There are a lot of reasons you have chosen to make a spring journey to Estes Park, but we bet that tops on your list is the stunning landscape that surrounds our mountain town, offering a variety of outdoor activities that will enhance your vacation experience. And because spring can be a little confused, some days it will feel like winter, others it will be balmy and pleasant, but no matter which season decides to rear its head during your visit, your stay in our Voyago Vacation Rentals seasonal sanctuaries will always be warm and welcoming. This guide to the best Estes Park outdoor activities you can enjoy in the spring will give you a sneak peek into a vacation that you will compare all others against from here on out!
Chasing Waterfalls
As winter tags out and spring steps up to the plate, the frozen tundra of Estes Park begins to come alive and the waterfalls in the area are perhaps where you will notice it first. The melting of snow and ice creates waterfalls that are especially dramatic this time of year, swollen and full, and as the frothy waters tumble over stones and ledges, the photos you take will be magical and worthy of framing. Mother’s Day hits in May, so maybe a family portrait taken in front of the waterfall would be a fantastic gift. And if you want to enjoy the jackpot of waterfalls, the Wildbasin Trailhead, located just a bit outside of Estes Park, offers the opportunity to see three falls in one hike and it is only about 5.4 miles long. Copeland Falls, Calypso Cascades and Ouzel Falls are the three that will steal your heart.
Explore Trail Ridge Road
Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuous paved road in the nation, crossing the Continental Divide and traversing Rocky Mountain National Park as it ascends to over 12,000 feet and serves many different purposes throughout the year. In the winter months, it is closed as a road, but is a very popular ski, snowshoe, and hiking trail as the snow blankets not just the road, but the entirety of the park. On April 1st, although it is still closed to cars, the road is plowed and turns into the number one item on a bicyclist’s bucket list, a biking trail that is second only to Mauna Loa for being the longest climb for bike riders. Taking bicyclists on the ride of their lives, the steep climb will also test your strength with muscles you probably didn’t know existed making their appearance known. Following a trail that was once used by the original settlers of this region, the Native Americans, there’s a joy that will be found in the views, in the crisp cold of the air (it will get colder the higher you climb) and being able to ride on the street without the distraction and fear of other cars.
Where the Babies Are
This next adventure is perhaps the sweetest of all, offering visitors the chance to see mama and baby wildlife meandering around the area, with Memorial Day Weekend being the optimum time to see most. Elk calves, mule deer fawns, big horn lambs, and if you are lucky, the sight of baby otters frolicking in and around the Colorado River on the west side of the park. The last set of babies promises to increase the cute factor of your Colorado spring vacation and if you can get pictures of them, it will also increase your cool factor with anyone who wasn’t able to come along for this trip of a lifetime. The best spots to see all the darling little babies may be in Moraine Park, Beaver Meadows, and Horseshoe Park; just be sure to use your telephoto lens and stay at least 75 feet away from protective mama elks, for your safety and theirs.
Dry Fly Fishing
Fishing is a popular spring activity in Estes Park, but there is one time of year, a very slim margin of time, in which anglers can toss a dry fly. This happens before the major snowmelt takes place and the hatches start to surface and if you haven’t tried it before and think you want to, Kirk’s Flyshop, 230 E Elkhorn Avenue offers gear rentals, fishing trips, and all the information needed for your first time or hundredth time of fly fishing.
Hot Tub at Sunset
Your favorite outdoor activities may be the ones you enjoy at home with Voyago Vacation Rentals, especially if one of those activities is sitting in a hot tub watching the sun set behind the Rocky Mountains. Reserve your favorite seasonal Estes Park vacation rental today and discover all the ways a spring journey to Estes Park will be one you will wish could go on forever!
