The Rise of Women Outdoors—And a Shift Worth Noting

For decades, the outdoors—especially hiking and adventure travel—was framed as male-dominated. But today, women are not only participating—they’re leading.

Women now make up over half of outdoor recreation participants in the U.S., signaling a shift in how adventure is defined. What was once positioned as rugged and solitary is now being reclaimed as intentional, social, and rooted in wellness.

Still, disparities exist.

According to the Outdoor Participation Trends Report:

• White and Asian women participate at higher rates (roughly 56–58%)
• Hispanic women follow closely (just over 50%)
• Black women remain underrepresented (closer to 38–40%)

And yet, among those who do engage, Black women often report higher frequency of outings, underscoring a deep, consistent connection to nature when access and community are present.

Organizations like Outdoor Afro, Black Girls Hike, Hike Clerb, and Femme Trek are helping close that gap—redefining the outdoors as a space for belonging.

What to Do in Estes Park This Spring

Start with the iconic trails around Bear Lake and Lily Lake inside Rocky Mountain National Park. These aren’t just hikes—they’re invitations to slow down. The paths are approachable, making them ideal whether you’re a seasoned hiker or just getting back into movement after a long winter.

In spring, you’ll catch that in-between season: snow still resting on distant peaks while the ground below begins to thaw. It’s quiet, reflective, and deeply grounding. You’re not racing to the top—you’re walking with intention, taking in every breath of that crisp, high-altitude air.

Lakeside Stillness at The Estes Park Resort

Set directly on the edge of Lake Estes, the property offers something rare in the area: uninterrupted water views framed by the Rockies. Mornings start slowly here—light pouring through oversized windows, elk occasionally passing through the grounds, and the kind of quiet that feels intentional rather than empty.

The rooms are designed for comfort without distraction—plush bedding, private balconies, and a front-row seat to nature. It’s the kind of place where you actually use the downtime—whether that’s journaling with a view, ordering room service after a long hike, or simply sitting still and letting your body catch up to you.

Cabin Living at Mountain Village at Lake Estes

For a more intimate, home-away-from-home experience, the cabins at Mountain Village offer a different kind of luxury—space.

These single-family cabins are ideal for groups traveling together, whether it’s a girls’ getaway, a birthday reset, or a wellness-focused retreat. Think full kitchens, open living areas, and private outdoor space where mornings can start with coffee and conversations before the day even begins.

There’s something grounding about cabin living here—it encourages connection. You cook together, unwind together and move at your own pace. And with Lake Estes and nearby trails just minutes away, you’re never far from the outdoors, but you return to a space that feels entirely your own.

Reset Your Nervous System at Qi Lounge

Located inside The Estes Park Resort, this spa experience feels like a soft landing. After a morning outdoors, stepping into Qi Lounge shifts your body from movement into stillness.

Think warm teas, light conversation, plush robes, and treatments designed to release what you didn’t even realize you were holding. The lake just outside mirrors the calm you’re cultivating inside—it’s less about indulgence and more about restoration.

Inside The Estes Park Resort, this lakeside spa offers more than treatments—it’s a full nervous system reset. Between massages, herbal teas, and stillness in the Zen Den, it’s a reminder that rest is productive.

Forest Bathing With Femme Trek

This is where Estes Park quietly stands apart.

Forest bathing isn’t a hike—it’s a guided, sensory experience rooted in the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku. With Femme Trek, the focus isn’t distance or steps tracked—it’s presence.

You’ll move slowly, sometimes in silence, tuning into the textures, sounds and energy of the forest. For many women, especially those navigating high-performance, fast-paced lives, this becomes the most transformative part of the trip. It’s where clarity returns.

Eat in a Way That Reflects the Environment

Dining in Estes Park feels intentional—rooted in locality and seasonality.

At Bird & Jim, menus shift with what’s available from nearby farms, offering meals that feel both nourishing and connected to the land. It’s the kind of place where you linger a little longer, not just because the food is good, but because the pace invites you to.

Eat Well, Intentionally

Dining in Estes Park feels like an extension of the landscape itself—seasonal, grounded, and quietly thoughtful.

At Bird & Jim, the menu evolves with what’s available from nearby farms, resulting in dishes that feel both nourishing and deeply connected to the region. It’s the kind of place where you linger—not just for the food, but for the unhurried pace that invites you to.

At Ember Restaurant & Bar, owner and hef Sean Gafner takes a refined yet approachable approach to Modern American cuisine, using locally sourced ingredients to create dishes that mirror the landscape—fresh, elevated, and effortlessly comforting. Paired with lake views, it’s an ideal place to unwind after a day outdoors.

For a slower start to the day, Coffee on the Rocks offers a moment of pause—coffee in hand, water nearby, and no urgency to move. It’s casual, scenic, and exactly what a morning in the mountains should feel like.

And for something more flexible, Brunch & Co rounds out the experience with a menu designed for every lifestyle, offering vegan, gluten-free, and health-forward options without sacrificing flavor. It’s a space where everyone can settle in and start the day on their own terms.

Tap Into Something Deeper at Dao House Retreat

Set in the Tahosa Valley—historically known as the “Valley of Peace”— Dao House carries an energy that’s hard to explain but easy to feel.

Workshops here center movement, breath, and stillness against a backdrop of towering peaks. At 9,200 feet, everything feels quieter, more intentional. Whether it’s yoga, guided movement, or meditation, this is where many women find themselves reconnecting—not just with nature, but with themselves.

Pause for Small Joys Along the Way

Between larger moments, Estes Park delivers in the details.

Wander Elkhorn Avenue, where local shops offer everything from handmade goods to wellness finds. Or take a mid-day break at Alteatude, where matcha and boba meet mountain calm.

These are the moments that round out the experience—the ones that make the trip feel lived in, not rushed.

End the Day Under a Sky That Feels Limitless

Estes Park’s dark skies are some of its most underrated offerings. With minimal light pollution, the stars show up in full.

After a full day of movement, connection, and rest, looking up becomes its own kind of meditation. It’s a reminder of scale—of how expansive the world is, and how small your stress can feel in comparison.