4 years ago. Around DIA, you want to avoid the toll road E-470 as rental car companies assess a hefty surcharge in addition to the toll. Within easy reach of Denver, Estes Park (and Rocky Mountain National Park) is the perfect destination for a long weekend trip. Along the Peak to Peak Highway drive from Denver to Estes Park, you’ll pass through several Colorado State Parks and wilderness. Thanks! Locals also refer to it as St. Malo Church or Chapel on the Rock. Fill up the gas tank, head out for the day and take one of these scenic drives near Estes Park. Answer 1 of 4: It's my 1st trip to the area & I've heard there's an amazing scenic route to Estes Park from Denver. A Beginner’s Guide to Ice Climbing in Estes Park, Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park shuttles, Gift Guide to Local Businesses in Estes Park. 55 miles, drive/bike. You can also compare the travel time if you're flying or driving by calculating the distance from St. Louis to Estes Park. 34 from Estes Park… You’ll also see side routes that will take you to historic Colorado ghost towns such as Hesse and Apex. Answer 1 of 3: Hi, Want to travel from Evergreen to Estes Park & Rocky Mountain Nat’l Park with our toddler. At the … From Estes Park to I-70, the Peak to Peak Highway is about a 3 hour drive with stops along the way. If you're planning a road trip to Estes Park, you can research locations to stop along the way. 16,152 posts. I searched but couldn't find it. Folks routinely complain about this here on TA. 150 Reviews . It juts up through Clear Creek Canyon Park for arguably the most spectacular leg of the Denver to Estes Park route. Along the route, you’ll pass the remains of several old gold mines. Full route details are below! If you pull off at the parking areas adjacent to the many tunnels along the Clear Creek Canyon route you will likely see climbers high above you. ... walk or bike route any time of year, but especially in May. From there it meets with the Peak to Peak HWY at CO-119 for the … If you are looking for a more scenic route, take the “Peak-to-Peak Scenic Byway.” One of many scenic drives to take near and around Estes Park. Folks routinely complain about this here on TA. The route follows along the I-25 to US-36E. The Denver To Estes Route via the Peak to Peak Highway and Clear Creek Canyon is a Denver to Estes Park road trip that will take your breath away. There are a few ways to make the trip from Denver to Estes Park Colorado. In Estes Park, U.S. 36 meets up with U.S. 34, with the Big Thompson Canyon and continues through Rocky Mountain National Park to Granby and Grand Lake. Here you will take Baseline Rd W towards CO-119. Pack your gear, grab your motorcycle and head south from Denver to ride through amazing views of the central rockies and the southern Colorado landscape. 1. Peak to Peak Scenic Byway: Take the Scenic Route to Denver from Estes Park - See 1,784 traveler reviews, 595 candid photos, and great deals for Estes Park, CO, at Tripadvisor. © 2019 Wandering Wagars - Adventure Family Travel, Denver To Estes Park Drive: How To Plan Your Colorado Road Trip. Traveling with a dog or cat? The most scenic route is the one Babalax described. Boulder is just an hour from Rocky Mountain National Park, one of the nation’s most majestic parklands. From downtown Lyons, CO take Hwy 7 south to Estes Park. There are also a number of guided tours that provide you an educational insight while letting someone else drive you around town. Fill up the tank, pack a picnic, and spend some time seeing the sights on these 5 scenic drives near Denver, including an interactive map! Peak to Peak Scenic Byway, Estes Park: See 1,784 reviews, articles, and 595 photos of Peak to Peak Scenic Byway, ranked No.4 on Tripadvisor among 47 attractions in Estes Park. Travel the Big Thompson Canyon east on U.S. Hwy. & 49 min., 89 miles. If you’re driving from the Denver Airport to Estes Park your route time is about the same. Here's a sample itinerary for a drive from Denver to Estes Park. 900 Reviews . You'll pass the stone building of Saint Catherine of Siena Chapel, circa 1935. View RV campgrounds between St. Louis and Estes Park. The most scenic route is the one