Activities
Fun For The Whole Family
Rustic River Cabins offers you and your family several activities you can enjoy right here on the property or very nearby the surrounding Estes Park area.
Click on the activities below to learn more details about each. You can even book your appointments and activity reservations directly from here!
On-Site Activities at Rustic River Cabins:
Rocky Mountain Movement and Massage
After a fun day of hiking, get a massage with Elizabeth Coffin. She focuses on athletic recovery, pain management, and relaxation.
You can make an appointment to head to her studio or she will come right to Rustic River Cabins. Make an appointment here.
Fishing
Fishing licenses: Call 1-800-244-5613 or visit the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website. Credit cards are accepted for phone and internet purchases.
What you will need to buy a license:
1. Current and valid photo ID
2. For Colorado residents, proof of residency
3. Habitat Stamp
Colorado waters are open to taking fish, amphibians and crustaceans day and night, year round, except as otherwise stated in the regulation you will find on the website of Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
Special regulations for fishing waters on the Big Thompson River – Larimer County are as follows:
– You must use artificial flies and lures only.
– Trout must be returned to water immediately.
So don’t forget to bring your lures and fly fishing poles. There are many stores in Estes Park and along the Big Thompson River where you can pick up your fishing supplies, if you prefer.
Want to fish for free? Residents and non-residents can fish without a license or Habitat Stamp on the first full weekend of June each year. All other rules and regulations apply. So book your cabin early for that weekend because our cabins fill up fast! Check availability here.
Hot Tubs
Our hot tubs are available year-round so don’t forget to bring your bathing suit! We have 6 hot tubs on-site with five of them being private to Cabins 1, 3, 4, 5 and 8.
For our guests staying in Cabins 2 or 6, we offer a large community hot tub located on our large community deck which overlooks the Big Thompson River.
Wildlife
Watch out for the wildlife right here at Rustic River Cabins. We have chipmunks that can catch you off guard when darting across the grounds. Our friendly, non-venomous snake, Rusty, lives near the path on the way down to the river. He does not show himself to people much so it is a rare occasion when you find him sun-bathing on the deck.
The rabbits love to eat the wild flowers and grass around the grounds. Plus, we have ducks that gather along the river and they love corn! Our guests can purchase a small bag of corn to keep these feathered friends fat and happy!
Since our cabins reside on 16 acres, you may have a chance to see elk walking right through Rustic River Cabins. Of course, the golf course in Estes Park near Estes Lake is one of the best places to see elk. In late summer and early fall, the lower meadows of Rocky Mountain National Park is also a great place to see herds of elk.
For all the bird lovers, Rustic River Cabins is a great place to get your bird-watching fix! You’ll see Steller’s Jays (native only to the Rocky Mountains) and hummingbirds among others. We offer bird identification books and binoculars – just ask us when you check in!
The only kind of bears in Estes Park and Rocky National Park are black bears. Here at Rustic River Cabins, they come down to the river to fish and drink. Make sure you remove any food you brought out of your car as soon as you arrive. Black bears have been known to smash windows to get to food! And make sure you clean up all food when you finish grilling. A phrase the locals like say is, “a fed bear is a dead bear.” So let’s help keep the black bears wild.
Family Reunions
Gather ‘round: Rustic River Cabins would love to be your home for family reunions.
You can reserve all seven cabins or just a couple for your family to enjoy. Contact us to learn more about having your next event with us.
Fun Outdoor Activities
Got S’mores? We have an outdoor fire pit to roast S’mores with the little (and big) kids. Our beautiful deck overlooks the Big Thompson River and has tables and chairs so you can enjoy visiting with family and friends while stargazing under the beautiful Colorado night sky.
Activities in the Surrounding Estes Park Area:
Guided Tours and Rock Climbing Excursions
Rocky Mountain National Park offers a lifetime worth of breath-taking hikes. Get out there with a local guide to explore waterfalls, wildlife, and open fields of wildflowers during a 4-hour hike. Extend your hike to 6 hours to get above the tree line, reach the crystal-clear waters of Chasm lake, and gaze up at the Diamond of Longs Peak.
Do you have another hiking goal in mind? Have a guide help you reach that Rocky Mountain summit that has inspired you. There are a plethora of hikes suitable for everyone, every age and ability level! Not sure what to do or where to go? Visit the Estes Park Rock Climbing website and they can help you create a custom day in RMNP.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Plan your day trips to the Rocky Mountain National Park Rocky Mountain National Park Service
What to do in Estes Park, Colorado
Estes Park is a great little city full of shops, dining and live entertainment, such as the annual Estes Park Festival.
