Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park is absolutely stunning and a must-visit spot. The lake is surrounded by breathtaking mountain peaks and tall pine trees, making it a picture-perfect place for nature lovers. The trail around the lake is an easy walk, suitable for all ages, and offers beautiful views from every angle. The clear reflections of the mountains in the water are especially magical in the morning. It can get crowded during peak times, but the peaceful atmosphere and natural beauty make it worth the visit. A perfect place to relax, take photos, or start your hike deeper into the park.

With postcard worthy views throughout the easy walk around this picturesque alpine lake it's quite easy to see why there are such stringent timed entry constraints for the Bear Lake Road corridor. It only takes about fifteen minutes to walk around the trail is flat and very well maintained. Definitely suggest it if you are short on time or just don't feel like going on a multiple mile long hike. As far as the timed entry permit goes if you visit during peak season and plan well enough in advanced then permits can be secured starting a month in advance. Or a limited few are released the night before. However if you cannot secure a permit you can still work around the timed entry hours either arrive early (before 5 a.m., or visit right after 6 pm.) . I would love to visit during the fall, and winter as I'm sure both seasons add their own personal beauty to the already pristine lake

We had a wonderful time here. The trails are very, very smooth. they do have a couple little rocks in them, you could probably get a large wheeled stroller through here, but I would probably still recommend a carrier if you have young kids instead. This is a very kid, friendly trail, too. Beautiful and lots of great views and picture opportunities all the way around the lake. It’s about a mile around. There are lots of people, but it doesn’t really seem like it once you’re on the trail.

One of the most popular starting points in Rocky Mountain National Park. At 9.475 ft (2900m) elevation, the air stays cool even in summer. From here, you can hike to Bear Lake Loop, Nymph Lake, Dream Lake and Emerald Lake. Parking fills up quickly for those with cars but shuttle buses are available for visitors without one. Surrounded by pine, spruce and fir forests. It's a beautiful trail.

Super easy trail that is basically paved and flat the whole loop. Took the shuttle from park n ride to make it even easier and not worry about parking. Also did the Emerald Lake trail before hand. So this is a good add-on hike if you still have energy from Emerald.

Great place for hiking, no matter what level you're at. Plenty of parking and a free park and ride system, restrooms and as always knowledgeable and helpful rangers on hand. We did the hike up to Emerald lake via Nymph lake and Dream lake, and also to Alberta falls, then out through Glacier Gorge trailhead. Excellent trails and amazing scenery! The must visit one stop destination fo hikers of all ages and abilities.

The trail to Lake Haiyaha has an unmarked corner on a switchback that, if snowed over, would be missed leading off trail since there is no deterrent. It is beautiful and very windy up there. The bridge noted as under construction on the NPS site is complete to Emerald Lake.

Since my wife was out of town, my sister decided to come out for a week to keep me company. We spent Saturday and Sunday up in the park and had a wonderful time. There was a mixture of cloud and sun , so it was nice and contrasty (😏) for photography. On Saturday afternoon, we saw a lot of animals all up-and-down the different roads of the park. Such majestic animals. There is such a difference in the weather when you start going up higher towards Bear Lake. It seems like we had a little bit of summer mixed in with winter. Always something to see and enjoy when you get a chance to get into the park.

Lovely campground. Bathrooms were kept clean (although it was other campers who were making it their mission to trash them). The views were great, spots were nice and spacious and super close to a ton of amazing trails

Absolutely wonderful and love this time of the year with the fall colors and coming up from Colorado Springs! So cozy with the low clouds 🍂❤️

We came in mid/late October to see the elk in the rut. We were not disappointed. We've been before in July/Aug and seen more elk. The bugling was incredible. If you're willing to get out of your vehicle and take a hike in the various meadows, the rewards is worth it!!! Absolutely amazing!

Hung out for a tailgate lunch after exploring Bear Lake. Had hoped to see some elk- but oh well, next time! Beautiful spot for a picnic. A good fishing spot as well, quite a few fishermen came and went while we were there.

1st time here now that they have electric sites. RV camped in town 1st night...over $100. With the senior lifetime pass it's only about $28 here.

Beautiful place! Don't skip it!

This is a breathtaking overlook. It allows a view from partially up a mountain across the valley and is really impressive. It’s worth a stop even if you’re in a rush to get to the Alpine center. Moreover, this is one of the few places where there’s ample parking. There are some placards of information available, too. There are two different parking lots and a nice walking path to avoid the road. Please note, however, there isn’t any bathroom at this stop. Five stars!

This is a great overlook area and it is on a scenic drive. We stopped here for 20 minutes to enjoy all the amazing views which was a short walk from the parking lot. Highly recommend this place.

Great place to stop for expansive views of the park. They have a small lower parking lot and a much larger one up the road on the other end of the boardwalks.

It's October 21, a gorgeous sunny day here at Many parks curve overlook. Thanks to the engineers that made it possible.

What a beautiful overlook. One of the greatest places I’ve ever visited and I was able to share the moment with someone truly special to me. We drove and loved and enjoyed and it was a breath of fresh air. Literally. Thanks for the experience Colorado. 🤝

Like the others said, "Breathtaking Views" --- be really REALLY! carefull if you get out on the rock outcropping for any pix, I've been an avid rock climber/ backpacker for over 30 years having sumitted many peaks in RMNP, Yosemite and Glacier NP. I had my first serious "slip & fall" here on 7/10/24 - broke my Tibia and had to be medivac'd to Estes. Will return to pick up where I left off this 9/15/25 - but not ON the rox this time.

Mid October 34° and very windy! Bring your hand warmers, coats and hats!

Forest Canyon Overlook is one of the most jaw-dropping stops along Trail Ridge Road. At over 11,000 feet in elevation, the views stretch across deep alpine valleys, jagged peaks, and sometimes even snow-covered ridgelines—depending on the time of year. It's a quick stop with a paved path, making it accessible for most visitors, including families and those not looking to hike far.

Welcome to the tundra, a harsh, high-elevation ecosystem in the mountains of Colorado mostly devoid of trees and prone to unpredictable and sometimes dangerous weather. Summers here are brief, and because of fierce winter conditions, Trail Ridge Road, one of the highest paved roads in America, is closed from mid-autumn to late spring. This unique biome is home to a variety of vibrant and colorful wildflowers that can only be found in tundra ecosystems like this one. Additionally, several fascinating and intriguing animals dwell only in these regions as well, such as the minuscule, mouse-like American Pika, and the groundhog-like Yellow-bellied Marmot. If lucky, you may also see herds of elk in these upper mountain regions as well. If you’re driving up trail ridge road on the East Side of Rocky Mountain National Park and decided to skip the Ute-trailhead, then your first stop in the tundra will be the Forest Canyon Overlook. This is among the best spots near the paved road to watch and observe pikas and yellow-bellied marmots scurry and crawl among the steep rocky ledge next to the overlook. On a clear or mostly sunny day, this observation area also gives visitors an expansive, panoramic view of some of the park’s tallest and most majestic mountains. Far beneath the Forest Canyon Overlook is a valley dominated by pine trees, spruce trees, fir trees, and other trees that remain green throughout every season of the year.

Nice view but had to climb over some snow still on June 1st. Despite being hot in Denver, it was chilly and windy here.

You need to take a short walk to reach here, it is a bit tired since the elevation here is pretty high, above the treeline, but I promise the sceneries here will never let you down.

Breathtaking views. A great reprieve from the early August heat. Elk lounging in the distance. Pika nest among the rocks on the tundra but we didn’t see them during our visit. Book a timed entry into Rocky Mountain National Park one month in advance or at 7pm the night before.

Must stop overlook. We saw a ton of elk and marmots here

A fantastic overlook. There was still snow at the beginning of June. Marmot are usually visible and not afraid of people.

It has some information about the location/nature but if you want to buy a souvenir, the next door store it’s the place. And that where bathrooms are located. If you buy something your receipt will have 20% off to the next door restaurant.

Good rest stop that comes right before the ranger station checking timed entry passes to Rocky Mountain National Park. It has souvenirs, a restaurant and public bathrooms. Great views and free parking. During peak times this place was packed! VERY busy on a Monday afternoon in August. It could use more seating and bigger restrooms.

This visitor center is amazing. You will find a VERY wide range of gifts, memorabilia, shirts, sweaters, walking sticks, and so much more. The restrooms' signs are easy to locate. The restrooms are inside past the cashier counter to your left. The bottom floor is where the children products are. There are books, plushy toys, shirts, sweaters and much more. The store is very easy to navigate, and the employees are more than willing to help you find what you need and how much certain products. Overall, an excellent store to visit after you're done.

I love to walk through the center and reading all about the local wild life. Their displays are beautiful. Next door, they have the biggest souvenir shop I've ever been in. They have everything you could possibly want and things you've never even thought of. The restaurant is so good and the views are amazing. The visitor center will always be one of our must dos while in Estes Park.

What an exquisite visitor center! Everything from jackets and t shirts to postcards and jewelry and everything in between. Love the scientific books available as well as the sweet art objects made from rocks and gems. And, of course, touristy items galore. Very reasonable prices and lots of selection. This was a fun place to visit and buy momentos!

Windy, cold but a wonderful place to see. You feel like your on top of the world. The center and dining buildings are a must see.

A very nice visitor center sitting at the entrance to RMNP’s Fall River entrance. The ranger was really helpful in helping us zero in on good things to see and do (Chasm Falls, in particular) since we came here as a last minute decision, and had not been able to do any planning ahead. Provides us maps as well. Gift shop had all the typical fun souvenirs and supplies for a natl park. A good place to stop before heading into the park.

This is a great little store to shop for candy. They make it themselves. They have several flavours and offer a free tasting before you buy. Definitely worth while a visit if in town.

Absolutely delicious! This place stands out not just for the incredible variety of flavors, but also because it's the only taffy shop in the area that actually makes its taffy fresh, right on site. Unlike other spots that have theirs shipped in, you can really taste the difference here. A must-visit for anyone with a sweet tooth!

The taffy here is next-level delicious! I don’t normally like taffy but then I went in and they gave me a free sample of salted Carmel! It was to die for! I had to go back the next day! So many amazing flavors classic vanilla, huckleberry, cinnamon, and even fun seasonal ones. Everything we tried was soft, chewy, and perfectly balanced not overly sugary like other places. The staff was super friendly and gave great recommendations. We left with a full bag and honestly wish we’d bought more! This place is a true gem in Estes.

