So you wanna visit Estes Park but dont want to spend a ton of money? That’s a great question, probably the one we get asked the most. Everyone knows Estes Park is amazing, but it can also be… well, pretty expensive.

But here’s the good news: it doesn’t have to be.

The price of a trip to Estes Park changes a lot depending on when you come. It all comes down to the season. Let’s explore all the seasons and times of year together so you can figure out the best time for your wallet.

First, Let’s Talk About the “Not Cheap” Season

To understand the cheapest time, you gotta know the most expensive time. And that is, without a doubt, Summer (June through August).

Why? One simple reason: Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP).

Summer is when Trail Ridge Road (the highest paved road in North America) is fully open. The weather is perfect, the hiking trails are all clear of snow, and the town is just buzzing with people. It’s peak season for a reason.

Because of this, hotels and cabins charge their absolute highest rates. We’re talking $300, $400, even $500+ a night for a decent place. Restaurants are packed, and you’ll need to book everything way, way in advance.

The “Other” Peak Season: Fall Colors & Elk Rut

Don’t be fooled by the calendar! Early fall (mid-September to mid-October) is another crazy-expensive time. This is when the aspen trees turn gold and the elk come down from the mountains for their mating season (the “rut”). You can hear them bugling all over town. It’s an amazing experience, but it draws huge crowds, and prices stay high.

The “Sweet Spot” Shoulder Seasons

This is where you can start to find some deals. “Shoulder seasons” are the times right before and right after the peak.

• Late Fall (Late October - November): Once the elk rut crowds leave and before the heavy snow, prices start to tumble. You can find some great deals on cabins. The downside? The weather is a gamble. It could be a beautiful, crisp 50-degree day… or it could be a blizzard. Trail Ridge Road will be closed for the season.
• Spring (April - May): This is another shoulder season, but it’s a little different. It’s still pretty wintery in the mountains. Trail Ridge Road is definately still closed (it usually opens Memorial Day weekend). But, you can find lower hotel rates and the town is much quieter. You can watch the town “wake up” for summer.

And the Winner is… The Off Season! (Winter)

Okay, let’s get to the real answer.

The absolute cheapest time of year to visit Estes Park is in the winter, specifically January, February, and early March.

After the Christmas and New Year’s holiday crowds clear out, Estes Park becomes a sleepy, quiet, and magical (and cheap!) mountain town. This is the true “off season.” Hotels that were $350 a night in July might be $90 a night in February. You can get a huge, cozy cabin with a hot tub for a fraction of the summer price.

So, What’s the Catch?

Well, it’s winter. In the Rocky Mountains.

• It’s cold. Like, really cold sometimes.
• Trail Ridge Road is completely closed.
• Many of the high-elevation hiking trails in RMNP are inaccessible without serious mountaineering gear.
• A lot of the little touristy shops downtown might be closed or have reduced hours.

What to do if you come in the off season?

This is the most important question! Just because it’s the off season doesn’t mean it’s boring. Honestly, it’s a whole different kind of wonderful.

If you’re not a hardcore skier, you might wonder if its worth it. Yes!

• Snowshoeing in RMNP: This is the #1 thing to do. You can rent snowshoes in town for cheap and go explore. The Bear Lake area is super popular and usually accessible. It’s silent, beautiful, and you’ll feel like you have the whole park to yourself.
• Wildlife Viewing: The elk don’t leave! They just hang out in town, often walking right down the main street or lounging on the golf course. It’s much easier to see them without the crowds.
• Cozy Cabin Life: This is the best time to rent a cabin with a fireplace and a hot tub. Spend your days snowshoeing, then come back, light a fire, sit in the hot tub while it snows, and just relax.
• Visit The Stanley Hotel: The famous hotel from “The Shining” is open year-round. It’s way less crowded in the winter, making it the perfect time to take their ghost tour or just grab a spooky drink at the bar.
• Free Stuff! The Estes Park Museum is free (donations welcome) and a great way to spend an afternoon. You can also walk the Lake Estes Trail (it’s flat and usually cleared) or explore the Roosevelt National Forest trails just outside of town.
• Festivals: They even have fun events like the “Wine and Chocolate Festival” in February.

The bottom line: if your goal is to hike 10 miles up a mountain, winter isn’t for you. But if your goal is to see beautiful snowy mountains, drink hot chocolate, and save a ton of money, winter is the perrfect time.

Pricing Averages for Hotels by Season in Estes Park

Here’s a quick breakdown of what you can expect to pay for a standard hotel room or basic cabin. (Prices are just averages… you can always find cheaper or way, way more expensive).

Pricing Averages for Activities in Estes Park by Season

This one is a little trickier, because the activities themselves change.

Have more questions?

Hopefully this gives you a much better idea of when to plan your trip to save some cash. The off season is an amazing, and really special time to be here.

Reach out to us here at Estes Direct! We love helping travelers with the best ways to get to and from Estes Park but also with arranging activities and being your guiding light for visiting Estes. We know all the local secrets. 😉

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