Rediscover the Estes Park Tramway: Iconic Views and Family Fun

Some Estes Park experiences are worth doing once. The Estes Park Aerial Tramway is worth doing again and again, and after a season on pause, it is finally back.

The historic red tram cars have been carrying visitors up Prospect Mountain since 1955. After the tramway sat idle for the 2023 season during its sale, new ownership brought it back to life with a fresh look, and it reopened to the public on May 25, 2024. We rode it recently and can tell you it is every bit as good as longtime locals remember, and probably better.

Whether you have lived here for decades or you are visiting Estes Park for the first time, this is one of those things that reminds you why this place gets under your skin. Here is what to know before you go.

Three Things to Know Before You Ride

1. It is a genuine piece of Colorado history. The tramway opened in July 1955 and was designed and built by Robert Heron, an engineering pioneer in ski lifts and tramways. The Heron family ran it for nearly seven decades before selling to new owners, and it has carried more than three million people to the summit.

2. Reservations make all the difference. The tram runs on timed entry slots. We booked an early reservation and had no wait and no lines at all. On a busy summer afternoon, that is not a small thing.

3. There is no time limit at the top. Once you are up there, you can stay as long as you like, as long as you catch the last tram down. Most people plan for a quick ride and end up staying an hour or more.

The Ride Up: A Free Span Design You Will Not Find Many Places

The tramway uses what is called a free span design, which means there are no support towers between the bottom station and the top. It is one long, uninterrupted stretch of cable, and it is rare in the United States. Two things follow from that. The ride is remarkably smooth, and the views are completely unobstructed the entire way up.

The trip to the summit of Prospect Mountain takes about five minutes. It is enough time to watch the treetops drop away beneath you and the valley open up, and just about the right amount of time before you are stepping out at the top.

At the Summit: Views You Do Not Get Anywhere Else

This is the part that surprises people, including people who have lived in Estes Park a long time. The view from the top of Prospect Mountain is a full sweep, and it is hard to overstate.

Look one direction and you get Longs Peak and the entire Continental Divide, with Rocky Mountain National Park laid out in front of you. Pan around and Old Man Mountain and Lumpy Ridge come into view. Keep turning and you are looking straight down at town, close enough to pick out the Park Theater and the Stanley Hotel, with Lake Estes shining out to the east.

It is a 360 degree view of the Estes Valley that you simply cannot get from anywhere else, and you do not have to hike for hours to earn it. That accessibility is a big part of what makes the tram special. It puts a summit view within reach for grandparents, small kids, and everyone in between.

The Hungry Chipmunk Cafe and a Family Tradition

At the top you will find the Hungry Chipmunk Cafe, along with a gift shop, picnic areas, and restrooms. Grab a coffee, a snack, or in Jeff's case a well earned order of tater tots, and take in the view from the deck.

Then there is the tradition that has been part of a trip up the tram for generations. Buy a sack of peanuts at the top and feed the chipmunks. They are bold, they are quick, and they will eat right out of your hand. Ask around town and you will find people who did this as kids and now bring their own grandkids up to do the same thing. That is the kind of continuity that makes a community feel like home.

If you want to stretch your legs, there is a short trail from the upper station up to the true summit of Prospect Mountain. It is an easy add on, and it gets you a few different angles for photos.

Planning Your Visit

Book ahead

The tramway sells tickets in timed entry slots. Booking online in advance is the single best thing you can do for your experience. We reserved an early slot and walked right on.

Go early

Mornings tend to be calmer, cooler, and clearer. Afternoon thunderstorms are a real part of a Colorado summer, and the summit is not where you want to be when one rolls in.

Give yourself time

Plan for more than the ride. Between the views, the cafe, the chipmunks, and the summit trail, an hour or two at the top goes by fast. It pairs nicely with a walk downtown or a loop around Lake Estes afterward.

Check current hours and rates

The tramway operates seasonally, and hours, rates, and reservation windows change from year to year. Always check estestram.com for the current season, times, and tickets before you head over.

Why This Matters to Estes Park

It would have been easy to lose the tramway. When it went quiet, a lot of people around town worried it was gone for good, and that would have taken something real with it. Attractions like this are not just for visitors. They are part of the shared memory of a place.

This is one of our favorite things about Estes Park. You can live here forever and there is always something new to explore, or something familiar to rediscover. That is true whether you are here for a weekend or here for good.

If you are thinking about making Estes Park more than a vacation, we would love to be your guides for that too. Jeff and Julie Abel are real estate agents with Signature Home Team, and helping people connect to this place is the whole reason we do what we do.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Estes Park Aerial Tramway open?

Yes. The tramway reopened to the public on May 25, 2024 under new ownership after being closed for the 2023 season. It operates seasonally, so check estestram.com for current dates and hours.

How long is the tram ride to the top?

The ride to the summit of Prospect Mountain takes about five minutes each way. Most visitors spend an hour or more at the top.

Do you need a reservation for the Estes Park tram?

Yes. Tickets are sold in timed entry slots and are best booked online in advance. Booking an early reservation is the easiest way to avoid lines.

What can you do at the top of the Estes Park tram?

The summit has a viewing area with 360 degree views, the Hungry Chipmunk Cafe, a gift shop, picnic areas, restrooms, and a short trail to the true summit of Prospect Mountain. You can also buy peanuts to feed the chipmunks.

Can you feed the chipmunks at the Estes Park tram?

Yes. Buying a sack of peanuts and feeding the chipmunks at the summit is a long standing family tradition at the tram. Note that this is not permitted inside Rocky Mountain National Park, where feeding wildlife is prohibited.

What can you see from the top of Prospect Mountain?

The summit offers views of Longs Peak, the Continental Divide, Rocky Mountain National Park, Old Man Mountain, Lumpy Ridge, downtown Estes Park including the Park Theater and the Stanley Hotel, and Lake Estes.

How old is the Estes Park Aerial Tramway?

The tramway first opened in July 1955 and was designed by engineering pioneer Robert Heron. It has carried more than three million riders to the summit of Prospect Mountain.

Is the tram good for families and older visitors?

Yes. The tram is one of the most accessible ways to reach a mountain summit view in Estes Park without a strenuous hike, which makes it a strong option for families with small children and for visitors who prefer not to hike at altitude.

Relevant Links

Plan Your Tram Visit

•       Estes Park Aerial Tram tickets and information: https://estestram.com/

•       Estes Park Aerial Tram, Plan Your Visit: https://estestram.com/plan

•       Visit Estes Park tramway listing: https://www.visitestespark.com/things-to-do/attractions/aerial-tramway/

Connect With Us

•       Estes Park Living on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EstesParkLiving

•       Everything Estes Park Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/EverythingEstesPark

•       Signature Home Team on Instagram: http://instagram.com/signaturehometeam/

•       Signature Home Team on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SignatureHomeTeam

About the Authors: Jeff and Julie Abel are licensed real estate agents with Signature Home Team, brokered by Keller Williams Top of the Rockies, specializing in Estes Park and Northern Colorado mountain communities. They share insights about real estate and mountain living through the Estes Park Living channel.