An awesome store, with amazing tasting taffy. Mark asssited us and was helpful and knew his products, we enjoyed the salted caramel and huckleberry among many others. The taste is exceptional, over the other candy stores. Highly recommend this store

Had the best experience! Wanted to bring a little something from Colorado as an extra thank you for our guides on a trip to Kenya and Tanzania. I called in and the gentleman I spoke with helped me figure out the best mix for 16 gift bags, and shipped it direct to me that same day to arrive in time for our departure. The bags were perfect for travel, carefully packed, and the taffy survived three weeks of being jostled around in my backpack. The guides loved it and so did their kids! I might be in the business of shipping this to Kenya for them now because it was a total hit, and so nice to share something from home.

I have been visiting The Taffy Shop for the last 40 years. This Taffy Shop is the original and the best taffy shop in Estes Park. Not only that but they make their taffy right there in the shop whereas Purple Mountain Taffy has their taffy shipped in. Purple Mountain added a taffy puller to their window just like The Taffy Shop but this is a deception. They DO NOT make their taffy on site. If you are buying taffy from a taffy store wouldn't you want the authentic version from the shop that first opened in 1935!?! Nevermind the Taffy Shop taffy is absolutely fresh and delicious.

We can't leave Estes without stopping here for some Taffy for the road!! Always fresh, soft, and delicious!! So many flavors!

The visitor center staff were incredibly helpful in explaining the new timed entry policy for the park. Be sure to check the guidelines before your visit — it’s a recent change aimed at improving the experience for everyone, and I think it’s a great idea. We arrived around 10 AM and were given a 12 PM entry time for Bear Lake, which worked out well. The staff recommended a few scenic overlook points to explore while we waited, and they turned out to be highlights of our visit — Many Parks Curve, Rainbow Curve, Bear Lake and Sprague Lake are absolutely worth checking out! Make sure to drive slowly — there’s wildlife everywhere, and it’s so rewarding to take your time and watch them in their natural habitat. The views throughout the park are breathtaking. I was truly speechless. This is definitely one of the best national parks I’ve ever visited. Highly recommended!

Highly informative and helpful rangers in the visitor center. Shout out to ranger Nick for helping us with a detailed plan based on our requirements and expectations. He gave us an amazing itinerary to drive, hike, and also encounter wildlife. We followed most of it and everything worked out great. We had timed entry for 12pm to Trail Ridge road and 5am the following day for Bear Lake corridor. Worked out really well with the weather (June 8th and June 9th).

My wife is a big fan of visitor centers and this was a good one. Based on our tour of parks in the western states, I find a visit to the centers is helpful for getting the most from being in the parks. The films are very well done and definitely worth the time.

Always a nice place to visit. No you cannot get timed entry. They sell lots of shirts but i wish they sold pants as well. The film is usually worth your time as well and they have picnic areas as well

I wish they offered more in the way of informative/museum content, like history, useful information, interactive exhibits and displays, etc. Seems more like an underwhelming gift shop disguised as a true visitors center. The architecture is pretty cool though, and they have a neat topographical map. So there's that. I would skip it unless you need the restroom.

Great visitor center for the Rocky Mountain National Park. They were informative on the park to the different routes to drive and of any road closers. The gift shop had a lot of different items to suit anyone, adult or child. The only complaint was that the space was to small for the amount of people that they have come through there so was pretty crowded when we were there

Small concise visitor center. Grab your map and you’ll be good to go!

Stopped here for lunch on a sunday right at opening. An impressive 2 floor brewery/restaurant. Our server was named Jesus and he was without a doubt the best server I've EVER had at a brewery and or restaurant. The beer was good (i tried 6) however my wife didnt like her first beer she ordered and Jesus replaced it right away no questions asked. No pics of the food but we had the elk burger, crab melts, and the caprase panini, all delicious. Jesus was on the ball the entire hour and was just as impressive as the food and atmosphere. Will definitely be back next time im anywhere close to Estes Park!

Ridiculous food and ridiculous prices. Who gives like 10 fries and 10 beans for $8 each😭. The fries were definitely good though. We got several bunch of items and everything sucked. Even for American standards, the food was bland. No offense but I could cook better and I don’t even know how to turn on the stove. The pizza was atrocious and Italy would perhaps cease all diplomatic relations with the US if they knew how pizza is being made here.

Very sad this brewery has gone downhill. From the moment we walked in it was very clear the customer did not matter. The person pouring our drinks was very unhelpful and gruff when we asked for recommendations. The beer was average as well. The saving grace was the newer manager comping our drinks because of problems with the payment system.

We got in super quick, our waiter Pranit gave us excellent service, and the food was amazing! I got the Altitude Burger and my wife got the Caprese Panini with chicken! We would definitely get them again! I also got a flight of beers including the blueberry, the Pilsner, porter, and stout. The blueberry is definitely drinkable & delicious. And the porter is one of the best I’ve tried in a while! To top it all off, we got the Mascarpone cake which is big enough for two people!

Not sure why this brewery only has a 3.5. Who cares because we can have it all to ourselves! 5***** all the way!!! The beer was incredible. From the minute you are welcomed with free tastings and a game of pool to the minute you sit down, they hospitality was generous and lovely. The beers are so delicious. I did a flight which is easily the best way to go because all of them are so good, especially the gold and malt and red ale. Eating at the Hive was outstanding. I had their special bison short rib. Mouthwatering. They were also great with the kids. Would 100% be back. Topped other brewpubs during our stay in Colorado.

Had dinner here twice while on vacation in August. Food was great, service was fast and friendly, and it was very comfortable and relaxed atmosphere. We had the Bison Bolognese, and liked it so much we came back a second time before leaving. Food was all great, I'm not a beer drinker but my husband had a flight and liked what he was drinking. Would recommend and look forward to stopping in again the next time we make it back to Estes Park. Thanks!

Estes Park Brewery is a fine little brewery. It's a 2 story brewery with free tastings of their standard beers and their gift shop on the bottom floor. Upstairs is the restaurant and bar that serves their seasonal beers. On my stop, they had: porter, stout, red, rasberry wheat, blueberry wheat, lager, gold, an ale, and some others. I think the beers were all okay and better than your major brands. The food looked okay but like what I expect at a ski lodge. The service was fine but it did not feel like this was a place to sit and talk about their beers and what they are doing next. Totally worth going here and better than eating/drinking at a chain.

I feel this is a Must Go! And if you're smart about it you can get cheap tickets to ride instead of paying full price. It's a short ride to the top where you'll find a small cafe and gift shop. I recommend having lunch then taking the hike to the summit! The 360 views are Spectacular, who knew Estes is actually so BIG. All the staff was Super Friendly too. Great way to spend an afternoon!

The tram was a lot of fun and the operators were super friendly and very pleasant to chat with. At the top it's worth trying to hike up to the summit for some amazing views of the valley. The cafe was well maintained and had a decent menu. We weren't hungry but did pick up a coffee and hot cocoa. They also have alcoholic beverages but it was morning so had to pass. Prices are reasonable and online with what you'd expect. Tram was a lot of fun and gorgeous views!

The ride was 5 minutes in a small compartment with no seats. View was nice going up. Cafe was closed, but the small souvenir shop was open (with bathrooms). The views were nice but I was expecting more snow-capped mountains. Nice, but not really worth the price.

Absolutely Incredible Experience! The Estes Park Aerial Tramway is hands down one of the best experiences you can have in the Rockies. The views are nothing short of breathtaking—you get a panoramic look at Estes Park, the valley, and the mountains that feels like stepping right into a postcard. What really made the trip unforgettable, though, was the staff. They were just as amazing as the view itself—friendly, welcoming, and genuinely passionate about making sure every guest had a great time. From start to finish, you feel well taken care of. If you’re in Estes Park, this is a must-do. Whether you’re here for the scenery, the adventure, or simply to soak in the beauty of Colorado, the tramway delivers on all fronts. I’d go back in a heartbeat!

Such a fun experience here in Estes Park. We had such a great time heading up to the mountain and hanging out on top. What a fun way to see things from up so high. Note: We had timed tickets and had to wait until our designated time to enter.

Hello Everyone, Now going up to the Tramway was amazing. I have been going to Estes Park for such a long time. I did not realize that this was in that location. Such beautiful site to see make sure you take a backpack, snacks, sunscreen, water, and enjoy the view. They have picnic tables and a gift shop and serve sandwich, snacks, and sweets. now you do have to pay for parking, which is $6.50 for four hours. But you can stay at this location and ride the last cart down. 3.25 time ride going up T 3h

This was our favorite activity in Estes Park. Highly recommend going in early morning. The crowds were coming in as we were finishing up. The hike at the top was the best of our trip with beautiful 360 views.

When we went to CO,I was looking for a nice outdoor jacket and those type of stores are everywhere. I spent days looking for what I wanted and after spending the day in Estes Park,we stopped in here. It was great timing because they were having a big clearance sale so they had the top floor full of gear and the bottom floor was packed with all kinds of clothing,coats,jackets,etc. I did find a nice jacket that was half off,The North Face (I still love this jacket). I would recommend this store if you are looking for any type of gear for hiking,camping,fishing,etc. Its amazing and the employees were great.

A couple weeks ago we rented the Freedom Chair for my mom. It was awesome! We pushed her all around Estes Park shops and the Elk Festival. It did great on all terrain including the grass, dirt, and hills! The next day we went to Rocky and pushed her on the Alluvial Fan trail, saw the waterfall. We drove up Trail Ridge Road getting out to see the overlooks on the way, hiked around Bear Lake (has some areas on the trail not wheel chair accessible) and Sprauge lake. Our last day in Estes Park we walked around Estes Lake and all the way into town past the visitor center and along the river walk to eat at Egg of Estes. None of this would’ve been possible without the Freedom Chair. Thank you SO much for offering these chairs to people!! Everyone at the shop I talked to was very nice and helpful. They even have a paper of all the accesible hikes in Rocky and some details about each. We had a Jeep Grand Cherokee rental car and it fit perfectly in the back with half of the middle seat put down. It was super easy once we got the hang of it to take the wheels and handles off!

this is where you can rent adaptive equipment to use around rocky mountain national park. we rented the freedom chair, which was easy to use and easy to navigate around with. it fit in the trunk of our car nicely and was fun to explore with ! thank you!

