Enos Mills (Visited 1884, Settled 1902)
The Defender of Wilderness
Known as the “Father of Rocky Mountain National Park,” Enos Mills first came to Estes at age 15. He later settled here full-time, writing prolifically about nature and tirelessly campaigning for the park’s designation, which finally came in 1915. A true naturalist, Mills guided hikes, journaled observations, and hosted early visitors at his homestead near Longs Peak.
His legacy lives not only in the park he fought for, but in the idea that wilderness is worth protecting for all time. Even Mills Lake, one of the area’s most scenic alpine lakes, carries his name as a lasting tribute to his influence. And if you’re downtown, you can visit his statue in the northeast corner of Bond Park, near Claire’s on the Park—a quiet reminder of the man who helped preserve this wilderness for generations.
