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    Backbone Adventures

    4.8 (174 reviews)
    Closed 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

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    K G.

    My husband really wanted to go side by side riding while on vacation so we chose Backbone Adventures because it had excellent reviews. The customer service here is excellent. Everyone working here was friendly, informative, knowledgeable, and provided excellent recommendations for what trail to choose. They suggested we log in to CoTrex so we had access to the off road trail, which was very helpful. They also had us scan a QR code with directions to the trail, which made the whole process very seamless. We got a side by side for 3 hours and went to Pole Hill. It was a lot of fun. The trails were great and it also had amazing views! We also saw a fox on the trail. You can tell that everyone working there loves the outdoors and that they all truly care about giving all their customers an amazing experience! Highly recommend this place!

    Bernadette B.

    We had a really great experience with Backbone Adventures. The day started at their store front where we did all the waivers and got the safety helmets and gear. I really appreciate that they ask people to know their limits and put safety first at all times. It's a good mix of making sure their customers know what they're getting into, but still ensuring you have a responsibly great time without being a downer. We rented a hal-f-day side-by-side ATV and did Johnny Park. We've had experience ATVing before recreationally in Northern Michigan but also in the mountains of Jaco, Costa Rica. This was a great experience set in Colorado. As one of the "easier' trails, it was still fun and exciting with some difficult parts. For our first forray into ATV off-roading in Colorado, it seemed like a good intro to the type of the terrain. The next time we return to Estes, we're absolutely going to come back to this company and try another trail and whole heartedly recommend it to our friends visiting in the area!

    Anna G.

    Super friendly staff and super helpful. We were not prepared for the rainy weather but it ended up being better than expected with the rain. I can't wait to go back. The views were breathtaking.

    8600 feet
    Jodi S.

    This was awesome. Staff was friendly and helpful. They know when someone is experienced or not and can assist more with beginners. I have years of off-road experience so I only needed assistance with the maps- which was explained perfectly. This was so fun and I hope to do it again with a bigger group!

    Slingshot
    Raymond J.

    Our second time renting from these guys. Completely happy with how professional and friendly they are. Thorough with instructions and signup. They have jeeps and side by sides/ATVs, e-bikes, bikes. And of course Slingshots. Great equipment and great experience

    Cruising Johnny Park.
    Jeffrey M.

    We had a fantastic experience with both the staff and the equipment. We rented out an ATV and took it out to Johnny Park. The owner and staff was gracious enough to allow us to film on the premises and even some of the orientation before you drive away with the equipment. You can see the video coming soon on Destination Debrief's channel on Youtube. Next time I'm in Estes Park, I will absolutely be going back to Backbone Adventures because we had a blast. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCDydwAktv6eTeqBLMZpQCQ

    Not your National Park roads!

    We ended up with an extra day and we found this opportunity to rent aJeep for the day. First, $399 for a well outfitted Jeep, with the full intention that you would be off-roading with it is a pretty good value. They had a couple insurance options and weren't adamant about buying them, either. I chose the damage waiver ($30) but not the tire waiver ($25). But that was pretty much it, except for sales tax. Sometimes you rent stuff and it's $399, but by the time you add all the required stuff it virtually doubles. Anyway, we got the Jeep from 9-5, and they recommended arriving at 8:30 so we could get the most of our day. Check in was polite, thorough and not rushed, and we were still on the road at 9:00, with great trail recommendations based on our trail style goals. We had a great time, with a very capable Jeep and definitely saw part of the Rockies that you WON'T see driving through the National Park.

    Received covered in mud.

