Estes Park is where many visitors find out that the jacket they packed is wrong. Mountain weather can change fast, so clothing shops here do double duty: boutiques on Elkhorn Avenue for something to wear to dinner, and outfitters stocking boots and layers. Thirty-five are listed, all in the valley.
Layers first, real shoes second. Then buy yourself one thing a person made, a flannel or some earrings or a belt buckle, something you'll grab on a random Tuesday back home and think, oh, the mountains.
Downtown
Every spring Brownfield's opens with an entirely new stock, and every fall it closes in early November with a rummage sale that locals line up for. In between, it's the shop on East Elkhorn, next to The White Orchid and a few doors from Poppy's Pizza & Grill, where a good share of visitors pick up the hoodie.
Hiking boots, fitted by people who know what they are doing, are the reason to stop at Plum Creek Shoe Station. The staff take the time to measure and match a foot to a boot, and that is what people remember.
On East Elkhorn, next to Fall River Antiques Jewelry and a few doors from Rocket Fizz, this leather shop is mostly about purses. Wallets come next, then hats and gloves, with military-style bags and duffles for anyone shopping for something sturdier.
In the shoulder seasons, when the trails go icy, Outdoor World is where people rent microspikes, crampons and trekking poles for the day instead of buying a set they will use twice. The shop is on East Elkhorn near the Riverwalk, a few doors from Macdonald Book Shop and The Phat Bear.
At East Elkhorn and Park Lane, next to Hayley's Ice Cream, Trendz at the Park sells the kind of gift that isn't a magnet. The look is modern with a mountain accent: home décor, decorative accessories, jewelry, Pendleton, Creative Co-op and Cyan, plus pieces from American-made, female-owned vendors.
The hat bars are what set this East Elkhorn boutique apart: one for custom trucker hats, one for western hats, plus a bracelet charm bar and permanent jewelry. It is a souvenir you build rather than pull off a rack, and a decent way to spend part of an afternoon on Elkhorn.
Thousands of belt buckles fill the cases at this West Elkhorn shop, billed as one of the largest collections in the world, maybe the largest. Western, military, trade and profession, initials and big statement pieces are all here, along with current Hesston National Finals Rodeo buckles in the adult and youth editions.
Right at the Riverwalk end of East Elkhorn, next to Slice Brothers Pizza and the Rocky Mountain Crepe Company, this shop leans hard on nostalgia. Old-time candy is the main event, the kind of wrappers grandparents recognize, along with taffy, fudge and a big shelf of freeze dried candy, the shop's other specialty.
Vinyl records and guitars are not the usual stock for a downtown souvenir shop, which is part of why The Phat Bear stands apart on East Elkhorn. The main business is soft Comfort Colors and embroidered tees, crewnecks and hoodies, many in the shop's own designs, and the sheer number of choices is what people talk about.
Skateboard gear, band shirts and smoking hardware share the floor at Lithium, a skate shop on West Elkhorn and a different stop from the souvenir stores around it. Shirts are the big seller, band tees included, and there are gifts and a few souvenirs for anyone who still needs one.
Big Red of the Rockies sells exactly one team. Nebraska Huskers apparel fills the store on Moraine Avenue, a couple of doors from the Estes Park 5 & 10, with sports cards and memorabilia alongside.
The store dates to 1914 and has shipped mail orders worldwide since 1949. Rocky Mountain Connection sits on East Elkhorn next to the Elkins Distilling tasting room, and the racks run to Levi's, Columbia, Dickies, Dockers, Minnetonka and Whistle Creek.
A block from Bond Park on East Elkhorn, Rocky Mountain Tops sells the shirt that says where you were. T-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies and hats carry Estes Park and national park designs, with souvenirs and gifts filling the rest of the shelves.
A few steps from Wheel Bar on East Elkhorn, this small mountain boutique dresses the whole family: women's and men's clothes, a kids and baby corner, and a table of accessories. The sweaters are what people tend to walk out with, and the racks lean current, with plenty of soft layers for a cold evening by the river.
Sweatshirts are the whole point of this West Elkhorn storefront next to The Taffy Shop, and it's where a lot of families pick up the trip's souvenir. The staff and the owners are what people keep mentioning: patient, helpful and kind, including with kids choosing their own.
Cowboy hats are the reason to come in, and the staff will fit one properly rather than hand over a size and hope. Boots, moccasins, western wear and accessories fill the rest of the shop on Moraine Avenue, a few doors from Pines & Cones Ice Cream and the Historic Park Theatre, just off the corner with Elkhorn.
For Bare Feet is a sock shop on East Elkhorn, next to Munchin' House and a few doors from Wheel Bar. Funny socks, team socks, everyday socks: the fan wall covers the NFL, MLB, NHL and a long list of college teams, so Broncos, Avalanche, Buffs and CSU pairs are easy to find.
Crystals and stone jewelry fill most of this West Elkhorn rock shop next to Estes Park Distilling Co. : bracelets, pendants, geodes, quartz and meditation tools, plus a run of dresses that gets as much attention as the stones.
Hats are the reason to walk into Sports Hound, and there are a lot of them. The racks on West Elkhorn cover the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL and college teams, which makes it one of the last shops around carrying all of them under one roof.
On West Riverside Drive, next to Fox Layne Flowers and a short walk from Cafe de Pho Thai and the post office, Komito Boots is the shoe shop climbers find their way to. The selection of climbing shoes and the prices are the two things that come up, and a visit tends to be quick.
