Family owned since 1959
Ride A Kart has been Estes Park’s Premiere Family Entertainment Center for over 60 years. We are a 3rd generation family owned business and proud to be part of the community and help provide lasting memories for our guests for generations to come.
Some 50 plus years ago a young Gary Coleman celebrated the end of the school day by parading his homemade go-kart around his schoolhouse in Iowa. Being quite a handy young man, he had mounted a lawn mower engine to a welded frame to create a belt driven go-kart. As his classmates lined up to take their turns driving, his father, Harvey Coleman, saw nothing but potential.
Shortly after the go-kart lineup in Iowa, Harvey and Marcella Coleman left their farm in Iowa, and with three young boys (Gary, Don, and Bill Coleman), moved to Colorado. Land was purchased below the existing dam of lake Estes and a dirt go-kart track started to take shape. With this development, a young entrepreneur with a dream started what has become not only a staple to many vacationers and locals, but also provides a fun place to work for many locals.
As each summer came and went, Ride A Kart began to evolve. Brothers Don and Gary Coleman successfully ran and expanded the business first with the guidance of their father Harvey, and eventually for many years on their own. New rides were added such as bumper boats, krazy kars and the famous Silver Streak Railroad. The train was purchased from Phil “Casey” Martin and came with decades of history. The train has been rebuilt a few times but continues to bring smiles to all who take a ride on it to this day.
In 1989 the first 18 hole mini-golf course known as the “Mountain Course” was built. Two major water features were constructed including a waterfall over hole #1 and a major cascade and stream through the back nine. In 1992 the second 18-hole mini golf known as the “Meadows Course” was built. It figure-8s with the other course, has water interactive holes, and is stroller and wheelchair accessible. The courses are meticulously maintained and something not to miss on your visit to Estes Park.
Now, 60+ years later, the go kart track stands proud as the locally owned and operated premier Family Entertainment Center in Estes Park. Gary’s daughter Kelly Coleman (now Kessler) and her husband Andrew and their daughter Bryce continued the family legacy starting summer 2022. After celebrating their wedding reception at Ride A Kart in 2018, Andrew and Kelly also caught the entrepreneurial bug in seeing the potential for bringing joy to vacationers, groups and locals at Ride A Kart. Kelly states “As was always the case, we cannot wait to continue to provide lasting memories for our guests and employees for generations to come”.
Today, Ride A Kart features fun rides and attractions for the entire family including New Gamified Grand Prix Go-Karts, highly acclaimed 2 x 18-hole Mini Golf Courses, Bumper Boats, Batting Cages, Casey’s Miniature Train, Xtreme Bungee Trampolines, Water wars (a water balloon battle), Bumper Kars, Trackman Golf Simulator, an Arcade and Munch Kart.
Exciting Rides that You Drive!
Ride A Kart features fun rides and attractions for the entire family including New Gamified Grand Prix Go-Karts, highly acclaimed 2 x 18 hole Mini Golf Courses, Bumper Boats, Batting Cages, Casey’s Miniature Train, Xtreme Bungee Trampolines, Bumper Kars, an Arcade, Trackman Golf Simulator and Munch Kart.
Estes Park’s Premiere Amusement Park
We are situated just east of Lake Estes along the Big Thompson River and two miles east of downtown Estes Park on Highway 34. We provide ample parking and boast views of Longs Peak and many other mountains surrounding the Estes Park area. You may see elk grazing in the wetlands across the river, or watch fisherman catch a Colorado trout on the riverwalk, no matter the day, Ride A Kart is sure to be a memorable experience for the entire family!
Let Ride A Kart be part of your Colorado vacation!
Get more ideas on what to do on the Estes Park Travel Guide
