27 Unusual Things to Do In Estes Park in the Winter

Are you looking for some unusual things to do in Estes Park in the winter?

Much of Rocky Mountain National Park is closed off during the winter season, due to snow making accessibility an issue. Of course, there is a lot of good skiing in the area, but if that’s not your thing, try checking out Estes Park, CO. Sitting just outside of the park, is a great little town to explore all by itself! Here are 27 fun, unexpected, and unusual things to do in Estes Park in the winter.

Published November 17, 2023…Updated January 6, 2025

1. Go on a Winter Wildlife Tour

Some animals in the Rocky Mountains hibernate during the winter – bears, marmots, raccoons, snakes – but most do not. In fact, some of them are more active in the winter as they forage for food. One of the best ways to see them is on a guided tour.

Try Yellow Wood Guiding. They offer a variety of experiences, ranging from 3.5 hours to 8 hours. Their website describes what you might experience on one of their tours…

“On an average winter day we will find Elk, Mule Deer, Pine Squirrels, Wild Turkey, Prairie Dogs (on nice days), Birds of Prey like Red-tailed Hawks, Bald and Golden Eagles some days and most winter days we find Bighorn Sheep ewes and lambs and the occasional great sighting of Bighorn Sheep Rams. Some days we see coyotes, but sightings have become more rare over the years.”

For something a bit more adventurous call Chadd’s Walking With Wildlife Tours. He offers both half-day and full-day tours, and has a 5-star rating on Trip Advisor!

2. Find a Festival

Estes Park regularly hosts festivals, some of which are a bit unusual – why not take one in while you’re visiting? For instance…

• January – First Peoples Festival, celebrating the culture, art, music, language, and oral traditions of Indigenous Peoples from the area
• February – The Wine and Chocolate Festival (I think you can guess what this festival is all about…)
• March – This month is the Whiskey Warm Up, featuring Colorado whiskeys, live music, and goods from area vendors
• Also in March – The Frozen Dead Guys Festival. (Click on the link for info – I’m still in shock from the name…) This definitely qualifies as an unusual thing to do in Estes Park in the winter.
• April – Bigfoot Days, featuring the Friday night Bigfoot Barbecue and the Saturday festival. (Just to be clear, Bigfoot himself is not being barbequed…)

3. Visit the Stanley Hotel for a Very Merry (Sometimes Scary) Good Time

The Stanley Hotel is an iconic hotel offering some of the most unusual experiences you can have at Estes Park. Author Stephen King came up with the idea for his book “The Shining” from a dream he had while he was staying at the Stanley Hotel, which is said to be haunted. Yikes!

The hotel puts on A LOT of events, ranging from tours to theatre productions to concerts to magic shows. During the winter months, look for “The Nutcracker Suite”, the Christmas Day Dinner, and the Annual Crystal Ball Gala.

4. Enjoy the Holiday Lights

Elkhorn Avenue/Downtown Estes Park

Load up the family and go for a drive to see the Christmas lights! You won’t have to drive far – Estes Park goes all out during the holidays. Or bundle up and take a stroll down Elkhorn Avenue. Admire the storefronts decked out for the season. Your children will think you’re at the North Pole!

Castle Mountain Lodge

Castle Mountain Lodge continues its Christmas light display up until Valentine’s Day. The entire property is decorated for the holidays. Bonus! They even serve fresh cookies, mulled wine, and hot chocolate to keep you warm.

McGregor Mountain Lodge

Just four minutes from Castle Mountain Lodge is McGregor Mountain Lodge, where you can enjoy more beautiful light displays, and more holiday-themed treats and beverages.

YMCA of the Rockies

YMCA of the Rockies offers a full drive-through Christmas Village through mid-January, featuring hundreds of festive lights where you can enjoy the displays without leaving your car. The Flower Circle area is the main attraction on display.

5. Shop for Locally-Sourced Art

Colorado is home to some amazing artists – painters, sculptors, carvers, jewelry-makers. Find uniquely beautiful pieces to take back home, or do some Christmas shopping for your loved ones.

Our favorite spot is Aspen and Evergreen Gallery. They have a wide selection of pieces in a variety of media – paintings, sculpture, jewelry, and pottery. We also found their prices to be more than reasonable. Plus, the owners are very friendly!

6. Support Artists Who Have Disabilities

Joy House, found in the Estes Park Place Mall, on Elkhorn Avenue, describes itself as…

“…a gift shop benefiting the special needs community through unique gifts created by individuals with developmental disabilities. Our goal is to spread love, awareness, and JOY while helping to build a community for these special individuals by way of financial independence.”

Joy House carries a delightful assortment of gifts. This is a great place to purchase some fun gifts and help make a positive impact in people’s lives.

7. Enjoy a Cup of Kind Coffee

I’m a big fan of Kind Coffee! I love the coffee, and I love the core value of kindness. The Kind Coffee shop is designed with this in mind.

There is ample seating inside the shop, but just outside there is seating next to the Estes Park riverwalk. The seating is arranged in circles of three chairs. With no other places to sit, we asked a young man in his twenties if we could join him.

