Early spring in Estes Park is a bit different than early spring in so many other parts of the country. The calendar tells us that yes, spring has sprung, but looking out the window tells a completely different story. The landscape is often blanketed in soft white snow even as the first green leaf buds are starting to appear on the trees. People still bundle up for nights that may feature temperatures that drop below freezing, but shed their layers as the sun rises with the temperatures later in the day.
Spring in Estes Park is an idyllic season for winter lovers, and because it is also the low tourist season, prices will be lower, the vibe will be quieter, and our Voyago Vacation Rentals seasonal sanctuaries will be warm, comfortable, and ready to provide a soft spot for you to land during your early spring getaway to our mountain town!
Your Bags Are Packed
The first thing you will want to do is pack your luggage with appropriately warm clothing, not forgetting waterproof boots and coat; you can always wear the boots and carry the coat on the plane to use as a pillow or blanket if you want to save room for souvenirs. March and April are very snowy months, so winter hats and gloves are also recommended. People who have never lived in the snow are always surprised at how bright it is, so sunglasses should be included as well.
If you think you might want to hike during your visit, (winter hikes are wonderful) you may want to invest in some micro spikes for your shoes, or plan on renting a pair of snowshoes during your stay. Daytime temps really will get up there, so dressing in layers and remembering to make sure the bottom layers are moisture wicking are the last two tips we have for our early spring guests.
Outdoor Adventures in the Crisp Cold Air
If you love winter like we do, of course you will want to play outside in the fresh air as often as possible, so now that we know you are appropriately dressed for winter weather, let’s explore some of the adventures you can experience in the early spring.
Ice Fishing in March
Although it is not recommended for April visits, it is still possible to get some ice fishing in during the month of March, just not in Lake Estes. It never gets cold enough for safe ice fishing, but Sprague Lake (located about 15 minutes outside of Estes Park) and Lake of Glass (located about 25 minutes outside of Estes Park) are both wonderful spots to drop your line. In addition to your pole, reel, line, and bait, you will also need to bring a hand auger and jigs, especially during your Lake of Glass fishing trip, as it is in Rocky Mountain National Park and only hand augers are allowed.
Snowshoeing Adventures
A good winter hike can be even more exciting when wearing snowshoes, and Sojourner Mountain Guides offers a variety of guided snowshoeing tours to help you get the hang of the sport and to give you a more comprehensive exploration of the area. They offer half-day trips that are three or four hours long, full-day trips ranging between six to eight hours, and multiday expeditions that can be fun if you want to invest all of that time into the adventure.
Frozen Dead Guy Festival, March 27 through 29, Various Locations in Estes Park
In case you need something to convince you to visit Estes Park in the early spring, read no further, as the Frozen Dead Guy Festival comes to town the last weekend in March! We like to say this is when winter gets weird, and as you watch (or participate in) coffin races, listen to live music, attend the Royal Blue Ball, and possibly join in the fun of a Polar Plunge, you may begin to realize that an early spring getaway to Estes Park was the best idea you have had this year. Beginning with the Coffin Race and ending with a Band and Bloody’s Brunch, this really strange festival is the only reason you need to start making your plans for an early spring in Estes Park.
Plan on Being So Comfortable you Never Want to Leave
You’ve chosen Voyago Vacation Rentals for your Estes Park seasonal sanctuary, so there is one last thing you can plan on: being so comfortable that you never want to leave! Offering retreats for large groups, small families, and any sized traveling group in between, your early spring getaway to Estes Park will be what dreams are made of. Reserve your favorite Colorado retreat today and discover that early spring is one of the best times to visit!
It may seem a little strange to be thinking about Spring Break when you can still hear the echoes of the big three holidays, but welcome to adulthood; time zooms by, and if you aren’t paying attention, it will be too late to do anything to celebrate! Now, under most circumstances, Spring Break is supposed to be about saying goodbye to winter and wishing our way towards summer, but here in Estes Park we celebrate the frosty season, feeling thankful that it lasts a little longer in Colorado than it does in most parts of the world. If you are of like mind and find yourself dreaming of a Spring Break getaway where the snow still falls and the fireplace in your Voyago Vacation Rentals wintry escape brings warmth, this guide to how to spend an Estes Park spring break will give you the opportunity to explore winter a little bit longer.
Pick Up a New Sport
March is our snowiest month (yay!), and when the snow is falling and the landscape is covered in fresh powder, we love to go for a walk or hike. We put on our warmest clothes, our snow goggles that are tinted because the sun will reflect brightly off all that white, and slip into our most stylish winter shoes—snowshoes, that is. Snowshoeing has been a popular way to walk on snow for thousands of years, but unless you live in a snowy spot, chances are you have never tried it before. Estes Park Mountain Shop, 2050 Big Thompson Avenue, is where we suggest you head for rental snowshoes, and if you are unsure about trying the sport out all by yourself, they also offer guided tours that will start with a little tutorial. Glide into a serene walk through the wilderness where the chance you will see some wildlife, including elk, moose, and fox, will be very strong, ending with a sense of awe over all you have just seen and a sense of accomplishment will make this Spring Break adventure one you will never forget.
Frozen Dead Guy Days, March 14-16
Frozen Dead Guy Days is a weird and wonderful festival that takes place on St. Patrick’s Day weekend, celebrating Grandpa Bredo, who is currently over 120 years old. The story of how he died, why he was frozen and living in a Tuff Shed in nearby Nederland, and why he moved to the Stanley’s old ice house is a fascinating one that will be told during your festival adventures. Offering coffin races, cold beers, hot bands, and a Frozen Dead Bar Crawl, this fun-derful event was tailor made for a Spring Break journey in Estes Park.
Fly Fishing, Big Thompson Canyon
Some of the best fishing can be done in March and April, making a spring fly fishing trip a very popular activity. The water is low and clear, the trout begin to surface, hungry after being under the ice for most of the winter, and eager to grab your line, making it almost impossible not to catch your limit. It is still cold in the spring months, so be sure and dress warm for this adventure. Kirk’s Fly Shop offers guided trips if you are looking for someone a little more experienced in the area to help out a little.
A Tour of Breweries
Beer and Spring Break go together like peanut butter and jelly and the breweries in Estes Park are destined to make Spring Break your favorite vacation of all. Avant Garde Aleworks (920 Dunraven Street), Estes Park Brewery (470 Prospect Village Drive), and Lumpy Ridge Brewing Co. (531 S St. Vrain Avenue) are a few of our favorites, but what if wine is more your beverage of choice? Don’t worry, we’ve got you with Snowy Peaks Winery, located at 292 Moraine Avenue. Oh, and don’t forget Elkins Distilling Co (137 E Elkhorn Avenue) and Full Throttle Distillery and Grill (231 Moraine Avenue) for those in a more spirited state of mind!
Estes Park Spring Break Trip with Voyago Vacation Rentals
After your tours, your outdoor adventures, and your festival shenanigans, coming home to Voyago will help end every day on a high note. Offering cabins, homes, and escapes in all the best parts of Estes Park, although there is no bad parts, to be perfectly honest, your comfortable adventures will spoil you to all other vacation rentals. Providing top amenities such as lake views, bubbling hot tubs, fireplaces, even heated bathroom floors, staying warm has never been so wonderful, and finding comfort has never been so cozy. A Spring Break in Colorado may not have been what you were first considering, but after your Estes Park experience, we doubt you will ever think of anything else. Reserve your favorite Estes Park rental today!