My family has made Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park cherished destinations for the past 70 years. In the mid-1950s, my parents “discovered” this charming and beautiful area, and the rest is part of my family history. Over the years, from my childhood through adulthood, family has traveled to Estes Park for vacations, reunions and gala celebrations. Our daughter even got married at the Stanley Hotel.

Along the way, I have discovered some hidden gems that are off the beaten path. Most vacationers tend to stick to tried and true experiences, but I will let you in on a few of my favorite secrets. 

1. The Stanley Hotel is a wonderful place to visit, but don’t miss a guided tour of the fascinating Stanley Home Museum nearby. It is the former domicile of Estes Park power couple F.O. and Flora Stanley. Here is a wonderfully preserved historic home that gives a glimpse into a 20th-century life of wealth, elegance and innovation. F.O. was not only a hotelier, but also an inventor, entrepreneur and architect. His wife Flora was a civic leader, adventurer and poet.
2. The flood-created Alluvial Fan is a popular stop in Rocky Mountain National Park, but to get a real sense of the devastation of the 1982 Lawn Lake Dam collapse, hike up the moderate Lawn Lake Trail. Before dawn on July 15, 1982, the high country dam failed, releasing a torrent of water that rushed downstream through the narrow canyon with no previous warning. You can still marvel at the powerful surge as evidenced by downed trees, tumbled boulders and the detritus that remains. 
3. Drive over Fall River Road to the charming town of Grand Lake. Make a stop at the Alpine Visitor Center, and be sure to walk across the road out onto the Alpine Ridge Trail for a mile or two.  Most people stick to the gift shop, but a walk on this high altitude trail will treat you to a hidden world of tiny tundra blooms during the summer months. You will also likely be greeted by friendly marmots seeking a handout (don’t feed them!), and herds of momma elk and their calves. Back on the road, continue on to Grand Lake, making three stops to get a true sense of what tourism was like in the early 1900s. Never Summer Ranch/Holzwarth Historic Site provides a look back at an original dude ranch in the Rockies. The Kauffman House Museum is a nifty little log hotel built in 1892, and operated as lodging until 1946. The rooms are tiny by today’s standards, and guests shared a bathroom. Stop for lunch on the deck at Grand Lake Lodge and relish the panoramic views of Grand Lake and the surrounding mountains. For over 100 years this historic hotel has perched high above Grand Lake, providing a unique sense of the regional history of tourism.
4. Go downtown in Estes Park, of course, and be sure to visit Mcdonald Book Shop (152 E. Elkhorn Ave.). The quaint, old-timey store was established in 1928 and is touted as Colorado’s oldest bookstore. It’s cozy and quirky, well-stocked, staffed by friendly employees and has a great section on women’s western history. I always leave with a new book or two under my arm. Off the main drag is Sweet Basilico (430 Prospect Village Dr.), serving up yummy Italian food in a casual atmosphere with a deck overlooking the Big Thompson River. I’m a great lover of thrift shops, and Estes Park is home to one of my favorites: Elizabeth Guild Thrift Shop (427 W. Elkhorn Ave.). Inventory is terrific and creatively displayed. Staff members are friendly and welcoming, and I am always happy to purchase some treasures to assist this local charity.
5. A few hikes that many tourists tend to overlook include Lake Estes Trail, Cow Creek Trail and Homestead Meadows Trail. There is a 4-mile loop trail skirting the scenic shoreline of Lake Estes, with the mountains reflected in the clear water. You are likely to spy bald eagles, a multitude of water fowl and bull elk. It’s a great in-town trail that provides scenery without the crowds. I guarantee mostly solitary hiking from the Cow Creek Trailhead, a part of northern RMNP that has limited parking. You will be rewarded with open fields of stupendous wildflowers in mid-summer. The trail starts at the historic McGraw Ranch, once a homestead that eventually became a guest ranch. There are several trails to choose from, all providing a delightful hiking experience. I love trekking up to Homestead Meadows, located in Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests near RMNP. Eight preserved historic homesteads dating from 1889-1923 are a testament to the pioneer spirit of the region prior to the influx of tourism. 

As always I urge you to get off the beaten track and find your own hidden gems.  Colorado is full of them, and ripe for discovery.