June Estes Park, what to see, where to go

[Highvoltage1]

Did a family trip last year around the same general area if you want pm me and I may be able to help as well. Best wishes and enjoy your trip!

 

[Phaseolus]

You might check out Nederland, though it has been years since I was there.

Vedauwoo might be a place to check out as well.

It has been a long time since you've been there...

 

[Phaseolus]

I'd still leave Testes Park( I grew up nearby and that's what we called it) via Trail Ridge Road getting to the entrance before 0830, you won't have to have a timed entry permit to do this. Take the back way to Laramie via North Park and Tie Sidings. Going out east you'll get to Wheatland sooner but there is a whole lot of nothing to see on that route.

 

[jorswift]

Hoping our friend doesnt flake for our WY portion. We would like to visit Laramie and Cheyenee, just say we were there. We are supposed to be staying in Wheatland, WY. But if things fall through, any advice in things to do in those general areas?

 

[wytx]

Snowy Range for hiking. Beautiful mountains and plenty of nice trials.
Stop in at The Bear Bottom for a food in Centennial, they may have a band playing outside and family friendly.
Take a jaunt over the top to Saratoga and soak in the hot spring pool, free hobo pool.

Good beer in Laramie at The Library, they are friends so I am biased. Great place to grab something to eat as well but we have a few good food spots in Laramie.
Cheyenne, maybe see the old west museum. Blue Raven Brewery is good too but again brewer is a friend.

Take Highway 34 through Sybille Canyon to Wheatland, from Laramie. The elk in the pens are impressive already, you may also see some bighorn sheep along the highway.

 

[wesfromky]

Vedauwoo is a pretty cool place for some hiking/scrambling. It's between Laramie and Cheyenne.

 

[displacedtexan]

Snowy Range for hiking. Beautiful mountains and plenty of nice trials.
Stop in at The Bear Bottom for a food in Centennial, they may have a band playing outside and family friendly.
Take a jaunt over the top to Saratoga and soak in the hot spring pool, free hobo pool.

Good beer in Laramie at The Library, they are friends so I am biased. Great place to grab something to eat as well but we have a few good food spots in Laramie.
Cheyenne, maybe see the old west museum. Blue Raven Brewery is good too but again brewer is a friend.

Take Highway 34 through Sybille Canyon to Wheatland, from Laramie. The elk in the pens are impressive already, you may also see some bighorn sheep along the highway.

The Library is a solid spot.

 

[wytx]

Vedauwoo is a pretty cool place for some hiking/scrambling. It's between Laramie and Cheyenne.

Vedauwoo is cool but not near as pretty as up on top of the Snowies.

 

[jorswift]

Anyone recommend anything special we should probably take/pack? Not sure how hard or long of hikes we will do as dog is out of shape and daughter will throw a fit! LOL.

Backpacks, water, water, water, light rain jacket, layers, snacks, sun screen, bug spray, dog bags,.....

 

[wesfromky]

Anyone recommend anything special we should probably take/pack? Not sure how hard or long of hikes we will do as dog is out of shape and daughter will throw a fit! LOL.

Backpacks, water, water, water, light rain jacket, layers, snacks, sun screen, bug spray, dog bags,.....

Optics.

 

[wytx]

There are some hikes near to and along the lakes up top of the Snowies that can be easy or tough depending on what you want. The view is incredible up there too. Maybe catch a few trout in the lakes.
Have a leash for your dog.
Bring sunscreen and lip balm, it is dry up here.

 

[jorswift]

Optics.

Forgot to add that. It was one of the first to go in the pack.

 

[mdf21]

There are some hikes near to and along the lakes up top of the Snowies that can be easy or tough depending on what you want. The view is incredible up there too. Maybe catch a few trout in the lakes.
Have a leash for your dog.
Bring sunscreen and lip balm, it is dry up here.

x2 on the lip balm. just returned home from estes for the last week or so. Lip balm is a must. we didn't do many long hikes (2 kids; mostly 0.5-1.8 mile around lake type hikes). I didn't take much more than a small pack with some light snacks, sunscreen and water. obviously also depending on how long you plan on being out.
we would typically go out after the timed entry ended (after 6pm) so we didn't have a ton of time for extended hikes but would see plenty of wildlife.