Babalax described. Discover these upcoming Estes Park events and start planning your trip today! Photo Credit: ©Silvio Ligutti. Cyclists often populate the trails that run alongside the canyon drive. There are a few routes to Estes Park, most are scenic.My favorite is the Peak to Peak Highway in the mountains west of Boulder.From Boulder, take Boulder Canyon (Hwy 119) west to Nederland, then north on Hwy 72, which changes to Hwy 7 to Estes Park. Perched at 7,200 feet and 90 miles away from Denver, Estes Park is a fantastic basecamp for exploring Rocky Mountain National Park’s eastern side. Windsor, Colorado. View pet-friendly stops between St. Louis and Estes Park. Here's a sample itinerary for a drive from Denver to Estes Park. 36 north toward the town of Lyons, worth a stop for its cute cafes, shops, and the original Oskar Blues Grill and Brew. The 55 miles of … Best Seller. From Estes Park to I-70, the Peak to Peak Highway is about a 3 hour drive with stops along the way. Thanks! Starting Aug. 24, it will travel twice on Saturdays and Sundays between Denver's Union Station and the Estes Park Visitor Center, according to a Thursday press release from the Colorado Department of Transportation. If you plan on going directly to the Peak to Peak Highway from Estes Park and Denver your route will change once you reach Boulder, Colorado. You can make the Denver to Estes Park road trip even more dramatic. Or get a full St. Louis to Estes Park flight plan. Possible increased tolls … Estimated 1 hr, & 26 min., 76 miles. amzn_assoc_search_bar = "true"; Once you arrive in Estes Park from Denver the fun is just getting started. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. The most scenic route is the one Babalax described. RMNP has achieved worldwide fame for its combination of lowland wilderness, crystal clear lakes, and towering Rocky mountains. 900 Reviews . The Peak-to-Peak Scenic Byway runs south from Estes Park for a breathtaking ridge-top drive. Most visitors to Rocky Mountain National Park spend their nights in the town of Estes Park, which is about a 1.5-hour drive from Denver along the fastest route. E-470 Toll charges apply for a two-axle vehicle. From here you would take Exit 243 to CO-66W and continue on US-36W. Trail Ridge Road. You’re heading toward Boulder, Estes Park, and Rocky Mountain National Park during the first part of your scenic drive, one … Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings of Colorado mountain life with all the convenient amenities of home with a stay at Rocky Mountain Resorts. Can anyone recommend a not-too-bad scenic route to Estes Park? Location: 500 Big Thompson Ave. Estes Park, CO 80517. Driving back to Denver from Estes Park consider taking Hwy 34 (beautiful Big Thompson Canyon) to I-25. Answer 1 of 4: It's my 1st trip to the area & I've heard there's an amazing scenic route to Estes Park from Denver. Travel the Big Thompson Canyon east on U.S. Hwy. But no matter how you plan your Denver to Estes Park trip, you know that at either end are two of the coolest things to do in Colorado. #2 PEAK TO PEAK. Rome2rio makes travelling from Denver Airport (DEN) to Estes Park easy. The shorter the better! Estes Park is close to neighboring Front Range communities and Denver. Peak to Peak Scenic Byway This 55-mile route, which starts in Central City and runs north to Estes Park along Colorado Highways 72 & 7, passes through some of Colorado's most popular destinations. Around DIA, you want to avoid the toll road E-470 as rental car companies assess a hefty surcharge in addition to the toll. amzn_assoc_linkid = "991da6d951c2ecf0a03d46fdad3495e4"; This route will take you to the I-25 and you can follow the same Denver to Estes Park route as the route from downtown Denver. A visit inside is worth your time to see the classic wood architecture and beautiful lighting. amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; Making the trip between Denver and Estes Park is something that most locals and visitors to Colorado should make time for. Level Contributor . Traveling with a dog or cat? amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; The route starts out in Estes Park and ends in Grand Lake and