Established in 1896, this scenic town shows the way to some of Colorado's most famous and beautiful areas. Chief among these is the craggy, 14,255-foot Longs Peak, as well as Rocky Mountain National Park, host to alpine vistas, glacial basins and 4 million visitors annually.
Allenspark sits at the national park's southeast corner, along the breathtaking Peak to Peak Highway. The highway itself is 55 miles of curves and scenery rivaling the postcards from Estes Park, 12 miles to the north.
In addition to visiting Rocky Mountain National Park, visitors enjoy horseback riding at many nearby stables. Fishing during summer months, and cross-country skiing in the winter makes the town an attractive year-round destination. While peak tourist season occurs during the summer months, this town's hiking trails, located at an altitude of 8,500 feet, provide wonderful views of the changing aspen trees in autumn.
Allenspark's most recognizable landmark is the chapel at Camp Saint Malo. Perched on a rocky outcropping that can be seen from Hwy. 7 (aka the Peak to Peak Highway), the St. Catherine of Siena Chapel was built in 1935, and many have stopped to pray, enjoy its serenity, take photos and soak up the view of Mt. Meeker. There's also a heritage center and gift shop. It's open to visitors Tuesday through Sunday.