We are always on the lookout for dog friendly trails near Estes Park, Colorado because furry friends aren’t allowed on trails in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Lily Mountain is a dog friendly hike. It is located off of Highway 7, just south of Estes Park, Colorado. If I had to choose three words to describe this hike they would be quick, fun and views. The distance is 1.8 miles each way, which is short for a summit hike. You gain 1,240 feet of elevation (according to AllTrails.com)
The trail is part of the Roosevelt National Forest. There is not a parking lot, but there is space for cars to park off the road. These spots are limited and can fill up quickly. It is fairly easy to pass right by the trailhead without spotting it. If you get to Lily Lake (from Estes Park), you have gone a little too far.
In 2013, Estes Park and surrounding areas were impacted by devastating flooding and landslides. The trail up Lily Mountain was damaged. You cross over the landslide area at approximately .3 miles into the hike. We have been able to pass through without slipping or footing issues.
After you cross, the trail climbs steadily. There are several spots with good lookouts towards the Estes Valley.
The last couple hundred feet include a class 2 scramble to the summit. For us, that means we use our hands and feet to climb to the top. We do not bring our toddler and preschooler on this section of the trail, instead my husband and I take turns on who gets to summit and who stays back with the kiddos. (I would guess most dogs would also need to stay back – unless they are part mountain goat)
After the fun scramble to the top, you can catch your breath and enjoy the 360 degree views of the Rocky Mountains.
Panoramic Views from the Summit of Lily Mountain during Sunrise
We think this is one of the best views you will find near Estes Park, Colorado. We featured it in a recent post, 9 Hikes with Amazing Views.
If you are looking for more great dog friendly hikes, check out our post about the Homer Rouse Trail in Estes Park, Colorado.
You may remember that one of my goals this year is to keep a few house plants alive. (19 goals in 2019)
This month we put together a fresh herb garden under a window in our living room. Picking out the stand, buying the pots, and planting the seeds was a fun project that involved our whole family. We planted basil, rosemary and thyme seeds along with an aloe plant. For added fun, I put out a colorful fish plate that the girls painted as a spot to keep their growing rock collection.
And the best part… our herbs are growing! Thanks to my husband who remembers to water the plants and turns the pots periodically so sunlight hits the soil evenly.
I can’t wait to use the fresh herbs to cook, but until then I’m enjoying watching them grow. I loved this project because it created a happy little spot in our home.
I hope everyone had a great Valentine’s Day! Inspired by all the LOVE, this week I’m sharing the most romantic things to do in Estes Park, Colorado.
Linger over breakfast. Typically I eat toast for breakfast, that’s the opposite of romantic! Sitting down to a full service breakfast with a couple cups of coffee is a luxury. There are a lot of places to eat breakfast in Estes Park. A couple of my favorites are Notchtop Bakery & Cafe and Trailhead Restaurant.
Play Outside. There is something very romantic about activities that are playful or adventurous. During the winter months you can grab a sled and ride in Rocky Mountain National Park’s Hidden Valley. Or, you can rent snowshoes and explore the trails you love all covered in bright, white snow. If you are planning a romantic trip in the summer, you could rent a boat at Lake Estes marina or go on a horseback ride with your favorite partner.
Browse Unique Shops. Downtown Estes Park has plenty of shopping. Date-worthy destinations include historic Macdonald Bookshop – I think the fireplace adds to the charm. There are also several art galleries in downtown Estes Park. My favorite is Images of Rocky Mountain National Park.
Wine Tasting. Estes Park is home to Snowy Peaks Winery. They offer tastings of local wine and often host live music.
Sunset. When the sun goes down over the mountains, the sky turns brilliant shades of pink and yellow. Savor these magical moments with a romantic drive through Rocky Mountain National Park.
Romantic Night on the Town. The Dunraven Inn in Estes Park offers home-made Italian food and a cozy atmosphere. It’s a unique, locally owned restaurant. There is a tradition to hang $1 bills on the walls in the bar area and a collection of Mona Lisa themed art work is displayed throughout the restaurant.
Get Cozy. Estes Park has a lot of wonderful places to stay while you visit. If you choose to stay at Solitude Cabins, we hope you take time to relax by the stone fireplace and watch the snow falling down outside. We would love for you to visit our cabin and enjoy a memorable weekend with your loved ones. If you would like more suggestions for your itinerary while in Estes Park, I would love to help!