    I had high hopes for my ATV adventure in the Colorado while visiting my mother, but unfortunately, it turned out to be a terrible experience. Key points Lack of helmets, They provided helmets, but there weren't enough for everyone, so we had to use wet helmets from previous riders. This is quite disgusting and unsanitary. ATV breakdown, We rented two ATVs, the ride started off well, my mother's ATV suddenly broke down, with loss of steering. Thankfully, it happened at low speeds and on a straight path. As a result, we had to use the working ATV to transport our group back to the car, leaving the other two members of our group stranded in the cold woods. Inconvenience and time wasted, The breakdown cut our ride short by a couple hours, as we had to use the working ATV for transportation back to the car. It took us 30 minutes each way, covering 8 miles, to get back to the car. We didn't stop for dinner or food and went straight to the shop. Poor customer service, When I returned the ATV, nobody was present at the shop. I followed the instructions on the sign, left the keys in the car, and left. Later that night, Bonnie from BBA , called me at 10 pm on Sunday to discuss damages on the other ATV. She only mentioned a loose door and wanted to charge me the 1500 insurance deductible for it. This was highly inconvenient and unprofessional. Maintenance issues, The company's maintenance standards were lacking. When we picked up the ATVs at 2 pm, one of them was covered in mud, unwashed and had damages . However, when they pressure-washed it at 10 pm on a Sunday night, give me a break, it wasn't even cleaned after the previous group , they suddenly found damages. It is unrealistic to expect an ATV after driving over 50 miles in the rocky mountains to not have some wear and tear, it's rocky, it is going to be bumpy, things are going to get loose. This should be expected from off road vehicle. The door was still functional and in good condition and simply needed to be tightened. Lack of apology or compensation, The Bonnie never apologized for the inconvenience caused by the breakdown or offered any solutions, discounts, or refunds. Despite giving us a faulty ATV, she chose to charge me for supposed damages to the other ATV. This felt like a scam tactic. Edit She refunded my mother 100. Unreasonable repair charge, Bonnie claimed the loose door would cost 1500 to repair, but she provided no evidence or receipt for the repair. It was an unauthorized transaction with an inflated repair price. Edit The rep emailed me an in house invoice with much more damages than discussed previously and again provided no evidence or receipt. The damages she listed were replacement parts that did not need to be replaced. Example A new roof. Unprofessionalism and poor maintenance, This experience highlighted the unprofessionalism and poor maintenance standards at Backbone Adventures. Wet helmets, dirty ATVs, mechanical failures, and loose parts were recurring issues. Attached to this review is a picture showing how clean one of our group members is while the passenger seat is completely filthy, which confirms that the ATV was given to us covered in mud. The ATV also had damage to the roof, which shows they do not replace parts, but will charge you for it. I was willing to accept the poor experience and the financial loss, but attempting to charge an additional 1500 for damages for a loose door and nonexistent repairs is unacceptable. Instead of rectifying the situation caused by their faulty ATV, I received no refunds or discounts, only a late-night call about the supposed damages.

    Chris P.

    We had an amazing time renting a couple Can-Am X3 Turbo Max machines! Our 9-yr old granddaughter was nervous at first but by the last ride, she wanted the front seat! We loved the Pierson Park trail and only came across one Jeep the whole time. The machines were well cared for and the friendly staff gave us excellent instruction for a fun afternoon adventure!

    Manny F.

    Found Backbone Adventures while searching for activities near Cheyenne. Was excited to see that not only do you get to rent a UTV but that it was also unguided. Allowing us to venture out at our own pace. Rates were very fair and the vehicles were in great working order. Store front was on the main road in Estes Park. They had a great selection of Jeeps that we might take advantage of on a future trip. For this trip we rented a 2 seater Polaris for my wife and I, it was perfect. When we got to the store it's a good 30 minutes to the base camp. Once there they are kind enough to walkthrough where to go, what's ideal for us and their maps were great. Provided trials, hiking spots to consider and lookout spots. Only downside was that we didn't have a roof cover so when it started pouring we were drenched unlike some of our fellow renters. All and all, highly recommend for anyone wanting to venture out.

    Fun Machine! Latest gear!

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    Kenneth H.

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    4 days ago

    Did the 3 hour RZR rental in August, 10/10 would do again. Will definitely be back in the winter for some type of snow riding!

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    3 months ago

    Beautiful area to explore and so much fun! We would definitely come back and recommend

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    2 years ago

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    Kenneth H.

    Thanks for the business and the review

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    2 years ago

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    Kenneth H.

    Thanks for coming back. Glad you enjoyed the Slingshot

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    1 year ago

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    1 year ago

    Great service and in a great location in Estes Park. We rented e-bikes and had a blast. They gave us free ice cream afterwards.

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    Kenneth H.

    Glad you had a good time Phil

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    1 year ago

    Customer service was top notch. Education on how to use the vehicle was simple and thorough. We had a blast!

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Great staff, fun scenic routes! Great way to see the town and ride around the lake too.

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    Great customer service! Fun day for kids and adults driving a Jeep through a muddy mountain trail.

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    2 years ago

    Great time with my friend. This is the second time I've went to backbone and I enjoy taking my friends here.

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    Kenneth H.

    Thanks for the repeat business

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    1 year ago

    Had an unexpected mishap on the trail, the staff was SO helpful with figuring everything out for us and were so nice!

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    2 years ago

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    Kenneth H.

