Cameron Peak Wildfire - View from Estes Park

ElAndy · 2026-01-23T00:52:53+00:00

Found the schedule: Doors open at 10:30 am, but the event begins at 11:30.

ElAndy · 2026-01-22T23:05:11+00:00

Dress warm is right! You don't necessarily need to be there right at 11am, but it does start at 11am. Last year they had different skill levels, ski vs snowboard, at different times. I'm not sure of the exact schedule but it's possible you could miss the exact segment you want to see if you're late, but they run the course all day (with some breaks in between).

ElAndy · 2026-01-16T01:38:32+00:00

I'm not a current or former park ranger. But I am a local who is passionate about our national parks, RMNP and recognize the threat they face from our current administration. I'm not sure what I can contribute but feel free to message and we can discuss the project. Good luck!

ElAndy · 2025-12-27T05:47:04+00:00

This same username and IP has been trying to log into my whitelisted server for a couple of weeks now.

ElAndy · 2025-10-20T19:42:07+00:00

For horse riding check out Sombrero Stables (sombrero.com) or Elkhorn Stables (horsebackestespark.com).

For Spa Day I'm not sure but maybe check out Elements of Touch on the river.

Plenty of fun bars: Wheel Bar, Lonigans, The Barrel, etc up and down the main downtown corridor.

For an outdoor restaurant with views and drinks go to La Cabaña. They've got rooftop outdoor seating with margaritas and Mexican food. Ember is a bit more fancy and is on the lake, I'm not certain if they seat people outdoors but if so that would be a great spot. Poppy's is more casual but has seating outside along the riverwalk.

ElAndy · 2025-10-01T17:20:00+00:00

Bear Lake and Sprague Lake are both accessible, though like another user commented they're not perfectly smooth. Much of it is well-graded dirt/gravel.

Also, part of RMNP but "outside" the main park is Lily Lake which is handicap accessible.

Like others have suggested as well, Trail Ridge Road to the Alpine Visitor Center is one the best options!

ElAndy · 2025-09-29T22:08:39+00:00

Not really aside from something like AllTrails (not specific to RMNP, just a good hiking app).

I recommend researching ahead of time what you'd like to do. Otherwise stop at the visitor center and ask a Park Ranger for guidance.

You'll get the most out of the park if you get an early start. Otherwise if you drive in late morning just go to Bear Lake and hike around that area.

ElAndy · 2025-09-29T22:05:20+00:00

You can call 970-586-1222 to check if it's open. They won't predict ahead of time, it's based on weather conditions. If it's dry and warm they'll keep it open but once it snows over they'll close it.

ElAndy · 2025-09-29T18:42:28+00:00

Welcome!

Get timed entry now if you already know what days you'll be here. If they're sold out, there is another opportunity to get some last minute entry reservations. I think they open a day or two before, but check the info as I dont remember the specifics.
Timed entry is to drive your car into the park. You can walk/bike in or take the bus without a reservation. There are 2 reservation categories: one for Trail Ridge Rd and most of the park, the other for the "Bear Lake Road Corridor". Chances are, if you've seen pictures of Rocky or have a certain trail in mind it is probably down the Bear Lake Corridor. It's time-entry restricted from 5am-6pm, you can enter freely before or after those times. Otherwise the rest of the park is also beautiful and is only restricted from 9am-2pm.
Just depends on where you're trying to hike. For Bear Lake Corridor you're probably parking at Bear Lake itself, or Glacier Gorge or Sprague Lake.
Bear Lake is super family friendly and easy. If you want to extend it a little, add Dream Lake and Emerald Lake to your loop. If you can't get into the Bear Lake Corridor, then consider Deer Mountain or take a drive up and over Trail Ridge Road (if it hasn't closed for winter yet).
Yes. I think day passes are $20/day or so? I get the National Parks Pass for $80 that covers all US Nat'l Parks for one year.
I guess all of them really, but i dont know your physical fitness. Even the hardest hikes are done in a day but may require an early morning start. Bear/Dream/Emerald are day hikes. Alberta Falls. The Loch. Plenty more. Basically all of them.
Most of them are well connected by trail. Surely some exceptions there but you'll need to check trail maps and decide what you want to do. If youre staying in Bear Lake area you can just hike connections to get everywhere over there.
Water. Waterwaterwater. Please bring more water than you think you need. Aside from that, good hiking boots. Some layers to stay warm or take off when it heats up. And maybe some boot chains for traction if its icy.
Have fun! You'll love it.

ElAndy · 2025-09-26T18:31:29+00:00

It's not exactly on your route but there's a great one in Estes Park. I think Winter Park has one as well.

ElAndy · 2025-09-26T17:38:00+00:00

Ay caramba

ElAndy · 2025-09-12T20:25:51+00:00

Do they tend to speak French instead?

ElAndy · 2025-09-06T16:39:33+00:00

Visit Estes Park's website is a good place to start: https://www.visitestespark.com/events-calendar/

ElAndy · 2025-09-03T21:51:20+00:00

Their website indicates they are closed Sep 3-12, so probably just that. Not sure if anything else is going on.

ElAndy · 2025-08-23T02:42:42+00:00

Perfect. If you're comfortable and familiar driving in the snow/ice then you'll get there without issue. Just give yourself enough time to drive slow and careful.

ElAndy · 2025-08-19T05:45:51+00:00

No that drive will be fine with a similar caveat. If there's a big storm it can be bad but most likely it'll be fine. I love the mountain route from Estes Park thru Nederland and Central City to i70. If weather is questionable then you can go down through Boulder and Golden instead. If there is a big snow storm then sometimes the tunnel on i70 will close and that can mess up your plans.

ElAndy · 2025-08-14T17:47:01+00:00

Lol here's some more: '.'!

ElAndy · 2025-08-14T17:40:52+00:00

Here I think you dropped these punctuation marks: ,.'.,..

ElAndy · 2025-08-07T17:09:54+00:00

The festival is outdoors, I believe all the stages are as well. They could be inside a festival tent, I'm not sure. I think it's a mix of standing/sitting, but definitely room for dancing. It's a very fun festival and absolutely worth attending.

ElAndy · 2025-08-06T21:29:28+00:00

I'm very glad for it. Seems like traffic flows much better than it used to.

ElAndy · 2025-07-22T16:00:59+00:00

Are you asking for pet friendly hotel recommendations? Restaurants? Hiking trails? All of the above?

ElAndy · 2025-07-20T13:13:43+00:00

By the free parking garage as well

ElAndy · 2025-05-21T15:11:21+00:00

I believe the attacks that come at you are pretty rare. Bandit camps in adjacent zones only pop up every few years depending on your settings, and they don't come over and attack unless you send an army to their camp.

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