136. Elkhorn Stables
City: Estes Park, CO
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (970) 586-5225
Address: 600 West Elkhorn Avenue
Description: This stable offers breakfast rides; rides ending with a steak dinner, country music, and dancing; hourly rides; and ponies for children. Open year-round, it guides trips into the national park. Take time to tour the 120-year-old lodge and stables.
137. Sombrero Ranch
City: Estes Park, CO
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (970) 586-4577, (303) 442-0258
Description: Sombrero offers rides into the national forest (not the national park). There’s a breakfast ride, a steak-fry evening ride, and an overnight pack trip. In fact, at Sombrero Ranch you can ride all year long. Fishing trips are offered, too.
138. Estes Park Mountain Shop
City: Estes Park, CO
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (970) 586-6548, (866) 303-6548
Address: 358 East Elkhorn Avenue
Description: Inquire here about a variety of raft trips on different Colorado rivers; full- and half-day adventures are offered.
139. Mountain Whitewater Descents
City: Estes Park, CO
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (888) 855-8874
Address: 2050 Big Thompson Ave.
Description: Take a thrilling ride on the Cache La Poudre River near Estes. This company also offers kayak lessons and special packages.
140. Rapid Transit Rafting Ltd.
City: Estes Park, CO
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (800) 367-8523
Address: 161 Virginia Drive
Description: White-water adventures include full-day trips on the Colorado River and half-day trips on the Poudre River leaving from Estes Park. There’s a variety of rafting, from exciting deep canyon rapids to relaxing float water stretches. Trips are suitable for beginners as well as experienced rafters. All the necessary rafting gear, experienced licensed guides, and lunch or snacks are provided. Reservations are recommended.
141. Rocky Mountain Adventures
City: Estes Park, CO
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (800) 858-6808 in Fort Collins
Description: Half- and full-day and overnight trips are offered for white-water rafting from beginner to advanced levels. Trips are on the Big Thompson, Poudre, and North Platte Rivers. All the necessary equipment, plus lunch and snacks are provided, along with licensed guides. The company also provides kayak instruction and lake touring in sea kayaks on Lake Estes. The Fort Collins office is open year-round, and the Estes Park location is open Memorial Day through Labor Day.
142. Estes Park Aquatic Center
City: Estes Park, CO
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (970) 586-2340
Address: 660 Community Drive
Description: Just south of Lake Estes, the center has an indoor/outdoor pool. There are separate times for lap swimming, a ladies’ night, lessons for first-time swimmers and mothers and babies, and a wading pool for toddlers.
143. Lake Estes Marina
City: Estes Park, CO
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (970) 586-2011
Address: 1770 Big Thompson Avenue
Description: The waters of Lake Estes are too chilly for swimming unless you like wearing a wet suit, which can be rented here, along with sailboarding equipment and other small craft. The marina, which has beaches and picnic areas, is east of town on US 34.
144. Stanley Park
City: Estes Park, CO
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (970) 586-8191
Address: 380 Community Drive
Description: Just south of Lake Estes and operated by the Estes Valley Recreation and Park District, Stanley Park has six courts, which are free.
145. Lake Estes Marina
City: Estes Park, CO
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (970) 586-2011
Address: 1770 Big Thompson Avenue
Description: This public facility offers fishing access, picnic areas, a hike and bike trail, bike rentals, and rental boats of all kinds—fishing, sport, pontoon, canoes, and paddleboats. There’s also a marina store that sells fishing licenses, bait and tackle, snacks, and clothing.
146. Rocky Mountain Athletic Club
City: Estes Park, CO
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (970) 577-1900
Address: 1230 Big Thomson Road
Description: With all of the sports and fitness options in the surrounding outdoors, you might not think there’s anything to be added by an indoor facility. Well, how about racquetball, handball, and squash court; free weights and resistance equipment with a view of the mountains; aerobics classes; therapeutic massage; and whirlpools and saunas? The Athletic Club offers all that, plus a treadwall that gives a taste of rock climbing and an aerobic workout at the same time. There’s also a reaction-time workout station—wield a staff at randomly flashing targets a la Luke Skywalker. The guest fee is $10 per visit.
147. Stanley Park
City: Estes Park, CO
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (970) 586-8189
Address: 380 Community Drive
Description: Run by the Estes Valley Recreation and Park District, Stanley Park has a playground; basketball, volleyball, and tennis courts; baseball/softball and soccer fields; shelters; and a picnic area.
148. Cheley Camp
City: Estes Park, CO
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (In summer) (970) 586-4244
Description: Cheley’s summer camp program has been featured in national magazines such as Country Living. It’s probably the largest privately owned camp west of the Mississippi and has been around since 1921. Nearly 500 kids enjoy the fun, in camps of 60 each, grouped by age and sex. The camp sessions are four weeks or eight weeks. Mountaineering, with fabulous vistas everywhere, and horseback riding on nearly 150 camp-owned horses are especially popular activities. And with hiking right out the back door, the children get to know the Rocky Mountains. Cheley starts filling up by January, so apply early.
149. Estes Park Center/Ymca Of The Rockies
City: Estes Park, CO
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (970) 586-3341
Address: 2515 Tunnel Road
Description: The YMCA has a summer day-camp program for kids with programs that are grouped according to age. The older kids can participate in leadership programs and adventure hikes. The youngest kids are more likely to stay close by. Pre-registration is required.
150. Aerial Tramway
City: Estes Park, CO
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (970) 586-3675
Address: 420 East Riverside Drive
Description: Right in Estes Park, this three- to five-minute ride overlooks the town with great views of Longs Peak and the Continental Divide. The tram takes you to the summit of Prospect Mountain, where you can take your time hiking, picnicking, and photographing the spectacular vista from the observation platform.