Headed from Estes Park to Keystone?
Awesome! You’re trading the gateway of the Rockies for one of its best playgrounds. It’s a popular trip for people wanting to see two completly different sides of the Colorado mountains—from the wild, rugged nature of Rocky Mountain National Park to the world-class resort vibes of Keystone.
This page is all about gettin’ you from Estes to Keystone. We’ll make a separate one for the way back!
The Route: Quick Facts
- Distance: It’s about 105 to 110 miles.
- Average Travel Time: If you drive it straight, plan for 2.5 to 3 hours.
- The Big “But”: This route almost always involves driving a stretch of I-70. If you hit ski traffic on a winter weekend or construction in the summer, that time can easily double. Always check Google Maps or COtrip.org before you leave.
How to Get from Estes Park to Keystone: Your Options
Ok, so this is where it gets a little tricky. This isn’t like a major commuter route, so you won’t find a simple, direct bus. Your options are kinda limited, but here’s the breakdown.
Travel Option Comparison
| Mode | Best For | Typical Cost (One-Way) | Travel Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private Car Service | Comfort & Convenience | $450 - $700 (per vehicle) | 2.5 - 3 hours |
| Rental Car | Flexibility | $70 - $150 (per day) + gas | 2.5 - 3 hours |
| Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) | A (Risky) Gamble | $250 - $400 (if you find one) | 2.5 - 3 hours |
| Shuttle/Bus | The Budget “Adventure” | $70 - $120 (per person) | 5.5 - 7+ hours |
A Deeper Look at Your Travel Choices
1. Private Car Service (The Best Way)
This is definitly the easiest, most reliable, and most comfortable option. A private SUV or van (like the service Estes Direct provides) will pick you up at your door in Estes and take you right to your lodge in Keystone. No transfers, no hassle.
- Operators: Estes Direct, Blue Sky Limo, Summit Express (though many focus on airport routes, they will do private charters).
- Timetables: Whenever you want. You book it for your specific time.
- Pricing: You’re paying for the whole vehicle, so its great for a group. Expect it to be in the $450-$700 range depending on the vehicle size and time of year.
2. Rental Car (The “In Control” Option)
You can rent a car in Estes Park (or nearby Loveland) and make the drive yourself. This gives you the most flexibility to stop along the way (maybe in Idaho Springs or historic Georgetown).
- Car Rental Options: Enterprise has a presence in Estes, but your options are much wider if you rent from the Denver airport.
- Average Pricing: A standard car might be $70/day, but you should get an SUV or All-Wheel Drive (AWD), especially from October to May. That’ll be more like $120-$150 per day.
- Heads Up: Be prepared for mountain driving, and I-70 traffic is no joke.
3. Uber / Lyft (The “Maybe” Option)
Can you get an Uber from Estes to Keystone? Technically, yes. Should you count on it? No.
It’s very, very hard to find a driver in Estes willing to take a 3-hour, one-way trip to another mountain town (they have to drive back empty). If you do get lucky and find one, the price will be super high, likely $250 or more. Its not a reliable plan.
4. Shared Shuttles & Buses (The Cheapest, Slowest Way)
This is the cheapest option, but its a real journey. There is no direct bus or shared shuttle from Estes Park to Keystone.
You would have to do something like this:
- Take the CDOT Bustang or a shuttle from Estes Park to Denver’s Union Station. (2 hours)
- Wait for a transfer.
- Take a different bus (like the Bustang West Line or Pegasus) from Denver to Frisco. (2 hours)
- From Frisco, take the free Summit Stage bus to Keystone. (30-45 mins)
With all the transfers and waiting, you’re lookin’ at a 6-7 hour day, easy. But, it’ll probably only cost you $70-$120 in total.
Airports Near Your Route
You’re already in the mountains, but if you’re planning this route as part of a bigger trip, here’s the airport info.
Closest to Estes Park: Denver International Airport (DEN)
- Airport Code:
DEN - Info: This is the main airport for all of Colorado. It’s a massive hub, located about 1.5 hours from Estes Park.
- Airport History & Facts: DEN opened in 1995, replacing the old, smaller Stapleton Airport. Its famous for that iconic white-tented roof, which is designed to look like the snow-capped Rocky Mountains. By land area, its the largest airport in the United States!
- Runways: DEN has six runways. The longest one, 16R/34L, is 16,000 feet long (over 3 miles!). This crazy length is needed so that huge, fully-loaded international jets can get enough lift in Denver’s “thin” high-altitude air.
Closest to Keystone: Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE)
- Airport Code:
EGE - Info: This airport is much closer to Keystone (about 1 hour away). It’s smaller and often more expensive, but its incredibly convenient for getting right to ski country.
- Airport History & Facts: EGE started way back in 1947. For decades, it was just a small strip. But as the ski resorts (Vail, Beaver Creek, and Keystone) grew, the airport did too.
- Runways: It has one main runway (07/25) that’s 9,000 feet long. They extended it to this length so it could handle bigger jets like the 757s that bring in skiers from all over the country. Its known for being a pretty challenging airport for pilots due to the high elevation and surrounding mountains.
Life in Keystone: What to Do & See
You made it! Keystone is awesome. It’s built around the ski resort and is famous for being super family-friendly and having some of the best terrain parks in Colorado.
Cool Things to Do in Keystone
- Winter:
- Skiing & Snowboarding: Duh! Keystone has three main peaks (Dercum, North Peak, and the Outback) plus incredible bowl skiing.
- Night Skiing: This is what Keystone is famous for. They have one of the largest night-skiing operations in Colorado.
- Snow Tubing: Head to Adventure Point on top of Dercum Mountain for one of the best tubing hills around.
- Ice Skating: There are two big rinks: one in Dercum Square (River Run Village) and the huge 5-acre Lakeside Lake.
- Summer:
- Keystone Bike Park: One of the best downhill mountain bike parks in the country. You take the gondola up and bomb down.
- Gondola Rides: Take a scenic ride up to the top of Dercum Mountain just for the views.
- Golf: The resort has two championship golf courses.
- Festivals: Keystone’s summer is packed with amazing festivals (see below).
Typical Keystone Weather
- Winter (Dec-Feb): It’s cold and snowy. Average highs are in the 20s to low 30s F. Perfect for keeping the snow fresh.
- Spring (Mar-May): “Spring” is still winter here. March is one of the snowiest months. Things start to melt in late April/May.
- Summer (Jun-Aug): Just about perfect. Highs in the 70s, sunny days, and cool nights. Be prepared for a short afternoon thunderstorm to roll through.
- Fall (Sep-Nov): The aspen trees turn gold in September. It’s beautiful. Snow can (and usually does) start falling by late October.
Popular Events
- In Keystone:
- In Estes Park (what you’re leaving behind):
- Elk Fest
- Rooftop Rodeo
- Bigfoot Days
- Catch the Glow Parade