Rocky Mountain National Park Slingshot Ride: Self-Guided Tour

Pilot your own open-air Slingshot through the Rockies

A self-guided Slingshot ride near Estes Park puts you behind the wheel of a three-wheeled vehicle for four hours on Rocky Mountain National Park roads and surrounding canyon routes. You navigate using provided maps and GPS waypoints to scenic destinations and viewpoints. The open-air design keeps you close to the landscape and any wildlife you encounter along the way.

The experience

You pick up the Slingshot at Backbone Adventures, located at the mouth of Rocky Mountain National Park. Just minutes from the park entrance. The vehicle comes equipped with navigation and a Bluetooth stereo system, so you can set your own pace and choose which of the mapped waypoints and scenic sites to visit. The three-wheeled design is open to the air, which means you feel the elevation changes and get an unfiltered view of the terrain as you drive.

The four-hour window gives you time to explore multiple stops without rushing. You're working from maps and navigation waypoints the company provides, pointing you toward popular overlooks and lesser-known canyon roads in the area. Since you're driving yourself, the experience is as leisurely or as spirited as you want it to be. Wildlife encounters happen on the road itself: elk, mule deer and other animals are common sights along these routes, and the open cabin puts you close enough to see them without a windshield between you and the view.

What’s included

• Slingshot vehicle for four hours.
• navigation system with GPS waypoints.
• Bluetooth stereo system.
• maps to scenic destinations and viewpoints in Rocky Mountain National Park and surrounding canyon roads.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00 and 13:00

Book up to1h before

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 32

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Backbone Adventures

Is this one for you?You drive the Slingshot yourself, which means you control the pace and choose which waypoints to visit: ideal if you want the freedom to stop longer at a view that grabs you or skip ahead to the next one. A passenger can ride along, making it a shared experience without a guide narrating the route.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

3 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What's the difference between a Slingshot and a regular three-wheeler?

A Slingshot is a three-wheeled roadster with an open cockpit, two seats side-by-side, and a low center of gravity that makes it handle like a sports car. It's not an ATV or an enclosed vehicle. You're fully exposed to the air and the road, which is what makes the ride feel so immediate.

Do I need a special license to drive a Slingshot?

A valid driver's license is required. The Slingshot is street-legal and operates on regular roads, so your standard license covers it.

Can I choose where to go, or is the route set?

You navigate yourself using the maps and GPS waypoints Backbone Adventures provides. You decide which scenic stops and destinations to visit within the four-hour window, so the route is yours to plan.

What happens if I want to bring a passenger?

The Slingshot seats two people, so a passenger can ride alongside you. They experience the same open-air ride and views from the second seat.

Is this suitable if I'm not an experienced driver?

The Slingshot is suitable for all physical fitness levels and is designed for regular road driving, not off-road terrain. If you're comfortable driving a car on paved roads, you can operate a Slingshot.