Estes Park, Mountain town in Larimer County, Colorado, United States
Estes Park is a town in Larimer County, Colorado, sitting at an elevation of 2,293 meters at the eastern gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park. Wooden buildings and lodges line the main street, surrounded by forested slopes and wide valleys with views toward the peaks of the Front Range.
The first permanent settlers arrived during the Colorado Gold Rush, followed by the establishment of a post office in 1874. The Stanley Hotel opened in 1909 and helped transform the community into a resort destination.
The settlement takes its name from Joel Estes, who established his ranch here in 1859. Residents today use the open meadows at the edge of town for outdoor activities such as horseback riding and fishing in nearby streams.
Hiking trails begin directly from the town center, and signs warn visitors about wildlife such as elk and black bears. Pack warm clothing, as temperatures can drop sharply even during summer evenings.
The Stanley Hotel inspired Stephen King to write his novel "The Shining" after he spent a night there. Guests today still report strange sounds and unexplained events in certain rooms of the building.
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The Stanley Hotel
799 m
Lake Estes
3 km
Beaver Meadows Visitor Center
3.4 km
Snogo Snow Plow
3.4 km
Park Theatre
97 m
Rocky Mountain National Park Utility Area Historic District
3.5 km
Estes Park Museum
1.7 km
Big Thompson Canyon
4.9 km
Fun City
638 mStanley Home Museum And Education Center
671 mMacgregor Ranch Museum
2 km
Estes Park Aerial Tramway
649 m
Big Thompson River Bridge IV
4.4 km
Big Thompson River Bridge III
4.4 kmBig Thompson River Bridge II
4.4 kmBig Thompson River Bridge I
4.4 kmImages of Rocky Mountain National Park
128 mEstes Park Golf Course
2.7 kmBalanced Rock
3.8 kmPerformance Park
467 mEstes Park Golf Course
1.4 kmEarthwood artisans
442 mThe Wynbrier Ltd. Wilderness Gallery
247 mColumbine
256 mFreelan Oscar Stanley
680 mScenic viewpoint
2.7 kmScenic viewpoint
4.9 kmMacGregor Falls
4.9 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
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