Recreation & Activities at YMCA of the Rockies-Estes Park
You can fill your days and nights at Estes Park Center YMCA with our programs and activities. Every season brings fun and excitement for the entire family. Whether you are looking for adventure or a relaxing stroll we can set you on your way.
Sweet Memorial Program Building
970-586-3341 x1104
Hours:
7:30am-10:00pm daily
Click a Link below for more information:
Campfires
Craft and Design Center
Henry Dorsey Swimming Pool
Hiking
Fishing
Roller Skating
Basketball & Volleyball
Mini Golf
Tennis
Horseshoe
Fly Fishing
Climbing Wall
Rafting
Horseback Rides
Mountain biking
Challenge Courses
Gameroom
Winter Activities
Library
Museum
Deposits & Rentals
Estes Park Ride-A-Kart (in the town of Estes Park)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Campfires
Please reserve campfire rings and cookout sites at Sweet Memorial.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Craft and Design Center
The Craft and Design Center is 5000-square-feet of craft space that continues to offer “old favorite” crafts along with many
new ones for kids ages 2-92. We offer hundreds of kids’ crafts, tie-dye, a jewelry section (thousands of beads), ceramics to
glaze or paint, woodcrafts, & mosaics. Baskets, knitting, and silk are closed for the season. Please note that children must be in the 4th grade or higher to be in the Big Kid Area. A new project may not be started within the last half-hour of open hours. Please call the Craft & Design Center for details. We will be doing some workshops this winter, so be sure to sign up for our e-mail newsletter.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Henry Dorsey Swimming Pool
Our indoor swimming pool is open year-round. Water exercise classes, lap swims and open swim times are all scheduled in our program bulletin. Heated to 83 degrees and at a length of 25 yards you are sure to find room for relaxation and fun. (There is no hot tub on grounds.)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hiking
Looking for a beautiful and educational hike in Rocky Mountain National Park? We have the guided hikes you are looking for! During the summer season our expert Hike Masters lead hikes of various difficulty to many different locations in the park. All hikes leave from the Sweet Memorial Building and sign-up sheets are available at Sweet Memorial two days prior to the hike date. A limit of 4-people from one family may sign-up for a guided hike in order to better serve all guests. It is recommended that children under the age of 12 not sign-up for hikes over 3-miles. The Hike master will have discretion for hikes over 4 miles. A parent must accompany children under the age of 16 on all program hikes.
For those hiking on their own, Sweet Memorial offers maps and recommendations of trails in the surrounding area and advice of selections for various circumstances.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fishing
Dorsey Lake is located at the entrance of the YMCA. This small lake is available for fishing by children 14 years old and younger. Live or artificial bait may be used and the limit is 3 fish. Licenses are not required in Colorado for persons 15 or under.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Roller Skating
Bring your skates and head over to the roller rink!
Open during the fall, spring and winter months the skating rink is located in the Longhouse Building. Skates are provided and rollerblades are welcome.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basketball & Volleyball
During the summer months, enjoy a high altitude game of basketball or volleyball on our outdoor courts. Bring your own gear or check out balls at the Sweet Memorial Building.
In the fall, winter, and spring our Longhouse Gymnasium is open for basketball, volleyball and shuffleboard. The gym has two full court basketball courts which also can serve as volleyball courts.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mini Golf
The outdoor mini-golf is a challenging 18-hole course open in the summer and warmer portions of spring and fall. The course is lighted during the evening in summer.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tennis
We have three tennis courts with equipment available for a $10 deposit at the golf shack in summer or Sweet Memorial Building during spring and fall.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Horseshoes
Horseshoe pits are located beside the tennis courts; horseshoes may be acquired at the golf shack with a $5 deposit.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fly Fishing
Rocky Mountain National park is home to spectacular scenery but also quality fishing. The combination of these two are sure to create a memorable experience.The Estes Park Center offers a variety of fly fishing options. Full, ½ day or overnight trips are available. Trips include rod, reel, line, waders, leader, tippet and flies. All you need to bring is food, water, personal clothing and the willingness to learn.
You may set up private outings, but we are limited to 10 per party. To book a private outing or for more information please contact:
Joe Croteau
(303) 485-7554
Email at joe@sasquatchflyfishing.com
Or visit www.sasquatchflyfishing.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Climbing Wall
Outdoor Climbing Tower - New to the Estes Park Center, we are happy to offer a three-sided outdoor climbing tower to our facility. Our wall offers three sides with enough diversity and usability to suit the needs of beginner and intermediate climbers. Sign up in Sweet Memorial two days in advance when offered as a family program between the summer months of June-September. If you have a group of at least 6 people you may reserve climbing time starting mid April through October by calling 970-586-3341 ext 1106.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rafting
Offered through Rapid Transit Rafting
Full and half-day rafting trips!Our trips are designed for both first-time and experienced rafters, and are great for the whole family. We offered raft trips from Estes Park for more than 20 years.Our morning and afternoon half-day trips are on the Cache La Poudre River, and our full day trips float the Colorado River.
