From local lagers to golden aspens — your autumn guide is here.
This Week’s Top 5 Picks:
Brew, Brats & Mountain Views: Oktoberfest Vibes in Estes
Rock Cut Brewing Co.
Where to Sip, Snack & Celebrate the Season
Fall beer season is still going strong in Estes Park! While there’s no formal Oktoberfest festival in town this week, local breweries are celebrating in style with small-batch pours and seasonal snacks.
🍻 Here’s where to go:
Rock Cut Brewing Co. – Try their limited-edition Märzen lager or their beloved Elk IPA
Lumpy Ridge Brewing – Outdoor beer garden + live music on select nights
Avant Garde Aleworks – Known for creative twists like pumpkin ales and cider blends
🔥 Food Pairings: Many spots feature pop-up food trucks with bratwursts, pretzels, and warm bites.
📅 Best Days to Visit: Weekdays are quieter. Friday & Saturday evenings get lively with locals and visitors alike.
😂 Trail-Notes Riddle
What can travel around the world while staying in the same corner?
(scroll to the bottom for the answer 👇)
Where to Stargaze in Estes This Week: Best Night Skies—No Telescope Required
Lily Lake
October is one of the clearest months for stargazing in the mountains—crisp air, dry skies, and minimal light pollution make for perfect celestial shows.
🌠 Top Spots:
Moraine Park (RMNP) – Wide open sky views, elk bugles in the distance
Lily Lake – Just outside town, peaceful and less crowded
Upper Beaver Meadows – Ideal for catching shooting stars and satellites
📲 Download an app like SkyView or Night Sky to help identify constellations on your phone.
💡 Bonus: Bring a blanket and thermos—temps drop quickly after sunset.
Last of the Fall Colors: Still Worth the Trip? The Final Show of Gold in Estes Park
Believe it or not—there are still patches of color left in and around Estes Park, though higher elevations peaked in late September.
🍂 Where to Find It:
Lower elevations (8,000–9,000 ft): Cottonwoods still have color
Lake Estes Trail: Scattered yellows still glow at golden hour
Estes Valley Loop Drive (via Fish Creek Rd): Best color in town now
Trail Conditions Update
🛑 Old Fall River Road: Closed for the Season
Old Fall River Road is now officially closed for the 2025 season. It will reopen next summer once conditions are safe and trail crews have cleared snow and debris.
🌨️ Trail Ridge Road: Open... for Now
Trail Ridge Road remains open between storms, but closures can happen at any time due to snow or ice. It will reopen as soon as it's safe to travel again.
📞 For the latest status, call the Trail Ridge Road Hotline: 970-586-1222
📲 Or visit the RMNP Road Status Page
Local Gift Shops That Smell Like Autumn: From Pumpkin Spice to Campfire Candles—Shop the Scent of the Season
Estes Park’s downtown boutiques are fully stocked with cabin-inspired scents and cozy fall décor. Whether you’re freshening up your rental or heading home with a souvenir, here’s where to go:
🛍️ Top Stops This Week:
Mountain Air Mercantile – Candles, aspen-leaf mugs, and mountain-themed gifts
Trendz at the Park – Cozy flannels, home accents, and fall-themed kitchenware
The Bear Necessities – Western décor and handmade goods
🍂 What’s Hot:
Campfire + pine scented soy candles
Pumpkin spice soaps
Locally made wool throws & blankets
How to Dress for Fall Hikes in Estes: Avoid Freezing at 9 AM & Overheating by Noon
Fall hiking in Estes means cold mornings, warm afternoons, and weather that can change in a flash.
🧭 Layering Guide for the Trail:
Base Layer: Moisture-wicking (merino or poly)
Mid Layer: Insulating fleece or down vest
Outer Shell: Lightweight windbreaker or waterproof shell
Extras: Gloves, beanie, and sunglasses (yes—even in fall)
🎒 Pro Tip: Always carry an extra layer and a snack. Even short hikes can turn into longer adventures when elk are blocking the trail!
📸 Featured Photo of the Week
Riverwalk, Golden Reflections – Captured in Downtown Estes Park
Captured by: Cindy Roper
This week’s featured photo comes to us from the Riverwalk in downtown Estes Park, where golden cottonwoods line the riverbank and morning light dances on the water. The calm reflection, quiet path, and vibrant color remind us that fall in Estes isn’t just something you see—it’s something you feel.
Location: Riverwalk, Downtown Estes Park
Conditions: Peak fall color, calm skies, and sunrise glow
Photographer: Cindy Roper
Thank you, Cindy, for sharing this beautiful 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 17 at 5 PM MT
📧 Email us: [email protected]
📱 Message us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EstesParkResortGuide
💡 Trail Notes Pro Tip of the Week:
“The early hiker gets the elk.”
If you're hoping to catch elk at their most active, hit the trails before 7:30 AM. It’s quieter, the light is golden, and the wildlife is moving.
Make the most of your early start:
Pick quiet edges: Meadows near timber lines and creek corridors are best (think Moraine Park overlooks and pull-outs).
Give space: Stay at least 75 yards from elk; more for bulls. If they change behavior because of you, you’re too close.
Use pull-outs, not the road: Park legally and stay off vegetation. Never block traffic for a photo.
Go long, not close: Bring a 300mm+ lens or use phone zoom. Great photos come from patience, not distance-breaking.
Move like a whisper: Soft steps, low voices, no music. Let the morning sound like morning.
Mind the wind: Approach with the wind in your face so your scent doesn’t blow into the herd.
Layer up: Mornings can be cold and breezy—pack a warm layer, hat, and light gloves.
Red light = friend: A red-light headlamp keeps your night vision and is less disruptive than bright white beams.
Plan B ready: If elk aren’t there, enjoy sunrise reflections at a nearby pull-out or lake. The mountains always deliver something.
Riddle Answer:
A stamp.