Click the links below to find out what is available when you come for a visit:
Estes Park, Colorado
ATV, UTV, and Jeep Rentals
Explore the mountains of Estes Park, Colorado on a rental ATV, UTV, or Jeep. A unique adventure you and your family will never forget.
For more information Contact Backbone Adventures.
Art Classes by Inspired Artisan Market and Studio
We know that when you visit Estes Park, you can’t help but be inspired by the beauty and majesty of the Colorado Rockies. The memories that you make here will be cherished for a lifetime.
With that in mind, Inspired Artisan Market & Studio was created to be a place where both visitors and locals alike can come to shop, create, and connect with each other and our natural surroundings.
Many of our guests enjoy taking art classes like Acrylic Paint Pouring, Tie-Dying, and Jewelry Making. To book your next creative inspiration, visit Inspired Art Experiences
Mustang Mountain Coaster
New to Estes Park! An exhilarating Colorado mountain coaster experience with epic views. The Mustang Mountain Coaster will bring a whole new level of fun to your vacation.
You can purchase a single ride for $20/per person or 3 rides for $35/per person. For the kiddos, you can purchase an all-day pass for kids 3-7 years old that are 38″-56″ tall.
All Kid Pass Riders MUST RIDE PASSENGER with a qualified adult.
Tickets are valid for any day of the year that they are open. If they reach capacity limits on any given day, preference will be given to guests who have pre-paid for tickets online. Located at 1180 Dry Gulch Rd, Estes Park, CO 80517.
Local Restaurants, Coffee Shops and Shopping
Estes Park has many local eateries, coffee shops and shopping. By visiting these places during your stay at Rustic River Cabins, you are also supporting local small businesses. Here are a few of our favorites:
Ed’s Cantina & Grill – Located in downtown Estes Park, Ed’s has been locally owned and operated since the 1980’s. Offering a creative Mexican menu with much concentration in fresh, local and homemade flare. At Ed’s Cantina you will find a lively atmosphere with eager to serve staff. From our energetic family friendly bar, spacious and accommodating dining room, and seasonal river view and covered patio, we are confident you will enjoy your time spent with us.
Antonio’s Real NY Pizza – Real NY Pizza made by actual New Yorkers since 2014! Antonio’s has become a hot spot in Estes Park and it’s no wonder why – their pizzas, calzones, pasta and cannoli’s are amazing! You can call them to place an order at 970-586-7275, option 0 or visit their website to place your order online. They are located at 1560 Big Thompson Ave. which is less than a 5-minute drive from Rustic River Cabins. Feeling Knotty?? Don’t forget to add an order of Garlic Bread Knots, simply to die for! (Closed Mondays).
Coffee On the Rocks – Chill neighborhood coffee shop serving java & bites in comfy digs with outside tables & a duck pond. They serve organic free trade coffee, teas, smoothies, breakfast, lunch, beer, and wine. Located at 510 Moraine Ave, Estes Park, CO 80517 and is less than a 10-minute drive from Rustic River Cabins. Open daily at 7am.
Laura’s Fine Candies – Located in downtown Estes Park, Laura’s Fine Candies is a family-owned and operated business that has perfected their craft with over 50 years of gourmet candy-making experience. They continue to make their confections the “old-fashioned way” by cooking small batches with authentic copper kettles and wooden paddles. This devotion to quality, combined with determination to surpass their customer’s expectations, is the foundation upon which their company was built.
Brownfield’s – Brownfield’s is one of Estes Park’s favorite stores! Known for having something for everyone at prices that can’t be beat, Brownfield’s has been serving the people of Estes Park since 1956. They are currently closed for the season and will reopen on Thursday, May 27, 2021. Located at 350 East Elkhorn Ave. (just as you enter downtown Estes Park).
Rocky Mountain Tops – Take home quality memorable souvenirs that feature beautiful Estes Park. Located in the historic Hupp Hotel on the corner of Elkhorn & Big Horn Drive in the middle of downtown Estes. Their staff is friendly and their store is always well-stocked and clean. Open weekdays beginning at 9:30am and weekends beginning at 9am.
Estes Park Mountain Shop – All your mountain adventures under one roof! Incredible inventory with outstanding customer service! Great selection of: Outdoor Clothing, Backpacks, Hiking Boots & Shoes, Climbing Gear, Snowshoes, Tents, Fishing Gear, Mountain Bikes, Athletic Gear, Gear Rental, and Guided Trips + Lessons. Located at 2050 Big Thompson Ave and is less than a 5-minute drive from Rustic River Cabins. Open daily from 8am to 8pm.
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