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Your insider’s guide to the best of Estes Park—brought to you by the Estes Park Resort Guide.
Snow is coming, candles are glowing, and Estes Park is showing off its winter charm—one cozy corner at a time.
🎄 Estes Park Tree Lighting & Catch the Glow Parade Recap
Even though the annual Catch the Glow Parade wrapped up in late November, its charm lingers. Storefronts are still glowing, garlands sway on the breeze, and downtown’s lampposts sparkle each evening.
This week, we’re highlighting the Tree Lighting Ceremony, now a staple of the season. If you missed the parade, the lights are still on — and the magic? It lasts all month.
📍 Where to See the Lights:
Bond Park (Downtown)
Elkhorn Avenue storefronts
Riverwalk bridges and tree canopies
🎁 Tip: Bring a thermos and stroll the Riverwalk after 5 PM for peaceful views and snowy reflections.
📰 This Week’s Top 5 Picks
❄️ 1. Snowshoeing for Beginners
Rocky Mountain National Park
First time in snowshoes? You’re not alone — and winter is the perfect season to try it.
Snowshoeing is one of the easiest, most beginner-friendly ways to explore Rocky Mountain National Park when the trails turn white.
No experience is needed, and when conditions allow, RMNP rangers offer free guided snowshoe tours, giving newcomers a safe and fun introduction to winter travel in the mountains.
These ranger-led walks move at a relaxed pace, with plenty of stops to learn about wildlife tracks, winter ecology, and how to stay comfortable in the cold. I
t’s a welcoming way to build confidence while taking in some of the park’s most peaceful winter scenery.
✅ Where to try it: Bear Lake (gentle, scenic loops), Hidden Valley (wide open terrain with great views), or Sprague Lake (perfect for first-timers and families).
🎒 Rentals: Grab snowshoes and poles from the Estes Park Mountain Shop — and while you’re there, ask their team for trail conditions and quick tips before you head out.
Whether you’re taking your very first steps on snow or looking for a low-stress winter adventure, this is one of the easiest ways to fall in love with Estes Park in winter.
🧩 Trail Notes Riddle of the Week
Q: I stand guard over the valley in winter’s hush, wearing a cloak of white and a crown of clouds — what am I?
(Scroll to the bottom for the answer 👇)
🥣 2. Winter Eats Worth the Drive
Bird & Jim
Notchtop Bakery
Estes is serving up serious comfort food right now — the kind that warms your hands, your mood, and your whole weekend.
From slow-simmered soups after a snowy hike to hearty mountain meals that feel like a cozy cabin on a plate, this is the season when local kitchens shine. Think rich chowders, sizzling skillets, fresh-baked bread, and desserts that taste even better when the temperature drops.
Whether you’re a local escaping the cold or a visitor making the climb just for the food, Estes Park’s winter menus are absolutely worth the trip.:
🍽️ Must-Try Winter Dishes:
Claire’s on the Park – Elk pot roast with root vegetables
Bird & Jim – Pheasant stew + rosemary biscuits
Notchtop Bakery – Turkey cranberry panini + creamy potato soup
🕯️ Tip: Make a reservation for dinner before 5 PM—sunset views are magic.
🧣 3. Holiday Markets & Local Gifts
Macdonald Book Shop
Skip the big-box chaos and support the makers who give Estes Park its charm.
This season’s festive markets and hometown shops are filled with handmade, heartfelt finds — perfect for gifting or keeping for yourself.
🛍️ Artisan Markets & Shops to Explore This Week:
Estes Valley Community Center – Holiday Craft Fair (Dec 9–10)
Wander aisles of local art, winter décor, jewelry, baked goods, and one-of-a-kind gifts you won’t find anywhere else.
Macdonald Book Shop
A historic, wood-scented haven packed with cozy mountain reads, local authors, and Colorado-made candles that smell like winter mornings.Mountain Blown Glass
Watch skilled artisans shape molten glass into ornaments, bowls, and holiday treasures — it’s part shopping, part live show.
🎁 Pro Tip: Bring a little cash. Some vendors and pop-up booths don’t take cards, especially at the craft fairs.
🎶 4. Winter Music in the Mountains
As winter settles into the Estes Park valley, the season’s soundtrack is beginning to echo through our favorite local spaces.
From intimate acoustic sets to classic carols drifting down Elkhorn Avenue, there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy the magic of music this month.
🎵 Local Performances
The Rock Inn Mountain Tavern - A staple for nightly live music, with performances from well-known local artists—expect folk, Americana, acoustic, and singer-songwriter sets throughout the week.
Barrel Sessions: Winter Acoustics - A beloved seasonal series returns with handcrafted brews and stripped-down acoustic sets. Expect rotating local artists, soft lighting, and an inviting winter vibe—ideal for winding down the week.
