Magic of the Night Sky

    National parks are some of the few remaining places to witness a starry night sky. The top of Trail Ridge Road on a clear night is simply amazing!

    Observe the night sky with a park ranger and expert volunteer astronomers during Rocky Mountain National Park’s Astronomy in the Park programs. Dress warmly and bring binoculars and a flashlight. This 30-minute program is followed by stargazing. Meet at Upper Beaver Meadows trailhead. July 6, 13 at 8:15pm; Aug. 3, 10, 2019 at 7:45pm.

    The Rocky Mountain National Park Night Sky Festival includes three days of fun daytime activities, speakers, programs, and night sky viewing. Aug. 10-12. For full details, visit nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/astronomy_programs.htm.

    Estes Park Memorial Observatory is open to the public on open-house nights. The free nights are presented by members of the local Estes Valley Astronomy Club. angelsabove.org.

     

    outdoor classrooms

    Rocky Mountain Conservancy – Field Institute is a nonprofit program dedicated to supporting Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP). Programs offer direct access to RMNP and hands-on field experiences with professional instructors. Most seminars include lectures and field trips that enable participants to experience Rocky as a classroom without walls.

    Classes cover a wide range of topics, including wildflowers, mammals, birds, cultural history, outdoor skills, photography, painting, and writing.

    They are popular so sign up in advance. rmconservancy.org/learn-with-us/field-institute.

    Estes Valley Library

    While enjoying the shopping and dining in downtown Estes Park, stop by the town’s friendly public library. Temporary library cards are available for visitors and seasonal workers. Baby storytime is every Thursday and Friday at 10am. Storytime for kids 6 and under is every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 10:30am. Public Internet computers are available, plus free 24-hour WiFi access. Printing and copying is 10¢/page, and document scanning is free.

    Our Wonderful World is the library’s popular travel-adventure program series, held Tuesdays June 4-July 30 at 7pm. Free admission. Estes Valley Community Center’s Multipurpose Room. 970-586-8116, estesvalleylibrary.org.

    go on the search

    Pikas in the Park is a fun activity for the whole family in downtown Estes Park. Pikas are cute small mammals that live in high rocky slopes in Rocky Mountain National Park. There are 12 bronze pika sculptures hiding in downtown Estes Park, from the east end of the Riverwalk to the west end of downtown. Each pika is named after a famous character from the history of Estes Park. Pick up a pika clue brochure at the Estes Park Visitor Center and try to find all 12 of these cute bronze creatures. If you find them all, go to the Estes Park Visitor Center and get your “I found the Pikas in Estes Park” badge!