There are few things we love more than Rocky Mountain National Park and a solid cup of Joe. Put the two together – a cup of coffee in RMNP? See you next year… we’ll be right here, content until the snow melts.
Estes Park, CO is a beautiful mountain town that attracts thousands each year due to its proximity to the Rockies and local business scene. Boasting a variety of hole-in-the-wall bars and farm-to-table eateries, this quaint town has a Hallmark charm that will bring you back year after year.
We recently relocated less than an hour from the beautiful Estes Park; naturally, we sought out the best coffee the town has to offer… and the results were difficult to rank. So we didn’t! You can’t go wrong with coffee in Estes, but here are a few stops to get your caffeine fix and a gorgeous view:
Inkwell & Brew
Inkwell & Brew is a two-story coffee shop located along the Big Thompson and Fall Rivers in downtown Estes Park. The focus at Inkwell is to slow down and “appreciate… finely crafted goods that are made in an unhurried manner.”
The main floor holds a small shop with trinkets, puzzles, cards, journals, coffee mugs, maps, and, of course, fountain and calligraphy pens. Near Christmas, the store lights up with cozy decorations and unique gift options. Upstairs you’ll find comfortable seating on couches and chairs to catch up on your latest read or chat with a friend.
Although we strive to branch out, Inkwell continues to be our go-to coffee shop in Estes Park for its ambiance, delicious coffee, and creative additions to the store.
Image taken from Inkwell & Brew Instagram account @inkwellbrew.
Coffee on the Rocks
Coffee on the Rocks is a picturesque coffee shop right out of a movie scene… mountain views, wraparound front porch, local wildlife near a trout pond, and adirondack chairs create an ideal hangout for locals and visitors alike.
Stop by in the winter for a hot latte in their cozy cabin, watching the snow cover the mountains. In the summer, sip their refreshing iced coffee next to the lake while feeding the ducks (yep, you read that right!) for a sunny afternoon outside.
Check out their website for evenings of live music, booking your event on their property, or the current menu. Coffee on the Rocks offers a great atmosphere to warm up in the winter and cool off in the summer heat. In their words, their “coffee is as great as the views!”
Kind Coffee
Kind Coffee is another fantastic option for quality coffee with a view! Also located on the river downtown, Kind Coffee is a local favorite stop. This café works well for grab-and-go coffee runs as well as afternoons spent studying the day away with seating both inside as well as on their patio overlooking the river.
On the walls you will find art for sale and environmentally-friendly designs (including their floors, which are bamboo!). The company strives to do good through giving back to the community; they truly live out their name.
They say it best: “your choice to support Kind Coffee is not only good for you, it benefits the lives of people across the country and the world.”
There truly is no such thing as “bad coffee in Estes Park” … Wherever you choose to fill up, you’ll find great coffee and even better people. Estes is full of locally-owned and operated businesses to support; whichever coffee house you try, we recommend to keep it local – and tag Equip to Explore! Let us know where you end up, we’re always looking for new stops.
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