All of the products we recommend we stand behind, and we appreciate your support! 1. Skirt around the eastern side of the lake and onto a rocky area that juts out over the water to get a spectacular look at Mills Lake from a different angle. Denver International Airport is the closest major airport. Since the trail isnt as well maintained here, allow yourself some extra time to get through this section. This is a great hike for newbie hikers who want to summit a mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park. Web Visit website. Top 10 Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Ida. The hike to Deer Mountain is one of the more popular fall hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. So, I am confident I would agree with your information on the hikes I havent done! Best For: Bragging rights. Its both scenic and strenuous, and thats what makes it one of Rocky Mountain National Parks best hikes. How to get there:Highway 36 will take you directly into the park. Along the way, youll pass through the Chasm Junction with 2,130 feet of elevation behind you, and as the Rockies unfold in front of you, one of the most scenic privies to take a break and relieve yourself. What a fantastic list of RMNP hikes! Sky Pond. The Loch Hike details. If you get here late and there are no more parking spaces, you will have to drive back down Bear Lake Road to the Park and Ride and then ride the free park shuttle back to Bear Lake. Hike Further: Be sure to hike and additional approx 1.25 mile (one-way) to Timberline Falls to see one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Rocky Mountain National Park. From its high glacial snow fields, rounded cirques, and jagged mountain peaks to its placid lakes and stunning montane forests, Rocky Mountain National Park is a territory of extraordinary beauty on a grand scale. Spend several days in the park, hiking the other trails, to acclimate yourself to the higher elevation. Covers one motorcycle. Best Things to Do in Great Sand Dunes National Park. This is a great hike for newbie hikers who want to summit a mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park. In addition to that, you will need a car to get around. The craggy Teton peaks reach as high as 13,770 feet, forming a bony ridge through Wyoming along the Continental Divide. Then, pick the day with the clearest weather forecast, get a very early start (many hikers begin at 3 or 4 am), and keep your fingers crossed that afternoon thunderstorms dont come rumbling through the park. Nice hike list! The Aspire rooms are higher-end, modernly decorated rooms but many people state that they are overpriced for what you get. I hear you thats a pretty common experience for people to feel like they dont have the friends that want to go hike. This hike starts at the Glacier Gorge Trailhead. Chasm Lake | Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Cheers, Julie, The Rocky mountain national park looks amazing dear. Are we only allowed to be on the trail ridge road until 3? Park Hours: Park entrances are open 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. This is our favorite short, easy hike in the park. All rights reserved. To get to the peak, its an almost constant uphill walk through an evergreen forest. The next morning we plan on taking a hike on Bear Lake and would need the Park Access+. It might be brief, but this short hike to Emerald Lake brings big rewards. The Ute Trail to Tombstone Ridge is a nice trail with a lot of opportunities to spot wildlife and take in the views. For families with older kids or for those who like the idea of hiking to several beautiful, iconic lakes, hike to Emerald and Dream Lakes and either do the easy stroll around Bear Lake or hike to Alberta Falls. The elevation of the lowest sections of the park range from 5,600 to 9,500 feet. Spring is one of our favorite times of year to visit Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. Find the right trail for any skill level. Its a very short hike (just over a half-mile round trip), but it will literally take your breath away. For the next mile or so, youll hike up a series of switchbacks until mile 2.4 where youll finally break through the treeline. This 3.5-mile roundtrip hike fits in a ton of incredible scenery in a short distance. MORE GREAT HIKES IN THE NATIONAL PARKS: From hikes to the tallest peaks to beautiful coast trails, read our Guide to the Best Day Hikes in the US National Parks. In July, we hiked through a snowstorm on the way back from Sky Pond. Bear Lake is a well-marked trail and is one of the easiest hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. They are rated easy, moderate or difficult. if you want a quieter hike, this is one to consider. At 14,433 feet, Mount Elbert is the tallest 14er in Colorado and the highest peak in the entire Rocky Mountain Range. Trail Ridge Road will be closed, limiting your visit to Bear Lake and the eastern side of the park. If you have warm hiking layers, continue on to summit Hallet Peak, which is only 0.7 miles from the summit of Flattop. Find the best Rocky Mountain National Park trails for summer and fall hikes. Cheers, Julie. When is the best time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park? We spent a total of 10 days in the Park, focusing a majority of our time around Bear Lake, Fern Lake, and Longs Peak on the