Elk Fest in Estes Park FREE Oct.1-2

Check out the annual Elk Fest in Estes Park Oct. 1 and 2, from 9AM to 5PM. FREE at Bond Park in downtown Estes.  The highlight is getting a ticket to ride the Elk Bus for a mere $5 (kids under 3 FREE).
Tix will be sold at the Bond Park Gazebo.  Bond Park is at intersection of MacGregor and Elkhorn Avenues.

At the fest you will learn about elk, their habitat and how to observe them safely in the wild. Elk Fest features bugling competitions, educational areas, seminars, live music, a Mountain Man Rendezvous, Native American storytelling & music, a display of raptors, and guided elk-viewing tours. There will also be vendors displaying artwork, handmade elk-ivory jewelry, scrimshawed antler knives, elk antler lamps and chandeliers; elk hide pillows, silver and gold jewelry and other exceptional merchandise. Food vendors offer a variety of food choices, including barbecue, elk cuisine, hot dogs, hamburgers, funnel cakes, roasted almonds, kettle corn and more. 

At nearby Rocky Mountain National Park you can't walk five feet without tripping over an Elk. The park charges $20 a car, or $10 per individual walker/bike rider for a seven day pass. Check out upper Beaver Meadows, Horseshoe Park or Moraine Park.Most visitors will head out to watch the elk around dusk on the weekends.

There are plenty of opportunities to elk watching near Denver. Remember that early morning and late evening in fall are the best times to see elk. Check out:

• Evergreen - Upper Brook Forest Road
• Elk Meadow Park, between Evergreen and Bergen Park
•  Idaho Springs – Upper York Gulch Road

Please remember to mind your manners when elk watching. Don't jump out of your car and leave it in the middle or the road. Pull off the road. Other rules of elk-watching etiquette include turning off your engine, headlights and car radio. People should not approach the animals - they are dangerous. Also do not use artificial elk calls or shine lights on the animals.  Don't yell at, or harass the animals. Use common sense.