular Eggs of Estes.
Checked into our cozy cabin (I'll link it here later) and took some time to freshen up.
Visited the Rocky Mountain National Park Visitor Center, where park rangers gave us tips for the snowy weekend ahead. The mountains had about a foot of snow, so we made sure to get snow spikes for our hiking boots.
Evening:
With our park pass in hand, we drove up Trail Ridge Road to reach the highest peak in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Found a beautiful short trail with a lake and bridge—perfect for some snowy snapshots. We also saw plenty of wildlife, including elk and deer!
Stopped at a local grocery store to pick up energy treats for the next day’s hikes.
Day 2: Snowy Hike to Emerald Lake
Morning:
Brunched at the historic Stanley Hotel—a must-visit while in Estes Park.
Stopped by Estes Park Mountain Shop to grab shoe spikes, which were essential for hiking in the snow.
Drove to Bear Lake and hiked the trail to Emerald Lake. The spikes made all the difference in navigating the snowy terrain without slipping. The lake was completely frozen over, and the snow-covered views were breathtaking.
Despite the elevation gain (9,480 ft), we took it slow to adjust to the altitude.
A highlight: spotted a fox close to the trail, carrying its prey—a rare and exciting sighting!
Evening:
Celebrated my birthday dinner at Bird & Jim’s a fantastic restaurant with a unique menu. They also let you mail yourself a postcard after dinner—a super cute touch.
Day 3: Exploring Estes Park
Morning:
Started the day with a breakfast burrito and coffee at Kind Coffee—a local favorite.
Returned to Bear Lake for a more relaxed visit, though parking was trickier since it was Friday and more people were around. The previous day had been much quieter.
Afternoon:
Spent time exploring downtown Estes Park, enjoying the charming shops and local sights.
Day 4: Final Day in Estes Park and Return to Denver
Morning:
Headed back to the *Stanley Hotel*, but this time had breakfast at The Post. Unfortunately, reservations weren't available, so we sat at the bar. While the breakfast wasn't our favorite, the experience of walking around the historic hotel made up for it.
Took one last stroll around the Stanley Hotel, soaking in the history and scenic views.
Afternoon:
Made the drive back to Denver, returned the Jeep at the airport, and caught our 5 PM flight back home.
Overall it was a great spring adventure :)!
