Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Rocky Mountain National Park

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. As the audio guides play commentary based on your gps location, you can create your own itinerary along the tour route(s) to match your interests and schedule. Or you can use our trip planners for our suggestions on half, full or multi day itineraries. Some of the many highlights are listed below;

   8 h

2. Most definitely the star of Rocky Mountain National Park, Trail Ridge Road is a scenic drive like no other in the country. Starting from either Estes Park or Grand Lake, the road climbs to heights above the treeline, topping at over 12,000 feet. There are many scenic overlooks along the way and the views to some of Colorado's most spectacular mountains is simply superb from this elevated vantage point. Not to be missed on any visit to Rocky Mountain National Park, driving the Trail Ridge Road is a must-do.

   Passes by

3. Charming mountain town that has managed to keep a small town feel, despite being the gateway for the popular Rocky Mountain National Park. You can still rub elbows with famous mountain explorers, or just enjoy the galleries, eating fudge or shopping for fresh fruit and vegetables at the summertime Farmers Market.

   1 h

4. The Bear Lake area is the starting point for many of the most popular and scenic hikes in the Park. It's a leisurely stroll to go around the lake and catch fantastic mountain peaks views in all directions. Keep watch for wildlife as you drive towards Bear Lake, especially elk, who love this area.

   30 min

5. The Many Parks Curve Overlook is one of the best turnouts in Rocky Mountain National Park. From the hairpin turn, pull into the carpark. The curved boardwalk has memorable views to various mountains including Longs Peak, at over 14,000 feet. The terrain we peer into from the view is the result of glaciers bulldozing their way through.

   20 min

6. You're high above the treeline in the alpine tundra here. Hike roughly 1 mile from the Tundra Communities Trailhead and you'll reach some really unique rock formations - the Mushroom Rocks. At 12,000+ feet you may feel you need to stop and take short rests to catch your breath. Some wildlife thrive in these conditions and you may see marmots basking on flat rocks and hear pikas squeaking warning calls.

   1 h

7. Before Trail Ridge Road was constructed, the original road that was built to allow visitors to drive into the high alpine was what we know as the Old Fall River Road. The road is unpaved, but very well maintained, and over 11 miles, climbs its way to the Alpine Visitor Centre at over 11,500 feet. It's a slow and memorable drive that is driven as a one-way journey - uphill!

   Passes by

8. Located along the Bear Lake Road, Sprague Lake offers an easy mostly flat, but busy, 0.8 mile loop trail. There are some boardwalks and bridges along the way. The setting is idyllic for this lake that was created by a pioneer who thought his guests might like to fish. Fingers crossed, you might see moose in the late afternoons.

   30 min

9. Famous for its inspiration as the Overlook Hotel in author Stephen King's horror novel "The Shining". Motoring buffs will have other interests to enter the hotel, there is a Stanley Steamer (steam powered car) on display. The hotel was constructed by wealthy industrialist and also conservationist, FO Stanley, who wanted the fledgling town to have a 1st-class hotel, to attract early wealthy travelers.

   30 min

10. Some people had to be tough in the old days. Imagine leaving home at age 14 for another country. Seeing your chosen profession in a brewery shutdown when prohibition came into law. Moving your wife and 5 young children to start anew in the Kawuneeche Valley, and eventually building and running a dude ranch with fishing, horseback riding and rodeos. The Holzwarth family were immigrants from Germany and hardy pioneers. Find out more at the historic site and from on-site staff.

    30 min

11. Nowhere else can you drive on paved roads to an elevation of 12,000 feet! The mountain top scenery is stunning of course, and the picture windows inside the Alpine Visitor Center provide an amazing oasis if the wind is blowing, or the temperature is dropping. Catch your breath and hike the 0.7 mile Alpine Ridge Trail, also known as Huffers Hill, that rises another 147 feet and provides 360 degree views.

    30 min

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Reviews

Ratings come from 90 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.

Know before you go

How it compares in Estes Park

• Its from-price is 86% below the median of the 81 experiences we list in Estes Park.
• It is longer than most of them.
• By number of reviews it ranks 13 of 81.
• The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Estes Park

Estes Park is a mountain town at the eastern gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, known for elk, alpine lakes and a historic hotel.

Estes Park lies at about 2,300 metres in a valley of the Colorado Rockies, along the Big Thompson River and beside Lake Estes. It is the main eastern entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. The town centre has timber-fronted shops, a riverwalk and the Stanley Hotel, a white Colonial Revival hotel on a hill that opened in 1909 and inspired Stephen King's novel The Shining.

Top-ranked sights in Estes Park: Downtown Estes Park.

See all 81 experiences in Estes Park