Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park Scenic Drive

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 and shops.

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. If you're visiting late May through mid-October, you'll need to reserve timed-entry spot for Rocky Mountain National Park in advance.

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.