Explorer Tours · Colorado Convention Center, Denver
A guided van day from Denver into Rocky Mountain National Park, by way of Boulder and Estes Park, with a picnic lunch at Sprague Lake and the high country on Trail Ridge Road. Pick it for the park without the driving, the parking or the entry planning.
You meet at the Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th St, at the main entrance by the Blue Bear sculpture, and the listing asks you to be there by 8:50 AM. The van heads north to Boulder under the Flatirons (there is a second pickup in Boulder if that suits you better), then climbs to Estes Park and the Stanley Hotel, the old hotel tied to Stephen King's The Shining. Inside the park you get about an hour at Sprague Lake with the picnic, about 2 hours on Trail Ridge Road and a stop at the Fall River Visitor Center. You are back downtown around 5:00 PM. A live guide drives and talks the whole way, in a small group of up to 14.
On the rails: no train today. No railway runs into Rocky Mountain National Park, so this is a day by van, and a good one. If you want a train in your Colorado week as well, the Royal Gorge Route, the Pikes Peak Cog Railway day and the Georgetown Loop day are the three you can book here.
Included, per the listing: the round trip by van, the guide, park entrance fees, a picnic lunch (a sandwich or a salad, with chips) and water. Not included: the guide's tip (the listing suggests 15 to 18%). The listing also notes the park's $100 non-US-resident fee as not included, adding that the National Park Service has not made a practice of checking IDs on tour operators at this park. Trail Ridge Road is a summer road, and in winter the operator swaps in other stops. One tip from us: bring the jacket the listing asks for, because Trail Ridge Road tops out at 12,183 feet, per the park service.
Meet at the main entrance by the Blue Bear sculpture, 700 14th St. The Boulder pickup is at Lucky's Bakehouse at 9:40 to 9:50 AM.
North past the Flatirons, then up into the mountains to Estes Park, the gateway town.
A guided stop at the historic hotel above Estes Park.
Into the park for a picnic lunch by the lake and a short, easy walk.
Overlooks and alpine tundra on the park's high road; in winter, other stops.
About 20 minutes at the Fall River Visitor Center, then down through the foothills.
★★★★★Excellent trip. Robert was a fine guide, and not having to put up with the hassle of planning entry to the park was priceless. The picnic lunch at Sprague Lake was a real highlight.
★★★★★We traveled in comfort in large vans with oversized windows, met at a convenient spot in downtown Denver, ate well with a delicious lunch and snack, and saw some amazing views. We never felt rushed and it was so much better than if we had tried to tackle a tour of the park on our own.
★★★★★Eric was a really fun, knowledgeable guide and created a great atmosphere within our small group. The van was comfortable and lunch was good too! Definitely book this tour when you're in Denver
★★★★★The tour was brilliant from start to finish [...] We saw elk and moose too which was such a bonus! The lunch provided was really nice with a variety of options.
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Yes. Entrance fees are included, per the listing. The listing notes the $100 non-US-resident park fee as not included, and says the park service has not made a practice of checking IDs on tour operators here.
Yes, for about 2 hours in season. Trail Ridge Road is a summer road that tops out at 12,183 feet, per the park service, and in winter the operator uses other stops.
Yes. A picnic lunch (a sandwich or a salad, with chips) and water are included, usually eaten at Sprague Lake.
At the Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th St, Denver, by the Blue Bear sculpture. Arrive by 8:50 AM. There is also a Boulder pickup at Lucky's Bakehouse.
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A guided day in Rocky Mountain National Park, entry and a picnic lunch included.
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