Summer Private Rocky Mountain National Park Driving Tour
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
Join us for an unforgettable experience in our 3-row Subaru Ascent! Drive through the Rocky Mountain National Park on a 4, 5, or 6 hour private tour with only your party & your guide! Our Summer Rocky Mountain Tour starts you in the lower valley meadows, then takes you on a journey up iconic roads that are open for your visit (Trail Ridge Road June - Sep., or off-road on Old Fall River Road July - Sep.) where you will see beautiful mountain views & waterfalls, we’ll make a short stop at the highest visitor center in the US National Park system, and drive back down the highest continuous paved road in the United States, Trail Ridge Road, on our way back to Estes Park. This tour is NOT a hiking tour, and focuses more on driving in the National Park with small strolls throughout.
We are only able to offer pickup for guests staying in Estes Park. If you are staying outside of Estes Park, we can meet you at the free parking garage for the Estes Park Visitor Center for pickup.
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Please note that you need to bring your own infant seats if you are with an infant during the tour.
What To Expect
See the historic and famously haunted Stanley Hotel on your drive towards Rocky Mountain National Park with history and stories of this iconic location.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Our tour in Estes Park is all about taking a beautiful drive into the Rocky Mountain National Park. We'll take you as high up the mountain as the weather allows through beautiful scenic mountain passes. You'll see the city of Estes Park from above, beautiful lakes, meadows, waterfalls, and wildlife. Don't worry about the timed entry permit, your entrance and permit into the Rocky Mountain National Park are included!
Options
4-5 Hour Private Driving Tour
Additional stops & strolls: Additional stops with strolls at Horseshoe Park, Horseshoe Falls, and the Alpine Visitor Center Duration: 5 hours: 4 - 5 hour private driving tour of Rocky Mountain National Park Activity Level: Easy, small strolls rated as easy walks, with stops at photo spots and bathroom breaks. Pickup included
5-6 Hour Private Driving Tour
Additional Wildlife Scouting: Includes all of the additional strolls of the full itinerary, including up to an hour of extra wildlife scouting. Duration: 6 hours: 5 - 6 hour private driving tour of Rocky Mountain National Park Pickup included
3-4 Hour Private Driving Tour
Duration: 4 hours: 3 - 4 hour driving tour of Rocky Mountain National Park Activity Level: Easy, staying in vehicle for majority of tour, quick stops for photos and bathroom breaks. Pickup included
What‘s Included
Private transportation
Timed Entry Permit
Bottled water
Binoculars / Spotting Scope with 4K video
Air-conditioned vehicle
Explore Estes covers up to $15 per guest for RMNP entry. Any remaining fees for non-US residents must be paid by the traveler at the park entrance
Fees for international travelers / non-US residents into RMNP is not included. An additional $100 per traveler for a day pass, or $250 for an annual NPS pass.
Lunch
Infant Car Seat
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
109 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Return and will again
jenniferfS9882PH,Jun 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was my second time, different season and well worth it. I highly recommend doing this tour, no matter the season!
Great experience!
N9962IArenees,Jun 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Riley was an amazing guide! Great driver, great stories/information. AMAZING TIME! Thank you!
Awesome time in RMNP
Thomas C,Jun 19, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Riley was amazing. Gave us an in depth personalized tour that we loved. Saw lots of wildlife up close and parts of the park we wouldn’t have seen on our own. Highly recommended!
Estes Private Guide
Jodie N,Jun 16, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Hands down the best experience and knowledgeable guide in Estes! Even one of the volunteers at one of the turn outs in the park was very impressed at his knowledge! I'm not a fit gal and in her 50s, we went for a little walk to see a waterfall, Riley was thoughtful and kind and kept a walking pace that was comfortable for all. Riley, had a spotting scope that he would bring out several times and we could see wildlife way on the other side on another mountain. My husband and I had such a great time, we would book this company again! We also got some awesome pictures! And Riley, also offered to take pictures of my husband and I and got some really great pictures!
Great experience
U972UZhollyh,Jun 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Riley was a courteous and informative guide through the park. We were both able to relax and enjoy the amazing views without stressing about driving and navigation. He also brought a scope and set it up in different areas to spot wildlife which helped us see more on our tour. We had a limited amount of time to spend in the park on our trip and this was definitely worth it.
Delightful Postcard Worthy Tour
Practicing,Sep 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A wonderful tour, well worth the fee! Three senior friends loved the experience, packed with information, history and science, and engaging stories. Riley had to adapt this tour to the top of the park as it had snowed and the road was closed; he smoothly took us to the alluvial site, Bear Lake, both with beautiful walks. We encountered a gathering of elk close up and stopped at many viewing spots. We were entranced with the Rocky Mountains and became a fan of the tour guide! I’ve already booked a tour for my family!
Riley was a a very...
Sharon K,Aug 27, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Riley was a a very knowledgeable and informative guide! He has embraced Rocky Mountain National Park and is quick to point out and name animals, points of interest and fauna. Extremely knowledgeable of everything Rocky Mountain National Park and all of its folklore. Previously did another small group tour…but it did not compare. We visited areas of the park we would not of ever done on our own. Book this tour today!
Perfect Park Tour
913kathrynu,Aug 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Riley gave us an awesome experience on our Rocky Mountain Park tour. We saw so many amazing animals and Riley was knowledgeable about the Park’s flora and fauna. A perfect day spent in the Park with a guide who shared stories and history as well. Would recommend this tour for anyone.
Explore Estes
James H,Aug 18, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Our tour with Explore Estes was wonderful. Riley met us exactly on time, the vehicle was immaculately clean and comfortable. From start to finish we were treated respectfully and our safety was Riley’s priority. His knowledge of Rocky Mountain National Park is immense and his way of communicating his knowledge was easy to follow being alternately serious and entertaining. The tour was the best part of our trip to Estes Park and RMNP.
Consistently amazing and accommodates individual needs
Pickles123a,Aug 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was my second tour with Riley. My fiancé and his mother were with me last year. Riley was a great guide, very informative and adaptable to an 80+ year olds limitations while still helping ensure she was able to get some amazing views. When Mom and I decided to come to Estes Park this year, I told her we were definitely making the trip when Riley was available. We planned the entire trip around ensuring we had a RMNP tour with Riley. Mom agreed, he is an amazing tour guide. It’s worth every penny. I’m both occasions, I felt like he went above and beyond and a generous tip was well deserved. When we return, I won’t even bother searching other options, I’ll be booking Riley.
Related Experiences
Operated by Explore Estes