Estes Park Area

Copyright: Rocky Mountain National Park Upper Beaver Meadows & Longs Peak

Trail Ridge Road, the highest paved road in North America, leads from Estes Park, west through Rocky Mountain National Park and over the Continental Divide. The scenic Big Thompson River Canyon lies between Estes Park and Loveland. The Peak to Peak Scenic Byway leads south of Estes Park to Blackhawk.

Recreation - Camping, hiking, fishing, hunting, cross-country skiing, scenic driving and viewing scenery are popular activities. Most of the nearby campgrounds are located within the Rocky Mountain National Park. There are trails close to town in the Park, the Forest and the wilderness areas. If you are planning a drive over Trail Ridge Road, remember the road is closed through the winter.

Climate - Estes Park lies at an elevation of 7,600 feet. In the valley bottoms, around Estes Park, summer high temperatures extend into the mid 80s, with cool evenings that can often dip into the 30s. Winter lows can dip well below zero, though daytime temperatures are often in the 20s to 30s. The relative humidity is quite low throughout the year. Most of the area and its recreation facilities lie at higher elevations where significantly lower temperatures and more precipitation can be expected. Afternoon summer thunderstorms are common. Snow is possible at any time of year in the highest elevations. The high elevation roads and trails are often not clear of snow until mid-July.

Location - Estes Park is located on the Big Thompson River west of Loveland and northwest of Denver. It sits on the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park and the Continental Divide.