We spent the next one and a half hours getting to know “Jake”. It was one of the highlights of our trip!

8. Take in a Movie at the Historic Park Theatre

Here’s something unusual to do in Estes Park on a cold winter evening – go see a movie, at a theatre that’s older than you are! The Park Theatre was built in 1913, and “is the oldest single house motion picture theatre in the United States that was originally built as a movie theatre, and is still operating today”.

The Historic Park Theatre shows both first-run and classic movies. (At the time of this writing, it is about to start running “The Polar Express.”)

9. Ride the Trolley Through Estes Park

Tired of walking? Are you cold? Do your feet hurt? Catch a ride on the Trolley!

Estes Park has an amazing trolley system. It’s free, and it goes everywhere.

Or…you can take a guided Trolley Tour through Estes Park Trolleys. Their three-hour tour on a classic trolley takes you to visit several of the lower areas of the park and makes frequent photo stops. You can also take a two-hour guided tour of Estes Park to see the sights and learn about their history.

10. Visit Rocky Mountain National Park

While some of RMNP closes during the winter, not all does. There are areas you can access for some snowy adventures, including tubing, sledding, and snowshoeing. One area of the park you might want to check out is Hidden Valley.

The Hidden Valley Snowplay Area is the only place in RMNP where sledding is allowed. It’s located on the east side of the park approximately 7 miles from the Beaver Meadows and Fall River entrances. Facilities at Hidden Valley include a warming hut (open on weekends), and flush restrooms.

Always check out the National Park Service website to learn the current weather and driving conditions before you try to enter the park during the winter.

11. Take a Stroll by the River

The Big Thompson River runs just behind the storefronts along Elkhorn Avenue. The easiest way to find it is to walk out the back door of Kind Coffee and there it is!

There is a lovely paved riverwalk that follows the river for one mile. Not only is the river beautiful, but the town takes care to landscape the entire walk. Plus, all of the stores have back entrances, so you can enter them directly from the walk.

12. Explore Lake Estes

Lake Estes is 185 acres of gorgeous, with a circumference of almost 4 miles. A hiking/biking trail encircles the reservoir. The trail may be accessed from the Estes Park Visitor Center parking area, down Lake Front Drive to Fisherman’s Nook, or from the Lake Estes Marina.

13. “You Need Pie!”

We weren’t expecting to find a 50s-style diner in Estes Park. But we’re glad we did! Great food, “golden oldies” on the jukebox, and PIE! The diner specializes in homemade pies, and there were probably two dozen to choose from. We may have eaten here twice in five days…

You Need Pie is not downtown, but you can see it from there. Just look for the McDonald’s golden arches – they share the same parking lot.

14. Catch a Sunrise…or a Sunset

Locals will tell you that Sprague Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park is the best place to watch the sunrise. The lake is large and calm, providing beautiful reflections on its surface.

Try Lake Estes, right in Estes Park, to enjoy the sunset. There is a long walking trail around it, providing plenty of places to stop, sit, and watch the sunlight fade away into beautiful colors.

15. Learn to Ice Skate

I grew up in Mississippi, where we didn’t do a lot of ice skating. If you’re like me – a novice – or if you are an Olympics-level skater, Estes Park is a great place to get some ice skating in!

You can skate on Dorsey Pond at the YMCA of the Rockies, near the Beaver Meadows Entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park, just outside of Estes Park.

16. Visit Chapel on the Rock

Saint Catherine of Sienna Chapel, better known as Chapel on the Rock is just 12 miles south of Estes Park, right outside Rocky Mountain National Park, on Highway 7 South/S. Vrain St. It sits in the shadow of Mount Meeker, but the chapel would be majestic no matter where it was located.

In 1916, Monsignor Joseph Bosetti discovered a large rock formation on the outskirts of the Rocky Mountains. Bosetti was immediately reminded of the words of Jesus recorded in Matthew 16:18, which reads: “Upon this rock, I’ll build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

The Chapel was completed in 1936, and still stands today, having withstood assaults from both fires and floods.

17. Take a Class. Learn a New Skill.

Make your time in Estes Park an educational experience! Here are some suggestions…

• Visit Creativity Cabin and learn how to paint pottery
• Make your reservation for the “Winter in the Rocky Mountain National Park” photography workshop led by Joseph Thomas.
• Inspired Artisan Market and Studio offers classes in everything from tie-dying to hydro dipping to making glass-fused necklaces to batiking.

18. Go Ice Climbing

For a more intense experience, try ice climbing! The area offers several great spots perfect for the sport. Both Colorado Mountain School and KMAC Guides (formerly Kent Mountain Adventure Center) offer ice climbing experiences for all levels of climbers.

19. Go on a Ride in a Snowcat

Estes Park Outfitters is home to an off-grid B&B five miles out of town – the last couple of miles are WAY off the beaten path. During the winter it can only be reached by their Snowcat Tracked vehicle. The kind folks at Estes Park Outfitters will pick you up at the end of the paved road, and haul you up the mountain to their cabin. The ride lasts one hour.

