The Historic Fall River Hydroplant

The Hydroplant is closed for the season and will reopen on June 1, 2010.

Private tours are available during the winter months for groups of at least 10 people.

To schedule a private tour at least two weeks in advance, please contact the

Estes Park Museum at 970-577-3762.

The Historic Fall River Hydroplant, built by F.O. Stanley to power his famous Stanley Hotel in 1909, is open to the public as an interpretive center (click here for directions).  

Stanley sold the plant to the Public Service Company of Colorado in 1928. In 1945, the Town of Estes Park bought the plant and maintained it until it was severely damaged by the Lawn Lake Flood in 1982. The Historic Fall River Hydroplant features the original equipment installed by Stanley in 1909, machinery from an addition in 1921, and a diesel unit installed by Public Service in 1938. In addition to the equipment, there are panels that document the story of the plant, the growth of Estes Park and its insatiable need for electricity, and the Lawn Lake Flood of 1982. 

The plant is currently open seasonally, from the day after Memorial Day to the day before Labor Day everyday except Mondays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. For more details, check out the Information page.

The picnic grounds across Fall River are available for rent.  For more details, visit the facilities rental page.

State Historical Fund money to help restore the Historic Fall River Hydroplant was provided by the Colorado Historical Society.