Summer Private Rocky Mountain National Park Driving Tour
Description
Join us for an unforgettable experience in our 3-row Subaru Ascent! Drive through the Rocky Mountain National Park on a 4, 5, or 6 hour private tour with only your party & your guide! Our Summer Rocky Mountain Tour starts you in the lower valley meadows, then takes you on a journey up iconic roads that are open for your visit (Trail Ridge Road June - Sep., or off-road on Old Fall River Road July - Sep.) where you will see beautiful mountain views & waterfalls, we’ll make a short stop at the highest visitor center in the US National Park system, and drive back down the highest continuous paved road in the United States, Trail Ridge Road, on our way back to Estes Park. This tour is NOT a hiking tour, and focuses more on driving in the National Park with small strolls throughout. We are only able to offer pickup for guests staying in Estes Park. If you are staying outside of Estes Park, we can meet you at the free parking garage for the Estes Park Visitor Center for pickup.
Tour Options
Itinerary
See the historic and famously haunted Stanley Hotel on your drive towards Rocky Mountain National Park with history and stories of this iconic location.
Our tour in Estes Park is all about taking a beautiful drive into the Rocky Mountain National Park. We'll take you as high up the mountain as the weather allows through beautiful scenic mountain passes. You'll see the city of Estes Park from above, beautiful lakes, meadows, waterfalls, and wildlife. Don't worry about the timed entry permit, your entrance and permit into the Rocky Mountain National Park are included!
Our your way up to the tundra, you'll stop for a guided walk around the Alluvial Fan to see Horseshoe Falls and learn the history of this unique feature in the National Park
When open (typically July through September), your guide Riley will take you up Old Fall River Road, a one-way dirt road that goes up to the Alpine Visitor Center. You'll experience thrilling cliff-side mountain driving, see beautiful wildlife, flowing waterfalls, and more! When Old Fall River Road is not open, you will drive up Trail Ridge Road as far as it is open for the season.
Make a short stop at the highest Visitor Center in all of the US National Park System! Your guide will spend 20 minutes here for you to shop. Grab a snack, snap some photos, or get your National Park Passport stamped before heading back to Estes Park
On the drive back to Estes Park, your guide will take you down the highest continuous paved road in the United States, Trail Ridge Road. (Typically June through September) Witness the changing beauty of the ecosystems within the Rocky Mountain National Park from the upper tundra to the lower montane.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
We are only able to offer pickup for guests within Estes Park. Send us your pickup address in Estes Park (any location) and we'll be sure to arrive promptly at your tour start time. If you’re staying outside of Estes Park, please meet us at the Estes Park Visitor Center Parking Garage. Just look out for our blue Subaru Ascent!
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Please note that you need to bring your own infant seats if you are with an infant during the tour.
Reviews(110)
The guide, Riley, was extremely knowledgeable, literally a subject matter expert on Rocky Mountain National Park. He was able to locate all the animals we were hoping to see, and went into comprehensive detail about the history of the park. Great day, great guide.
This was my second time, different season and well worth it. I highly recommend doing this tour, no matter the season!
Riley was an amazing guide! Great driver, great stories/information. AMAZING TIME! Thank you!
Riley was amazing. Gave us an in depth personalized tour that we loved. Saw lots of wildlife up close and parts of the park we wouldn’t have seen on our own. Highly recommended!
Hands down the best experience and knowledgeable guide in Estes! Even one of the volunteers at one of the turn outs in the park was very impressed at his knowledge! I'm not a fit gal and in her 50s, we went for a little walk to see a waterfall, Riley was thoughtful and kind and kept a walking pace that was comfortable for all. Riley, had a spotting scope that he would bring out several times and we could see wildlife way on the other side on another mountain. My husband and I had such a great time, we would book this company again! We also got some awesome pictures! And Riley, also offered to take pictures of my husband and I and got some really great pictures!
Riley was a courteous and informative guide through the park. We were both able to relax and enjoy the amazing views without stressing about driving and navigation. He also brought a scope and set it up in different areas to spot wildlife which helped us see more on our tour. We had a limited amount of time to spend in the park on our trip and this was definitely worth it.
A wonderful tour, well worth the fee! Three senior friends loved the experience, packed with information, history and science, and engaging stories. Riley had to adapt this tour to the top of the park as it had snowed and the road was closed; he smoothly took us to the alluvial site, Bear Lake, both with beautiful walks. We encountered a gathering of elk close up and stopped at many viewing spots. We were entranced with the Rocky Mountains and became a fan of the tour guide! I’ve already booked a tour for my family!
Thank you so much! I'm glad y'all had a good time! The Rocky Mountains are definitely spellbinding! Riley
Riley was a a very knowledgeable and informative guide! He has embraced Rocky Mountain National Park and is quick to point out and name animals, points of interest and fauna. Extremely knowledgeable of everything Rocky Mountain National Park and all of its folklore. Previously did another small group tour…but it did not compare. We visited areas of the park we would not of ever done on our own. Book this tour today!
Thank you so much, I'm happy we were able to provide a great experience for y'all! Riley
Riley gave us an awesome experience on our Rocky Mountain Park tour. We saw so many amazing animals and Riley was knowledgeable about the Park’s flora and fauna. A perfect day spent in the Park with a guide who shared stories and history as well. Would recommend this tour for anyone.
Thank you for the kind words! Riley
Our tour with Explore Estes was wonderful. Riley met us exactly on time, the vehicle was immaculately clean and comfortable. From start to finish we were treated respectfully and our safety was Riley’s priority. His knowledge of Rocky Mountain National Park is immense and his way of communicating his knowledge was easy to follow being alternately serious and entertaining. The tour was the best part of our trip to Estes Park and RMNP.
Thank you for the kind words! I really appreciate you highlighting all the little things we try to implement to provide a great experience for our guests! Riley
