Estes Park, CO: The Perfect Home Base to Explore Rocky Mountain National Park

Visit Rocky Mountain National Park:

• Check out a ranger program: These will be listed at the visitor center or possibly in the materials you receive when you enter each park. This is the best way to learn interpretive information about the park where you're visiting.

• Take a scenic drive to the Alpine Visitor Center: This route is the highest paved road in the continental United States and the views are incredible of the alpine tundra!

• Drive slowly because there's a high likelihood you'll encounter wildlife such as black bears, moose, deer, elk and marmots to name a few.

Day hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park:

• Bear Lake Area Trail Guide

• Nymph, Dream and Emerald Lakes from the Bear Lake Trailhead: This is 3.6 miles roundtrip and moderate with 605 feet of elevation gain.

• Bear Lake: A 0.6-mile easy trail that's great for families with children and departs from the Bear Lake Trailhead.

• Alberta Falls: Just 1.7 miles roundtrip and easy, this hike departs from the Bear Lake Trailhead.

• Bierstadt Lake: A fabulous, less crowded trail option with a beautiful mountain reflection of the Rockies on the lake.

• Sprague Lake: A short hike around a small lake, this is a common place to see moose at dawn and dusk.

Hikes in the Alpine Tundra ecosystem:

• Alpine Ridge Trail: A 0.6-mile steep hike from Alpine Visitor Center with 360 degree views.

• Ute Trail to Tombstone Ridge: Four miles roundtrip with 520 feet elevation gain, this trail starts on Trial Ridge Road, one mile east of the Forest Canyon Overlook. It is a great way to experience the alpine tundra ecosystem which is rarely accessible and it's highly likely you'll see tons of cute marmots along the way.

General National Park tips:

• Check out the visitor center if you're unsure what hikes are best for you in case, you’re unsure or would like another opinion!

• Download offline maps on Google Maps. This is helpful for when you're out of cell service range.

• Be patient with traffic and congestion. Some areas will be crowded due to the popularity of these parks during peak summertime.

• Bring snacks and lunches in the car for each day to keep your energy up for outdoor exploration.

• Remember to practice Leave No Trace principles: stay on marked trails and bring a plastic bag in your backpack for any trash you generate to pack it out with you. Reminder: it's illegal to collect and remove any flora or fauna from U.S. National Parks.

Timed entry required:

• Rocky Mountain National Park requires a timed road reservation to access the drive through the park during certain times of the year. Book this in advance for each day you plan to be in the park at Recreation.gov for a $2 fee. These are required to access the park.

• You'll need to reserve the Entry+ road reservation option to access the in-demand Bear Lake which is where many hiking trails are located.

• The Post Chicken & Beer: This restaurant is known for hot chicken and is located next to the Stanley Hotel. This was my favorite restaurant in Estes Park for fresh food quality and for the ability to make dining reservations in advance.

• Rock Inn Mountain Tavern: With tons of character, this restaurant has a rustic western vibe and often has live music. Most well-known for its bison meatballs.

• Kind Coffee: A local coffeeshop with river view seating out back. Parking is limited here!

• Antonio’s Real New York Pizza: A casual pizza joint, perfect for after a long day of hiking.

• Ed’s Cantina & Grill: Mexican and southwestern fare.

• Claire's Restaurant: American fare and open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. This restaurant is known for its sandwiches and salads.

• Sweet Basilico: A local Italian restaurant known for its homemade pasta and savory pizzas.