The customer service I received prior to our visit was wonderful. I was impressed with how polite, kind, and accommodating everyone was. We rented three mountain bikes and an e-bike. We wanted to ride around Lake Estes after a long road trip. The bikes were set up for us, we were fitted with helmets, and we were given a little time cushion so I could pay and join my family. We had a great experience biking around the lake. An hour was plenty of time and my husband loved the e-bike so much, he couldn’t stop smiling. The elk we saw in the lake were a cool bonus. There were calves with their mamas and they were adorable. They were at a safe distance so we could admire them and take pictures. Hands down I would recommend this shop! Thank you for making our first experience in Estes Park a fun one!

I am usually wary when I read an ad mentioning friendly staff; however, I was blown away by the staff here! Welcoming and helpful, if they weren’t genuine, they sure fooled me - and I don’t believe I’m easily fooled. Need anything to enjoy the great outdoors? Shop here.

Unexpected Gem of a Stop! We popped into Estes Park Mountain Shop just looking for a backpack and ended up walking out with way more than we expected—in the best way. Adam, one of the guys working there, was super friendly and full of awesome local tips. He gave us a handful of great suggestions for hikes and things to check out in the area, and we ended up trying everything he recommended. Couldn’t be happier—we had an amazing time thanks to his advice! Oh, and the backpack? It’s alright too.

Careful they are selling Fake Labubu’s… so sad I didn’t know better was trying to buy something for my niece…

Gorgeous little restaurant with great food and great service. I ordered the Caesar salad with chicken and my boyfriend had the Alfredo pasta with chicken. Delicious food, perfect for our date night. 10/10 recommend and we will be coming here again.

Wandered in without reservations - sat quickly with very fast service from Zola. She was so sweet and kind. Estes Park Amber Ale was delicious, as well as the Elk Burger & Fries. Drinks and food came very fast. Every employee we interacted with was lovely.

This is a fantastic place. The Homemade Saurbrauten wa so good. Brought memories of my youth with homemade German food. The waitress Elena was so kind and pleasant. Relaxed artisans not being rushed which was an extra plus. Can’t say enough of this place

Absolutely amazing! They allowed our sweet dachshund to come inside and sit in her stroller at the table. They brought her a bowl of water and cooked her a hamburger patty. Una was so sweet and went above and beyond. Definitely recommend this restaurant and the bison burger.

Una was exceptional, professional and knowledgeable and very very nice . Food exceeded our expectations it was absolutely delicious and the atmosphere & the service from the minute we walked in until we finished our dinner , everyone was perfect . Thank you so much for an absolutely amazing experience! We will be back

I thought the happy hour deals here were solid. They offer a selection of starters, entrees, and drinks all at reduced prices, daily(?) from 3-5pm. I enjoyed the french onion soup and french dip sandwich (the fries were fun). Some friends ordered the chicken sandwich and chicken schnitzel and enjoyed those as well. Nothing stood out as super special but prices were decent, especially in the area. Not a huge drink selection but I thought the marg and the pinot grigio were good. The one aspect I didn't like was that the waitress kept making suggestions to our orders without acknowledging the upcharge... Not a fan of that.

I picked this restaurant because they had Chicken Alfredo. It was my son's birthday and he loves Chicken Alfredo. Picture #1 they gave him an amazing cheese cake with raspberry drizzle, #2 Elk medallions, #3 German Jagerschnitzel w/ au gratin potatoes and asparagus, #4 Trout dip, #5 Rainbow Trout w/ au gratin potatoes and brussel sprouts. The birthday boy got the grilled chicken Alfredo and his brother got the chicken Alfredo with breaded chicken. I didn't take pictures of their food. The food was amazing. I gave a 4 for the food because we needed to add salt to our food. But we tend to like our food saltier.

We stopped in to grab a bite after driving the RMNP. The atmosphere was great & the views are unmatched! The food was good, American style cuisine. A great selection of local beer… something I like to sample in small towns. The staff were friendly with great service too.

After a long, awesome day in the park, my friend and I stopped to have dinner at the Trailhead Restaurant. The service was awesome, the view spectacular and the food delicious. Linda had fresh local caught trout over rice with vegetables and a roll, I had a seasoned pork chop, cranberry chutney, mashed potatoes, delicious vegetables, and a roll. Absolutely delicious 😋 And refreshing tasteful ice cold water. The atmosphere was perfect buzzing with conversation but yet quite enough to hear each other speak. I highly recommend dining at the Trailhead Restaurant 👍👍

My family came for lunch as we were staying just down the road. Lunch was good enough we wanted to come try dinner. We came back the next day and I was so happy with my meal. I ordered shrimp scampi and it was wonderful. Shrimp were cooked perfectly and the sauce was light but flavorful. Estes is a place I visit almost yearly and I will make sure to stop here evey time now!

Nice little restaurant just outside RMNP. The view is a huge part of the draw so be sure to request a seat outside. Food is above average and the prices reflect that. Highly recommend the chilli on a cold day!

On our way to the Rocky Mountains National Park Sep last year, we stopped by here for buffalo burger which is rather dry and bland. Should have ordered a beef burger or the mountain man. The view however is gorgeous.

We ordered a Patty Melt with fries and a Reuban sandwich with onion rings. The Patty Melt was served on marble rye as you might expect, but the burger was half the size of the bread, so there was an inordinate amount of extra bread that was not toasted. The fries looked and tasted like day old McDonalds fries WITHOUT the salt. Really dreadful. The Reuban was one third corned beef and two thirds sauerkraut. The onion rings were pretty good (hence the one star). Really lovely scenery and the staff were great. But to charge $18.99 for each sandwich was criminal. DON'T ORDER BURGERS OR SANDWICHES HERE.

Love this place. The food is good and the views are beautiful. The staff was friendly and accommodating. Went here on a whim one morning and loved it so much, we went back the next day. Their breakfast is fantastic and the portions are well-sized, so I was full! It's a perfect stop on your way in to the National Park!

Tucked away in a cozy corner of Estes Park, Sweet Basilico offers a welcoming Italian dining experience that’s both satisfying and memorable. On my recent visit, I ordered the angel hair pasta with house-made Alfredo sauce, asparagus, tomato, and bay shrimp—a recommendation from my young server—paired with a glass of red sangria (my personal favorite). It did not disappoint! The Alfredo sauce was rich and creamy without being overly heavy, perfectly coating the delicate angel hair. Fresh asparagus and sweet, ripe tomatoes added a vibrant contrast, while the bay shrimp brought a gentle brininess that tied everything together beautifully. The portion was generous without being overwhelming, and each element tasted freshly prepared. The vibe at Sweet Basilico is upbeat and cheerful. The staff was friendly and attentive, exchanging laughter and smiles as they worked. One highlight of the evening was chatting with the owner, who exuded genuine warmth and kindness. Seated at the mini bar, I also had the chance to interact with his son, Brendon, who was cooking alongside two seasoned and equally friendly chefs. Brendon clearly takes pride in ensuring guests enjoy their dining experience. What stood out most was the steady stream of satisfied customers stopping to personally thank the owners on their way out—a testament to the consistently positive experience this restaurant delivers. Sweet Basilico has quickly become my "mandatory stop" whenever I visit Estes Park. I’d highly recommend it to anyone looking for comforting Italian cuisine served with heart.

The service was pretty on par, friendly. I would, however, recommend going when the amusement park next door is not open because that would be super loud and annoying to eat right there. The garlic bread is pretty basic. There was a piece of pepperoni in the antipasto salad...we asked for no meat. The eggplant parmesana was pretty delicious; portions are pretty okay.

It was amazing experience having dinner at Sweet Basilico! The food and service were excellent! I have never eaten anything better than this. The atmosphere made me feel as if I am really in Italy sipping my Malbec wine. And also the host, I believe her name was Fanija was so beautiful, polite and kind (although she didn’t refill our coke when we asked her, but it’s okay she was busy)

We found this place looking for a pasta place after a hard day at the RMNP. The pasta was delicious, you could see how they prepared it right there. We ordered a Tiramisu (without much hope, they are usually industrial and of poor quality), what a surprise it was delicious, we hadn't eaten one like this for a long time. We didn't ask for another one to follow the diet a little... but we didn't lack a desire!

I was pleasantly surprised. My wife likes Italian food, I typically don’t. I lean toward Asian/Indian food. It was her turn to pick. I chose the Garlic Cheesy Bread & a Cesar Salad to start. Both were really good. I went on a long ride on spin bike before lunch, so I was prepared for the carbs. For main course I chose the Seafood Alfredo and it was fire 🔥 It was full of shrimp and scallops! Plus the Alfredo with Angel Hair pasta was very very good.

An absolute must! Excellent service and exceptional food! Honestly the best Chicken Marsala we’ve ever had.

We ordered the House Specisl pizza. Was delicious. Great atmosphere, great service. Have been dining there since 2020. Never disappoints. Price was $26 for med. Pizza, but we couldn't eat it all. Worth the money. We also had mozzarella cheese sticks. The crust and marinara sauce made them Delicious 😋

Don’t go for a dinner or any food. Just for a drinks and atmosphere. The charcuterie board was not fresh ingredients. The all meat that we’ve ordered was dry,old and no taste. Overpriced. Just a hype from the movie. The drinks were good actually. Big and expensive disappointment

the food was excellent!! my shrimp and scallops had at least 20 little scallops!!!! burrata salad was huge - even after splitting it for 2 of us

We celebrated a family birthday dinner at Cascades Restaurant in Estes Park, and it was an absolutely fantastic experience from start to finish. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, making it the perfect setting for a special evening. The food was nothing short of phenomenal. Between us, we ordered the duck, pork chop, and steaks—each one cooked to absolute perfection. The flavors were rich and balanced, the presentation was beautiful, and somehow the dishes managed to taste even better than they looked. Every bite was proof of the care and skill in the kitchen. On top of that, the service was excellent—attentive without being overbearing, and genuinely friendly. They made our family celebration feel special in every way. If you’re looking for a place in Estes Park that delivers a truly memorable dining experience, Cascades should be at the top of your list. Whether it’s for a celebration or just a great meal, you won’t be disappointed.

