Lake Estes Playground
- evrpd.com
- Estes Park
About
A playground on the Lake Estes side of town, at 1700 Big Thompson Avenue. Easy stop for kids with the paved Lake Estes Trail right there for a bike ride or stroller loop. I'd pair the two.
The Lake Estes Playground is at 1700 Big Thompson Avenue, near the lake. The paved Lake Estes Trail circles the lake for about four miles, with restrooms and drinking fountains at Cherokee Draw, and the Estes Valley Recreation and Park District says dogs on leash are fine there. Several access points have paid parking, so check the signs. I couldn't find a detailed equipment list from the district, so look at the site when you arrive.
My advice is to make it a loop day. Let the kids play, then walk or bike a piece of the trail, and eat somewhere in town afterward. The lake is exposed, so wind and sun can both be rough, and a hat helps. Go in the morning before the afternoon wind kicks up and the lots fill. Keep an eye on small kids near the water, and keep your dog leashed. In winter, check conditions on the trail before you count on a stroller walk.
