Sunday, 10/6
Permit(s):
- Rocky Mountain National Park – Required for Lake Copeland and Lily Lake if visiting between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.
- Stanley Hotel Tours – Night Tour and Shining Tour (booked in advance).
Agenda
- Lily Lake
- Meadow Mountain Café
- Copeland Lake
- The Stanley Hotel
- The Post Chicken and Beer
- Night Tour at The Stanley Hotel
- Shining Tour at The Stanley Hotel
Sunrise Adventure: Lily Lake
Photographing sunrise is great for capturing stunning shots but can be hard to do on vacation. If photography is your hobby, especially at Rocky Mountain National Park, you’ll want to plan for several early mornings. Most of the iconic golden-hour views are best at sunrise, especially on the park’s east side, which is home to famous hikes and vistas in the Bear Lake Corridor.
In early October, the mornings can be chilly. Bundle up and dress in layers—you’ll be glad you did. While most of our trip was comfortable, sunrise hikes were noticeably cold. Hand warmers are a must. For our first sunrise adventure, we headed back down HWY 7 to Lily Lake.
Lily Lake is within the park but not accessed through a main entrance. If you’re visiting between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. during the busy season, a timed-entry permit is required. We arrived early, so we didn’t need one. At sunrise, the lake was quiet, with only a few small groups arriving as the sun rose. Later in the day, the parking lot was full. I highly recommend visiting at sunrise for a peaceful experience.
The lake is a short walk from the parking lot and wheelchair accessible. From the parking lot, turn right and take a brief walk to the small walking bridge. Standing on the bridge and looking southwest, you’ll see a stunning view of Lily Lake with Longs Peak and Mount Meeker in the backdrop. The sunrise illuminates the mountains beautifully, and on our visit, the lake’s stillness provided a perfect reflection. While we had clear skies, which were less dramatic for photos, the view was still incredible.
Breakfast Stop: Meadow Mountain Café
After a chilly morning, we warmed up and drove south to Allenspark for breakfast at the cozy Meadow Mountain Café. Allenspark has a charming, secluded mountain-town feel, but you might feel a little lost as you approach. GPS can be unreliable, and the café is tucked into what looks like a neighborhood with dirt roads.
Inside, the café was inviting, with one friendly server handling all the guests and a small kitchen staff. A group of locals gathered around a large table, chatting about everything from politics to local events. A lovable large dog, Ben, was a centerpiece of the café’s charm, entertaining everyone by enjoying bits of bacon from his owner. At one point, Ben tried to follow me into the restroom for a drink of water!
The food was delicious—pancakes and French toast that hit the spot. But what stood out most was the café’s authentic, small-town vibe. This was a memorable experience, and I highly recommend stopping in if you’re in the area. Don’t forget to save some bacon for Ben!
Quick Stop: Copeland Lake
On our way back to Estes Park, we stopped at Copeland Lake via the Wild Basin entrance to the park. This area is much quieter than the main sections of Rocky Mountain National Park. Only a few cars were parked, and we shared the space with just one fisherman.
Copeland Lake offers a serene view of the water with Copeland Mountain in the background. Although the light wasn’t optimal for photography during our late-morning visit, it’s a peaceful spot worth checking out. For photographers, early morning visits may yield better results. There are also trails and other hikes in the Wild Basin area for those wanting to explore further.
Evening at the Stanley Hotel
After a relaxing afternoon, we headed to the Stanley Hotel for dinner and tours. We had reservations at a nearby restaurant, The Post Chicken and Beer, and tickets for both the Night Tour and the Shining Tour. While advance booking worked for us, we noticed that reservations likely weren’t necessary in October on a Sunday. The food at the restaurant was just okay—convenient because of its location, but not worth a special trip.
The Stanley Hotel is a must-see when visiting Estes Park. Its rich history, connection to “The Shining,” and iconic appearance in “Dumb and Dumber” make it a fun stop. Before the tours, we snapped a photo on the steps Jim Carrey descends in the movie and visited the bar for a picture by the “Man Walks on the Moon” poster.
Tour Tips:
The tours are enjoyable but better for gaining access to areas of the hotel rather than for unique content. If you only choose one, I’d recommend going with your preference—doing both the Night Tour and Shining Tour back-to-back was a bit repetitive. For fans of “The Shining,” it’s important to note that while the hotel inspired Stephen King’s novel, the movie was not filmed there. This fact seemed to disappoint some visitors, but the recreated bathroom from the film was a neat touch.
We didn’t experience any paranormal activity during our visit, but the hotel’s charm and history made for a memorable evening.
Takeaways
This day combined early-morning tranquility at Lily Lake, authentic local charm at Meadow Mountain Café, and classic Estes Park attractions at the Stanley Hotel. Whether you’re drawn to photography, mountain-town culture, or iconic landmarks, this itinerary offers a little bit of everything.
Stay tuned for the next blog post, where we dive into more adventures in Rocky Mountain National Park!