My fiance and I spent one night at the Stanley and decided to do it up for dinner while there. We ate at the Cascades restaurant inside the main building, and had a fantastic experience. He had a mixed drink, the "Rocky Mountain Grill Flight" (4 oz each venison, bison, and elk tenderloin, each with its own topping), and the fingerling potatoes. I had 2 glasses of pinot grigio, the amazing arugala buratta salad (pictured), and the wild game meatloaf (elk, angus, bison, & wild boar meatloaf with mashed potatoes and broccolini). The bill came to about $200 before tip, although you could definitely eat there for less, or for a lot more. We would definitely return!

We are here twice during our stay this weekend. The first time we waited 20 minutes for our reservation. The second we were seated right away. Our severs were Ryan and Burak. Both were nice and pleasant. The food is the issue, also the noise level and loud music. This restaurant needs to decide what it wants to be a sports bar or a higher end steakhouse. It’s trying to do both and it is unpleasant. The decor is very nice and has lots of potential but someone needs to make it happen. The tomato bisque was not bisque it was chunky and had an awful bouquet of something in it. The Cobb style salad was cold from the fridge and missing the bacon. The dinner on Sunday was equally poor. The cheese board was massive with three flavors of cheddar cheese. While pretty and the cheese was fine it was all cheddar. The meatloaf was pretty good. The bacon wrap wasn’t cooked all the way and was soggy. There was some unpleasant spice in the meatloaf that overwhelmed the delicious sauce that covered it. The broccolini was ok, the whipped potatoes were delicious. The impossible meatballs and spaghetti with marinara was awful. The meatballs had some kind of spice profile more akin to middle eastern food versus Italian. The pasta and marinara were cold. We each had a glass of wine from a nice selection. Between the bumping music, the football games on three TVs at the bar the diners were loud. Way too loud, we had to practically yell at each other. I sincerely hope this beautiful spot lands on a platform and fixes the food issues. Ryan and Burak deserve better. They were pleasant and attentive.

Excellent food but horrible service. Our server, Chris, constantly checked on all his other tables but ignored us. We waited over an hour and had only received our appetizer while tables sat after is received their drinks, appetizer and entrees promptly. He also left a return cocktail on our high top to die, never refilled our water glasses, took him almost 30 minutes to get a mimosa which he blamed everyone on staff for the slowness of everything while all his other tables remained well served. The food was amazing but the severely lacking service has turned us off of ever going back or recommending.

The quality of our food was a fantastic surprise. I ordered what I would call a "filler" menu item, not one of the stars of the menu. It was executed with a level of skill and care you would expect I ordered the most expensive item on the menu. The saucier that was on staff the evening we were there was the Star of the show. Their sauces took every dish 2 levels above anything I could have expected from anywhere in Estes Park. The execution would have me convinced we were in a major metropolitan center in any major Western country in the world. Hands down the best execution of a full table of dishes we have ever experienced in our lives. My wife is a classically trained chef. This place is worth their salt. Dishes ordered Duck Scallops and shrimp pasta Chicken blueberry arugula barrata salad Filet Brussel sprouts Finger potatoes Mashed potatoes All fantastic. Oh and lamb lollies for the app (picture). Thank you for your dedication back of house!

This visitor center offers gorgeous views across Rocky Mountain national Park. We were here in an evening right at sunset, so we were not able to go into the actual visitor center, but we spent a good bit of time here just soaking in the sunset views. Not only did we get to see the beautiful sky after the sun went down, but we got to watch elk and some moose in the valley below the visitor center! There is also nice restrooms here, and plenty of parking. As well as some steps that take you up to an observation point at an even higher elevation.

Unfortunately by the time we visited (October 10) and drove all the way to the top, we found that the Visitors Center was CLOSED for the season. Very disappointing but totally understandable, given the huge snowfalls (there was snow at this altitude already) and the very unnerving drive. This drive once you start climbing to the higher elevations, and certainly above 9,000 - 10,000 feet, is on a narrow but well maintained road, with no guardrails and precipitous drops! As one Park Ranger told me later - not for the faint of heart! However, this is the highest Visitors Center in the US National Park system and the alpine views above the tree lines and just below the clouds are incredible! Be aware that, as in our case, at the lower parts of the park (around 7-8,000 feet in elevation) the temperature was 58F while at the top of the mountains at the Visitor Center it was light rain and 39F. Do not take lightly the precautions of rapid and significant weather changes. But absolutely glad we did the drive once.

Great visitor center! Unique experience to go all the way to the top! Definitely acclimate to the elevation first. Over 11,000 feet about sea level. Great views. I liked trail ridge road better but we did old Fall River on the way up. Saw a marmot! Check out the cafe/store for a larger selection of souvenirs. Food didn’t have many choices.

Beautiful trail ridge road leading to the alpine visitor center. We saw a moose just before entering the parking lot. The view from the center in the fall is absolutely gorgeous. There is a short hike up to an overlook offering stunning views of the surrounding mountain range. Hiking boots are not needed. Perfect spot for a pit stop on a scenic drive.

Beautiful 360 degree views of the snow capped mountains. The hike to the summit was rewarding and breathtaking! Definitely recommend this one. Cafe serves a variety of beverages, minimal food options. The gift/souvenir store has variety but is over priced. If you are going down and exiting the RMNP, you will find many souvenir stores selling the same things for at least 30% less.

The Alpine Center in RMNP is amazing! The drive there from Beaver Meadows entrance was exhilarating. Going from Aspen and pine forest to the alpine and tundra area above treeline was super interesting. At Alpine one can climb a straight, half mile trail straight up to be at the top of the mountain with views in all directions of the world below. Amazing! Educational info along the trail regarding the tundra's plants, wild flowers and animals, how they survive winters with 100 mph winds that scour the land, little water, and freezing temps were nice spots to stop, rest, and read. The air is super thin and takes some getting used to. We really enjoyed our day getting there.

It's a beautiful place at 11700 ft above sea level. About 40 parking spots. To get the best view , we walk up the pathway, partly steps and partly a small paved road to get to the top of the mountain to 12005 ft high.

So many adorable wildlife encounters at this beautiful place! Let’s protect the paradise please don’t feed wildlife animals and don’t leave any trash. I noticed some chipmunks chewing plastic bags…

The weather was great and I was able to hike around the lake without any cold weather gear and enjoy the sun. Very beautiful lake and the views are stunning. I could not park here since the parking was full hence I went back to park and drive and got the shuttle. I am thankful to the authorities for running the shuttle service even during government shutdown. A huge shout out to all the drivers.

Stunning scenery!!! Yes it's super busy, but get there early in the morning & it's just fabulous! Easy walk & plenty of parking, but it fills up very early during season, so get there really early, or use Park n Ride, which is super easy & free.

It a very beautiful lake and the place must see for anyone who wants to visit Rocky Mountain National Park. Not only the lake itself is amazing but also the scenic views on the way to the lake, especially during late fall.

Beautiful lake, nice mile long track around the lake in September with fall colors.

With post card worthy views right off the parking lot it is truly easy to see why the Bear Lake corridor has such stringent time constraints during peak season. It truly is a wonderful lake with amazing views. And indeed it is located right off the parking lot for the Bear Lake Trailhead. Only takes about 15 minutes to walk around the Lake so if you dont feel like a long hike, or are pressed for time than this is an ideal Lake to visit. You'll need a timed entry registration to access the Bear Lake Corridor between the hours of 5 a.m. and 6 p.m. throughout the busy season so keep that in mind. Plan your trip well beforehand as the registrations are made available a month in advance. However if you dont acquire a registration it isn't the end of the world as you can work around the timed entry time frame by just waking up early, or waiting till later in the day to visit the park.

It is a must see for anyone who visit Rocky Mountains in Colorado. The views are breathtaking. In winter we literally walked on the frozen lake . There is a short hike around lake . Highly recommend

A well deserved name. Emerald color water against an imposing backdrop of snowcapped mountains. You have to do a bit of boulder scrambling to find the right perch, but once you're settled in, it's quite magnificent to sit and take it all in.

This was truly an amazing hike. It was a great place to rest and eat a light lunch. The hike from Bear lake all the way to Emerald Lake was truly remarkable. Truly one of the best hikes in the US.

Emerald Lake is absolutely worth the hike. The trail getting there is beautiful, and the lake itself is stunning, especially with the mountains rising right behind it. Even with a bit of a crowd, it still feels peaceful once you're there. It's not a long hike, but the payoff is huge-some of the best views in the park and a great spot to stop, take it all in, and just enjoy the moment.

Rarely go on hikes but this one was worth it, I’d recommend this hike in a heart beat just do be mindful of the limited parking!

Emerald Lake is stunning. My favorite on this trail. Easy to follow to get here and you pass Nymph Lake and Dream Lake on the way. All are beautiful. I wore my Asics runners because they are most comfortable for me while hiking. They were perfect for this trail! But you should have shoes with some traction to help over the uneven terrain and rocks! The trail is relatively easy/moderate with incline and steps. Not as difficult as the trail to Haiyaha but if you aren’t used to the altitude, can still take your breath. Take your time and enjoy! Lots of places to stop and rest. As for parking - we arrived around noon on a friday (8/30/24). The signs at the NP entrance said trailhead parking lot was full. We decided to still drive all the way to check it out. Highlyyyy recommend that before going straight to the park and ride lot where you take the bus to and from the trailhead. There were at least 5 parking spots open when we got there. Glad we didn’t waste the time with the bus but glad that’s an option for some. People of all ages were doing this hike! A must do in RMNP!

Absolutely breathtaking spot. Well worth the hike out and back. I recommend getting there early and packing a lunch. Once you get all the way up there you're gonna wanna hang out for a while. The views were incredible second to none. The hike was great too. Not rough at all. Kinda long. The scenic views just get better and better so enjoy it.

This is an absolutely beautiful hike!! I went the first week of April and wore snowshoes. I wound definitely recommend microspikes at the very least. There were quite a few people struggling without spikes. It’s not worth an injury when you can pick up a pair of cheap spikes for $30 on Amazon.

The campground itself is really nice. The location is great for the sadly little Rocky Mountain NP has to offer - it's right at the road to the extremely overcrowded/no chance to park almost anytime/nothing special Bear Lake. One ranger was so nice and helped us; others 's were normal and polite. One had absolutely nothing to do; he circled the campground in 10min intervals like some sort of prison guard until he made up something to pester you about. Seriously, there are national parks that desperately need rangers in the most precious areas, and here, there are so many rangers in a campground that some of them have nothing to do at all :(. In the end we left a couple of nights earlier and had a much better time in Utah and Idaho.

