Rocky Mountain National Park Guided Small Group Tour
- 8 hours
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- Guided in English
- Instant confirmation
Highlights
Explore towering alpine peaks, high-elevation tundra, abundant wildlife, and Colorado’s most celebrated national park—all in one expertly guided day. Begin in Boulder, framed by the iconic Flatirons, before traveling through the foothills to Estes Park, the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park. Enjoy a stop at the historic Stanley Hotel before continuing into the park, where alpine forests and lakes, summer wildflowers, golden aspens in fall, and abundant wildlife create an ever-changing landscape. Watch for elk, mule deer, bighorn sheep, moose, marmots, and other native species along the way. Your professional guide brings the scenery to life with engaging stories about the park’s history, geology, flora, and fauna. From scenic overlooks and alpine valleys to the heights of Trail Ridge Road, (in the winter, sections of road are closed, and we make alternative stops) experience sweeping Continental Divide views and dramatic alpine scenery before returning through the foothills.
Inclusions
What's included
- Bottled water
- Small Group Transportation 15 Passenger Van
- National Park Entrance Fee (Foreign Visitor of $100 Not Included)
- Professional Driver/Guide
- Picnic lunch, sandwich, salad or other with chips
What's not
- Gratuities (15%-18% recommended)
- $100 Non US Citizen Entrance Fee - At the discretion of the National Park Service to check IDs (they haven't made a practice with tour operators)
Itinerary
The Flatirons are rock formations near Boulder, Colorado, consisting of flatirons. There are five large, numbered Flatirons ranging from north to south along the east slope of Green Mountain.
Boulder is a city at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. To the west, the trail-lined Flatirons are craggy rock formations overlooking the city. The University of Colorado Boulder campus is home to the Fiske Planetarium and the Museum of Natural History, with zoology and anthropology exhibits.
Hidden in the gently rolling foothills of Colorado is the small town of Lyons an under-the-radar adventure destination and the unofficial “Double Gateway to the Rockies.” For decades, thousands of people have passed through the small town en route to the eastern entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park, which can be accessed via two scenic 30-minute routes that begin in Lyons.
Built directly into a massive granite boulder, officially St. Catherine of Siena Chapel is one of Colorado’s most distinctive small landmarks, combining nearly a century of history with a setting that draws visitors of all faiths passing through on their way to Rocky Mountain National Park.
Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the country's most visited parks. Inside the Park, 110 peaks reach as high as 11,000 feet in altitude, including the celebrated Longs Peak, which boasts a height of 14,260 feet. The beautiful scenery in this area can be viewed by car or on foot. If you are a wildlife enthusiast, you can also anticipate seeing a broad range of birds and animals in their natural habitat, as well as other unforgettable sites.
Trail Ridge Road is the most popular route among tourists and interestingly, filled with scenic stops in the Park. i
The Fall River Visitor Center offers one of the largest retail spaces in Rocky Mountain National Park, with an extensive selection of souvenirs, gifts, apparel, and locally inspired merchandise. Inside, you’ll also find engaging exhibits that highlight the park’s geology, wildlife, and high-alpine ecosystems—making it both a shopping destination and an educational stop.
Estes Park is a town in northern Colorado. It’s known as a base for the Rocky Mountain National Park, home to wildlife including elk and bears, plus miles of trails.
Stanley Hotel, famous for its inspiration of the book and movie “The Shining. Some time in 1974, horror writer Stephen King and his wife Tabitha spent one night at the Stanley Hotel. At the time, King was struggling with Darkshine as the working title of his latest project.
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Reviews
4.9
- 5463
- 418
- 36
- 21
- 11
Ratings come from 489 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.
Showing reviews written in English.
5Beautiful Day in the Rockies
We had a great trip into the Rockies! Our guide was knowledgeable, friendly and flexible!
5Rocky Mountain High Light
Very knowledgeable tour guide David Was very into making the group happy Learned and saw a lot Great included lunch
5Fun trip with a picnic...
Fun trip with a picnic lunch. Our guide Robert was great; gave us some park history and pulled over to let us view the wildlife and scenic viewpoints along the way. We went to the top; 12,000ft! The van we traveled in was roomy and comfortable. Bring a jacket; temp at the start was 80F degrees; it was 35F degrees at the top!
5RMNP tour
The admission fee was reasonable, given the convenient pick-up and spots we were taken to. The hours we spent were just ok for me, for a day trip. The crowd size of twelve is just fine to feel not lonely, or overwhelmed. It's best for adventurous people, who have never hiked before, want to start somewhere, it includes a very beginner friendly flat hike. The elevation might bother some people anyway. Our guide Robert kept us entertained throughout the trip, shared his knowledge about Colorado, RMNP, and related stuff. The pick up time was a bit confusing at first, when we called, they helped us right away. The best part is we did not have to worry about anything, like timed entry pass, or lunch (provided). Overall, it was a great experience.
5I highly recommend this tour!
So worth it to leave the driving to someone else while exploring some of the park. Clean, high top van with huge windows. Eric of Explorer Tours was a terrific guide. He was very knowledgeable and personable. We learned a great deal. We saw elk, mule deer, a pica, and wild turkeys, to name just a few. The scenery was breathtaking. As an added bonus, the aspens were changing colors. Lunch was delicious. We really enjoyed this tour.
5Amazing Rocky Mountain Tour with Robert!
Robert is an excellent driver and shared so many interesting stories about the places we visited. His explanations helped us gain a much deeper understanding of Rocky Mountain National Park than we would have if we had driven ourselves. He took us to many amazing spots with absolutely beautiful views. It was a fantastic experience, and we really enjoyed the trip!
Know before you go
- Meeting point
- The meeting point is in front of Lucky’s Bakehouse (NOT the market). Please arrive by 9:35 AM; pickup is 9:40–9:50 AM. TEXT 720-556-6164 at least 48 hours prior to confirm Boulder pickup. If we don't confirm, don't assume it's noted. If you're not there by 9:35 AM, we will NOT WAIT.
- Pickup
- Everyone meets at the starting point; there is no pickup.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Group size
- Up to 14 travellers
- Operated by
- Explorer Tours
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- **LUNCH INCLUDED** - This tour comes with a choice of a Turkey + Swiss, Turkey + Pepper Jack, Roast Beef + Provolone, Turkey & Roast Beef (no cheese), Tuna Salad, Gluten-Free Salad, Gluten-Free Bar and Fruit. Please send us a message via Viator/Tripadvisor with your lunch preference for all travelers in your group otherwise if we don't hear from you, a turkey sandwich will be provided.
- **MEETING LOCATION** - Colorado Convention Center, in front of Blue Bear sculpture
- Guests Ages 8+ No children under 8 unless it has been authorized by tour operator.
- Subject to weather conditions. If canceled due to weather conditions, an alternative date or full refund will be offered.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
How it compares in Denver
- Its from-price is 20% below the median of the 52 day trips we list in Denver.
- Its length is typical for the group.
- By number of reviews it ranks 10 of 52.
- The operator lists free cancellation on it.
About Denver
Denver, the Mile High City, is Colorado's capital on the plains at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, with museums, breweries and the Red Rocks amphitheatre.
Denver stands one mile above sea level on the high plains, with the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains filling the western horizon. It began as a gold-rush town in 1858 and grew with railways and mining. Union Station, a restored rail hall, anchors the lower downtown, and the Colorado State Capitol has a step on its west side marked as one mile above sea level.
Top-ranked sights in Denver: Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre, Larimer Square, Dairy Block.
Special offers in Denver
Was/now prices come from the operator, never from us.
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