East side of the Park. Best Time to Visit Rocky Mountain National Park Rocky Mountain National Park is open year-round, weather permitting, although the weather can change quickly in the mountains during fall, winter, and spring. Yup. Trailhead: Wild Basin Winter Trailhead. It is 4 miles round-trip and great for kids. Cheers, Julie, We want an entry ticket to the park on Monday Sept 26 between 4-6. Sky Pond via Glacier Gorge is without a doubt one of the best Rocky Mountain National park hikes. If you are staying in Estes Park, it is a 20-minute drive to get here. Honestly, this is not the most exciting hike on the list. Please advise, You can try to reserve it now. For the full list, read our article about the Best Scenic Drives in Colorado. This hike starts just under 12,000 feet of elevation and it is a stair climb to the top. With just a day in the Rocky Mountain National Park, this is one of the best hikes you could do. Plus, this is a lesser known hike, so the trail gets a lower number of hikers than other hikes on this list. Best Rocky Mountain National Park Hikes: Easy Tundra Hikes. If this sounds like a hike you would like to do, it will take some planning and patience. We wanted to do this, but it was incredibly windy and much colder above the treeline than in the parking lot. In my opinion the lakes get better as you go but some people find Dream to be the best. For the entire hike, you are walking along the alpine tundra, with unobstructed views of Longs Peak, Forest Canyon, and the Continental Divide. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. Rocky MountainNational Park Travel Guide. How to Visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison. Yes, it is on the long side and it can be challenging, but you get a great pay-off at the end, with the jaw-dropping view of Sky Pond. This is your spot to turn around and descend back to Ute Crossing. Distance: 10.4 miles Difficulty: Strenuous Length of Time: 6 to 8 hours Location: Bear Lake Trailhead. Longs Peak and Timber Creek Campgrounds are easier to get reservations. My team and I are here to show you its never too late to get your start and accomplish your goals in the outdoors. Here is the list and our recommendations. Youll be glad you did. Maybe you should say Longs Peak ranger station, or Longs Peak trailhead instead. Meeker and Longs Peak, the two highest peaks in Rocky Mountain National Park. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Your email address will not be published. During the climb up, the trail gets incrementally steeper and youll be taking switchbacks for most of the way. No, we havent done that hikehavent even heard of it. Keep hiking up to Black Lake, where youll encounter a meadow. GREAT SAND DUNES: In our article Best Things to Do in Great Sand Dunes National Park, we cover the top experiences, plus how to plan your time, where to stay, and more. Way to answer the call and end up in a better place. It's hard to narrow it down, but here are a few ideal day hikes that will give you a great introduction to Rocky Mountain National Park. During the remainder of the year it is closed due to snow. Id recommend taking your time and putting your trekking poles away so you can use your hands. Bear Lake Trail Image by Wendy Harrison Lawrence via Alltrails Distance: 0.7-mile loop Elevation: 49 feet Difficulty Rating: Easy Driving distances and times to nearby destinations: If you are on a road trip through Colorado, I recommend driving the Peak to Peak Scenic By-way, either before or after your visit to Rocky Mountain National Park. Just be aware that this is also the busiest time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park. All hikes mentioned below are perfect for day hikes. Cheers, Julie. There will be people. There are very few paved trails in Rocky Mountain National Park. Plan on going back to Black Lake and pushing for some of the higher elevation ones from there in a few weeks, Blue, Frozen, Green and Italy. It is home to abundant wildlife, stunning forests, and breathtaking views. For the ultimate hiking experience in Rocky Mountain National Park, Before you go, get updated trail conditions on the, If this is part of a bigger road trip through the USA, visit our, for more inspiration and travel planning tips. The hike up Deer Mountain is one of the easier hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park that offers high mountain views. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Dogs: Leashed. The Stanley Hotel. With one day in Rocky Mountain National Park, here are the best things to see and do: Rocky Mountain National Park is best seen from a hiking trail. I love how you outlined which hikes to do, based on what you are looking for. The descent down towards Fern Lake is just as scenic, with a new vantage point of the same mountains, and a deep blue alpine lake. If you are not acclimated to the higher elevation, its normal to get out of breath very easily. Distance: 4 miles Difficulty: Easy to moderate Length of Time: 1.5 to 3 hours Location: Ute Trailhead on Trail Ridge Road, 7 miles east of the Alpine Visitor Center, Tombstone Ridge | Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, Ute Trail to Tombstone Ridge | Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. To help you plan your trip, we also have articles about the best