If you haven't camped at Rocky Mountain National Park, do it! The park is incredible by itself, and this campground is a great spot. Our RV was in the shop for repairs so we decided to do a tent camping trip. The campsites have nice level pads for tents, a sturdy picnic table, and ample space. Everything is clean and all the facilities worked well. Wildlife (deer) visited our site several times. No bears or mountain lions (fortunately). Be aware there are no showers, so I wouldn't plan too many days here, but hey, it's the wilderness, enjoy it!

One of the best campgrounds in Rocky Mountain National Park. Beautiful mountain views, peaceful forest setting, and clean facilities. It’s well-organized with easy access to shuttle stops and hiking trails. Great spot for tent camping. Perfect base for exploring Bear Lake area and other scenic nearby.

The campground is amazing, clean and most of all the unparalleled view above 8,500 ft. You can see the glaciers so close. Bathrooms are clean but no showers. Campsites have no water so you have to fill up in front of the ranger station.There is also a shuttle that comes to bring you to bear lake road and Estes Park. Highly recommends.

Rv park was great. Beautiful location. So clean. Clean restrooms. No power or water at the sites. Perfect spot for visiting and enjoying Rocky Mountain National Park. Very very economical with my lifetime pass .

The campground has a perfect location, close to the shuttle parking lot. The spots are wide and well separated from the surrounding ones. Restroom are good, no showers. Good phone service.

We were lucky enough to be able to reserve a night here after someone cancels their reservation. It was so nice to be in the Rocky Mountain National Park. Made it so convenient. Quiet. Clean restrooms. Had cell service with Verizon.

Very nice and helpful volunteers(??) and employees. Gift shop was well stocked and the exhibits were interactive and the kids I saw seemed to enjoy them. Spectacular views of the valley.

The staff were so kind to our students and helpful in understanding the park. Whether in person or by email, all our questions were answered quickly and compassionately. The park was beautiful and the center was a great place to kick off our visit!

Pretty standard visitor center and gift shop on the bottom floor, but also has a pretty neat and informational area on the second floor that focuses on the creation of the Rocky Mountains and the different types of wildlife that can be found in the area. All in all, it was an enjoyable stop before embarking even deeper into Rocky Mountain National Park.

Ranger was so great and helped us pick out the perfect hike. It was the end of our day and we'd already done a somewhat strenuous hike so we just wanted to be able to walk a few miles total and see a bit more of the park before we wrapped up the next day. She listened to all our requirements and recommended a nice pretty hike (with lots of bear poop). Everyone was so friendly.

We see many wild animals here, the only pity is they are too far, we unable to take a clear picture

This place was well worth a stop. Very interesting information about the park and the formation. Learn about the local plants and wildlife. They also have a small nature trail behind the building. Beautiful scenery and a big plus clean restrooms.

Visited on a weekday but it wasn’t too crowded. Has a nice gift shop with friendly staff and clean facilities.

We've camped here several times in the past few years. Pros: it is a solid spot in the national park which is close to Estes Park and Bear Lake. Some sites have great views of Longs. Wildlife frequents here Cons: Many sites are very close to each other, so not much privacy. The number of bathrooms is small compared to how many sites there are. B Loop does not have flush toilets and comfort stations, so washing dishes requires a long walk to another loop.

Wonderful camp grounds with knowledge and friendly rangers working here! The views were beautiful and the bathrooms were clean and we'll kept, only reason I'm giving it 4 stars instead of 5 was that the showers weren't operational at the time of our visit, but the rangers suggested going to village laundry in Estes Park and gave us directions to where it was. So overall 9 out of 10 definitely recommend.

Beautiful and clean campground. Easy to set up tents, and people are respectful. The bathrooms are some of the cleanest we have seen. Make sure to find the sign in sheet if you're arriving when someone is not in the check in booth. Would have given this place 5 stars, but the individual who checked us out had an attitude about us missing the sign in sheet in the dark. We arrived the night before and, while driving through check in looking for what we might need to complete, missed a "huge" sign that said something along the lines of sign in here. As I stated, we looked everywhere for such signage and it must have been written in very fine writing because it was NOT visible in the dark.

Absolutely Beautiful The park overlooks a valley that regularly has herds of elk. Every day of our trip, there were at least 30+ elk in the valley (late August trip). There is water available, but not at the campsites (you’ll have to go to a filling station for water - some are for drinking, some are general use). There are bathrooms (with stocked toilet paper).

The camp guards or camp hosts (whoever was patrolling) were not very friendly or helpful. Usually when we enter the park we are greeted with “what brings you here?” Or “here is how to find your campsite” instead we were met with “okay- straight ahead” it was not by the way- we had to turn to our loop. Very upsetting to see. I can only be sympathetic as I know they have lost good people and funding- but being mean or grumpy does not make me want to return and support the parks. We were late checking out because we had a problem with our camper and they threatened to call law enforcement. Rude and unhelpful! I know it’s not the camp host job to help us but are we not human? The beauty of the park is always amazing, but my god we will not be camping here again.

We visited for my daughters 10th birthday, campgrounds are clean and there are bathrooms throughout the campgrounds. There's bear proof storage for your food and they have bear proof trash bins. I love that our reservation had timed entry to bear lake included, we had an amazing time here. They have picnic tables and fire pits.

We have stayed here twice this summer now and both times have been awesome! It's a gamble with your campsite whether it is close to the road, others, or a bathroom, but most sites are well spaced and have access to bathrooms and trash receptacles. It is a popular campsite and you are car camping, so there are the standard pros and cons to this. But the accesability to the park and the beaurity of the campground make up for most of the cons you'll experience. Wildlife filters through often and quiet hours are followed well in my experience. Bathrooms are also in good shape with flush toilets. You buy wood and ice (maybe more) from the little store at the front. Pictures are from our two different sites. Mid July and August.

It is a standard National Park visitor center. with route 34 closed, there's really no purpose for it. You can only drive a few miles into the park, and most of what you can see is burned wood. You are better off driving to the Estes Park side. Tons of deer elk and moose.

I really wanted to stop here on our recent camping trip to Rocky Mountain National Park. It was beautiful inside and even had a little closed off area to watch a video on RMNP. The gift shop was small and had limited styles and colors of RMNP t-shirts, but they had various sweatshirts, kids' books, hats, stickers, frig magnets, and plenty of info and park rangers to answer your questions! It was a great first stop to make and nestled back into the forest in a beautiful setting!

View point closed you can only drive up 10 miles from viewpoint. It’s closed for the year. Don’t come this way this year.

The folks were great. They know the area and are friendly and helpful.

When we went the rangers were there with some pets, antlers, and horns. It was fun to pick up and feel the antlers and horns. I was surprised how heavy a ram horn is. It was an enjoyable visit and they shared some good information with us. Helped us know where to go to see what we were looking for and generally made it a good experience. Thanks for your help. It was great.

Great visitor center, staff extremely helpful and friendly. Knowledgeable on extensive trails, waterfalls and wildlife. A pleasure to visit. Peak Aspen viewing today!

Kawuneeche visitors center was the only gift shop open on the senic highway to Estes Park. Very disappointing as Iwas hoping to get walking stave medallions from each of the three visitors center along the Rocky Mountain National Park systems along the highway. Government workers that are only there from 9 to 5 to get their paychecks and to hell with the travelers that would have loved to see what was in the souvenir sections of the gift shop. I really hate the melineals that do not have the slightest understanding about public service.

Boy oh boy, where do I begin. This place is rough and I would recommend others avoid for any other option in this area. We chose this place after a long day of hiking and we were ready to have (big) personal pizzas. I must eat gluten free and this place had options so we went for it. We waited to be sat for about 10ish minutes (with only 2 other parties eating in the restaurant, it was not busy). Then we waited another 10 minutes to get menus. We order drinks and pizza. Takes another long stint before our (canned beers) drinks came out. Pizza took another 20 or so minutes after that. We had no plates or silverware offered or napkins on our table. We had to get it ourselves and ask for this. IT WAS SO BAD Y'ALL. I took one bite and boxed the rest. Hoping I can add some sauce to it at home and make it edible. These pizzas were pushing FORTY DOLLARS EACH... For the price, I was shocked at how bad it was. Also, I could see back in the kitchen and. THEY USE PRE MADE PIZZA SHELLS. At this price and service level, a pizza place, does not even make their own dough??? I am flabbergasted this place is in business. This place ranks my #1 worst restaurant experience in years. So so so bad. How on earth do you mess up pizza???

Hey everyone, Today, I went to the White Buffalo Pub and Pizza in Colorado. There weren't many options around, so I went with pizza for lunch for my family. The area has an authentic old-western town charm, making it an excellent place to visit. The pub had the usual assortment at the bar and a fun decor. We ordered the White Buffalo pizza, which had bison meat, mozzarella, and aioli garlic base. The oven seemed like a brick one. The pizza was just okay, with slightly burnt corners. The fried ravioli are defebtly baked, and they weren't well dome , sadly. – but it's a pub, don't expect too much. They have TVs and a classic Pac-Man game. Overall, I'd rate the service and food a three and the atmosphere a 5. They do have WiFi, but not the kind that says "guest." Check out the pictures!

This pizza was not good and the charge is ridiculous. They have to have used the lowest grade mozzarella. The specialty pizza we ordered was supposed to have tomatoes on it but did not. We ate less than half of our pizza. The waitress was very friendly but she was the only employee working the bar and dining area with lots of people in the restaurant. Beer was served in a can with no mug offered. Can’t say enough about how bad this was.

Our pizza and salad was great. We came just a day before they closed for the season. Very pricy is the only reason I don’t give 5 stars

This was such a letdown. Sunday evening, not very busy inside. Arrived and stood in the door for a solid 10 minutes, due to their "please wait to be seated sign", feeling invisible. Staff finally noticed us and told us to just sit anywhere. 10 minutes to get a server to bring menus that they had to search high and low just to find any to give us. Long wait to order, long wait to get canned (no draft on site) beer, probably 45 minutes total to get pizza after ordering. Which I would understand, IF they were making from scratch dough etc but they had a clearly visible pile of store bought pizza crusts through the kitchen door they were using. How does it take 45 minutes to warm up some store bought dough with some toppings thrown on top? Somehow even then, the pizza came out room temperature. And this is a $34 pizza?? Tab was $86 for two 12" pizzas and 2 beers. These prices for this food is crazy. Servers acted like guests did not exist. Most egregious was the bartender who was on Facetime with pods in her ears, talking on video call the whole time I saw her around, while trying to multitask with her other hand. Only saving grace was the atmosphere (the place looks really cool inside), and the music, which I have to admit, whoever was running the playlist was killing it. But food and service wise - this place is run like a bad joke. What are you people doing?!