    I'll let Missy know you mentioned her. Thanks for the review

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    Ask the Community - Backbone Adventures

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    Rocky Mountain Rush

    Rocky Mountain Rush

    4.7
    (65 reviews)
    1.6 mi

    If you have just a short amount of time in the Rocky Mountain National Park, then an organized tour…read moreis the way to go. After researching tour companies through Yelp and other review websites I settled on Rocky Mountain Rush because of their great reviews on Trip Advisor. Though we had to contend with a rainy day, RMR did a great job of showing us some of the highlights of the park. The park itself is absolutely breathtaking (separate review) and a need-to-see experience. The RMR vehicle (pretty much a really big Hummer) is spacious and very comfortable. Since it has the capacity to become an open air vehicle, it can get a little chilly inside. Comfy fleece blankets are provided. Our guide was fantastic - he seemed to know a lot about the park's history and was truly funny. Just a couple of things... not easy to make a reservation online. I sent three requests and eventually just had to call. It is virtually impossible for me to use a phone on my work days so I would have found online more convenient. A longer tour, even by just an hour or so would be great. The park is huge so don't get me wrong... I get why you can't see everything in a few hours. Besides the basic hummer tour, they also do downhill biking adventures and wine and cheese sunset tours. Their prices are on the moderate side ($50 pp). Overall, a good service!

    Great tour company, excellent guides, and a fun experience for all. It doesn't hurt that they give…read moretourists who are of age a little splash of schnapps in their hot cocoa to sweeten the pot, and snacks along the way are welcome (Oreos, peanut butter crackers, etc.). Tours are relatively reasonably priced (though not cheap) for the entertainment and educational bits and bobs about the places you're taken to, but for the winter tours where your exposure to several areas of the park is limited, I do think they could knock off a few bucks. We had a bit of a mishap during my tour, where my phone was dropped and my battery tumbled off a bridge and down the side of the mountain. Our guide saved the day by literally sliding down the mountain to retrieve my battered - but still functional! - phone innards. Nevermind the details about how that happened (though I wonder if it'll make it into our guide's stories from here on out), but not having that battery would have really put a kink in the remainder of FH and I's trip to Colorado, so I was thankful, if a bit nervous, that he rescued it. We would love to come back in the summertime and take one of the off-road tours, and will definitely look up this company again if we find ourselves in Estes in warmer months.

    Photos
    Snow in July!
    Snow in July!
    Just one of the beautiful scenes from up at Alpine Visitor's Center
    Just one of the beautiful scenes from up at Alpine Visitor's Center
    More times then not, you will see critters on the tour.

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    More times then not, you will see critters on the tour.
    Green Jeep Tours

    Green Jeep Tours

    4.6
    (122 reviews)
    1.7 mi

    My family and I hired Green Jeep Tours for a private excursion into Rocky Mountain National Park…read more The 8 of us piled into the converted jeep and enjoyed a 7+ hour day of adventures. Our driver and guide Michael was an absolute star, tailoring the trip to our interests. Because we booked a private tour, we got picked up and dropped off directly from our cabin! Michael was super knowledgeable of the park itself, the ecosystems, flora and fauna. He shared lots of stories about historical figures who influenced this area in Colorado. We went to several lakes, waterfalls, and hiked in several different spots. We got to see lots of wildlife - moose, elk, deer, marmot, chipmunks, pikas, and lots of birds! The day trip was a highlight of our time in Estes Park and we're so thankful for the special care Michael showed our family. We had a variety of mobility amongst the members of our group and he was very accommodating to our needs.

    Highly recommend to anyone! Our group of two was paired with a group of four--three adults and one…read morelittle. The little did just fine in the car seat in the backseat of the jeep while the rest of us rode in the open back. Chance was an incredible guide telling us facts and funny anecdotes (and dad jokes) along the way. He also jumped out with us on each of the stops inside of the park. Grab a bathroom break and drinks/snacks before you head out near the office. There are primitive bathrooms along the way.

    Photos
    Green Jeep Tours
    Horseshoe Falls at the Alluvial Fan Trailhead
    Horseshoe Falls at the Alluvial Fan Trailhead
    Green Jeep Tours

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    Estes Park Aerial Tramway

    Estes Park Aerial Tramway

    4.3
    (86 reviews)
    1.8 mi

    What a beautiful ride! The views of the Rockies are spectacular (of course). It is very well run…read moreand right near downtown with parking on site. The trams are smallish and we went up with 6 people on board (plus a wonderful, sweet operator named Michelle (she is so sweet...). Plenty of room and windows open on 3 sides! Up top there are trails and rocks and views in every direction. On the way down it was just the two of us and another very friendly and enjoyable operator named Lance. A second shout out to Michelle and Lance for making the experience that much more pleasant. Highy recommended!