things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park and how to plan the perfect itinerary. Your email address will not be published. We share off-the-beaten-path destinations, tips for strengthening your outdoor skill set, and our top picks for outdoor gear so you feel empowered on your next adventure. Estes Park Lodging with Kids. Your email address will not be published. Hikes in this guide are chosen and reported on by experienced members of the Colorado Mountain Club. Rocky Mountain National Park is a massive and spectacularly beautiful area spanning 400 square miles. Happy hiking! In fact, hikers will enjoy outstanding panoramic views along much of the route. This hike is much different than many other hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Be prepared and ask your shuttle driver in the morning what times they stop at Fern Lake to line it up with the end of your hike. Alberta Falls | Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Distance: 0.7 miles / 1.1 kilometers. Dig in and hike the rest of the way to the summit of Flattop Mountain, where it is more of a plateau rather than a peak, but nevertheless, offers panoramic views of nearby mountain ranges like Mummy Range and Notchtop Mountain in the distance. Here are 15 of the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. This is our favorite short, easy hike in RMNP. Backpack the California Hiking and Riding Trail. Distance: 3.6 miles Difficulty: Easy to moderate Length of Time: 2 to 3 hours Location: Bear Lake Trailhead, at the end of Bear Lake Road, Emerald Lake | Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, Dream Lake | Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. If this is part of a bigger road trip through the USA, visit our United States Travel Guide for more inspiration and travel planning tips. Applies to walk-ins, bicycles, and non-commercial . This is a gorgeous drive. Around mile six, youll come to Fern Falls, a picturesque waterfall, and over the next couple miles youll hike past two large boulders known as Arch Rocks. The trail ends at the summit of Hallett Peak. Its a flat, beautiful easy walk in the parkliterally. Essential Hiking Gear: What Should You Bring on a Day Hike? Your best bet is to pack a picnic lunch. This is a great hike to do with kids. Make a left turn to follow the road all the way to the trailhead and parking lot. Meanwhile, Kara and I hiked Bear, Nymph, Dream, Emerald and Haiyaha Lakes. The Inn on Fall River & Fall River Cabins. How to get there:The most direct route is to take Highway 36, from Estes Park, to Bear Lake Road. Bear Lake This is the shortest, most popular hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the highest national parks in the USA. Travelers favorites include #1 Trail Ridge Road, #2 Beaver Meadows Visitor Center and more. Odessa Lake & Fern Lake. Which travel agency can book it for me? If you plan to visit the park during the summer months, you will also need to reserve your timed permit in advance. As you continue, the trail turns into a narrow boardwalk to carry you through the marshlands, and then into a forested area where there are remnants of downed trees from a devastating storm. Stay to the left and continue on to Alberta Falls, where youll get to hike through an evolving backdrop of beautiful pine forests into the aspen groves. This is a great hike for almost all ages and ability levels. I absolutely loved it. To get a parking space here, plan on arriving no later than 6:30 am, but even earlier is better. That book is pure gold. This trailhead is located just north of Estes Park. Distance: 7.5 to 10 miles, depending on the route you choose Difficulty: Moderate Length of Time: 4 to 7 hours Location: Bear Lake Trailhead or Moraine Park, Fern Lake | Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Gem Lake is a short but strenuous hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. This hike is much different than many other hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Starting at the Alpine Visitor Center (the highest visitor center in the United States) you simply hike up a long staircase to a viewpoint. Distance: 0.6 miles round-trip Length of Time: 30 minutes Difficulty: Easy Location: This hike starts at the Bear Lake Trailhead, located at the very end of Bear Lake Road. All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. If you are looking for a short, easy hike with spectacular views of Rocky Mountain National Park, put this hike at the top of your list. Thanks for all you do! This is our favorite hike in RMNP, but due to its long distance and high elevation, it might not be a good idea if you are coming directly from a lower elevation. As you arrive at the end of the lake, take in the views of Chiefs Head Peak over the lake thats just behind you in the distance. Ida. How to Get There:From Estes Park, take Highway 36 to Bear Lake Road until you reach the trailhead and parking lot. And once you are in the park, you can stay as long as you like. If you want, you can choose to hike around the well-marked nature trail around Bear Lake. This moderate hike starts at the Bear Lake Trailhead and follows Tyndall Creek via the Emerald Lake Trail all the way up to Emerald Lake. 700 feet (213 m) elevation gain. They are also all under 10 miles, well-signed, and easily done within a day. 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