Total Drive Time: 2 hours, 30 minutes
Boulder is just an hour from Rocky Mountain National Park, one of the nation’s most majestic parklands. Follow Hwy. 36 north toward the town of Lyons, worth a stop for its cute cafes, shops and the original Oskar Blues Grill and Brew.
Continue on to Estes Park, a charming tourist destination with a bustling downtown lined with fudge and ice cream parlors, souvenir shops and spectacular views.
You’re now just minutes from Rocky Mountain National Park, with its crystalline lakes, fragrant ponderosa pine forests and sprawling meadows.
Hike, picnic, drive Trail Ridge Road, spot wildlife and enjoy the spectacular terrain. If you plan on camping, you’ll need reservations, and please be aware dogs are not permitted in the park.
