Fall Private Elk Rut Rocky Mountain National Park Tour
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
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.
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.
What To Expect
See the historic and famously haunted Stanley Hotel on your drive towards Rocky Mountain National Park with history and stories of this iconic location.
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!
Options
5-6 Hour Private Driving Tour
Additional Wildlife Scouting: Includes all of the additional strolls of the full itinerary, including up to an hour of extra wildlife scouting. Duration: 6 hours: 5 - 6 hour private driving tour of Rocky Mountain National Park Pickup included
3-4 Hour Private Driving Tour
Duration: 4 hours: 3 - 4 hour private driving tour of Rocky Mountain National Park Activity Level: Easy, staying in vehicle for majority of tour, quick stops for photos and bathroom breaks. Pickup included
4-5 Hour Private Driving Tour
Additional stops & strolls: Additional strolls at Horseshoe Park, Horseshoe Falls, the Alpine Visitor Center, and watching the elk rut in Moraine Park. Duration: 5 hours: 4 - 5 hour private driving tour of Rocky Mountain National Park Activity Level Pickup included
What‘s Included
Private transportation
Bottled water
Timedy Entry Permit
Binoculars / Spotting Scope with 4K video
Air-conditioned vehicle
Explore Estes covers up to $15 per guest for RMNP entry. Any remaining fees for non-US residents must be paid by the traveler at the park entrance
Fees for international travelers / non-US residents into RMNP is not included. An additional $100 per traveler for a day pass, or $250 for an annual NPS pass.
Lunch
Infant Car Seat
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
35 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Explore Estes - Rocky Mountain National Park
jameshL7395TB,Feb 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a great private tour with Explore Estes. Riley was very knowledgeable and friendly. He allowed us to adjust the tour as we went. I highly recommend this tour of the Rocky Mountain National Park.
First Time in Estes - Best Decision Ever!
MustHaveAPlanTripper,Oct 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00If I could give 10 starts I would as this was the best decision I made for our entire time in Colorado. I wish everyone could experience Estes and RMNP with Riley as their guide. Very knowledgeable about the area, Riley showed us places that were not overly populated with tourists (like ourselves) but had the best views we could have hoped for during our limited time in RMNP. We started and ended the elk tour seeing about 100 elk, hearing the bull bugle, it was magical. Thank you Riley for setting the standard for every tour guide going forward.
Beautiful day in RMNP
Sherri M,Oct 24, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This was an amazing way to see the highlights and breathtaking beauty of Rocky Mountain National Park! Our guide Riley was knowledgeable, kind and accommodating, showing us all the best sights while catering to our interests. We strongly recommend this tour to make the most of your time in the park!
Outstanding Elk Rut Tour
Upnorth1958,Oct 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00For anyone wanting to take a deeper dive into Rocky Mountain National Park, I highly recommend the Elk Rut tour with Riley Higgins. Having toured the park the prior two days on our own, believing we’ve seen close to everything, the Elk Rut tour with Riley took us into far more than we had experienced. He took us down the Fall River road, provided interesting stories about the parks history, its flora & fauna, as well as the parks lore. I give an outstanding endorsement to Riley Higgins and his Elk Rut tour.
Great Experience
charper56,Oct 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a wonderful tour with Riley on our last day in Estes Park and the only day Trail Ridge Road was open during our stay. Riley is very accommodating and made the tour so enjoyable. He has a great amount of knowledge about the park’s history, wildlife and geography. Would 100% recommend a tour with Explore Estes.
Wonderful experience!
W8057BUbenm,Oct 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We took the tour the first day we were in Estes Park. Best decision ever. Riley and Marriah are the wonderful couple that own and operate Explore Estes which provides several excellent tours as well as the only ride service in Estes Park. We used them to tour RMNP and to get to dinner every night of our trip. They have first rate cars and are always on time. Made our trip run like clockwork. Highly recommend them for your tour and transportation needs while enjoying Estes Park and RMNP.
Elk Rut Tour and Mystery Tour
854tenac,Oct 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a beautiful day out with our tour guide Riley ( if this is not your name I am sorry) you know we were older and can’t hear well. Anyway this young man was very knowledgeable about the park. We saw the most beautiful places and lots of elk which was what I wanted to see. He was a very sweet young man it was like our own son carried us on tour. It was great from start to finish. I highly recommend this tour!
Absolutely wonderful afternoon!
Culture790231,Oct 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was a wonderful tour—a perfect afternoon!! Riley was great! He shared his vast knowledge of the Rocky Mountain National Park in such an easy, entertaining way. He had to adjust the tour due to the Fall River Road being closed and the Trail Ridge Road being partially closed. But we still got to see so much of this beautiful park. We saw many, many elk!!And heard lots of interesting stories. We would advise this tour to all!
The drive had a scheduled...
Ken B,Oct 1, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The drive had a scheduled route and our driver made some modifications based on conversations in the car. Our driver was very knowledgeable about the area and history and provided insight to the various areas of the drive.
RMNP afternoon
Penny A,Sep 30, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Informative, outdoor adventure giving a great overall view of RMNP. Our tour guide, Riley, was very knowledgeable, accommodating, and personable.
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Operated by Explore Estes