meanders about 20 miles through Rocky Mountain National Park, where you can see stunning panoramas of … from US$139.00* Hiking Adventure in Rocky Mountain National Park from Denver. West of town are more scenic routes exploring the Colorado River Headwaters and the Cache la Poudre River. What’s the best route? In Estes Park, U.S. 36 meets up with U.S. 34, with the Big Thompson Canyon and continues through Rocky Mountain National Park to Granby and Grand Lake. From Denver, there are various routes to reach Rocky Mountain National Park but one of the most enjoyable is through Loveland. fv1989. And just a short drive west is the Big Thompson Canyon and Estes Park, longtime favorites of Coloradans and visitors alike. From Lyons, CO take Hwy 36 to Estes Park. More scenic drive than I-25? Find all the transport options for your trip from Denver to Estes Park right here. The Peak to Peak Scenic Byway is one of the most beautiful drives through Colorado, a must-do if you’re visiting Rocky Mountain National Park and the Front Range. You’ll also pass through Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests. Take U.S. Highway 36 to pass through Boulder and Lyons, or drive the Peak to Peak Scenic Highway between Black Hawk and Estes Park for remarkable views of the Front Range mountains. Around DIA, you want to avoid the toll road E-470 as rental car companies assess a hefty surcharge in addition to the toll. Designated a Colorado Scenic Byway, it begins as CO Highway 7 in Estes Park, passes Lily Mountain and Twin Sisters, then turns south just past Allenspark on CO Highway 72, goes to Nederland where it continues south on CO Highway 119, through Blackhawk, through Clear Creek Canyon and down to I … The fastest route from Denver to Estes Park is via I-25 to U.S. 36 E near Boulder. From cities east of the Rockies-Loveland, Fort Collins, Greeley, Longmont, Boulder and Denver, there are no mountain passes to cross, and the state and U.S. highways serving the area are well-maintained. Here you can find all the information you might need to plan your weekend in Estes Park. Simply follow Pena Blvd to E-470. Actually the quickest route from DIA to Estes Park is I-25/highway66 through Longmont and highway 36 to Estes Park. The Bustang will begin taking Denver passengers to Estes Park later this month, encouraging them to stop at nearby Rocky Mountain National Park, a free trolley ride away. Total Drive Time: 2 hours, 30 minutes. The functioning Catholic church, which was opened in 1939 is dramatically posed upon a large rock ledge. from US$139.00* Hiking Adventure in Rocky Mountain National Park from Denver. amzn_assoc_region = "US"; This a very scenic drive down through the Big Thompson Canyon. The road begins as Colorado HWY 7 in Estes Park, continuing south past Allenspark into Nederland and eventually passing through Blackhawk, where it meets I-70. Here you can see what was once called the “richest square mile on Earth”. Save. This picturesque church is located about one-third of the way between Allenspark and Estes Park. Follow Hwy. View pet-friendly stops between Denver and Estes Park. 40 miles – drive/sections for biking Lariat Loop is one of the eleven byways that has been designated as a National Sceinc Byway. Designated a Colorado Scenic Byway, it begins as CO Highway 7 in Estes Park, passes Lily Mountain and Twin Sisters, then turns south just past Allenspark on CO Highway 72, goes to Nederland where it continues south on CO Highway 119, through Blackhawk, through Clear Creek Canyon and down to I … … What’s the best route? The 55 miles of … To reach Central City, take exit 243 off of I-70. When it comes to deciding on things to do in Estes Park, there is plenty to choose from. Look for big horn sheep in the canyon especially near Drake. Report inappropriate content . 134 reviews. You also can access the park's west side via the park's spectacular Trail Ridge Road, which connects the two sides of the park. Visitors come from all over the world to visit Estes Park but for those lucky enough to live nearby, this charming mountain town can offer the perfect opportunity for a quick weekend getaway. 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