Saturday, 10/5
Permit: Rocky Mountain National Park – 7 Day Vehicle Pass
- HWY 7 Scenic Drive
- St. Cathrines Cathedral
- Middle Saint Vrain Creek
- Nederland
- Kaleidescope’s
- New Moon Bakery and Cafe
- Downtown Estes Park
- Penelope’s World Famous Burgers and Fries
- Lower Trail Ridge Rd. Overlook
Weekend in Estes Park: HWY 7 Scenic Drive
Our first two days in Estes Park were over the weekend, so we planned to explore scenic HWY 7 on Saturday and Sunday to avoid the busier sections of Rocky Mountain National Park. HWY 7 offers plenty of stops for photography and sightseeing, and the drive itself is stunning. Some stops along the highway are within park boundaries and require a 7-day vehicle pass, so plan accordingly. We started in Estes Park, heading south to Nederland as a turnaround point. This route also gave us time to adjust to the altitude before tackling any challenging hikes.
General Tip: Fuel Up First
Before heading out, make sure to fill up your gas tank. Gas stations are scarce outside of Estes Park, and a visit to Rocky Mountain National Park involves a fair amount of driving.
Stop 1: St. Catherine’s Cathedral
We highly recommend stopping at St. Catherine’s Cathedral. The view of the chapel with Mount Meeker in the backdrop is breathtaking, especially if you walk up to the road for a wider perspective. This active Catholic chapel hosts weddings, and on our visit, a couple was set to marry later that day. We arrived around 8 a.m., right as it opened, and had the place to ourselves before other visitors began arriving. Parking is convenient, right next to the chapel, and you can walk inside for a quick look. A friendly volunteer was available to answer questions. Fun fact: Pope John Paul II visited this chapel in 1993.
Skip These Stops
For photographers, we suggest skipping Wild Basin Edge and Allenspark. While they’re worth a quick glance as you drive past, they don’t offer great photography opportunities. Wild Basin Edge has obstructive brush and a distracting power line that runs through the view. Allenspark features dead trees in the foreground and a less-than-ideal angle of the road. Save your time for better spots along HWY 7.
Hidden Gem: Middle Saint Vrain Creek
Further south, we stumbled upon a quaint walking bridge leading to Middle Saint Vrain Creek. The golden aspens lining the creek during our visit created a picturesque scene, perfect for photography. This stop is worth a few moments to soak in the peaceful surroundings.
Stop 2: Lunch in Nederland
Nederland, our turnaround point, is a busy mountain town with a quirky charm. While not especially picturesque, it’s a convenient stop along HWY 7. The town offers a variety of food options, including a deli, a pizzeria, and a popular taphouse with outdoor seating. We opted for a local food truck, Kaleidoscope’s, which served fantastic gyros. They also had picnic tables for seating—some less visible but great for avoiding crowds.
For dessert, we stopped at New Moon Bakery and Café for iced coffee, lattes, and a delicious chocolate chip cookie. This cozy spot is perfect for an afternoon pick-me-up.
Handy Tip: Nederland also has a hidden Ace Hardware store, which came in handy for a quick supply stop before heading back to Estes Park.
Stop 3: Dinner in Estes Park
After a day of exploring, we dined at Penelope’s World Famous Burgers and Fries in downtown Estes Park. This spot is a must-visit! Located on the north side of downtown, it offers a relaxed vibe and some of the best burgers and fries we’ve ever had. Add it to your list if you enjoy indulging on vacation.
We ended the evening with ice cream at a local shop. Unfortunately, it didn’t meet our expectations, but stay tuned for future posts where we’ll share our favorite ice cream spot.
Astrophotography at Lower Trail Ridge Rd. Overlook
Before calling it a night, we ventured to Lower Trail Ridge Rd. Overlook for some astrophotography. This spot offers a dark sky with minimal light pollution, though you can still see the lights of Estes Park in the distance. Another photographer arrived with the same goal, and after some trial and error (and a helpful tip from them), I adjusted my settings to ISO 3200/6400 and finally captured my first shot of the Milky Way! This was a highlight of the trip for me.
Planning Ahead: Sunday’s Sunrise Hike
We headed back to our Airbnb to rest up for an early start on Sunday. Our plan was to hike to Lake Lily for a sunrise shot. With limited opportunities for sunrise photography on this trip, I was excited to make this one count. Check out the next blog post to read about our Lake Lily adventure!
