Exploring Rocky Mountain National Park with Colorado Sightseer: Tour Review

My participation in this tour was part of a hosted experience in partnership with Colorado Sightseer. All opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something, I may earn a commission. Should you choose to book through any of my links, thank you so much!

Who is this Rocky Mountain Tour for?

If you’re visiting Denver and want to get out of the city for a full day of mountain views, this tour is an awesome option. I joined as a solo traveler who loves getting outdoors but didn’t have an easy way to reach Rocky Mountain National Park on my own. Having everything handled, from transportation to planning the route, made it simple to experience the park without worrying about logistics. This tour would also be a good fit for couples, family groups, or anyone who would rather sit back and enjoy the scenery instead of dealing with mountain roads or sorting out the details on their own.

The tour covers a full 8-hour day, so plan to dedicate the majority of the day to enjoying this experience. This tour isn’t physically demanding, which makes it a good choice for a wide range of travelers. It’s also important to note that this isn’t a hiking-focused tour. If you’re interested in going hiking with Colorado Sightseer, you can check out their hiking tours here!

On this tour, you’ll get to visit some really cool spots like Estes Park, the historic Stanley Hotel, and several scenic viewing areas inside Rocky Mountain National Park. There are a couple of short, low-elevation walks you can do at a few of the stops if you want to stretch your legs and get a little closer to the scenery, but deep wilderness hiking isn’t the focus. If you’re looking for a relaxed, scenic day where you can get a real feel for the park without committing to a full-on trek, this tour is a great fit!

In general, this tour is great for solo travelers, friends, families or couples who want to experience some of Colorado’s main highlights without worrying about logistics!

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What to Expect on This Rocky Mountain National Park Tour

Visit the Historic Stanley Hotel and Step Back In Time

Our first official stop of the day was the historic Stanley Hotel, best known for inspiring Stephen King’s The Shining. Even though the movie wasn’t actually filmed here (it was filmed on a set based on the hotel’s layout), you can definitely feel the spooky energy that put this place on the map.

Beyond its pop culture ties, the Stanley Hotel is a big part of Colorado history, dating back to the early 1900s when it was built as a luxurious mountain retreat for wealthy travelers.

We spent about 40 minutes here, which I felt was the perfect amount of time. It gave us enough time to wander through the garden area, snap some photos of the gorgeous exterior and mountain views, and pop inside the main building to explore.

Below the lobby level of the main hotel building, there’s a coffee shop, a whiskey tasting room, some historical displays, and plenty of little corners where you can feel like you’re stepping back in time. It was honestly such a laid-back and enjoyable stop. I love movie history, so seeing this spot in person was really exciting!

Explore a Variety of Scenic Areas Within Rocky Mountain National Park

After our stop at the Stanley Hotel, we made our way into Rocky Mountain National Park to explore some of the most scenic spots the park has to offer. We spent several hours inside Rocky Mountain National Park and I never once felt rushed.

Covering more than 415 square miles, Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most beloved national parks in the country, known for its towering peaks, alpine lakes, and diverse wildlife. It was officially established in 1915 and has been drawing visitors from around the world ever since, offering a true glimpse into the rugged, untamed beauty that defines the American West. Whether you’re into hiking, photography, wildlife spotting, or simply soaking in incredible mountain views, this park is one of those places everyone should try to experience at least once! I’m so glad I got to experience it with Colorado Sightseer during this most recent trip to Denver.

One of my favorite stops was Sprague Lake, which was surrounded by beautiful mountain views but still partially frozen when we visited (which added to the beauty of it!). We also stopped at the Alluvial Fan, where a rushing waterfall cuts through a rocky, open landscape. I walked out to Horseshoe Falls, which was just a short hike from the Alluvial Fan Trailhead. Later in the day, we took in sweeping mountain views from Many Parks Curve Overlook, one of the most scenic overlooks in the park! The views were incredible and we got a glimpse of Long’s Peak from behind the clouds.

Each stop showed off a different side of the park and gave a real sense of just how varied and dramatic the landscapes are here. Even just driving between stops was beautiful, and we spotted plenty of wildlife along the way, including deer, elk, and wild turkeys. I felt like the tour did a great job balancing the time at each location so you could actually enjoy the scenery without feeling rushed!

Wander Around Estes Park for Lunch and Shopping

For lunch we had about 1.5 hours to enjoy Estes Park and “choose our own adventure” by way of picking where we wanted to eat. The group mostly split up at this point, which worked out because everyone wanted to try something different and explore on their own for a while.

Ultimately, I ended up eating at Antlers Rooftop Tavern and I loved it! I ordered the Elk Burger and a beer, and I sat on the rooftop for some of the best views in the downtown Estes Park area! Some other recommended lunch spots according to our guide Ben include:

• Lonigans Irish Pub and Grill
• Claire’s Restaurant and Bar
• Penelope’s Burgers and Fries

After soaking up the scenic rooftop views over lunch, I decided to explore around Estes Park and buy a couple souvenirs for friends back home. There are several cute shops with Rocky Mountain National Park iconography, Estes Park mementos, and other outdoor gear for adventurers.

My Personal Experience On the Rocky Mountain National Park Tour with Colorado Sightseer

Going on the Rocky Mountain National Park Tour with Colorado Sightseer was a great experience, especially as a solo traveler visiting Denver without a car!

Since I visited during the spring, I knew there was a chance the weather could impact whether the tour ran as planned. The Colorado Sightseer team stayed on top of communication and made sure everyone on my tour was kept in the loop about any updates. They were super proactive and clear, and I felt confident knowing exactly where to meet and what to expect on the morning of the tour. Because of a snowstorm that passed through the mountains the night before, we ended up starting at 9 a.m. instead of 8 a.m., but luckily the weather cleared up and turned into a beautiful sunny day. We even got to spend a little extra time exploring Rocky Mountain National Park and hanging out in Estes Park, which made the day even better!

One of my favorite aspects of this tour was how knowledgeable our guide, Ben, was about the wildlife, history, and landscapes we passed through. It was obvious he had a real passion for the outdoors, and it came through in all the stories and facts he shared throughout the day. He also gave us plenty of space to explore on our own, which I really appreciated. Sometimes it can feel like guides are either too hands-off or a little too present, but Ben struck the perfect balance. He offered helpful context when we needed it, and then let us have time to wander, take photos, and create our own memories!

He was also super enthusiastic about helping us get the best views and spot as much wildlife as possible. He even turned the van around a couple of times so everyone could catch a better look at a scenic overlook or animal sighting.

One of the biggest highlights for me was the variety of stops we made throughout the day. Inside Rocky Mountain National Park, I felt like I checked off every major bucket list item for a first-time visit. We got to see a lake, a waterfall, a river, towering mountain peaks, and several beautiful valley overlooks. Even just driving between stops, we spotted so much wildlife, including deer, elk, and turkeys, which made the experience even more memorable.

I also loved that the day included a visit to the Stanley Hotel and some time to explore and grab lunch in Estes Park. It was a fun and comfortable way to break up the day, and both stops felt iconic in their own ways. Of course, the main draw was the park itself, and I thought the tour did a great job giving us a variety of experiences within it. From Sprague Lake (which was still snowy and icy when I visited) to Alluvial Fan, Horseshoe Tail Waterfall, and Many Parks Curve Overlook, there was no shortage of incredible views and stunning scenery!

Ready to Explore Rocky Mountain National Park? Book Your Tour Now!

Final Thoughts: Is This Rocky Mountain National Park Tour Worth It?