Since we moved from Kansas City, Missouri to Northwest Arkansas, I’ve missed the obvious things, like my parents living a few miles away and the not-so-obvious things like the occasional shopping trip to Trader Joe’s.
It’s interesting to get an outside perspective of the city I grew up in. For us, the biggest attractions in KC are friends and family, but I’ve had several people ask me about things to do in Kansas City.
Spring break is coming up in mid-March so I’m tentatively planning a trip back home. Today I bring you my favorite family-friendly activities in the land of fountains, barbecue and Chiefs football.
Downtown KC Adventure
My girls are 4 and 2-years-old, so taking them on city excursions can seem daunting, but downtown Kansas City has a lot to offer young families.
Historic City Market
Celebrate Mardi Gras at Beignet, a New Orleans style restaurant. Fat Tuesday is March 5.
The City Market is open Saturdays and Sundays year round. You can browse the stalls for fresh fruit, vegetables and flowers. This is a great place to people-watch and enjoy one-of-a-kind dining experiences at the many restaurants. My favorite morning treat is sitting outside of Beignet and savoring the sweet powdered sugar goodness of one of their signature french doughnuts.
KC Streetcar
Explore more routes at kcstreetcar.org
Taking a ride on the KC Streetcar is free, fun and it takes you all the way from the City Market to my favorite building in Kansas City, Union Station.
Union Station
Union Station is an active Amtrak train station. It is also home to Science City, a Planetarium, Extreme Screen, rotating exhibits like “Dinosaurs Revealed” and restaurants. Most of all I love the architecture of this historic building. It’s a great place to take a family photo!
Crown Center
Union Station and Crown Center are connected with a sky walk. Crown Center is home to unique restaurants and shops. My girls like going to Fritz Railroad Restaurant because their food is delivered by toy train. It’s really fun. Outside Crown Center you will see fantastic fountain displays. Check the calendar of events, because there are often events held in the pavilion.
Kansas City Barbecue
Kansas City is known for barbecue and everyone has their favorite. If you want to stay in the downtown area, I’d suggest eating at Jack Stack Barbecue in the Freight House district and buying a bottle or two of their signature barbecue sauces as a tasty souvenir.
Kansas City Zoo
The Kansas City Zoo is open year-round. It’s located in Swope Park which is a 15 minute drive from downtown. You could easily spend a day seeing all of your favorite animals. Our girls love the polar bears, penguins, tigers, giraffes and elephants. We also like riding on the carousel and taking the tram, so I suggest splurging on a pass that includes rides.
Country Club Plaza
Visiting the Country Club Plaza with it’s Spanish architecture, fountains, and high-end retail shopping feels like a special treat. For a family dinner on the town, I’d suggest Bo Ling’s, Brio Tuscan Grille, Buca de Beppo, or the Cheesecake Factory.
Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
Iconic Shuttlecock Statues
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is located near the Plaza. The museum is free (although you may have to pay for parking) and often hosts family-friendly events. My girls enjoy the Sculpture Park on sunny days.
Loose Park
Loose Park is one of our favorite parks in Kansas City. It is located near the Plaza and has a great playground, rose garden and a beautiful pond. The homes that surround the park exude historic charm.
Brookside
Pack Your Green! The Annual Brookside Warm Up Parade is Saturday, March 16, 2019 at 2pm.
If historic charm is your thing, head 5 minutes down the road to Brookside. I suggest trying out local coffee favorite, The Roasterie Cafe before browsing the neighborhood’s shops.
And wait, there is so much more…
Our spring break is mid-March, but there are a few extra events taking place this spring that I MUST share.
Kansas City Royals Baseball opening day is March 28
It’s March Madness! Kansas City hosts college NCAA basketball tournament March 29-31
Deanna Rose Farmstead opens for the season, April 1. It’s located in Overland Park, KS (a suburb of KC). Honestly, I could write a whole other post on things to do near OP!
I hope this gives you a lot of great ideas for fun family adventures in Kansas City, Missouri… my beloved hometown! I’d love to hear what you think of my list.
rocky mountain tot 