Estes Park (town / The Stanley)
The gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, with elk in the streets and the Stanley Hotel watching over Lake Estes.
About Estes Park
Estes Park is a mountain town of about 5,900 people at 7,743 feet in Larimer County, sitting at the eastern entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. Most of the park's millions of yearly visitors pass through or stay here.
The town itself is very photogenic. Elk migrate through town in spring and fall, wandering golf courses and lawns. Lake Estes reflects the surrounding peaks, and the white Stanley Hotel sits on a hill with views of the lake and Longs Peak.
For photographers, Estes Park is a base for sunrise in the national park and an easy place to find wildlife, historic architecture, and mountain views without even leaving town.
The gateway town to Rocky Mountain National Park, and home to the Stanley Hotel — built in 1909, the real-world inspiration for Stephen King's Overlook Hotel in The Shining. Its white Georgian facade against the Rockies works well in almost any light, but the staircases and covered porches give you interesting interior-to-exterior framing options that a straight-on exterior shot misses entirely.
History
The town is named for Joel Estes, a Missouri native who settled the valley in 1859. Estes Park was incorporated in 1917.
The Stanley Hotel opened on July 4, 1909, built by Freelan Oscar Stanley, co-inventor of the Stanley Steamer, who came to Estes Park to recover from tuberculosis. Stephen King stayed there one night in 1974, and the hotel inspired the Overlook Hotel in his 1977 novel The Shining. Lake Estes was created by Olympus Dam, finished in 1949.
Photographing Estes Park
Best light: Early morning and evening for elk, especially during the fall rut in September and October. Sunrise on Lake Estes lights the surrounding peaks; the Stanley Hotel glows white in late-afternoon sun and makes a striking subject at blue hour.
Shots to look for
- The Stanley Hotel's white Colonial Revival facade with the mountains behind, from the hill or road below
- Elk grazing in town meadows during the fall rut, telephoto 200-600mm
- Lake Estes at sunrise with reflections of surrounding peaks
- Downtown Elkhorn Avenue and the Riverwalk at blue hour
- Longs Peak from vantage points around town at first light
Photo tips
- Keep at least 75 feet from elk, more during the rut; bulls can be aggressive.
- Rocky Mountain National Park often requires timed-entry reservations in season; check NPS before heading in.
- Downtown parking fills on summer and fall weekends; arrive early.
- The Stanley Hotel offers paid tours; check the hotel for photography rules on its grounds.
Know before you go
- Elk are wild animals; keep your distance and never feed them.
- Traffic around Estes Park is heavy on fall weekends during elk-viewing season.
- Timed-entry rules for Rocky Mountain National Park change annually; check NPS.gov.
- The town's elevation of 7,743 ft can affect visitors arriving from low elevation.
Prints from Estes Park
Every photo is available as a print on metal, canvas, wood or fine art paper.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Stanley Hotel the hotel from The Shining?
It inspired it. Stephen King stayed there in 1974, and it became the model for the Overlook Hotel in his 1977 novel.
When can you see elk in Estes Park?
Elk are around year-round, but they migrate through town in spring and fall, and the September-October rut is the most dramatic time.
How high is Estes Park?
About 7,743 feet.
Featured in: Where to Photograph Wildlife in Colorado
Combine it with
Rocky Mountain National Park · Lake Estes · Trail Ridge Road · Bear Lake
More Colorado spots
Gothic (East River / Crested Butte) · Shrine Pass · Silverthorne
Sources & further reading: en.wikipedia.org · en.wikipedia.org. Conditions, fees and rules change; check with the managing agency before you go.