Lake Estes Trail
- evrpd.com
- Estes Park
About
The Lake Estes Trail loops the lake right in town, flat and paved, with the Visitor Center on one side and the marina on the other. It's where I'd send anyone with a stroller, a bike, a leashed dog, or just a need to walk off lunch.
The Estes Valley Recreation and Park District lists it as an easy paved loop of about 4 miles around Lake Estes. Larimer County puts the trail at 3.73 miles, so allow for a little difference depending on where you start. You can get on at the Visitor Center parking area, the parking garage, Fisherman's Nook, Cherokee Draw, Wapiti Meadows or the Lake Estes Marina. Restrooms and drinking fountains are at Cherokee Draw. Hiking and mountain biking are allowed, and horses aren't.
Leashed dogs are welcome, and I appreciate that more than I can say. Keep them on the leash, since this trail is shared with bikes and geese. It's busy midday in summer, so early morning or evening is nicer, and the light on the water is better then too. The trail also connects to other trails around the valley and toward the Park, so it's a handy starting point if you'd like to keep going.
