Top Activities on the Ground in Estes Park

Create your own aerial climbing challenge with admission to the Open Air Adventure Park in Colorado’s Estes Park. While surrounded by majestic Rocky Mountain scenery, tackle 32 different obstacles like ziplines, swinging bridges, and log steps, all suspended from the ground in a totally unique outdoor design. Featuring a wide range of difficulty, it’s a great option for family fun, team building, and monkeying around in the mountains.

We will explore and photograph the appropriately named Wild Basin in Rocky Mountain National Park. We will hike along the North Saint Vrain Creek, and stop along the way to photograph several waterfalls (including Copeland Falls, Calypso Cascades and Ouzel Falls). Bring your tripod and a polarizer filter, and I will demonstrate my techniques for capturing waterfalls and other moving water in a variety of lighting conditions, and help you capture great silky water photographs. The full hike to Ouzel Falls is about 5.5 miles (9 km) round trip, with just under 1,000' elevation gain. For those not able to do the full hike, we will do a more leisurely hike to Calypso Cascades (about 3.6 miles round trip, and about 700' of elev. gain), which still takes you deep into a beautiful area, with multiple falls, and wildflowers and fall color in season. Don't have a RMNP entrance reservation? (new this year) No need! My commercial use permit means we don't need an advance permit!

Discover the best of the Rocky Mountain National Park on a guided full-day tour. Park entrance, along with round-trip transportation from Denver or Boulder is conveniently included. Set at a moderate pace, the hike is perfect for people with some experience who also want to take time to appreciate the scenery. Stop for a complimentary packed lunch, which can be prepared to accommodate dietary restrictions.