    The wife wanted to do this and it looked like fun so off we went. The cost in July 2026 is $40 for…read morean adult and $25 for a kid. There is paid parking as well. There is a gift shop before you begin and at the top. The ride takes about 7=8 minutes each way. They have continuous one car up and one car down. Each car holds 8-10 people, depending on their weight. They do a good job of keeping groups together. The lines can be long and we waited about 45 minutes to go up and another 25 minutes on the way down. Once at the top, there are hiking trails, some great overlooks, and of course spectacular views. I would say that the views are worth the price. You can buy peanuts to feed the chipmunks, which seemed to be a popular activity. The chipmunks were happy and well fed. The reason for 4 stars is the long wait in line. The views are 5 star but you have to be patient for the payoff.

    Photos
    The chipmunks are bold...
    The chipmunks are bold...
    Estes Tram and Estes Park behind it
    Estes Tram and Estes Park behind it
    Estes Park Aerial Tramway

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    Rocky Mountain National Park

    Rocky Mountain National Park

    4.8
    (829 reviews)
    1.6 mi

    Rocky Mountain National Park: Fantastic One-Day Visit…read more We only had one day to explore Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP), so we made the most of it by hiking the Bear Lake Corridor and visiting Bear Lake, Nymph Lake, Dream Lake, and Emerald Lake. Getting an Early Start We reserved timed entry for both RMNP and the Bear Lake Corridor with a 5:00 AM entry time and entered through the Fall River Entrance. After talking with several Colorado locals, we were advised to arrive at the Bear Lake Trailhead before 5:00 AM to secure parking. We arrived around 4:30 AM, and that proved to be excellent advice. The early start rewarded us with peaceful trails, beautiful lighting, and very few people around. Hiking the Bear Lake Corridor Bear Lake is an easy, family-friendly hike of about 0.7 miles. The hike to Emerald Lake is more challenging, with approximately 1.6 miles of uphill climbing. The route passes Nymph Lake and Dream Lake before reaching Emerald Lake, and the scenery becomes more impressive with every step. The views and serenity were unmatched in the early morning hours. As we were leaving the Bear Lake area, the parking lots were completely full, and shuttle buses were already operating. Scenic Driving After the hike, we drove Old Fall River Road, a seasonal one-way dirt road that offers spectacular views and a unique driving experience. We also visited: Alpine Visitor Center Trail Ridge Cafe & Gift Shop. From there, we drove Trail Ridge Road back toward Estes Park. Along the way, we were fortunate to see: Elk Moose Bighorn sheep Seeing all three species in a single day was a highlight of our trip. Tips for Future Visitors: I highly recommend bringing: A cooler with drinks and snacks Sandwiches or a packed lunch Bug spray Sunscreen A sun hat At least one liter of water per person per hour hike. The AllTrails app (download maps in advance for navigation) The Trail Ridge Café can be crowded and expensive, so having your own food and drinks can save both time and money. Final Thoughts: Although we wished we had more than one day in Rocky Mountain National Park, we were touring Colorado for the week and had limited time. Even so, this was one of the highlights of our trip. With an early start, a little planning, and a willingness to explore beyond the main attractions, it's possible to experience some of the very best that RMNP has to offer in a single day.

    Rocky Mountain National Park is absolutely beautiful, but it's important to know before you go that…read moreit is not pet-friendly on the trails. Dogs are only allowed in developed areas like parking lots and campgrounds. We visited shortly after a major wildfire, and it was heartbreaking to see how much of the forest had burned. It really puts into perspective how powerful nature can be. One of the most interesting things we learned from a park ranger was that moose are considered one of the biggest wildlife concerns around dogs, even service animals. I never would have guessed that! The ranger explained that dogs can make wildlife feel threatened, which is one of the reasons the park has such strict dog regulations. If you're visiting with a service animal, I'd recommend checking with a ranger about recent wildlife sightings before heading out. That's just my personal opinion--you don't want to put yourself, your dog, or the wildlife in a dangerous situation. One unexpected highlight was spotting a beaver right along the side of the road while driving through the park! We completed three easy trails: * Coyote Valley Trail - About 1 mile round trip, completely flat with little to no elevation gain. Limited parking. * Holzwarth Historic Site - Around 1 mile round trip with very little incline. The trail leads to several historic cabins and buildings. Decent-sized parking lot. * Colorado River Trailhead - Our favorite of the three. It's also about 1 mile round trip and has the most elevation gain, although I'd still consider it an easy hike. Large parking area. Overall, Rocky Mountain National Park is an incredible place to visit with amazing scenery and wildlife. Just be sure to plan ahead if you're traveling with a dog and understand the pet restrictions before you arrive.

    Photos
    Alpine Ridge Trail
    Alpine Ridge Trail
    Rocky Mountain National Park
    Rocky Mountain National Park
    Alluvial Fan  10-01-2025

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    Alluvial Fan 10-01-2025

    Backbone Adventures - atvrentals - Updated August 2026

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