Estes Park - Adventures with Toddlers
Estes Park, Colorado, is a picturesque mountain town perfect for families traveling with toddlers. Whether you’re seeking outdoor exploration or cozy indoor fun, there are countless activities to keep little ones entertained while parents soak in the stunning views of the Rockies. Here’s how we spent a memorable family trip to Estes Park with our toddlers.
Estes Park Riverwalk
We kicked off our adventure at Estes Park Riverwalk, a serene spot that’s perfect for families. The paved pathways are stroller-friendly, and our kids loved stopping by the Estes Park Playground to burn off some energy. The playground is spacious and well-maintained with plenty of slides, swings, and climbing structures for toddlers to explore. Along the river, there are lots of places to stop and enjoy, including a sensory garden, musical instruments, and areas where you can get your feet wet in the water. We made sure to visit the charming Christmas Shoppe nearby, which was magical for the whole family – a great spot to pick up ornaments or souvenirs.
Mama Rose’s Restaurant
After exploring the Riverwalk, we dined at Mama Rose’s Restaurant. The cozy atmosphere and delicious Italian cuisine made it a hit for everyone. The kids enjoyed their pasta while we appreciated the scenic view of the river from the patio seating. It’s a family-friendly dining spot you won’t want to miss but make sure you make a reservation or arrive early, particularly for patio seating.
Fun City
For a bit more excitement, we visited Fun City, a great spot for family entertainment. It was perfect for our big toddler, who absolutely loved the big slides, bumper boats, and go-karts. While some attractions were better suited for older kids, she had a absolute blast!
Estes Valley Community Center
On a cooler day, head indoors to the Estes Valley Community Center. With its warm indoor pool and splash pad, it’s a hit for water-loving toddlers. There’s also a great play area and lots of space for young kids to roam, making it a wonderful rainy-day option.
Stanley Park
For more outdoor fun, we stopped by Stanley Park, which features an expansive playground with great mountain views, a skate park, a small zip line, and a bike park—perfect for bringing a strider bike. There are also picnic tables and pavilions, nice bathrooms, and trails. However, there’s no shade, so be prepared with sunscreen and hats. It’s a fantastic spot for families to spend a few hours.
Rocky Mountain National Park Highlights
Beaver Meadows Visitor Center
To get acquainted with Rocky Mountain National Park, we stopped by the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center. The interactive displays and kid-friendly exhibits helped our toddlers connect with nature. Don’t forget your passport books to get them stamped—it’s a fun keepsake! If you’re new to using passport books, refer to our tips for guidance. The rangers were fantastic, sharing tips on toddler-friendly trails and offering Junior Ranger booklets to engage our little explorers.
Trail Ridge Road
One of the highlights of our trip was driving along Trail Ridge Road, the highest continuous paved road in the U.S. Timed entry reservations are required at Rocky Mountain National Park, so be sure to plan ahead. It was so fun to throw snowballs at the highest elevation in June with the toddlers! There are lots of stops and short hikes along the way—we particularly enjoyed Rock Cut and the Lava Cliffs Overlook. We didn’t complete the entire Trail Ridge Road and turned around at the Alpine Visitor Center, as our toddlers were ready to be out of the car for good. Despite this, the breathtaking views and wildlife sightings made it a memorable adventure.
Sprague Lake
Sprague Lake offered an easy, stroller-friendly trail that’s ideal for families with toddlers. Timed entry plus Bear Lake reservations are required, so be sure to secure those in advance. Despite a super rainy hike, our toddlers had the most fun jumping in puddles along the way. The short loop around the lake provided stunning reflections of the surrounding peaks, and plenty of spots to sit back and enjoy.
Bear Lake
Another must-see is Bear Lake, one of the most iconic spots in Rocky Mountain National Park. Timed entry plus Bear Lake reservations are required to access this area, so plan accordingly. The paved trail around the lake is manageable for small children and offers postcard-perfect scenery. We brought along snacks and let the kids take their time exploring. Along the drive to Bear Lake there were many signs warning that there was no parking at the lake, but we didn’t have a problem securing a spot on arrival.
Alluvial Fan Trail
At Alluvial Fan Trail, the cascading waterfalls and large rocks to climb captivated us and our toddlers. As soon as we arrived at the waterfall, our toddler urgently needed to use the bathroom, which was a bit of a scramble back to the car. On this hike in particular, our son wasn’t happy in the carrier. Moments like these remind us to stay flexible and keep expectations low when adventuring with toddlers. Despite the hiccups, it was a short, enjoyable hike filled with natural wonders.
Estes Park was one of our favorite stops in 2024 and we highly recommend it even with toddlers.
Do you have any other favorites in this cute mountain town?
