Taking the bus to Estes Park can be a blast. The bustang runs during the summer and is a great way to get to Estes Park. Estes Direct can help you with booking pricing and more for taking the bus from Denver to Estes Park.
But let’s expand on that. Why is it a “blast”? And what do you do once you get there?
Let’s be real, the drive from denver to estes park can be… a lot. Especially in the summer. The traffic on 36 is no joke, and once you get into estes park? Parking is a nightmare. You circle around, get frustrated, and by the time you find a spot, you’re already stressed out.
That’s why the bus, the Bustang, is such a game-changer.
Why the Bus is the Best Way to Estes
Seriously, think about it.
- No Stress. You just hop on at Union Station in Denver, throw your bag down, and relax. No road rage. No “are we there yet?”.
- The Views! 🏔️ Instead of staring at the bumper in front of you, you can look out the window. The drive into the mountains is beautiful, and you actually get to see it.
- Save Money. Gas isn’t cheap. Parking isn’t cheap. The bus ticket is super reasonable.
- Dropped Right in Town. The Bustang drops you at the new-ish visitor center. From there, you can walk to downtown estes park or, even better, hop on the free estes park shuttle that takes you all over town. You dont even need a car.
This service is seasonal, usually running from late May to early October. That’s peak season for estes park colorado. And that’s where Estes Direct comes in. We know the schedule, we know the pricing, we can help you figure out the booking. We take the guesswork out of it.
Ok, I’m in Estes Park. Now What?
So you took our advice, rode the bus, and you’re standing in the middle of estes co. What now? You’ve got no car, but who cares? This town is built for walking and shuttles.
Here’s the rundown of things to do in estes park.
The Must-Do: Rocky Mountain National Park
This is the main event. Estes national park colorado is right there. The town is literally the gateway. The town’s shuttle system can connect you to the RMNP shuttle, which takes you to the good spots.
You absolutely have to see Bear Lake estes park. It’s the iconic postcard picture. The trail around the lake is easy, flat, and gorgeous. From there, you can hike to other lakes if you’re feeling adventurous.
The park is why most people come to este colorado. You can see wildlife, massive mountains, and just get that fresh mountain air.
The Spooky Stuff: The Stanley Hotel 👻
You cant talk about estes park without talking about the stanley hotel estes park colorado. Yes, that hotel. The estes park shining hotel. This is the place that inspired Stephen King to write “The Shining.”
It’s this giant, white, historic hotel on the hill overlooking town. It’s beautiful, but also a little creepy. They say it’s one of the most haunted hotels in America. People talk all about the stanley hotel estes park room 217, where King stayed.
Even if you’re not staying at the stanley estes park hotel, you should visit. You can take the estes park stanley hotel ghost tour (or a regular history tour). They tell you all the stories. It’s one of the top estes park tourist attractions. A lot of people just call it the stanley hotel in estes or the estes park overlook hotel, even though that was the name in the movie. It’s a key part of estes park colorado.
Downtown Estes Park: Shopping and Taffy
The main drag (downtown estes park colorado) is super fun to walk. It’s full of estes park shops selling everything you can imagine. T-shirts, souvenirs, art, and about a dozen places selling saltwater taffy. You have to get the taffy.
It’s a great place to just wander, grab an ice cream, and walk along the river that flows right through town. There’s also the estes park gondola (or estes park tram) that takes you up the side of a mountain for amazing views of the valley.
Where to Stay in Estes Park?
This is the big question. You’ve got so many options for estes park accommodations. It really depends on your budget and what you want. Since you dont have a car, you’ll want to find places to stay in estes park that are on the shuttle route or within walking distance of downtown.
Hotels in Estes Park
There’s a ton of hotels in estes co. From budget-friendly to super nice.
- The Stanley Hotel: Obviously. If you got the budget, staying at the stanley estes park is an experience. It’s one of the most famous colorado hotels estes park.
- Near Downtown: Look for places like the Silver Moon Inn estes park or Murphy’s River Lodge estes park. These are classic estes park hotels and super convenient. The Best Western Plus Silver Saddle Inn estes park is also a solid choice.
- Budget-Friendly: You can find cheap hotels in estes park. Look for estes park motels or places like the Quality Inn estes park or The Maxwell Inn estes park. They get the job done.
- Resorts: If you want more amenities, there’s the estes park resort estes park co on Lake Estes. Or Murphys Resort estes park (different from the river lodge). These places are great rocky mountain resorts in estes park.
Cabins: The Classic Estes Experience
For a lot of people, estes park means cabins. And there are so many estes park colorado cabins.
- On the River: This is the best. Cabins on the river in estes park co are so peaceful. You can sit on your porch and listen to the water. Check out Streamside on Fall River estes park or Woodlands on Fall River estes park.
- With Hot Tubs: Yep, you can find estes park cabins with hot tub. Perfect after a long day of hiking.
- All Kinds of Cabins: From tiny rustic estes colorado cabins to huge fancy lodges. Places like Black Canyon Inn estes park, Ponderosa Lodge estes park, and Wildwood Inn estes park are all popular.
YMCA of the Rockies
This place is its own little world. The ymca of the rockies estes park is massive. It’s not just a gym. It’s a huge property with ymca estes park cabins, lodges, and tons of activities. It’s amazing for families. You could spend your whole trip just on their property. It’s one of the biggest places to stay in estes colorado.
Other Lodging
- Bed & Breakfast: For a cozier feel, check out a bed and breakfast estes park.
- Campgrounds/RV Parks: If you’re really roughing it (though you probably didnt take the bus), there’s estes park campground, koa estes park, and jellystone park estes park.
Don’t Forget the Weather!
One last thing. The estes park weather is… wild. It’s the mountains. The estes colorado weather can change in five minutes.
You’ll check the estes park co forecast and it’ll say sunny. An hour later, it’s hailing. Always bring layers. A t-shirt, a hoodie, and a rain jacket. Even in July. The estes park temperature drops fast when the sun goes down. Don’t trust the 10-day forecast, just be prepared for anything.
So Let’s Recap
Taking the bus from denver to estes park co is the smartest, most fun way to go. It’s cheap, it’s stress-free, and it lets you enjoy the ride.
Once you’re there, the whole town is open to you.
- Hike in estes national park colorado.
- See the spooky stanley hotel estes colorado.
- Eat taffy in the downtown estes park shops.
- Find the perfect estes park lodging, whether it’s estes park cabins or hotels by estes park colorado.
And Estes Direct is here to help you plan it. We’re your local guide. We’ll help you sort out the Bustang, give you the inside scoop on estes park attractions, and help you find the best places to stay in estes co.
It’s a blast. Let’s get you to Estws Park.