Festival fun, elk bugles, and crisp mountain evenings—here’s your guide to making the most of early October in Estes

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW THIS WEEK!

Pumpkins & Pilsners Festival 2025

Fall in Estes Park means golden leaves, crisp mountain air, and one of our favorite autumn traditions—the Pumpkin & Pilsner Festival!

🗓️ When: Saturday, October 4
📍 Where: Bond Park, downtown Estes Park
🕐 Time: 11 AM – 6 PM
🎟️ Admission: Free!

What to Expect:
🍺 Local Craft Brews – Sample a variety of Colorado’s best pilsners, ales, and seasonal pours
🎶 Live Music – Enjoy the mountain air while listening to upbeat local bands
🎃 Pumpkin Patch – Pick your perfect pumpkin for carving or décor
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Kids’ Activities – Bounce houses, games, face painting, and more
🍔 Food Trucks & Local Eats – From chili to churros, there’s something for every craving

Set against the stunning backdrop of changing aspens and elk bugles in the distance, this is peak fall in Estes Park. Whether you’re here for the beer, the pumpkins, or just that mountain-town magic, you won’t want to miss it.

📚 Event Website – Pumpkins & Pilsners

The Rut Is On: Where to Watch Elk Safely in Estes

Elk Fest wraps up this weekend, but the rut season continues through October. That haunting bugle you hear at night? That’s a bull elk calling for a mate.

🦌 Top Elk Viewing Spots This Week:

  • Moraine Park (RMNP): Prime morning & evening action, and wide-open views

  • Estes Park Golf Course: Yes, they’ve taken over the fairways again!

  • Lake Estes Trail: A quiet morning loop = elk sightings plus sunrise magic

Viewing Tips:

  • Stay at least 75 feet away

  • Don’t imitate elk calls or approach for selfies

  • Early mornings or dusk offer the best chances to see herds in action

📚 NPS Elk Viewing Guide

😂 Trail-Notes Riddle

Q: Why don’t mountains ever get cold in the winter?

(scroll to the bottom for the answer 👇)

Estes After Dark: Haunted Walking Tours and Ghost Lore

Spooky season has arrived, and Estes Park is one of Colorado’s most haunted towns—thanks to its Wild West roots and, of course, the infamous Stanley Hotel.

👻 Top Haunted Experiences This Week:

  • Stanley Hotel Night Spirit Tour – Historical ghost stories, underground tunnels, and haunted rooms

  • Estes Park Ghost Tour (Downtown) – Family-friendly walking tour with local legends

  • Haunted Museum Tour (Estes Park Museum) – Featuring artifacts and town history dating back to the 1800s

💡 Pro Tip: Tours sell out fast in October—book now if you want a slot before Halloween!

Wine, Wood-Fired Pizza & Fire Pits: Fall Nights in Estes

Snowy Peaks Winery

The Barrel

Whether you're celebrating a special night or just need a fall getaway with your favorite person, Estes Park has mountain-date-night magic down to a science. This week’s best romantic stops:

💑 Top Spots for Fall Evenings:

  • Snowy Peaks Winery – Wine tastings, charcuterie, and cozy indoor seating

  • Bird & Jim – Elevated mountain dining with roasted squash and elk steak

  • The Barrel – Outdoor beer garden with fire pits and rotating food trucks

  • SEASONED – An American Bistro – Intimate atmosphere and seasonal cocktails

🌌 Bonus: After dinner, head to Lake Estes Trail for stargazing—or book a hot tub cabin and keep the night going.

Handmade in the Mountains: 3 Local Artists to Shop This Week

Looking for a truly local, handmade gift or souvenir? Estes Park’s artist scene shines in fall. 

Here are three local creators whose work reflects the natural beauty of the Rockies:

🖐️ Artists to Discover This Week:

  • Earthwood Artisans – Aspen-wood carvings, handcrafted pottery, and rustic home dĂŠcor

  • Mountain Blown Glass – Live glass-blowing demos and seasonal ornaments Image insert

  • The Studio Fine Art & Framing – Nature-inspired paintings and Colorado photography

These small businesses are stocked for the early holiday season and open daily through October.

📸 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 3 at 5 PM MT

📧 Email us: [email protected]
📱 Message us on Facebook: facebook.com/EstesParkResortGuide

Fall in Estes is something you feel—not just see. It's the crunch of leaves underfoot, the smell of pine in crisp morning air, and the way elk bugles echo off the mountains at sunrise.

Elk Fest may be winding down, but the season is just warming up. October brings a rhythm all its own: cider sips at the festival, haunted walks after dark, and golden trails just waiting for your boots.

So bring your camera, bring your curiosity, and breathe it in. Fall doesn’t last long up here—but while it’s here, it’s unforgettable.

"The mountains are calling—and this week, they brought beer and pumpkins."

Riddle Answer:

Because they wear snow caps! ❄️⛰️

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Š 2026 Estes Park Resort Guide Trail Notes Newsletter.
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