
A Rutin' Good Time: Elk viewing in RMNP by Purple Points Tour Co
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.3/5
Based on 6 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is A Rutin' Good Time: Elk viewing in RMNP by Purple Points Tour Co worth booking?
A Rutin' Good Time: Elk viewing in RMNP by Purple Points Tour Co is a 3-hour experience in Estes Park, United States, from $147 per person. It scores 59 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.3/5 rating across 6 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 59 / 100
- Rating
- 4.3/5 (6)
- Duration
- 3 hours
- From
- $147 per person
On this tour your guide will take you to hotspots in Rocky Mountain National Park to witness the elk rut or mating season. With around 3,000 elk in RMNP during this time of year you will get to witness large herds, massi
What you get
About this experience
On this tour your guide will take you to hotspots in Rocky Mountain National Park to witness the elk rut or mating season. With around 3,000 elk in RMNP during this time of year you will get to witness large herds, massive bugling bulls, and maybe even a fight or two. Your guide will explain all about the elk and their migratory and mating habits, you will also be able to learn other information about Rocky and its other animal inhabitants. This tour takes place right around sunrise and sunset as those are the peak times for mating rituals and activity. Optics will be supplied as well as complimentary snacks and beverages. This is the best way and by far the best vehicle to see the elk rut!
What's included
Included
- Carbonated beverages
- Bottled water
- Binoculars/optics
- Snacks
- Park Admission
- Timed Entry
- Tea and coffee
- Professional Guide/Driver
Not included
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Start your tour by checking in inside our store front
Pass by without stopping
Rocky Mountain National Park
Travel through the eastern side of RMNP and search the valleys looking for large herds of bugling Elk! Learn all about the mating season while watching large numbers of elk.
120 minutes here
Estes Park
Start and end your tour at our Office in downtown and travel through the scenic gateway town of Estes Park
Pass by without stopping
Enjoy the beauty of the great state of Colorado and see some of the over half a million head of Elk the state has while they Rut in RMNP
Pass by without stopping
Finish back at our store
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Estes Park
Please check-in insidethe Purple Points Tour Company store front 15 minutes before your tour.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Please check-in insidethe Purple Points Tour Company store front 15 minutes before your tour.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 14 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Purple Points Tour Company
Know before you go
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Please bring your own car seats for infants, boosters seats may be available for small children to use at our office.
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 6 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
5 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
4 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Traveler reviews
6 verified traveler reviews for A Rutin' Good Time: Elk viewing in RMNP by Purple Points Tour Co. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Best tour of my life
Dave was an amazing driver and the funniest person I’ve met in Colorado. He is very passionate about his job and very respectful. He definitely deserves a pay raise!!! Thank you Dave. You are amazing!
via Tripadvisor
Stunning views and leaned about so much history
Had a fabulous time and Dave, was a great tour guide. We got to see 3 large elk, and what a great tour with so much history. Snacks and drinks are all provided ~ such great hospitality! Thanks Dave!
via Tripadvisor
Great tour!
What a great tour! Brian, our guide was knowledgeable and made it a fun time. We saw many elk across the park. The van was very cool and there were plenty of snacks. Would book again! Thank you!
via Tripadvisor
Great Elk tour
This was awesome! Comfort, visibility, knowledgeable guide. This was a great way to see the elk during rut! Would do again. Early morning was so quiet and enjoyable. Brian was an excellent guide. Learned so much!
via Tripadvisor
Do not sign up with this company. Horrible experience how can you be over 30 minutes late to tour.
This company was horrible. We arrived at our meeting place and there was no one around for over 35 minutes. There was no phone number to call finally we called off of a sign on the door any answered and he said oh I’m sorry I forgot to get gas. Very uninterested guy in what he was doing. I do not recommend this company at all.
Response from the operator: Terri, I'm very sorry you had such an unfortunate experience on your tour. Our office is short staffed many times during the season especially on the shoulder seasons, as we are a small local business, many times for smaller groups and early am/pm start tours our van arrives at the start time with our office unstaffed. I am very sorry you were kept waiting as the guide should not have been late to the start of a tour, that said I can see via logs that he was 7 minutes late to the tour not over 30 as you state. I apologize that the tour was not what you wanted nor to the quality level we strive for, please reach out directly if you would like to try one of our more formal tours and give us another chance, our Elk Rut tours are a more laid back less formal tour focused on experiencing and finding elk.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $147 to $156
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 2
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 59
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
A Rutin' Good Time: Elk viewing in RMNP by Purple Points Tour Co: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Estes Park.
How much does A Rutin' Good Time: Elk viewing in RMNP by Purple Points Tour Co cost?
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Prices start at $147 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Estes Park usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does A Rutin' Good Time: Elk viewing in RMNP by Purple Points Tour Co take?
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Plan for about 3 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Estes Park is not rushed.
Is A Rutin' Good Time: Elk viewing in RMNP by Purple Points Tour Co worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 59 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.3/5 across 6 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Estes Park, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule A Rutin' Good Time: Elk viewing in RMNP by Purple Points Tour Co?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is A Rutin' Good Time: Elk viewing in RMNP by Purple Points Tour Co suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book A Rutin' Good Time: Elk viewing in RMNP by Purple Points Tour Co?
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Around 2 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Estes Park can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Estes Park and add a light layer if any part of the 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does A Rutin' Good Time: Elk viewing in RMNP by Purple Points Tour Co start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Estes Park within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Estes Park?
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Estes Park is the eastern gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park: guided Trail Ridge Road tours, wildlife and elk safaris, rafting, horseback rides and Stanley Hotel ghost tours. On Outty we rank every Estes Park experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Top of the World Tour (Wildside 4x4 Tours), Retractable Glass Top Tours of RMNP by Purple Points Tour Company, The Rocky Mountain National Park Safari Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Estes Park?
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June to September for full park access, September for the elk rut. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Estes Park?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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