Welcome to Estes Park, the charming mountain village that serves as the base camp for Rocky Mountain National Park.

You'll find a perfect blend of hometown hospitality and modern amenities here, with a beautiful Riverwalk and downtown area full of unique shops and restaurants. The real magic, however, is the incredible access to the surrounding wilderness, where you can spend your days hiking through stunning landscapes, spotting elk that often wander right through town, or taking a scenic drive on the famous Trail Ridge Road.

Insider Tips:

• A few of my favorite easier local hikes include: Dream Lake, Gem Lake, Estes Park Lake Walk.

• If you want a longer hike try Emerald Lake, Mills Lake, or Deer Mountain (all of these trails are detailed in this guide and can be found on alltrails).

• Make sure you leave time to take a walk down Mainstreet, it's full of cute local shops and restaurants! A couple favorite stops include: Rocket Fizz Candy Shop, Bird and Jim for American fare, and Cinnamon's for baked goods.