Once you arrive, you’ll have an hour to explore the property, take some amazing photos, and relax next to the wood-burning stove as you enjoy your beverage of choice.  Of course, you don’t have to leave – it’s a bed and breakfast – stay for the night!

This is probably unlike any experience you’ve had before, and certainly one of the most unforgettable. It is most definitely one of the most unusual things to do in Estes Park in the winter!

20. Go Snowshoeing

As I wrote earlier, I’m from Mississippi, so I don’t wear shoes if I don’t have to. But you can go on a guided snowshoeing tour with Estes Park Mountain Shop and their partner Wildland Trekking.

Their certified guides will take you into the backcountry of Rocky Mountain National Park, where you will experience incredible scenery, as well as a good chance of seeing elk, deer, ptarmigan, snowshoe hares…maybe even a moose!

21. It’s Tea Time

Enjoy English Afternoon tea at SereniTEA’s Tea Room. You’ll be served an unlimited pot of tea, homemade scones, tea sandwiches, and dessert. It’s just like being “across the pond”!

During winter the tea room is open Wednesdays – Saturdays 11 am – 2 pm. Reservations are required.

And if you enjoy your experience, and I’m sure you will, head over to Rocky Mountain SereniTEA Tea Shop to purchase some tea to take home with you!

22. Go Snowmobiling

If you’re not interested in a tour, but would rather just rent a vehicle and rip through the snow, try Backbone Adventures. They have over 2,200 5-Star ratings, and you can rent either snowmobiles or ATVs. (The Polaris Northstar has a fully-enclosed, heated cab…just sayin’…)

If you’re looking for a guided tour, you’ll have to do some driving, most probably to Grand Adventures in Winter Park, CO. This is a 2-hour 30-minute drive. They offer a variety of experiences for all different levels of snowmobiler.

23. Go Fishing

It’s always a good time to go fishing, and you’ve got some options in Estes Park, even in the winter.

Want to try your hand at fly fishing? Contact Kirk’s Flyshop. They have guided trips, gear, or just advice about the best places to go. They even have a Fishing Report on their website with info about where the fish are biting!

Or…how about doing some ice fishing? Ice fishing is allowed in any of the open lakes in the area, including Lake Estes. And Trout Haven Fishing Pond is open year-round – you can even ice skate there!

24. Try Out “The Beef Jerky Experience”

You should walk into this place, even if you don’t like beef jerky. The Beef Jerky Experience has dozens and dozens,…and DOZENS of different types of jerky. This quirky shop features beef jerky, pork jerky, wild game jerky, exotic animal jerky…it even has jerky for your dog or cat!

The shop is on Virginia Drive, just off Elkhorn Avenue, right next to The Sugar Shack. (You can get something savory and something sweet at the same time!)

The Beef Jerky Experience – it’s more than a beef jerky store – it’s an experience!

25. Eat Local

We always avoid chain restaurants and fast food when we travel – it’s more fun to sample the local cuisine! Estes Park is full of great places to eat. I’ve already mentioned “You Need Pie”, so here are a couple of other places we like.

The Sandwich Mafia Sandwich Shop is not easy to find. There’s a small sign on Elkhorn Avenue which leads down a long, narrow alley to the sandwich shop. You can also find it a block behind Elkhorn Avenue, on Cleave Street.

The Sandwich Mafia is decorated with old black-and-white photos of gangsters, mafioso, and “Rat Packers” like Sinatra and Sammy Davis, Jr.

The staff is friendly, and the food is really good! Give it a try!

Ed’s Cantina has been around since the 80’s, and it’s no wonder – this place is amazing! I ordered the shrimp tacos pictured below – so good. And here’s another amazing thing – our order arrived in 3 minutes. (I’m not exaggerating!)

Ed’s Cantina is on Elkhorn Avenue, very near Kindness Coffee. It has a large dining area, and outdoor seating on the riverwalk (though it might be a little chilly in the winter).

26. Float Away in a Hot Air Ballon

Get a bird’s eye view of Estes Park and surrounding areas in a hot air balloon! (Good news -it will be warmer than you expect.) Aero-Cruise Balloon Adventures can make the magic happen for you. They are based in Lafayette, CO, about one hour from Estes Park.

Plus, there is post-flight champagne (a longstanding tradition among balloonists) and even parting gifts. And think of the photo opps!

27. Be Still…Relax…Rest…

This might be the most unusual thing you could do in Estes Park. Most of our lives are characterized by busyness and hurry – even our vacations. What if you…

• …just cozied up to a roaring fire with a cup of hot chocolate?
• …treated yourself to a relaxing massage at Affinity Massage and Wellness Center?
• …found a beautiful spot and simply sat down for a while to enjoy the view?

The word “vacation” is taken from the word “vacate”. Why not vacate your busyness and your hurry and come home from your time in Estes Park more rested and relaxed?

The Verdict – 27 Unusual Things to Do in Estes Park in the Winter

Why settle for the ordinary and the expected when there are so many unusual things to do in Estes Park in the winter? You can take to the skies in a balloon, play in the snow on a snowmobile, go on a tour, take a class…

Go for it! Your kids, grandkids, and friends will all think you’re cool… because you are!

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