Elk Fest in Estes Park
The gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park during the elk rut, when the bulls bugle in town and occasionally stop traffic on Elkhorn Avenue.
At a glance
- Dates
- Oct 3–4, 2026
- Where
- Bond Park, Estes Park, Colorado
- Admission
- free
- Official schedule
- visitestespark.com
The schedule
Elk Fest as published for Oct 3–4, 2026. Times move on the day, so the organiser's own page is the last word.
- Estes Park, Colorado
- Elk Fest Oct 3–4 · Bond Park · free
- Elk Fest
- a celebration of the fall elk rut bugling contest · wildlife exhibits · seminars
- Saturday, Oct 3
- 9 AM–5 PM · wildlife exhibits seminars · Native American music & storytelling
- Sunday, Oct 4
- 9 AM–4 PM · bugling demonstrations craft vendors · live entertainment
- Bond Park
- 170 MacGregor Ave · downtown free both days · bugling contest has a fee
- Elk Rut Season
- elk bugle in town & Rocky Mountain NP peak rut late Sept–Oct · keep your distance
- See You in Estes Park
- visitestespark.com for the full schedule
Getting there and getting around
Elkhorn Avenue plus the riverwalk along the Big Thompson, with elk in the road often enough that you walk carefully.
Roughly 1h 30m from Denver, CO, 1h from Boulder, CO, door to door by car. Traffic moves the real number around on the day.
Where to eat is on the Estes Park festival page, with phone numbers.
Also on around these dates
- Durango, CO: Durango Cowboy Gathering, Sept 30 – Oct 3
- Fredericksburg, TX: Fredericksburg Oktoberfest, Oct 2–4
- Leavenworth, WA: Leavenworth Oktoberfest 2026, Oct 2–3 · 9–10 · 16–17
- Galena, IL: Galena Country Fair, Oct 10–11
- Eureka Springs, AR: Hillberry: The Harvest Moon Festival, Oct 7–11
- Hood River, OR: Hood River Valley Harvest Festival, Oct 9–11
About these listings
Everything on this page is published for information only. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of Elk Fest, its organisers, or any business in Estes Park. Details come from public sources and organisers change them, so confirm anything you are relying on before you travel.
How FOG works while you do this
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Questions people actually ask
When is Elk Fest?
Oct 3–4, 2026, in Estes Park, Colorado.
Where is Elk Fest held?
Bond Park, in Estes Park, Colorado.
How much is Elk Fest?
Free, as published by the organiser. Check their page for the current price.
Are you affiliated with the festival?
No. Everything here is published for information only. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of any festival, organiser or business named on this page.
Does FOG need a data connection while I walk?
No. The map lives on your phone and reveals as you move, with or without signal. Nothing is sent anywhere because there is no server.
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