City: Estes Park, CO

Category: Tours & Attractions

Telephone: (970) 586-6114

Description: This shopping center is located directly below the imposing, white Stanley Hotel, which is perched on a hillside above town—you can’t miss it. Slightly to the east are a Safeway and a shopping area that offers visitors lots of necessary services. To the east of Safeway is a Coast to Coast Hardware store (970-586-3496), for those little gadgets you always end up needing on a trip. There’s also the Notchtop Baked Goods and Natural Foods Cafe and Pub, and Mountain Home Cafe (see the previous “Restaurants” section of this chapter for details on each) as well as many other shops and a movie theater.

City: Estes Park, CO

Category: Tours & Attractions

Telephone: (970) 586-6483

Address: 521 Lone Pine Drive

Description: Visit this fun shop for a mind-boggling assortment of teddy bears in all sizes and styles, teddy bear–related items such as Smokey Bear hats, teddy bear–decorated T-shirts, and individual bears made by various “teddy bear artists.” The shop also sells various other plush animals and collectibles.

City: Estes Park, CO

Category: Tours & Attractions

Address: 184 East Elkhorn Avenue

City: Estes Park, CO

Category: Tours & Attractions

Telephone: (970) 586-4416

Address: 600 West Elkhorn Avenue

Description: A 10-minute hike from the Elkhorn Lodge is the opportunity to experience Indian and Old West camping in your own tent or a rented tepee. Transportation to the campground, water, and a portable toilet are provided. There are no other amenities, but you live surrounded by wildlife and rugged trails leading through wilderness. If you decide to wimp out, there’s a restaurant, saloon, swimming pool, and bathing facilities available at the lodge.

City: Estes Park, CO

Category: Tours & Attractions

Telephone: (970) 586-4188

Description: Peaceful and secluded, this campground has 70 sites, 26 with water and electricity. Head west on US 36 and then turn left onto Highway 66 (which becomes Tunnel Road). Continue for 3 miles; the campground is a mile past the Estes Park Center/YMCA of the Rockies, at the end of a paved road and adjacent to the national park. It is open mid-May through September. Costs range from $26 to $38, depending on date and utilities; amenities include showers and restrooms, a playground, a public phone, and firewood and ice for sale. Fishing, with a Colorado license, is available at a neighboring pond. Pets are permitted on a leash.

City: Estes Park, CO

Category: Tours & Attractions

Telephone: (970) 586-4230, (800) 722-2928

Address: 5495 US 36

Description: In addition to tent, camper, and RV sites, there are housekeeping and camping cabins at this park, which is 5 miles southeast of Estes Park on US 36. The wooded sites are pleasant and quiet. It’s open May through September and charges from $19 to $62 per night. Children and pets are welcome.

City: Estes Park, CO

Category: Tours & Attractions

Telephone: (970) 586-2888

Description: Try out a rented tepee or set up your own tent or RV at this campground with showers, a grocery and gift store, fishing equipment, a game room, mini-golf, and laundry facilities. Call for rates.

City: Estes Park, CO

Category: Tours & Attractions

Telephone: (970) 586-4411

Description: Though not exactly remote or secluded, Mary’s Lake has great views by a pleasant lake plus a heated swimming pool, hot showers, electrical service, a playground and basketball court, a store, and laundry facilities. Drive south of town US 36 and turn left onto Mary’s Lake Road. The campground is 3 miles from town and the national park, and is open mid-May through September. Prices in 2008 ranged from $27 for tent camping to $36 or $41 per night for RVs, depending upon services chosen.

City: Estes Park, CO

Category: Tours & Attractions

Telephone: (970) 586-4563

Address: 2501 Fall River Road

Description: Right at the national park’s beautiful Fall River entrance, this campground has hot showers, hookups, cable TV, a livery, and secluded, terraced sites. The 96-site campground is open year-round.

City: Estes Park, CO

Category: Tours & Attractions

Telephone: (970) 586-5513

Address: 1836 Highway 66

Description: Near the YMCA along the Big Thompson River, this park offers 30 sites with RV hookups, cable, bathrooms, fishing, and a laundry. Call for rates.

City: Estes Park, CO

Category: Tours & Attractions

Telephone: (800) 444-0730 (outside Colora

Description: Learn rock climbing or mountaineering at this highly regarded school, ranked one of the top eight in the world by the Ultimate Adventure Sourcebook. One-day introductory classes prepare people to begin climbing with guides. The school offers guided hikes, climbs (including technical routes of Longs Peak), and equipment rentals. The school is open year-round, and reservations are requested. Lodging and excursions to other great climbing around the world are also available.

City: Estes Park, CO

Category: Tours & Attractions

Telephone: (970) 586-6548

Address: 2050 Big Thompson Ave.

Description: This shop can handle all your mountaineering needs from skiing to biking to fly fishing to climbing. They offer climbing instruction and guiding both indoors and out. Learn to climb on the 3,000-square-foot indoor rock-climbing wall and practice these skills on half-day lessons in the field and full-day guided climbs.

City: Estes Park, CO

Category: Tours & Attractions

Telephone: (970) 586-4595

Address: 358 E. Elkhorn Ave.

Description: In addition to being able to outfit you for just about any outdoor adventure, TrailRidge has a great climbing gym.

City: Estes Park, CO

Category: Tours & Attractions

Description: This shop carries downhill skis, snowboards, snowshoes, sleds, and tubes.

City: Estes Park, CO

Category: Tours & Attractions