We had the House Salad (enough for four people). The Big Buffalo and Greek pizza. Both were exceptional. Highly recommend. Live music was too loud. Could not hear to talk. Ears were ringing. The musician had a good voice but could have turned down amplifier. Music would have been better. Indoor and Outdoor seating.

Waitress and bartender were more interested in their friends and being with them than working/serving. Took an hour for our pizza, The Whole Buffalo, one of their specialties. Our kids were done eating their personal pizzas and off dinking around in the arcade for 15 minutes before our pizza was served. My wife was asked if she needed a refill and she said yes, but the bartender just walked away. The pizza was ok. Served with parsley stems (really). It was cut into quarters one way and one singular perpendicular cut. So you had these long rectangular pieces with a ton of toppings. So you couldn’t eat it without dumping the toppings. Took my son 5 minutes just to get a glass of water. We even bussed the table to help show we were done eating and ready for the check. The bartender looked and seen our table and ignored us twice, the waitress did the same three times. After 10 minutes of waiting for the check we got up to leave and then the check was thrust in front of us. Overall, horrible service. Specialty pizzas are over priced for what you’re getting. I would bypass this place. It has potential but front and back of house needs a makeover.

Great stop for some local food and beer. We especially liked the elk sausage and bison meatballs. For lighter fare- I recommend the salad with a serving of salmon on top. It’s loud, so not necessarily a cozy place and always crowded.

Great little place a local told us about to have dinner was casual comfortable and food was great had steak and mashed potatoes side of buffalo wings and dates wrapped in bacon 🥓 so good. Sweet and savory combo. Our waitress was awesome she pegged me immediately that I came from New Hampshire lol she was a Massachusetts transplant. Had live entertainment that wasn't over bearing you could enjoy your meal and have conversation without being drowned out by music so that was also a plus for me.

We love everything about this place and you it in on our now bi annual trips to Estes. Servers, food, music and even the creative candles Ashley makes and sells there are just perfect. We passed this place for years and wondered about it, never stopping until they hung the Pride flags out! We are allys. After our first trip, we don't miss an experience there. Music starts at 5:00! There may be a line at 4:00 when they open, so don't be in a hurry! You will love this place!

Your classic mountain town restaurant. The servers were kind. Food was alright. Really lived the fact that the restaurant was inclusive and hung up 2 pride flags. One big one right outside. We got the bison pasta and NY Strip. The steak was mediocre, chewy and slightly overcooked. The bison was a tad gamey but still good. Still a decent place. You just can’t be very choosy when you’re up in a mountain town.

Another off the beaten path restaurant find that did not disappoint. The atmosphere is exactly what you look for when you’re in the Rockies, but you can tell this is very much a locals spot. Great recommendation from the server on the Buffalo meatballs, they were so good. The pizza was also very good and nice and crispy! Giving a 5star because it deserved it, but wish I could do 1/2. 4.5 because I did have one of the worst mules I’ve ever had and the bartender at the bar was very rude. But still a 5 over a 4 in my book.

Service and food was great! The bacon wrapped dates were very tasty and we loved the trout with dill and butter! The meat on the mains were done very well but the sides were a little lacking in flavor. 10/10 would recommend.

Good food and server was very attentive. Loved the spicy corn dip. The Heritage salad was amazing. Chicken flatbread was ok. Plenty of beers and other liquors to choose from. They also had live music.

Really enjoyed the food! For apps we had the bruschetta and a side of the asparagus, which was out of this world. My husband and I both had the veggie burger, one with a side of the sweet potato waffle fries and the other with the side salad. While the salad was just OK, the burgers were AWESOME - it felt like some genuine thought had gone into designing their veggie burger, and not just thrown an option on the menu just for the sake of having a vegetarian burger. The ambience was super warm and welcoming too.

Bird & Jim is always at the top of our list when we're in Estes. They are consistently some of the best food in the valley. We love to sit at the bar and chat with the staff and other guests. The atmosphere is always warm and welcoming. We enjoyed all three of our visits this trip. Including the always fantastic pheasant chowder! One afternoon we had a late lunch from the apps and sides menu - elk strip loin and chicken nuggets. Both were delicious. We pictured are two desserts, the strawberry shortcake and bread pudding. I also really liked the house-made potato chips and onion dip. It's not something I'd usually order but those chips were so good - the perfect thickness and crispiness. In fact, they were so good, I used them the pimento cheese dip and the tuna poke. Their happy hour (open to 4 pm) draws a crowd and it's always a good idea to get a reservation for dinner.

Last night was my first visit to Bird & Jim, and I can gladly say we WILL BE returning! The food and service were phenomenal! Here's a rundown of our experience (including beverage and food selections): For drinks, my husband ordered the Bust a Rut and I had the Manhattan, both were fantastic. For our appetizer, we ordered the Tuna Poke (photo attached...though it’s half-eaten because we were so excited to eat it that we forgot to take a photo at first) and it was honestly the best tuna poke we’ve ever had. For our shared entree, we ordered The Carnivore, which included elk striploin, filet mignon, cheddar game sausage, and broccolini. It looked so incredible that we started eating before I could even get a photo, so no photo of that amazing meal, but it was beautifully plated and absolutely delicious. We ate every bite. We added a side of mac and cheese, which was also full of flavor. I believe our waitress’s name was Nina (from Argentina). She was so sweet and attentive, even during the busy hours of a Saturday night on a holiday weekend! Highly recommend Bird & Jim (and Nina!) because everything we ordered and the service was amazing. Also, considering how BUSY the restaurant was, I was very thankfully the hostess was able to seat us 30-minutes before our reservation, since we arrived a tad too early AND that Nina was so attentive while all tables were full of other patrons. So as you can tell, great experience all around and we'll definitely be returning on our next trek up the canyon from NoCo!

Fantastic meal and service. We ordered 3 carnivore plates along with the pheasant chowder, corn bread, mushrooms, and mac and cheese. The meats were juicy and cooked perfectly. It was the best tasting Elk we ever had. We also ordered cocktails which were very enjoyable. Cool atmosphere inside the restaurant and really like the open kitchen concept.

Mountain meal magic! Conveniently located by Rocky Mountain National Park, this spot offers delicious food, easy parking, and a family-friendly vibe. Our group of 5 stopped by after some sightseeing and were seated right away without a reservation. This huge cabin-style space has high ceilings, cozy and regular dining areas, woody mountain decor, fun mismatched cloth napkins, and local art for sale. Food was great! I had the Smoked Pheasant Chowder and Cornbread (three mini rounds) as my meal and both were solid, hearty goodness. My husband enjoyed his Buffalo Burger with tomato-bacon jam while My mother-in-law loved her Arugula Apple Pecan Salad with added greens and raved about the dressing. Her Bird & Jim Lemonade (happy hour til 4pm) tasted like a limoncello spritz. Both kids finished their plates, fries first: Chicken Fingers & Fries and Grilled Cheese & Fries. Come hungry, leave happy! NOTES/TIPS: **Easy parking. Great service. Pay right at your table. **Perfect stop before or after the park. **You can reserve through Google via Resy.

We weren't feeling really hungry, so we hit the appetizers, and they did NOT disappoint. We had great service, great food and drinks. We ordered the beef sliders, balsamic bruschetta, and smoked Pheasant chowder. Sat down at the bar and had very quick and friendly service. The locally brewed beer was great too! We highly recommend this restaurant.

We booked a reservation here and had a great time before our hike. Ordered the bowl and it was very healthy, but bacon was pretty hard. The vegetarian burger was amazing, wished the fries were more crunchy. After we finished, there was a long line up. So reservation is highly recommended. Service was excellent!

We stopped in here today, and we are so glad we did. Twice, actually as I just had to go back for another shirt. The store was clean, organized, with a great selection and the best prices we could find on nice t-shirts and sweatshirts; including embroidered shirts. The staff we interacted with were also very friendly and helpful regarding the store and local scene. On top of this, we loved the Christian music that was playing as well as the the free Bibles they were giving out.

Best selection for shirts and hats, along with other fun things. The prices are amazing! Got a high quality hat with a leather patch for an amazing price. They also give out little scavenger hunt papers for kids which is so fun!

We vacationed for 3 days in Estes Park. A beautiful place! We walked their beautiful downtown and stopped in many stores. Brownfields was hands down the best prices for any type of souvenirs or gear that you want! Great selection of t-shirts and much more. Not only did they have the best prices but their staff was absolutely the best! They were extremely friendly and knowledgeable. I asked the gentleman worker about advice on what trails would be best for my family. He took the time to explain and advise us on what trails would be best! The store was busy and yet he made the time to listen to us and answer all of our questions. He even gave us a cheat sheet to use for hikes and restaurants!! Hard to find stores and people like this anymore. It was noticed by my family from Kansas. THANK YOU!

Hands down the best store you'll find in Estes Park. The owner and the staff are top notch, the merchandise is awesome with so many choices, and the prices can't be beat. This is a must when visiting Estes Park.

By far this is the best gift shop in town. Best prices for quality items. While other shops sell cheaply made $20-30 t-shirts here you’ll find them for $10-20 at a better quality. For those that still send post cards you’ll find them here 5 for $1 and the image quality of them are superior to other places as well. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable. I highly recommend coming to this place first before you start your walk in downtown.

Must stop in Estes. One of the best souvenir shops I’ve been to ever! Up to date souvenirs at very fair prices, a welcoming space, and genuinely friendly and helpful staff. As a CO local I’ll be back someday and will definitely recommend to any out of state friends visiting Estes.

