Anyone from Colorado?

[Dakota731]

We are traveling with a two year old and a six year old this summer staying in Estes Park and would love suggestions for fun things to do with kids. Not more than an hour or two drive would be great!

 

[NMBCFangirl]

I live just down the hill from Estes! Trail Ridge is breathtaking in more ways than one. If you are of good lungs and can walk at altitude, the views up there are gorgeous. Please, mind the signs and don't walk on the alpine tundra. I've seen many happy kids up there since there are so many birds to see, plus the elk, the marmots, and the pika.

 

[Boopuff]

Also be aware that several of our popular tourist spots may have a reservation system in place (including Rocky Mtn. National Park) Enjoy Colorado!

 

[Dakota731]

Also be aware that several of our popular tourist spots may have a reservation system in place (including Rocky Mtn. National Park) Enjoy Colorado!

Yes I just found that out and only could get 6 pm hiking spots. So hence the reason for seeking out other kid friendly attractions near Estes park!

 

[platamama]

The YMCA at Estes Park has some activities to do on-site and you could buy a day pass.

Day Pass Information (ymcarockies.org)

Here's an example of a this week's programming: AG July 3-9_updated.pdf (ymcarockies.org)

 

[figment52]

Look at Loveland, CO for activities as well. It is east of Estes Park and may provide some more kid friendly activities.

Also, look into how altitude change may impact the kiddos...it can be very real and some people do have a hard time adjusting to it. You want to be prepared for the signs and how to treat it for both the kids and adults.

 

[DVCTX]

Yes I just found that out and only could get 6 pm hiking spots. So hence the reason for seeking out other kid friendly attractions near Estes park!

25% of the entry permits for the next day are released the day prior to entry at 5:00 pm. So you may get an earlier reservation yet.

 

[Tangled26]

The Estes Park Aerial Tramway. It is a gondola ride to the top of “chipmunk hill”. Not only is the ride fun, and views great but at the top you can buy a bag of peanuts and feed the VERY friendly chipmunks. My kids absolutely love it every time we go. And there is Fun City with a ton of amusement rides right next to the tramway.

Also, I know this sounds weird but there are a couple of rock stores in around town. My kids love going and looking at all the different types of rocks.

 

[Dakota731]

25% of the entry permits for the next day are released the day prior to entry at 5:00 pm. So you may get an earlier reservation yet.

We are going to try that but I’ve read that in a second all the spots are gone so I won’t hold my breath!

 

[Dakota731]

The Estes Park Aerial Tramway. It is a gondola ride to the top of “chipmunk hill”. Not only is the ride fun, and views great but at the top you can buy a bag of peanuts and feed the VERY friendly chipmunks. My kids absolutely love it every time we go. And there is Fun City with a ton of amusement rides right next to the tramway.

Also, I know this sounds weird but there are a couple of rock stores in around town. My kids love going and looking at all the different types of rocks.

Thanks I’ve added these places to our itinerary! I love cheesy tourist attractions lol. And nature too of course!!

 

[kathy884]

Try to get those last minute permits right at 5 p.m. the night before if your day already has permits sold out, but have a plan B (like it sounds like you are developing if that doesn't work out for you - very smart). I like you, heard that they sell out in minutes and heard that some people practice using the site in advance to try to get these efficiently too.

Other than Bear Lake Corridor (and you are right that this has a lot of the great hiking) and that is the area where you have to enter before 5 a.m. or after 6 p.m., you can access other areas of the park before 9 a.m. and after 3 p.m. without a timed entry permit. Just wanted to make sure you understood that. https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/timed-entry-permit-system.htm

And the other areas of the park include that great drive up Trail Ridge Road with all the stops and overlooks along the way up to the Alpine Visitor's Center which is the number one thing to do in the park (It's that much fun and that enjoyable). I would plan on an early day to do that if you are unable to get the timed permit. I'm not one that likes long drives or likes to do long drives with kids, but with all the stops and overlooks this does not feel long at all and is a fabulous / fun day for all ages (recommended for a day other than your first day to acclimate a little to the altitude since you are going over 10,000 feet).

Another area that is highly recommended for kids (family friendly hking and playing around) that is outside of the Bear Lake corridor is Alluvial Fan. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attract...an-Rocky_Mountain_National_Park_Colorado.html

The wonderful Estes Park Visitor's Center is worth a stop for ideas of fun things to do with your kiddos. It's in town and you don't need park access to stop there. https://www.visitestespark.com/plan/visitor-centers/

I'm not sure with your young children if this would be of interest or not or work, but we just love stopping at the Stanley Hotel for the views. We usually like to do the architectural tour there. This would have been fine for ours at age 6 (age 2??) You could take a look and see what you think. https://www.stanleyhotel.com/historic-hotel-tour.html

The only place that I visit more than Colorado is Orlando lol.

I love Estes Park / Rocky Mountain National park and we will be going again this year in end of September mid week (for slightly less crazy crowds -- late September is elk rut season and brings out lots of people). I don't live in Colorado now, but used to live in Denver. I live in St. Louis now, but do vacation in Colorado pretty frequently.

 

[Dakota731]

Try to get those last minute permits right at 5 p.m. the night before if your day already has permits sold out, but have a plan B (like it sounds like you are developing if that doesn't work out for you - very smart). I like you, heard that they sell out in minutes and heard that some people practice using the site in advance to try to get these efficiently too.

