Your insider’s guide to the best of Estes Park—brought to you by the Estes Park Resort Guide.
Pumpkins, ghosts, fall treats, and a touch of mystery—this is your Halloween headquarters in the Rockies.
🌟 Feature of the Week: Elk Are Still Everywhere
The Rut Winds Down, But the Elk Are Still Roaming
The fall rut may be fading, but the elk haven’t gone anywhere. In fact, they’re often more visible this time of year as they move into lower elevations in search of food and quiet space.
📍 Best Places to Spot Elk Right Now:
Horseshoe Park – Still a favorite grazing area
Lake Estes Trail – Morning and evening sightings along the water
Estes Park Golf Course – They’re not shy about taking over the greens
Upper Beaver Meadows – Especially at dusk, often with fewer people
✅ Elk Viewing Etiquette Reminder:
Stay at least 75–150 feet away
Never approach, call, or try to get a selfie
Observe quietly—the calmer you are, the better the sighting
Keep dogs leashed and well away from elk zones
Use zoom lenses or binoculars, not your feet
Watching elk in their natural rhythm is one of Estes Park’s greatest gifts. Just remember—they’re wild, not tame. Give them the space they deserve.
📰 This Week’s Top 5 Picks
🎃 1. Halloween Events for All Ages
🎃 What’s Happening:
Downtown Treat Trail (Oct 30, 5–7 PM) – Candy stations, costumed merchants, and live music
Halloween Hike at Hermit Park – Self-guided twilight hike with family-friendly surprises
Pumpkin Decorating at the Library – Crafts for little ones all week long
Spooky Stories at Bond Park – Campfire-style storytelling on Oct 29
🕸️ Bring layers, a flashlight, and a reusable candy bag!
🧩 Trail Notes Riddle of the Week
Q: I have a spine, but no bones. I can hold knowledge, but I have no brain. What am I?
(scroll to the bottom for the answer 👇)
🍎 2. The Fall Treats Trail: Cider, Donuts & Fudge
You Need Pie!
The Taffy Shop
Who says you need a costume to indulge in something sweet? Estes Park’s bakeries and cafes are offering fall flavors that taste like comfort.
🍩 Must-Try Spots:
You Need Pie! – Warm apple cider donuts, pumpkin pie by the slice
Cinnamon’s Bakery – Gooey cinnamon rolls and pumpkin muffins
The Taffy Shop – Seasonal flavors like cinnamon apple and butter rum
Kind Coffee – Try their seasonal hot cider and locally made cookies
Tip: Go early—most of these fall goodies sell out by mid-afternoon!
🧙♀️ 3. Spooky Stanley: Haunted Hotel Tours
The Stanley Hotel has long been at the center of Estes Park’s ghost lore, but this week, the chills get extra real.
👻 What You’ll Find:
Historic Night Spirit Tours (daily, reservation required)
Creepy artifacts in the underground tunnels
Bartenders with haunted stories of their own
The elusive 4th-floor piano that sometimes plays... all by itself
Can’t get a tour? Pop in for a drink at the Whiskey Bar and soak in the atmosphere—it’s spooky enough just being there.
📷 4. Photo Guide: Fall’s Final Colors
We’re nearing the end of leaf season, but some golden hues are still holding on—especially in lower elevations and protected valleys.
🍂 Where to Catch the Last Glow:
Upper Beaver Meadows – Best at sunset, with elk often in view
Fish Creek Road Loop – Pockets of yellow and orange cottonwoods
Lake Estes Trail – Morning light still makes the trees shine
Don’t wait—one strong wind or snowstorm could sweep the colors away.
📸 Bring your zoom lens or smartphone and tag us at #TrailNotesEstes to be featured!
🏡 5. Planning a Last-Minute Stay This Halloween? Here's What to Know
Still looking for a place to stay after trick-or-treating or a late-night ghost tour? While Halloween weekend is one of the busier times in Estes Park, it’s not impossible to find an open room or cabin—especially if you know where (and when) to look.
🛏️ Tips for Finding a Spot This Week:
Check midweek and Sunday–Monday stays — Most weekend bookings fill fast, but shoulder-night stays often have last-minute openings.
