Surrounded by the Colorado Rockies, the Roosevelt National Forest, and Rocky Mountain National Park, you can spend your entire vacation at Allenspark just taking in its stunning natural environment. No trip to Allenspark is complete without driving the length of the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway, exploring the inspiring Chapel on the Rock, or visiting the historic Eagle Plume trading post. Best time to visit Allenspark, Colorado is during the fall season when you can admire stunning fall foliage colors on your outdoor pursuits. In the spring (April and May), look for wonderful wildflower displays on vacation.
Getting to Allenspark, Colorado by Car or by Plane:
- From Estes Park: Allenspark is 25 minutes from Estes Park (15.7 miles via CO-7 E).
- From Denver: Fly to Denver International Airport (DEN) where you can rent a car. The drive from Denver takes 1 hour 30 minutes (69.1 miles via I-25 N)
Where to stay in Allenspark, Colorado:
- Stay in a historic log cabin at Allenspark Lodge B&B.
- Check out Meeker Park Lodge. Surrounded by the Roosevelt National Forest, the lodge is great for nature lovers. There is a gift shop, horse stable, and a restaurant.
- Stay in a cabin tucked in the woods at Seven Keys Lodge located between Estes Park and Allenspark.
Allenspark Events:
- Check out the FREE Sunday Movie Nights Event at The Old Gallery.
- Buy fresh produce at the Allenspark Farmers Market.
- Relax with Yoga on vacation.
Allenspark History:
Allenspark has Gold Rush roots. The town is named after Alonzo Nelson Allen who built the first cabin there in 1864. In the 20th century, the town began attracting tourists looking for beautiful nature.
Best things to do with kids: Visit historic sites along the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway
Colorado is home to twenty-six scenic and historic byways, and the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway is one of the best ways to experience the rustic beauty of the land. Spanning over 55 miles, it would take you two hours or more to drive the entire length of the byway. Historic sites along the way include the still-functioning Moffat Tunnel, the Central City Opera House, and the ghost town of Apex.
Cheapest thing to do: See the impressive Ouzel Falls
Situated within Rocky Mountain National Park, one of the best ways to access Ouzel Falls is through the fairly remote Wild Basin Trailhead. The trail is approximately 5.4 miles roundtrip and is a moderately difficult hike. Be on the lookout for water ouzels, which is a small bird known for bobbing and diving along the rocks and underwater in search of food.
Visit Eagle Plume's
Eagle Plume’s is home to the Charles Eagle Plume Collection of Native American Art - this collection has over a thousand historic and prehistoric pieces of art from several indigenous tribes across the United States and Canada.
Address: 9853 CO-7, Allenspark, CO 80510, Phone: 303-747-2861
See the location of Chapel on the Rock
Officially named Saint Catherine of Siena Chapel, Chapel on the Rock is an operational Catholic chapel that can be found on what was once the Catholic Archdiocese of Denver’s Saint Malo Retreat, Conference, and Spiritual Center. The chapel, which is somewhat of a tourist landmark in Allenspark, was over twenty years in the making before it was finally completed in 1936. The serene and inspiring location was even visited by Pope John Paul II who came in 1993, prayed in the chapel, and blessed it afterwards. Though the chapel is still open, visitors will no longer be able to see the retreat as it was destroyed during a fire in 2011.
Address: 10758 CO-7, Allenspark, CO 80510
Learn about local history at The Old Gallery in Allenspark
The Old Gallery in Allenspark is a non-profit, fully volunteer-driven community center that focuses on the arts. It is home to several local and regional Colorado artists who go to The Old Gallery so they can create, display, and sell their work. Residents and visitors go there throughout the year to participate in classes like yoga, memoir writing, sculpting, painting, and more.
Address: 14863 CO-7, Allenspark, CO 80510, Phone: 303-747-2906
Things to do under $10: Hike to the 200-foot high Calypso Cascades
The 200-foot high Calypso Cascades can be found situated within the rich Rocky Mountain National Park. To get to the cascades you will have to hike through the Wild Basin Trailhead, but the hike is rated as being fairly easy and is only 3.6 miles in distance round trip. One of the best times to visit is during the spring run-off, around late June, as this is when the cascades can be seen roaring. During the rest of the year, the flow of the cascades is pretty unimpressive, but you’ll still be able to experience the stunning flora and fauna of the park throughout the hike.