Other than Bear Lake Corridor (and you are right that this has a lot of the great hiking) and that is the area where you have to enter before 5 a.m. or after 6 p.m., you can access other areas of the park before 9 a.m. and after 3 p.m. without a timed entry permit. Just wanted to make sure you understood that. https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/timed-entry-permit-system.htm

And the other areas of the park include that great drive up Trail Ridge Road with all the stops and overlooks along the way up to the Alpine Visitor's Center which is the number one thing to do in the park (It's that much fun and that enjoyable). I would plan on an early day to do that if you are unable to get the timed permit. I'm not one that likes long drives or likes to do long drives with kids, but with all the stops and overlooks this does not feel long at all and is a fabulous / fun day for all ages (recommended for a day other than your first day to acclimate a little to the altitude since you are going over 10,000 feet).

Another area that is highly recommended for kids (family friendly hking and playing around) that is outside of the Bear Lake corridor is Alluvial Fan. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attract...an-Rocky_Mountain_National_Park_Colorado.html

The wonderful Estes Park Visitor's Center is worth a stop for ideas of fun things to do with your kiddos. It's in town and you don't need park access to stop there. https://www.visitestespark.com/plan/visitor-centers/

I'm not sure with your young children if this would be of interest or not or work, but we just love stopping at the Stanley Hotel for the views. We usually like to do the architectural tour there. This would have been fine for ours at age 6 (age 2??) You could take a look and see what you think. https://www.stanleyhotel.com/historic-hotel-tour.html

The only place that I visit more than Colorado is Orlando lol.

I love Estes Park / Rocky Mountain National park and we will be going again this year in end of September mid week (for slightly less crazy crowds -- late September is elk rut season and brings out lots of people). I don't live in Colorado now, but used to live in Denver. I live in St. Louis now, but do vacation in Colorado pretty frequently.

Thanks for your ideas! Will we need a park reservation for the drive up Trail Ridge road?
I must say this reservation system has made this trip like scheduling a disney vacation! Never thought I’d need a spread sheet to visit a state park! It is confusing and makes impromptu outings impossible which is hard with littles ones. I feel really bad for people who drive cross county and get turned away for not having a reservation.

 

[NMBCFangirl]

Thanks for your ideas! Will we need a park reservation for the drive up Trail Ridge road?
I must say this reservation system has made this trip like scheduling a disney vacation! Never thought I’d need a spread sheet to visit a state park! It is confusing and makes impromptu outings impossible which is hard with littles ones. I feel really bad for people who drive cross county and get turned away for not having a reservation.

If you head into the park before 5am it's smooth sailing for entry, and the drive and views up there are best in the early morning. That might be hard with littles, though. I can't remember what time check in at the gate ends each day. We usually enter on our drives about 4am.

 

[kathy884]

Thanks for your ideas! Will we need a park reservation for the drive up Trail Ridge road?
I must say this reservation system has made this trip like scheduling a disney vacation! Never thought I’d need a spread sheet to visit a state park! It is confusing and makes impromptu outings impossible which is hard with littles ones. I feel really bad for people who drive cross county and get turned away for not having a reservation.

As Trail Ridge Road is not part of the Bear Lake Corridor you only need a reservation for entry between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. If you don't get a reservation, you can still easily do this, by having an early start. I'd say try to get to the around 8 am. just to be absolutely sure you are in the park before 9 a.m. I think your family will really enjoy this.

There are two kinds of reservations -- The Bear Lake Corridor ones which are for anywhere in the park and the rest of the park ones that are good for anywhere except the Bear Lake Corridor. Once you go in the park within your reservation window you are free to come and go as you please.

Reservations are a pain for sure, but it has helped with park overcrowding. I think the fact that the shuttle system isn't running this year has made this necessary to avoid parking issues. (It's great that so many people are out enjoying the National Parks, but I have to admit that I miss the good ole days when they weren't so popular.)

 

[ctinct]

Not sure if there used to be a different shuttle system that no longer runs, but I was there a week ago and there is a shuttle running from a large parking lot in the Bear Lake Corridor that makes several stops. I’m at work now so can’t tell you what the stops were, but we stopped and walked around Bear Lake and hiked to Alberta Falls from one of the stops.

Bring a mask, and oh, yeah.altitude sickness is real.

Side note: I really enjoyed the Trsil Road, so I wouldn’t worry too much if you can’t get a reservation for the Bear Lake Corridor.

 

[Dakota731]

We are staying in Estes park so where do we get on trail ridge road? Do you have to enter RMNP? We would like to see the alluvial fan waterfall area. I have heard stories about how scary the road is if you have a fear of heights, so I’m still thinking about that lol.

 

[DVCTX]

We are staying in Estes park so where do we get on trail ridge road? Do you have to enter RMNP? We would like to see the alluvial fan waterfall area. I have heard stories about how scary the road is if you have a fear of heights, so I’m still thinking about that lol.

Yes, you have to enter RMNP. You can use either entrance from Estes Park, Beaver Meadows or Fall River. Another thing to consider is the Lily Lake Trail and Picnic area. This is right off Colorado 7. Don't know if this is considered part of the permit area. The trail circles Lily Lake is and is mostly flat and level.

 

[jdwarren]

I second the YMCA programs. You are also not that far from Northern Denver if you wanted to try to get into a Rockies game or the Children's museum. Ft.Collins is also a fun stop for shopping and lunch. The nice thing about leaving the general area of Estes Park is the drive to get back. It's such a pretty drive.