3 Days in Rocky Mountain NP (Summer)Explore Rocky Mountain National Park in 3 days! Hikes for each level + a really cool guided tour! Best to visit between June-Sept! (secret clue: Picturesque)Authorsjessyvanpo
DestinationsRocky Mountain National ParkItinerary

Day 1

The Estes Park Resort
I’ve got 3 lodging recommendations for you! If you’d like a regular hotel, the Estes Park Resort is awesome and just minutes away from the entrance to RMNP.
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Book
Tiny Town Cabins
Want to stay in a tiny cabin instead? Tiny Town Cabins are adorable and right on the entrance road to the park.
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Manor RV Park
Or you could camp! Manor RV Park is right next to the park entrance and has great reviews! 🏕️
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Estes Park Aerial Tramway
Once you settle in, take a ride on the Aerial Tramway to get a bird’s eye view of the amazing scenery you’re about to explore over the next 3 days! 🚠
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Ed's Cantina & Grill
Delicious Mexican restaurant in downtown Estes with a cute patio overlooking the stream.
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Estes Park
Walk around downtown Estes (Elkhorn Ave.) and pop into gift shops, fudge shops, grab a coffee, and walk along the stream behind Kind Coffee.
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Kind Coffee
Great coffee shop for an afternoon pick-me-up! ☕️
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The Post Mountain House Estes Park
End the day at The Post Chicken & Beer, located in the historical Stanley Hotel!
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Day 2

Trail Ridge Road
Wake up early and head into Rocky Mountain Park! Timed Reservations are needed for entry after 9am. (You can reserve at recreation.gov) Stop at each viewpoint on the way up! 🏔️
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Alpine Visitor Center
On Trail Ridge Road, at 11,796ft, the Alpine Visitor’s Center is the highest elevation visitor’s center in the National Park system!
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Claire's Restaurant and Bar
Head back into town and have lunch at Claire’s before your afternoon tour.
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Wildside 4x4 Tours
I highly recommend their Rock’n Rollercoaster Tour! So much fun! 🚐
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Dunraven at The Estes Park Resort
Enjoy a meal with a gorgeous view for dinner 😍
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Day 3

Emerald Lake
Hike day! If you want an easy/intermediate hike day, start with Emerald Lake! You can add on Lake Haiyaha if you’re up for a little extra mileage! 🥾
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Lake Haiyaha
1 extra mile add-on to the Emerald Lake Hike!
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Sky Pond
Want a challenging hike instead? Skip Emerald Lake and Haiyaha, and instead park at the Glacier Gorge Trailhead for incredible Sky Pond! This hike isn’t for the faint of heart, so bring lots of water, snacks, and lots of warm layers (it could get really windy). If you’re doing this hike before July 15th, or after Oct 1, I recommend bringing micro spikes. 🏔️
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Bird & Jim
Head over to Bird & Jim’s for an awesome after hike lunch, or for dinner! (Reservations recommended)
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Coffee on the Rocks
Best coffee shop in Estes in my opinion! You can buy duck food for $1 and spend time walking around the lake feeding the ducks! 🦆
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