Brownfield's in Estes Park, Colorado is an outstanding store with very good quality clothing, especially outdoor clothing, gear, as well as gift items and souvenirs. Our family first began doing business with Brownfield's twenty years ago when we spent a week in Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. Brownfield's was highly recommended to us by friends, who had been going to Estes Park since the early 1960s, and we thoroughly enjoyed our visits to the store, which were everyday that we were there. Since that time, we have visited Estes Park one more time, and we have been ordering clothing, particularly sweatshirts, from Brownfield's. Once again, the quality is very good, and the prices are quite reasonable. In addition, the staff is very cordial and knowledgeable, and they are a wonderful resource for travelers to receive valuable information regarding Rocky Mountain National Park, excellent restaurants, as well as trips near the Estes Park area. I would highly recommend Brownfield's for the quality of their products and their great customer service!

This place is really nice. It has cool glass pieces for a fairly good price. If you’re looking for a gift you have found the right place!

Love this place. The glasswork is beautiful and it was interesting to watch something being made

High class glass! Beautiful art! Nice place to warm up during the winter season. Go in and see why 😊 you won't regret it.

I love coming here. They have beautiful pieces to choose from - some are practical, but all are works of art. I have picked up a couple different vases and a plant starter window hanging piece, among others. They are always at work and have benches where you can sit and observe. They will describe what they are doing and why so that you feel like you are a part of the process. I never come to Estes without stopping at Patterson Glass Works!

Love coming here and watching them blow glass. They have some really beautiful vases, Knick knacks as well

We stopped into Patterson Glassworks while we were visiting Rocky Mountain National Park and I fell in love with this beautiful little pumpkin. I didn’t feel like I could safely transport it in my luggage home, so the staff kindly shipped it for me (at a really reasonable price). It is beautiful and arrived safely! (Also, not sure if it was intentional, but it really looks like a spider in the bottom of the pumpkin - if you guys aren’t already adding that touch to some intentionally… I think you should!!!)

Such a cool place! Got front row seats for the working artist today. We collect the glass ball ornaments at each vacation we go to that has them starting with our honeymoon 9 years ago. Got another beautiful globe to go on our Christmas tree this year. Highly recommend a stop in!

Great Locally produced Colorado wines. I had a flight of 5 focused on reds and hers were whites and roses. Presentation of flights was very appealing. And a homemade pretzel was great to reset the pallet. The staff is happy to share help to make an enjoyable selection.

A regular stop for us, best winery in Estes.... Only one actually. Nonetheless very good wine. The people are great and ready to serve. Good knowledge of their wines and the tastings are fun. They are not set up for food, but they do have a great selection of local meats, cheeses and crackers to pair with your wine. These are prepackaged and can take home or open here at the winery. They even have plates and utensils. Occasionally they do fun things like live music or the "girl scout cookie wine pairing" which was a blast! Quiet and relaxing place

Great little winery in Estes Park. My wife and I went there about 5 weeks ago on a Sunday, and even though they were short staffed and busy, the customer service was excellent, and we never felt neglected or ignored. The food is your standard winery charcuterie and cheese boards, with the exception of their wild game sausage board which offered very unique options. Their wine, which most is made in their basement, comes from Colorado grapes and is surprisingly delicious. We really liked their wine menu where the employees offer descriptions of each wine, so you can compare and build your wine pallet at your pace. Fast forward, we brought another couple there on 11/2/25, and they were impressed as much as we were with the selections, food and customer service. We have a much larger group coming into town next month, where we will be staying at an Airbnb a mile away, and we feel confident this won’t disappoint for the 12 of us. Highly recommend this winery when in Estes Park!

Anything less than five stars is a lie. Ive been to wineries all over the country. This is one of my favorite. Great selections of wines, meats, cheeses, and food. Older gentleman who helped us was the best part of the experience. Cannot recommend this place enough for a nice quiet wine tasting/ night.

We have been on a road trip for 2 weeks. To New Mexico then up to Eskes Park Co from Michigan. This stop at the winery was definitely a worthwhile stop. There was something for everyone in our party. The owner and the wine maker were extremely friendly. The wine and mead was really good. We would definitely go out of our way to visit again.

Wonderful patio that is dog friendly with some great wine varieties and a fun tasting display! They just started serving food, and this game meat sausage platter was delicious!

We had our rehearsal dinner here and it was WONDERFUL! They had us outside under some tents, right in the heart of downtown Estes Park. The new food menu was incredible, we were able to sample some of everything (my favorite being the wild game board). Tera was so kind and helpful the entire time we were there, especially when it was supposed to be her day off! I would recommend this to anyone wanting to put on an event, or even just a casual dinner consisting of small plates. Also, the wine was good and reasonably priced

We rented a pontoon boat for 2 hours. It was awesome. Not a bad price. It is a small lake but it's not too busy. You can still get around the entire lake. Have some fun and catch a fish

We had a great experience renting a canoe for an hour at Lake Estes Marina. Paddling around the lake was so much fun, and the staff was friendly and helpful with getting us in and out of the canoe. Parking is paid, but it was easy to take care of when reserving online. We’ll definitely be returning!

Rented a tandem kayak for $30 for 1 hour. It was okay. Definitely would be good for beginners or people who just want to sit on the water. We go kayaking a lot and thought it was boring. The view is okay but it’s kinda like you just paddle in circles trying to kill the time and there’s not many places to explore. Service was friendly. I didn’t like that the reservation was very strict on arriving 30 minutes early, but then when you arrive 30 minutes early they just have you sign a waiver and then you have to continue to wait until your time and they were not busy. Wouldn’t go again, and would only recommend if you just want to chill on the water or how 0 kayaking experience

Beautiful marina with boat, kayak and SUP rentals. For busy summer weekends book ahead of time, esp for large parties.

Beautiful scenery, friendly staff, stocked with fishing essentials, bike and kayak rentals available. The kids loved the playground and we all enjoyed walking around. There were lots of people picnicking and it was a very great vibe all around.

Very beautiful place to visit. We came fishing and caught quite a few rainbows and browns. Both fly fishing and regular bait. Can get a bit crowded but other than that, it’s a great experience.

It is located on the shore of Lake Estes, created by the Olympus Dam. You can rent watercraft and find a shop with fishing equipment. There are also picnic areas and lakeside activities. Along the roughly four-mile shoreline, you can enjoy your time and observe the local wildlife.

I ended up stopping by here spontaneously after my visit to Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park, and I'm glad I did! The museum is small and has a lot of interesting information about the founding of the town and how it grew into what it is today. The staff was very friendly-- I spent a good ten minutes talking to Wendy about my visit and where I was from. A fun little pit stop definitely worth checking out!!

Everything about Estes Park is great everyone needs to go there lots to see lots of great food from hamburgers to great fine dineing great restaurants to home made candy cookies lots of stores you will get to buy things you don't get to see just any place there are great jewelers here they will design you what you like not to mention all the great parks and all of mother nature has to offer we have animals running around. They are so beautiful to see come see all of Estes park summer and winter lots of great places to stay for the night or a week or a season it is a must the holidays are the best come see for you self

Great indepth experience, with helpful guide willing to answer questions.

Greeting volunteer Judy very welcoming. Great historical exhibits and exhibitions. A must-visit stop for tourists who care about important milestones in this beautiful town’s life. Staff provided personal historical perspectives from 2013 flood. Resilience encouraged us who are rebuilding from Hurricane Helene flooding in western NC. Thanks!

It was a fun little experience getting to see the history of Estas Park!

This is a cute little museum with a lot of informative exhibits. This is a great way to learn some of the history of the area.

Great little museum to learn about the local history. It's worth the visit if you're in the Estes area.

Quite scenic with different levels of detail just before and during golden hour. Very easy trail to walk, beautiful reflection on the water. We also saw a family of 3 elk while there, an old bull, a female and a young one as well! Great parking is close as well.

Was heading to the Rocky Mountain National Lake but didn’t realize you have to get a reservation so spent an hour here before the opening at 2pm. I found some chipmunks and fed them a little and it was so fun. You can walk around the lake and further in but I didn’t do it this time around. They’ve got a handful of benches so if you want a nice view, good weather, and got free time, this is a great place for a picnic or even reading a book.

Couldn't spend much time due to the tight trip schedule. But I loved every minute that I spent in Colorado. I hope we protect our mother nature 🙏🏼. Would love to visit again asap. I will come back for more during snowtime.

Such a beautiful lake with amazing views. We stopped for a short walk and took some amazing photos shortly before sunset. Twins Peak is across the way. Heard it's a great place for you to find moose, unfortunately we didn't see any. Overall, this was an amazing way to end the day.🫎

We happened upon this lovely lake driving North on CO Route 7 up towards Estes Park. Absolutely beautiful scenery during our entire drive, and this Lake was no exception. It seems to be a heavy tourist stop, so might be especially crowded during certain days/times. Well-worth a quick visit to take in the scenery, grab a few photos, and enjoy the fresh air and the Mountain quiet.

Beautiful views as soon as you pull in. Very easy walk/hike, multiple places to just sit and enjoy the water and have lunch. 10/10 recommend this lake. And will be coming back!

Awesome, cooling and fun hike with our kids. I love the lake, the moose, well-maintained trails and all the incredible birds and Colorado wildlife. We had a blast! Recommend for families with kids. Come early, parking gets little crazy! Bring your sunscreen, snacks and comfortable trail shoes. You and your kids will have lots of fun.

Wow! What an experience, amazing and it blew away any expectations. The food was excellent, and so much! I loved the coffee and had the Big Mike's Heart Attack, and she had the Blue Berry-Peacan Waffle with some eggs. Our server Sasha was outstanding, we highly recommend this restaurant

I’ve been visiting the Big Horn Restaurant for years, and it’s always such a positive experience because it's guaranteed to be delicious food and great service every time. Plus, this was my father's favorite breakfast stop when he visited, therefore it's always nostalgic being back, and it reminds me of him. This morning our waitress, Julie, was phenomenal! It had been about a year since my last visit, and I’d forgotten how generous the portions are for the price. My husband and I both ordered the No. 3 - biscuits and gravy with grits and sausage...and wow… SO much food, and every bite was delicious. (Highly recommend adding cheese to your grits!) The Big Horn is always my "go to" breakfast spot when I'm in town.

We had breakfast here for the first time in years. Food was good, not great. Very good service. Bottom of my wife's pancake was pretty crispy. They appeared to use canned apple pie filling for the pancakes.