Search smaller inns and family-run cabins — They may not be on big booking platforms but sometimes have availability if you call directly.
Expand your map radius — Look just outside Estes Park toward Drake, Glen Haven, or Allenspark for hidden gems.
Call to ask about cancellations — This time of year, plans change. A quick call could land you a last-minute stay.
Prioritize your must-haves — Hot tub? Fireplace? Pet-friendly? Search with flexibility in mind.
📍 Not sure where to start?
Try checking platforms like:
Airbnb or VRBO
Expedia or Booking.com
Or call Estes Park lodging directly through the Estes Valley Chamber of Commerce directory
🍂 While Estes can get cozy with visitors during Halloween weekend, the quieter edges of the season are just around the corner. If you don’t find a spot this weekend, consider planning a peaceful mid-November escape—there’s still plenty of fall left to enjoy.
📸 Featured Photo of the Week
Golden Fade at Moraine Park – Captured by Victoria Jackson
Captured by: Victoria Jackson
This week’s featured photo captures the stunning last act of fall in Moraine Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, where the aspens glow in brilliant bands of yellow and orange before winter’s hush takes over.
Set against a backdrop of evergreens and granite ridges, this image reminds us that autumn in Estes doesn’t leave quietly—it blazes out in full color.
📍 Location: Moraine Park, RMNP
🍂 Conditions: Clear skies, crisp air, peak fall color fading into winter tones
🎞️ Photographer: Victoria Jackson
Thank you, Victoria, for sharing this beautifully quiet and vibrant moment with the Trail Notes community.
📸 Community Call-Out: Share Your Fall Photos!
Do you have an amazing shot of fall in Estes Park?
🍁 A golden aspen trail?
🦌 A perfectly timed elk photo?
🎃 A festival moment you captured?
Send it our way! We’ll pick one reader-submitted photo to feature in next week’s Trail Notes Newsletter, along with your name and photo credit.
📧 Submit your photo using this link: Estes Park Resort Guide – Photo & Video Submission Form
📅 Deadline: Friday, October 31 at 5 PM MT
📧 Email us: [email protected]
📱 Message us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EstesParkResortGuide
💡 Trail Notes Pro Tip of the Week
“Costume + boots = best of both worlds.”
Halloween in Estes Park means chilly nights, crisp mountain air, and festive energy everywhere you turn. Whether you're heading out for the Downtown Treat Trail, a haunted hotel tour, or just strolling the Riverwalk in costume, one thing’s for sure—cold toes ruin the fun.
This time of year, temperatures can dip into the 30s after dark, especially with a breeze coming down from the peaks. That fairy costume or pirate outfit? It’s going to need layers, thermal tights, or a jacket you won’t hate in photos.
🧤 Pro Costume Tips from the Locals:
Insulated boots work great under long costumes or cloaks
Choose accessories you can layer, like scarves, hats, or capes
Bring a small flashlight or headlamp if you're out after dark
Hand warmers in your pockets? Total game changer
If you’re trick-or-treating with little ones, dress them warmer than you think
Halloween in the Rockies is a vibe—and when you dress for the weather and the occasion, you get to enjoy every chilly, spooky, pumpkin-scented moment.
Stay warm, stay festive, and stay outside just a little longer.
This is the final stretch of fall in Estes Park.
The last of the leaves are clinging to the branches. The elk are quieter now, but still watching from the fields. The air has turned crisp in the mornings, and shop windows glow a little warmer at night.
It’s a season of transitions—where summer’s crowds are gone, but winter’s still waiting in the wings. The in-between time. The golden hour of the year.
This week, you might find yourself sipping cider by the river, walking past jack-o’-lanterns downtown, or quietly watching an elk move through a clearing at dusk.
It’s a reminder that some of the best moments happen not during the big events, but in the quiet that follows. Estes Park is slower now—and somehow, that makes it even more magical.
The leaves may fall, the winds may shift, but the mountains remain—steady, beautiful, and full of stories.
✅ Riddle Answer:
A book.