Estes Park Tourist Attractions
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On the northeastern edge of Rocky Mountain National Park, in the high valley of the Big Thompson River, is the mountain resort of Estes Park (alt. 7,523ft/2,293m), named after a pioneer who settled here around 1860. Ten years later a British peer, the Earl of Dunraven, built a hunting lodge in this area, which was famed for its abundance of game and of fish, and soon afterwards the painter, Albert Bierstadt came here and was enchanted by the beauty of the scenery. Estes Park is now busy with visitors all year round, offering them a wide range of activities - hiking, riding, fishing, mountain biking, rafting and even golf. There is a cableway up Prospect Mountain (8,895ft/2,711m).
Big Thompson River
The Big Thompson River below Estes Park is a famous trout river which attracts hundreds of anglers. Farther downstream the river turns east towards the Great Plains in a narrow valley shaped by tectonic movement.
MacGregor Ranch Museum
The MacGregor Ranch Museum in Estes Park dates from the homesteading period of the 1870's. Visitors can tour the museum, milk house, smokehouse, blacksmith shop and horse-drawn machinery displays. There is also wagon rides, agricultural activities, an interactive nature center, nature trails and camping. Within the main ranch house, original furnishings are on display and personal memorabilia of three generations of the MacGregor family.
Baldpate Inn
The Baldpate Inn was built in 1917 in Estes Park and is listed on the National Historic Register. Visitors to the Inn can enjoy hiking, fishing, wildlife watching, or mountain climbing. Inside, the lodge has a unique collection of over 20,000 keys.
Elkhorn Lodge
The Elkhorn Lodge is a historic guest ranch in Estes Park that was built between 1871 and 1902. The old lodge dates back to 1871 and is still in use! The ranch is listed on the National Historic Register. Accommodations are housed in 33 different buildings.
Estes Park Museum
The Estes Park Area Historical Museum is located just west of the Stanley Park Fairgrounds. Founded in 1962, the museum's permanent exhibit, Tracks in Time, details the Estes Park area's history. Throughout the year, four temporary exhibits are also featured.
Enos Mills Cabin
Enos Mills, best known for being the "Father of Rocky Mountain National Park", worked diligently for 6 years to educate the public and Congress as to how important it was to set aside large areas of land to preserve habitats and scenery.
Stanley Hotel
The Stanley Hotel is a grand hotel in Estes Park, which opened in 1909. The Stanley Museum was invited by The Stanley Hotel to set up exhibits as well as manage the historic tours of the Hotel.
