Rocky Mountain National Park

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With over 415 square miles of pure pristine wilderness, Rocky Mountain National Park provides endless amounts of nature adventures while visiting Estes Park. The park's incomprehensible beauty and majestic sights include 60 peaks over 12,000 feet with nearly 1/4 of the park above timberline. Whether you are an adventure seeker who dares to climb these mountains or want to simply absorb the sights with a drive on Trail Ridge Road, the photographic panoramas are virtually endless, so you are assured a Rocky Mountain memory!

This park captures the essense of the Rocky Mountains: towering snowcapped peaks, pristine mountain lakes, tumbling rivers and wildlife around every turn. There are many places to stop and take pictures or choose one of over 355 miles of trails for an invigorating hike. Rocky Mountain National Park is not only a flagship of beauty, but home to a broad variety of animals. Keep your camera ready for elk, deer, coyotes, big horn sheep, marmots and pika. The lucky visitor might glimpse a black bear, mountain lion or golden eagle. In the winter, this area is a weekend get-away to cross country skiers and a great place to snow shoe. The Rocky Mountains have been an inspiration to many; they can be for you too!

The beauty and natural wonder of this region has always been greatly appreciated and highly respected from all the inhabitants. It has carried through to now with environmental protection of the town and the National Park as a large focus.

History
Estes Park has been home to an array of people for over 11,000 years. Numerous and varied Native American tribes have inhabited this region over time, hunting big game in what is now Rocky Mountain National Park.

In the fall of 1859 a gentleman named Joel Estes was drawn to this valley to hunt. Soon thereafter he relocated his family and cattle ranch from Kentucky to the area. Less than 10 years later, the editor of the Rocky Mountain News dubbed the area Estes Park after spending an enjoyable visit hunting and trapping at the Estes Ranch.

The valley continued to grow and within 40 years from its first settler, Estes Park was home to over 200 people. It was a prospering community and in 1905, the financial support of businessman F.O. Stanley laid the foundation for creating ongoing economic growth. Today, approximately 8,890 people live in the area.

Check out this video of the Elk in Estes Park

Directions & Map to Rocky Mountain Park Inn

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The Rocky Mountain Park Inn in Estes Park, Colorado is only 70 miles NW of Denver International Airport and a little over an hour from the Denver-Metro area.

A beautiful drive on Highway 36 will take you directly to the Holiday Inn at the intersection of US Hwy. 36 and CO Hwy. 7.

Address:
101 South Saint Vrain Ave., Estes Park, CO 80517