Elk Fest lands in the middle of the rut, when bull elk bugle across Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. The free festival runs Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 3-4 in Bond Park at 170 MacGregor Ave., with wildlife exhibits, educational seminars, a bugling contest, craft vendors, live entertainment and Native American music and storytelling both days.
Visit Estes Park’s event listing shows 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days, though a second page on the same site lists 9 to 5 on Saturday and 9 to 4 on Sunday; plan on a mid-morning arrival either way. Runners can start Saturday with the Rut Run 5K, a downhill course from Fish Hatchery Road that finishes into the festival (8:30 a.m.; $50.14 in advance, $60.83 race day; entry includes a beer token).
Know before you go
- Free admission. Parking and shuttle details were not posted; downtown Estes fills early on rut weekends.
- Give the elk room. Watch Visit Estes Park’s short Keep Wildlife Wild video before you go, and never call to or approach a bull during the rut.
- Rut Run registration is through Race Roster (link on the Estes Park Running site).
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