VERY VERY good food here! Service was excellent, makes you feel at home. Portions are pretty big so come hungry! We got the chicken fried chicken eggs an hashbrowns with a pancake on the side, plus "Mike's heart attack" biscuits and gravy hashbrowns eggs and ham. All of it was delicious! We will always come to this spot for breakfast during our stay. 🖤

Great place during peak season and did not disappoint, we had all the favorites and left full and happy. Since summer is peak season in Estes we came early around 7:20 and it was low and slow, coffee was hot and ready. Stop by Bug Horn Restaurant when you visit the area!

6.5/10. Family restaurant with nothing outstanding, average across the board. Got an elk burger, country fried chicken and their usual salad and soup. Decent taste, sauce was a little sloppy on the chicken, and the elk tasted a lot like slightly gamey beef. Slaw was below expectations, but the salad and soup bar concept was novel and fun! Typical service, nice quiet area next to the river.

I think this restaurant is a hidden gem. Its right outside of the busy downtown Estes Park and you might miss it if you werent looking for it. The menu is amazing and the service was even better. I’m from NJ and diners are a staple where I come from. A hot open faced roast beef sandwich is a staple at a diner. Let me tell you…this was the BEST open faced roast beef sandwich I have ever eaten. It was so good that we went back the following week and both ordered the same meals as the week before. PS-he had the trout

I’ve been visiting estes park for about 8 years now and somehow just ate at Poppy’s for the first time. I can’t believe I’ve never eaten here before, it was amazing! We sat in the outside seating area and the view was beautiful. We were able to people-watch while we ate which was entertaining lol. We ordered the fried cheddar chunks, a pizza, vegan chili, caesar salad, and an american burger. Everyone was very happy with what they ordered! The service was amazing, it was pretty busy and our waitress was still very attentive and checked on us often. They definitely have something for everyone, I’m vegetarian and they have a pretty big selection which is rare!

Nice area with outdoor seating near a stream. The food was good. I had a personal pizza, and it was a decent meal, not top 10 but good. Service was busy so they were doing their best. The atmosphere was nice, I mean it's estes and there was a small river running next to the seating. I would say it's a good stop for a lunch while enjoying the town.

real great staff, got my family in right before closing and were really patient with us as my family got there late. However the pizza wasn’t that great. Crust wasn’t really cooked through all the way, and pizza was loaded with a bit too much cheese for my liking. And this was on a large $40 pizza mind you- a steep price tag. not great, not awful.

Fantastic service and equally tasty pizza. I was really impressed – we had a party of 20 people and they were able to see us all for lunch right away. They did not make us feel unwelcome, even though we were a large group and the service was fast and attentive. They kept our glasses filled, and they did a really nice job. The food was just what we wanted. This is a beautiful restaurant location right along the river and it has an incredible outdoor patio, which I would highly recommend if you can sit out there. Five stars!

I love the barbecue sauce it was so good. It made me want to ask if they sell it. If you’re a Italian meat fan, the Straziante is very good. The crust is definitely for people who like a crunch.

The food was okay, but not my favorite place to get pizza in Estes because they put the pepperoni under the cheese instead of on top. The service here is fabulous though, and it’s a great, easy to access location.

Friendly welcome and attentive service. A varied menu from which we could have chosen many items but we opted for individual pizzas. Pizzas were perfect size for us, and very tasty.

Lovely little place and if you are looking for a huge amount of draft beer, this is the place! They even have cider on tap. Everything you can imagine. A must stop in Estes. The rusty nail imperial stout is fantastic and their current pumpkin cider is great too.

We love the Barrel! It’s been a regular spot for us since it opened 10 years ago at its previous location. We always bring our visitors here. We love the beer, cider, and cocktail selection. They have a great outdoor beer garden space and a cozy indoor area for the winter. Although they don’t have a kitchen, they feature a regular rotation of food trucks, which we’ve always enjoyed. We’ve even brought food from a nearby restaurant when no food truck was available. Although we don’t have a dog, we appreciate that they’re dog-friendly and often strike up conversations with dog owners. We’ve always had great service, especially from Lou and Nick, as well as several others whose names we haven’t yet learned. Ingrid is always welcoming. The Barrel is definitely an iconic spot in Estes.

Food was great, highly recommend the brussel sprouts if you like hot honey, great burnt level to them. Beer selection is stellar. Bartender even made me a legit German Radler (75% German Dunkel and 25% lemonade), amazing. The one annoyance is the beer selection screens. There is a 10 second timer between the two screens (I clocked it) and the two screens had 16 and 19 beers on them. It made it very difficult to actually see what's on them. I wasn't the only one complaining, as multiple people asked for a beer menu because they couldn't read the screen. Seriously considering doubling that time to actually make the screens useful.

We hosted our rehearsal dinner and welcome party for our wedding at the Barrel in August, and we were very happy with the overall experience. We were able to have a private space for our immediate family and wedding party that was the perfect size. The cost to book was also very reasonable as the main requirement beyond the rental fee was a bar tab that extended past our dinner and into the welcome party as we expanded the event for the second half of it. While we did not have any issues, the planning with the venue was a little bit loose and sometimes were a little difficult to get ahold of, we also were not given the name of the event planner until just a couple weeks prior to the event. But even with those things in mind everything went smoothly, the venue was flexible for allowing us to set up the space early, and ultimately The Barrel was a great place to host everyone! We had a perfect night to spend outside on their huge patio (which was amazing as it definitely got pretty warm inside) with all of our friends, and will surely be back on our next visit to town.

What a fab bar. Bar staff were very friendly and extremely helpful. It was that good we stayed for a couple of drinks. Would have stayed longer but experience ruined by a party of 7 adults, that couldn't control their 4 unruly kids shouting, banging chairs and running about!

We planned our wedding reception at the barrel and everything was perfect! The owner was very helpful as we planned our special day, worked with us to set up decor and the staff was incredible. Plus… delicious drinks. Thanks for everything!

The Barrel is bigger and more beautiful than ever. We love to see a good tap list and gorgeous planters!! Flights are available for the beer lovers and there are also listed cocktails, bloody mary’s (pickled green beans-unreal), a great whiskey selection, seriously whatever you could want to order. There’s usually a food truck on premise/bring your own food. Ingrid & Lou are wonderful owners and it’s always a pleasure to see them. Highly recommend.

My family and I were visiting Estes Park and came here after a day of hiking. The front staff and our waitress were very wonderful! The service was great. The atmosphere of the restaurant was a little off. We were expecting a little bit of a higher class steakhouse, but we got more of a Texas Roadhouse atmosphere. There was a live band playing, which we thought was little strange for a steakhouse. We were seated away from the band so it did not bother us. The drinks were great, there was mojitos and espresso martinis at the table, everyone enjoyed their drink! The food was overall good! Everyone at my table enjoyed their food. The only complaints I had were that my plate felt a little bit crowded and my food was all on top of each other rather than being nicely presented. I ordered the prime rib, medium rare, it felt a little dry, but overall it was still tasty!

My husband and I went here for our anniversary dinner. The owner and the staff were very attentive and the food was very good. They had a classic guitar player, which added to the ambiance. The prices are somewhat high, but that seems to be the norm around here. The lamb was great, but next time, I would go for medium in lieu of medium rare, my usual go-to. I highly recommend this place, and it was a fabulous start to a wonderful vacation here.

We celebrated my husband’s birthday with a stunning panoramic view, warm live music, and excellent service. The elk kabobs, filet mignon, French onion soup, baked brie, salad with lump crab meat and cheesecake were standout all excellent. Friendly staff, a dessert discount, and a surprise drink treat from a fellow guest made it feel like magic. So glad we chose Twin Owls—every detail made us feel special.

Best Brussels sprouts we have ever had - great views (they will accommodate you if you ask for a window view. The best time for a window view is 5 PM.) - fast service - bison filet was awesome; sweeter than beef filet - excellent bacon wrapped scallops!!

As a well-traveled global foodie, I can confidently say Twin Owls (named after the rock formation in Lumpy Ridge that's a local favorite climbing spot, see attached pic) is everything you’d hope for in a top-tier steakhouse... and then some. Nestled in the heart of Estes Park with a breathtaking mountain backdrop, the experience here is nothing short of unforgettable. Our family of five (3 teens, 2 adults) shared bites from each other’s plates (because it all sounded so good), and I genuinely couldn’t choose a favorite between the beef, bison, or elk ribeye. Each was unique, but all were absolute perfection - carne at its finest. The appetizers were equally impressive, and dessert? A homemade apple pie that felt like it was made just for us - crafted with care by Thad, the incredibly warm, gracious, and unofficial Estes historian/Twin Owls owner. The staff were among the best around with everyone adding their unique story of how they came to Estes and more importantly what has kept them there. Without being a spoiler, suffice it to say even though the food was well-worth our trip to Estes, it was the people who lived and worked there, the Twin Owls family, were the reason we not only stayed but felt connected as extended family even after only one visit. If I could, I would bring my kids back for every birthday, graduation, holiday, on our calendar (sadly, we live out of state). It's that kind of place where you want to make every special occasion better by sharing this experience with the ones you love. If you’re lucky enough to dine at Twin Owls, prepare for more than just a meal. It’s an experience that will stay with you way longer than after the last bite. Trust me, I'm drooling just recalling our night!

My partner and I had the best experience at Twin Owls tonight. From the live acoustic guitarist to the tender elk appetizer, everything was exquisite. To start, we were sat at a table by the window where the view was simply spectacular. Our server, Aubrey, was very informative, helpful and attentive. The drinks were great and courses were spaced out nicely. The entrees were exceptional- especially the steak. From the muscular, mustached host to the kind bartender, everyone made us feel very welcome and comfortable. Overall a top-notch establishment and we will certainly be back.

We had reservations...I feel that's important to start out with. Sometimes you can 'walk in' to a nice restaurant/steak house; and other times you're going to be disappointed if you don't plan ahead. We were early and were seated (and by a window = breathtaking view of the surrounding area). The server did not rush us at all, even though we were early. He let us enjoy our drinks and set a leisurely pace for us. Drinks, appetizers, salads, bread service, our meal and desert...absolutely no rush, even with a busy dining room. Old fashions and a raspberry mojito were super tasty. Elk kababs couldn't have been done better (and elk can be finicky to prepare). Salad was of a shareable size, and two of us definitely shared. Bison filet cooked to perfection...if you're a seafood lover, add the lump crab - you won't be disappointed! Finished off with carrot cake and 4 forks. Great meal and excellent service to finish off our wedding weekend!