Carolers Downtown – Various evenings along Elkhorn Ave - Keep an ear out as traditional carolers stroll through downtown throughout December. Their harmonies bring a charming throwback feel to evening shopping and holiday strolls.
🎧 Bonus: Classic Holiday Films at the Historic Park Theatre: Every Friday night, the Historic Park Theatre transforms into a festive retreat with screenings of beloved holiday classics. It’s the perfect way to cap off a winter evening—complete with timeless stories, nostalgic music, and the theatre’s historic charm
📷 5. Where to Photograph Estes in December
The Knoll Willows
Snow-dusted mornings, long alpine shadows, and that unmistakable winter stillness—December turns Estes Park into a living snow globe.
For photographers, it’s one of the most magical months of the year.
📸 Photo-Worthy Spots This Week
The Knoll Willows – Frosted Meadows & Morning Elk: Before the sun fully crests the ridge, the Knoll Willows glow with icy grasses and soft pink light. Elk are often grazing at first light, offering quiet, respectful wildlife photo opportunities.
Lake Estes Trail – Mirror-Like Icy Reflections: Clear paths loop around brilliant winter views. On calm days, patches of thin ice create shimmering, abstract reflections—perfect for minimalist compositions and serene landscapes.
Sheep Lakes – Snowy Sunrises Over the Divide: If you’re chasing that classic winter sunrise, this is the spot. Fresh snow turns the valley into a natural reflector, bathing the peaks in warm alpenglow.
❄️ Winter Photography Tip: Trails can be slick, especially near water and shaded areas—bring microspikes or treaded boots to keep your footing steady while you focus on the shot.
📸 Featured Photo of the Week
Northern Lights Over Estes – Captured by Jane Bullock
Captured by: Jane Bullock
This week’s image brings us to the iconic Estes Park entrance sign, glowing softly beneath a crystal-clear night.
Above it, ribbons of magenta and violet northern lights sweep across the sky, dancing silently over the valley. The granite peaks fade into shadow, letting the aurora steal the show—casting the whole scene in quiet awe.
It’s rare. It’s surreal. And it’s unforgettable.
Moments like this remind us why we stop, look up, and let nature take over.
📍 Location: Estes Park Entrance Sign
🕯️ Conditions: Clear skies, aurora activity
📷 Photographer: Jane Bullock
Thank you, Jane, for capturing this once-in-a-lifetime glow and sharing it with the Trail Notes community.
🎵 A Little Note About My Music
If you’ve noticed original music in some of my recent posts — you're not imagining it.
Over the past year, I started writing and recording songs when I couldn’t find the right sound to match the mood of Estes Park. What began as a quiet creative outlet has turned into something unexpectedly meaningful.
Now, folks are asking where they can hear more… and believe it or not, about 10 songs a day are being downloaded.
So, I’ve made them available on Bandcamp for anyone who wants to listen, share, or support: 👉 estesparkresortguide.bandcamp.com
Thank you for the kind words and encouragement. It’s a gift to know these mountain-inspired songs are finding their way into your lives.
📸 Want to Be Featured in Trail Notes?
Do you have a special Estes Park moment?
❄️ A snow-covered porch?
☕ A fireside meal?
🌲 A quiet trail at dusk?
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, December 19 at 5 PM MT
📧 Email us: [email protected]
📱 Message us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EstesParkResortGuide
💡 Trail Notes Pro Tip of the Week
“Cold hands, warm spirit.”
Don’t let the thermometer scare you. Estes Park mornings in December may dip below 15°F—but that’s exactly when the magic shows up.
The air is crisp, the snow untouched. Sunrise hits the peaks like golden fire. Wildlife is more active. Trails are quieter. And the whole valley feels like it’s holding its breath in wonder.
If you want light like glass, photos without crowds, and a kind of peace you can’t fake—go early.
Pack hand warmers. Layer smart. Fill a thermos with something hot. Then get out there before 9 AM.
Yes, your fingers might tingle. But your soul? Your soul will thaw.
And you’ll carry that warmth the rest of the day.
Where Stillness Begins
The calendar may say winter is just beginning.
But here in Estes Park, we’ve been living it for weeks—and loving every quiet, snow-laced second.
These are the days of wool socks and wind-burned cheeks.
Of morning sun that turns fresh powder into scattered diamonds. Of crisp air, long shadows, and stillness that feels almost sacred.
It’s not just a change of season. It’s a shift in pace.
The world slows. Your senses sharpen. And suddenly, the simple things feel sacred again.
So let December do what it does best.
Linger a little longer by the fire. Wander down the Riverwalk when no one else is out.
Make a snow angel. Laugh into the cold. And don’t be afraid to take the icy trail just a little farther.
Because winter isn’t just cold. It’s clarity.
And in Estes, it’s beautiful.
✅ Riddle Answer:
A: Longs Peak
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