Fall Private Elk Rut Rocky Mountain National Park Tour Discount Tickets

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★★★★★ ★★★★★
Based on 35 reviews |

Get your discount tickets for the Fall Private Elk Rut Rocky Mountain National Park Tour, save up to 11% !

Overview

Join us for a safari-like experience during the elk rut! Drive through Rocky Mountain National Park on a 4, 5, or 6 hour private tour with only your party & guide! On our Rut Tour, you'll be taken up the iconic Old Fall River Road where you will see beautiful mountain views & waterfalls, stop at the highest visitor center in the US National Park System, drive back down the highest continuous paved road in the United States, Trail Ridge Road and witness the elk rut mating season in Moraine Park. When Old Fall River Road isn't open, you will drive up & back down Trail Ridge Road. This tour is NOT a hiking tour, and focuses more on driving in the National Park with small strolls throughout. *Wildlife is unpredictable & we cannot guarantee sightings, but we try our best to scout the prime locations! We only 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.

Pickup Information

We are only able to offer pickup for guests within Estes Park. Send us your pickup address in Estes Park (any location) and we'll be sure to arrive promptly at your tour start time. If you’re staying outside of Estes Park, please meet us at the Estes Park Visitor Center Parking Garage. Just look out for our blue Subaru Ascent!

Language Offered

English-GUIDE

Itinerary

1. The Stanley Hotel
See the historic and famously haunted Stanley Hotel on your drive towards Rocky Mountain National Park with history and stories of this iconic location.
2. Rocky Mountain National Park
Our Elk Rut 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. At sunset, you will get to witness the elk gather in Moraine Park for the elk rut. Don't worry about the timed entry permit, your entrance and permit into the Rocky Mountain National Park are included!
Duration: 30 mins
3. Alluvial Fan
Our your way up to the tundra, you'll stop for a guided walk around the Alluvial Fan to see Horseshoe Falls and learn the history of this unique feature in the National Park
Duration: 30 mins
4. Old Fall River Road
When open, (typically July through September) your guide Riley will take you up Old Fall River Road, a one-way dirt road that goes up to the Alpine Visitor Center. You'll experience thrilling cliff-side mountain driving, see beautiful wildlife, flowing waterfalls, and more! When Old Fall River Road is not open, you will drive up Trail Ridge Road as far as it is open for the season.
Duration: 60 mins
5. Alpine Visitor Center
When open, take a short stop at the highest Visitor Center in all of the US National Park System (typically June through September)! Your guide will spend 20 minutes here for you to shop. Grab a snack, snap some photos, or get your National Park Passport stamped before heading back to Estes Park!
Duration: 30 mins
6. Trail Ridge Road
On the drive to Moraine Park, your guide will take you down the highest continuous paved road in the United States, Trail Ridge Road. Witness the changing beauty of the ecosystems within the Rocky Mountain National Park from the upper tundra to the lower montane. In October, you will drive up Trail Ridge Road as far as it is open for the season.
Duration: 60 mins
7. Moraine Park Museum
To finish your tour, you will stop around sunset time in the Moraine Park to witness the elk rut before heading back to Estes Park. Here, you can see the winding Big Thompson River with the elk fighting for their harems!
Duration: 60 mins

Inclusion

Private transportation

Bottled water

Timedy Entry Permit

Binoculars / Spotting Scope with 4K video

In-vehicle air conditioning

Entrance fees

Exclusion

Government fees

Lunch

Infant Car Seat

Cancellation Policy

Check mark icon Refundable tickets

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

  • 100% refund if cancelled 1+ days before the start date
  • 0% refund if cancelled less than 1 day(s) before the start date

Additional Info

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

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.

Supplied by Explore Estes

Reviews

5.0

★★★★★ ★★★★★
Based on 35 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

5 stars
35
4 stars
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3 stars
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2 stars
0
1 stars
0

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