If the souvenir run got pushed to after dinner, this West Elkhorn shop stays open into the evening. It sits next to Sports Hound, a short walk from Bond Park, with gifts and souvenirs for the people back home.
A block from Bond Park, at 300 East Elkhorn and right next to EPK Adventure Rental, The Mountain Vault is a small women's clothing boutique sized for a quick browse between other downtown stops. Most who wander in come away calling it a cute shop, and the help at the counter gets a mention too.
Year-round is the detail worth knowing, since plenty of East Elkhorn slows down once winter comes. The White Orchid is a women's apparel boutique next to Poppy's Pizza & Grill and Sierra Smallbird Jewelry, billed as fine apparel rather than souvenir sweatshirts.
On East Elkhorn, right next to Elevations Eatery and Bar and a few steps from Bond Park, sits a T-shirt and sweatshirt shop of the classic downtown sort. Selection is the draw: racks of shirts and souvenir designs, plus sweatshirts for the evening that turns colder than anyone packed for.
Even in July the mornings here run cold, which is half the argument for The Lazy Moose. The shop on East Elkhorn carries the biggest sleepwear selection in town for every age, and Lazy One is the featured brand.
Right on West Elkhorn, next to Flavors of the Rockies and steps from Grandma's Mountain Cookies, this is the quick stop for a Colorado T-shirt and a magnet for the fridge. Magnets and souvenirs are what people walk out with, and the staff are friendly about it.
Next to Tesora Bella on West Elkhorn, a few steps from The Taffy Shop, Craftsmen In Leather sells jackets, bags and hats. The hat selection gets noticed, and the staff more so: help on the floor is the thing people mention most.
On East Elkhorn by Bond Park, next to the Elkins Distilling tasting room and a few doors from Laura's Fine Candies, Trailhead Threads sells souvenirs you can wear. The shirts are the reason to go in: men's and women's tees, plus hoodies, sweatshirts and hats, all built around Rocky Mountain National Park and Estes Park.
Organic soaps, artisan candles, jewelry, loose-leaf teas and gardening supplies make up the shelves at Mountain Glow, a small boutique on West Elkhorn next to Craftsmen In Leather and Tesora Bella, a few doors from The Taffy Shop. The stock leans handmade and sustainable, and it is a quick browse.
Lace lingerie and boho tops share the shop with herbal teas, candles, crystals and yoga and meditation supplies. Shining Moon Boutique is half women's clothing store, half wellness shop, and it carries both halves without fuss.
Women's clothing is the focus at Indigo, on Wiest Drive just off the main downtown strip. Bond Park is about a block away.
East Elkhorn's candy stretch near Bond Park is where Mountain Spirit Clothing sells women's clothing, a few doors from Purple Mountain Taffy Company and Rocky Mountain Tops. Laura's Fine Candies is right there too, which makes this block dangerous for anyone shopping with kids.
Down East Riverside Drive, next to the Estes Park Aerial Tramway and Hungry Chipmunk Cafe, Scout & Timber is a clothing store built for a quick look. It opens every day, Sundays included, and keeps regular daytime hours.
Around the valley
The gift shop is one piece of a bigger stop. Rocky Mountain Gateway sits about a tenth of a mile from the Fall River entrance, next to the Trailhead Restaurant and the Fall River Visitor Center, and it was the first joint venture between a private company and the National Park Service.
Seven thousand square feet of souvenirs, apparel, toys, stuffed animals, outdoor gear and home decor sit out Moraine Avenue, about a mile from the Park entrance. The size is the point.
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For the trail, start with footwear. Plum Creek Shoe Station is a locally owned shoe store stocking hiking boots, winter boots, running shoes, tennis shoes and casual footwear. Outdoor World sells brand-name outerwear and outdoor equipment, with rentals, and has done mail order since 1949. Brownfield's has sold souvenirs, shirts and outdoor gear since 1956.
The boutiques are more particular. Mary Jane's on East Elkhorn Avenue carries clothing, jewelry and hat and charm bars, and Trendz at the Park sells home decor, jewelry and gifts. Buckles of Estes is built around thousands of belt buckles, with leather belts, wallets and jackets, and The Phat Bear is known for tees and hoodies.
Thirty of the 35 are marked open Sunday. Winters are long and cold, so winter boots and warm layers are easy to find, but many shops cut hours or close in the off-season. Brownfield's closes in early November, so call first, especially for the shops that run only part of the year. Only 1 clothing listing carries a ships-online tag, so ask about shipping before you buy anything bulky for the trip home.
Plum Creek Shoe Station is a locally owned shoe store that stocks hiking boots, winter boots, running shoes, tennis shoes and casual footwear. Outdoor World also carries brand-name outerwear and outdoor equipment. Call ahead to ask about your size, especially in the busy summer season.
Outdoor World sells brand-name outerwear and outdoor equipment, and Buckles of Estes lists leather jackets. Brownfield's sells shirts and outdoor gear but closes in early November. Winters are long and cold, so if you arrive underdressed, a downtown shop is the fastest fix.
Thirty of the 35 listed are marked open on Sunday. Hours change with the season, though, and many Estes Park shops cut hours or close in winter, so call ahead if you are visiting off-season.
Yes. Mary Jane's on East Elkhorn Avenue has clothing, jewelry, and hat and charm bars, and Trendz at the Park sells home decor, jewelry and gifts at East Elkhorn Avenue and Park Lane. Buckles of Estes, also on Elkhorn Avenue, specializes in belt buckles.
