The Perfect Family-Friendly Weekend Itinerary for Estes Park & Rocky Mountain National Park
Tucked into the heart of the Rockies, Estes Park is one of those destinations that feels like pure mountain magic. Whether you’re spending a weekend or a month, visiting during peak summer or peeping the golden fall foliage, you will become enthralled with this darling Colorado town. We recently spent a long weekend exploring Rocky Mountain National Park and the charming town of Estes Park with our kids, and our only complaint was that 3 days wasn’t nearly enough time here!
If you’re dreaming of fresh mountain air, alpine lakes, cozy coffee shops, and the perfect blend of outdoor adventure and family fun, look no further. Here’s how to spend a weekend in Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park with kids.
Friday: Rocky Mountain National Park and Downtown Estes
We kicked off our first morning with a stop at Cinnamon’s Bakery, where these massive, gooey rolls will have you licking up every last bite. (Pro tip: preorder the night before by leaving a phone message with your order- they sell out fast!) With breakfast secured, we headed straight into Rocky Mountain National Park for one of our favorite family hikes: Emerald Lake.
The 3.2-mile trail takes you past alpine lakes and pine forests, climbing steadily until you reach the sparkling emerald-colored water surrounded by snow-capped peaks. On the trail, you will hike past Bear Lake, Nymph Lake and Dream Lake. You can easily turn around at any point, or if you are wanting to skip the uphill climb, just do the half mile loop around Bear Lake, which is still stunning and perfect for small legs.
After our morning on the trail, we stopped by Kind Coffee for a well-earned coffee and cocoa break. There is a lovely spot to sip your drink right along a small stream, soaking up some stunning views. Then we headed to the historic Stanley Hotel to do a little exploring and have lunch at Brunch & Co. This is the same hotel that inspired Stephen King’s The Shining, and it’s stunning in person. The grounds are fun to explore, and definitely pop into the hotel to check out the interior.
From there, we spent the afternoon wandering through the local shops in downtown Estes Park. There are some really darling spots here, and so many yummy treats! We visited in the fall, and there were elk to spot everywhere!
Before the day was over, we headed to the Mustang Mountain Coaster for a fun ride down the mountain with incredible views. And as the sun began to set, we ended the evening with a stroll around Sprague Lake, an short and easy trail that’s stroller friendly.
Saturday: Adventures at YMCA of the Rockies
The next day was all about exploring the YMCA of the Rockies, a place that’s part resort, part nostalgic summer camp, and entirely designed for families to laugh, play and connect. We stayed 3 nights here in one of their 3-bedroom cabins, and it was perfect for our family. We loved having so much space, and a full kitchen saved us a ton of money on food.
We started the morning on the Enger Family Nature Trail, an easy loop that’s perfect for little legs and gives you stunning views of the stream that divides The YMCA and Rocky Mountain National Park. There’s even a little bridge on the trail that you can cross to enter the National Park if you want! Make sure to check out the Mountain Center after your hike- they have a free nature center, indoor rock climbing wall, and tons of information about family friendly hikes in the area.
Then it was time to saddle up with Jackson Stables for a guided horseback ride into Rocky Mountain National Park. They have several different trails to choose from, of varying lengths and difficulty levels. Since we are novice riders, my daughter and I picked the 1-hour Glacier Basin Trail, and it was perfect. They do have a minimum age of 6+ for trail rides, but offer pony rides around the stables for children under 6.
After our ride, we headed back to our cabin for a quick lunch, then spent the afternoon exploring all the YMCA has to offer. We got creative at the Art Center, where we painted ceramics and did mosaic art. This activity does cost extra, and pricing is on the bottom of the different art pieces. If you finish painting your ceramic piece before 3pm, they will glaze it overnight and you can pick it up first thing the next morning.
We also attended a few of their free family programs during the afternoon, like Origami making, a Wooly Worm Hunt, and NASA training camp. Upon check-in, they provide you with a schedule for all activities that will be going on during your stay.
We checked out the museum, which has a fun scavenger hunt, played games in the game room, and competed in several rounds of mini golf. They also have lots of outdoor yard games and sports equipment, like pickleball, tennis courts, and basketball courts, plus an indoor pool open year round.
It’s easy to see why this is one of the best places to stay in Estes Park for families- you could spend days here and never run out of things to do!
We ended our evening with a buffet style dinner at their on site dining, roasting s’mores over the fire, and roller skating at the Roller Rink.
Sunday: Scenic Views & Farewell Adventures
On our final morning in Estes Park, we grabbed coffee and breakfast from Coffee on the Rocks, where you can sit outside by the pond and feed the ducks while you sip on your drink.
Next, we took a ride on the Estes Park Tramway, which climbs 2,600 feet up Prospect Mountain. The views from the top are stunning- you can see all of Estes Park and the sweeping expanse of the Rockies beyond. There’s a gift shop, cafe and hiking trails at the top to enjoy, and if you visit during the warmer months you can buy a bag of peanuts to feed the chipmunks.
Before heading home, we made one last stop for an easy family hike at the Alluvial Fan Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park. The short path leads to a beautiful waterfall created by a massive flood in the 1980s, and it’s the perfect spot to let kids climb and explore, plus make sure to get an awesome family photo with the stunning backdrop here.
We ended our trip at the Fall River Visitor Center, where the kids earned their Junior Ranger badges and we grabbed a souvenir before beginning the drive home.
Plan Your Family Weekend in Estes Park
Between breathtaking trails, cozy downtown spots, and endless outdoor adventure, Estes Park is the perfect base for exploring Rocky Mountain National Park with kids. Whether you’re chasing waterfalls, riding mountain coasters, or sipping coffee by a lake, every moment here feels a little magical.
If you’re looking for a family getaway that blends nature, fun, epic views and fresh mountain air, you definitely want to add Estes Park to your list.
