Estes Park, CO & RMNP
4-Day Itinerary to Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park
Day 1: Arrival in Denver and Drive to Estes Park
Morning:
We flew from San Antonio to Denver, then rented a Jeep at the airport.
Grabbed coffee and a treat to fuel up for the 1.5-hour drive to Estes Park!
Afternoon:
Arrived in Estes Park around noon and had brunch at the popular Eggs of Estes, it was ok but the staff was so friendly!
Checked into our cozy cabin (I'll link it here later) and took some time to freshen up. It was the cutest spot, perfect location in a cute neighborhood and we got to see deer and elk right outside our window!
We visited the Rocky Mountain National Park Visitor Center, where park rangers gave us tips for the snowy weekend ahead. The mountains had about a foot of snow, so we made sure to get snow spikes for our hiking boots.
Evening:
With our park pass in hand, we drove up Trail Ridge Road to reach the highest peak in Rocky Mountain National Park. 10,000+ ft elevation is no joke! Especially coming from San Antonio where we sit at about 650 ft above sea level… we decided to take it slow and ease into it! Don’t forget to hydrate :)
We found a beautiful short trail with a lake and bridge—perfect for some snowy snapshots. We also saw plenty of wildlife, including elk and deer!
We stopped at a local grocery store to pick up energy treats for the next day’s hikes, it was very close to our airbnb which was perfect.
Day 2: Snowy Hike to Emerald Lake
Morning:
Next morning, we had brunch at the historic Stanley Hotel—a must-visit while in Estes Park - very spooky!
We sopped by Estes Park Mountain Shop to grab shoe spikes, which were essential for hiking in the snow and picked up some hats and other essentials.
We drove to Bear Lake and hiked the trail to Emerald Lake! The spikes made all the difference in navigating the snowy terrain without slipping. The lake was completely frozen over, and the snow-covered views were breathtaking.
Despite the elevation gain (9,480 ft), we took it slow to adjust to the altitude.
A highlight: spotted a fox close to the trail, carrying its prey, a super rare and exciting sighting! It walked right in front of us and we made sure to keep our distance and respect their path.
Evening:
Celebrated my birthday dinner at Bird & Jim’s a fantastic restaurant with a unique menu. They also let you mail yourself a postcard after dinner- a super cute touch and loved getting that in the mail :).
Day 3: Exploring Estes Park
Morning:
We started the day with a breakfast burrito and coffee at Kind Coffee—a local favorite, we sat next to the water and enjoyed the cool weather.
We returned to Bear Lake for a more relaxed visit, though parking was trickier since it was Friday and more people were around. The previous day had been much quieter around the trail.
Afternoon:
We spent time exploring downtown Estes Park, enjoying the charming shops and local sights. I miss it already!
Day 4: Final Day in Estes Park and Return to Denver
Morning:
We headed back to the *Stanley Hotel*, but this time had breakfast at The Post. Unfortunately, reservations weren't available, so we sat at the bar. While the breakfast wasn't our favorite, the experience of walking around the historic hotel made up for it.
Took one last stroll around the Stanley Hotel, soaking in the history and scenic views.
Afternoon:
Made the drive back to Denver, returned the Jeep at the airport, and caught our 5 PM flight back home.
Overall it was a great spring adventure :)!