We ensure your trip is safe, as each of our guides surpasses state requirements with extensive training in first aid, river rescue and CPR.Each trip starts with a rafting orientation and safety presentation. We have one of the best safety records in the state and we are fully insured and licensed by the state of Colorado.
Children older than 7 years who weigh at least 50 pounds are welcome.
Call us toll free at 800-367-8523 or Email us at raftcolorado@aol.com
Or visit www.rapidtransitrafting.com
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Horseback Riding
Estes Park Center offers a variety of horseback rides through the Jackson Stables livery located on grounds. Please visit jacksonstables.com to find out more about the variety of horseback rides and hay rack rides.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mountain Biking
Mountain bike trails for the entire family to enjoy can be found right at Estes Park Center. Enjoy the scenery, breathe the fresh air and get some exercise at the same time.Bring your own bikes and helmets or bikes can be rented in the town of Estes Park at:
Colorado Bicycling Adventures
184 E. Elkhorn Ave. PO Box 1301
Estes Park, CO 80517
Phone: 970.586.4241
Fax: 970.586.9363
Email: info@coloradobicycling.com
Contact Colorado Bicycling Adventures for current rates and info.
Private tour and groups may be arranged through Colorado Bicycling Adventures.
Or visit www.coloradobicycling.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Challenge Courses
You can't beat this exercise if you're looking for a team-building opportunity. Our Challenge Course is divided into two categories: low elements and high elements.
Low elements
Low elements are at ground level and consist of a fixed obstacle. The YMCA facilitator presents a problem or task and the group works together to solve it. There is no right or wrong way to solve the task as long as the group follows the given guidelines. Low elements focus on the entire group. By working together through these tasks, group characteristics such as communication, cooperation, trust and leadership are enhanced.
High elements
High elements are 35 feet of the ground and consist of wire cables and platforms between trees. Participants are on a belay system to provide protection and safety. Each element has a set task and again there is no wrong way to achieve the end result as long as guideline are met. High elements focus on individual goal setting and achievement.
A typical full day on the course is 9-12 and 1-4. A half-day could be either the morning or the afternoon slot. The mornings are recommended during the summer months because of afternoon showers. The ideal group size is 8-15 participants per course. 12 years old is the minimum age for the high course.
Schools, youth and church groups:
Half-day $20.00 per person
Full-day $30.00 per person
Professional and corporate groups:
Half-day $40.00 per person
Full-day $70.00 per person
All groups MUST book in advance.
For more information or to book groups please contact call (970) 586-3341 ext 1106.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Game Room
Located in the basement of the Sweet Memorial Building is our Game Room. Activities include ping pong, pool table, foos ball, marble football, TV/VCR and movie rentals.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Winter Activities
Join us during the winter months for a variety of fun outdoor activities. We offer guided snowshoe hikes in the beautiful Rocky Mountain National Park on a variety of terrain. Dorsey Lake, located at the entrance to the Estes Park Center, is great for an afternoon of ice skating. The ice is checked and snow is plowed off on a regular basis. Rent snowshoes or ice skates at the Sweet Memorial building.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maude Jellison Library
Guests of the YMCA are welcome to check books out from our library. We have more than 15,000 volumes including current bestsellers, classics and a delightful children's library. We are now offering computer and Internet access to our guests for a fee of $5.00 per half hour. This service includes access to e-mail, Internet, word processing and printing of documents. Stop by or call x. 1133.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lula W. Dorsey Museum
Whether you're an old-timer or first-timer, the Dorsey Museum has something for you. Housed in a 1924 guest lodge, the museum features several period room settings and display galleries. There is also a 1905 log tourist cabin and two-bedroom cabin depicting accommodations from 1949. Birders are invited to enjoy watching our feathered friends at our feeders. Admission is free, however, donations are welcome. You can visit the Museum on-line at www.ymcarockiesmuseum.org.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deposits
Board games...$5
Frisbee...$5
Puzzles...$5
Tennis Racket/3 balls...$10
Day Packs...$5
Horseshoes...$5
Child Carrier...$5
Baby Carrier...$25
Mini-Golf...$5
Ice Skates...$5
Ping Pong...$5
Foos Ball...$5
Videos...$15
Basketball, Football, Soccer ball, Volleyball, Softball & Bat...$10
Pool Table...$10 plus $1 per hour user fee