Top Estes Park Nature and Wildlife Tours

Climb from the streets of the "Mile High City" to Rocky Mountain National Park, on a day trip that showcases the rugged beauty of Colorado's mountains. Weave through small, historic towns and drive over alpine passes, as you scan the horizon for mountain wildlife like elk, black bears, or moose.

Leave the guidebook behind and spend an afternoon exploring Rocky Mountain National Park with a local historian and naturalist with decades of experience. This private afternoon tour can be customized based on your interests and is an ideal introduction to the massive park, which can be overwhelming for first-time visitors. Get wildlife viewing tips and learn about the area’s pioneer and Native American history along the way.

If you just have a few hours, make the most of your time inside Rocky Mountain National Park on a private morning tour. Get in early to avoid the crowds, and maximize your chances of seeing the park’s famous wildlife with a naturalist guide who knows the best viewing locations. Plus, learn about the cultural history of the Estes Park area for added context on this memorable morning safari.

Discover the best of the Rocky Mountain National Park on a guided full-day tour. Park entrance, along with round-trip transportation from Denver or Boulder is conveniently included. Set at a moderate pace, the hike is perfect for people with some experience who also want to take time to appreciate the scenery. Stop for a complimentary packed lunch, which can be prepared to accommodate dietary restrictions.

If you're going to Rocky Mountain National Park for the animals, maximize your sightings with a full-day tour completely focused on wildlife. Travel with a guide who knows the best places to spot amazing Colorado creatures like bighorn sheep, moose, elk, and mule deer. Avoid the crowds at off-the-track locations, and learn about the park’s amazing biodiversity along the way.

Get your creative juices flowing and participate in a painting workshop during your time in Estes Park, Colorado. Join a small group at a studio and discover a new art medium—acrylic pour painting. Every guest receives a canvas and learns how to pour the paints in a methodic way to create beautiful works of art. The best part is, that you can create your work without worrying about cleaning up.

Watch an unforgettable sunrise over Colorado's most famous peaks on a private morning tour of Rocky Mountain National Park. Get in early to avoid the crowds, and gain local insight into the park’s history and biology from a naturalist guide. Whether you want to hike, take photos, or look for wildlife, the itinerary can be tailored to fit your interests.

This tour travels in your personal vehicle with a minimum of 2 guest. The tour travels the full length of Trail Ridge Road over 12,183 ft through all of Rocky Mountain National Park. Using your personal vehicle, the guide will drive, per your request, so you can enjoy the journey. With your cell phone and cameras, we will take you to photograph flowing waterfalls, majestic mountain panoramas, the Continental Divide, and stop anywhere we see wildlife. Through historic Kawuneeche Valley where elk and moose frequent, the tour stops at the quaint mountain village of Grand Lake for lunch (on your own). Return on the highest highway in the United States, Trail Ridge Road, peaking at 12,183 feet with spacious, breath-taking views to photograph. Remember, please ensure there is room in your vehicle for the guide to personalize your experience. RMNPhotographer is authorized by the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, to conduct services in Rocky Mountain National Park.

We will explore and photograph the appropriately named Wild Basin in Rocky Mountain National Park. We will hike along the North Saint Vrain Creek, and stop along the way to photograph several waterfalls (including Copeland Falls, Calypso Cascades and Ouzel Falls). Bring your tripod and a polarizer filter, and I will demonstrate my techniques for capturing waterfalls and other moving water in a variety of lighting conditions, and help you capture great silky water photographs. The full hike to Ouzel Falls is about 5.5 miles (9 km) round trip, with just under 1,000' elevation gain. For those not able to do the full hike, we will do a more leisurely hike to Calypso Cascades (about 3.6 miles round trip, and about 700' of elev. gain), which still takes you deep into a beautiful area, with multiple falls, and wildflowers and fall color in season. Don't have a RMNP entrance reservation? (new this year) No need! My commercial use permit means we don't need an advance permit!

Join us for a safari-like experience that you won't forget during the the elk rut! Drive through the Rocky Mountain National Park in our 3-row Subaru Ascent on a 4 - 5 hour tour that is focused entirely on you and your party. On our Elk Rut Tour, you will be taken up the famous Old Fall River Road (when open, typically through September) where you will see beautiful mountain views and waterfalls, stop at the highest visitor center in the US National Park System, drive back down the highest continuous paved road in the United States, Trail Ridge Road (when open, typically through September), and witness the elk rut mating season in Moraine Park. Minimum of 2 guests. To extend your tour past 4 hours, you must let us know at time of booking. Please note that we are only able to offer hotel pickup for guests in Estes Park or the small surrounding towns. 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.