If you are acclimated to the elevation, the hike to Chasm Lake is another one of our favorites in Rocky Mountain National Park. If this sounds like a hike you would like to do, it will take some planning and patience. 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. Emerald Lake Trail | Rocky Mountain National Park Hikes The trail starts to climb higher, eventually taking you up rock steps then down to Emerald Lake. Backpack the California Hiking and Riding Trail. Julie Last updated: February 23, 2023 United States 8 Comments. This hike is much different than many other hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Your email address will not be published. All hikes mentioned below are perfect for day hikes. find gorgeous views on your choice of easy routes with little to no incline, moderate trails extending 3.4 - 4.5 miles, or challenging routes recommended for experienced hikers only. This is a great hike for newbie hikers who want to summit a mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park. If you are staying in Estes Park, it is a 20-minute drive to get here. The Residences are one, two, three, and four bedroom houses that come equipped with a full kitchen. Adams Falls in Rocky Mountain National Park. After a mile and a half, youll come to the end of Dream Lake. I also purchased the National Geographic Rocky Mountain National Park hiking map. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure. This is one of our favorite hikes in RMNP and we highly recommend it if you want unforgettable high alpine views. 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. From what we noticed, most of the people on this trail were either locals (this is a popular trail running route) or those who had already checked off a bunch of hikes in RMNP. For a big chunk of the year Trail Ridge Road is closed (from mid-autumn through late spring), making part of the park inaccessible, at least by car. Im a hiking obsessed, half-time van lifer who is happiest in the mountains. On an early morning in July, it was only 34 degrees at the Alpine Visitor Center during our visit. . And dont forget to reserve your Timed Entry Permit in advance if you plan to do this itinerary between May 27 and October 10, 2022. Id recommend taking your time and putting your trekking poles away so you can use your hands. Distance: 9.8 miles Difficulty: Strenuous Length of Time: 4.5 to 6.5 hours Location: Poudre Lake/Milner Pass on Trail Ridge Road, 4.5 miles south of the Alpine Visitor Center, Continental Divide Trail | Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. For much of the hike you are walking along the Continental Divide. Trail Ridge Road is the highest paved through road, not only in Colorado, but also in the entire US national park system. A vacuum style bottle, like this one from Day 1 Fitness can keep your water icy cold for hours into your hike. Your email address will not be published. Lily Lake - The Lily Lake Loop is another easy hike that's suitable for the entire family. Best for: Historic cabins and quiet trails. There will be people. Before we dive in to all 25+ of the best hikes in Rocky Mountain NP, we've compiled the top 10! One Day in Rocky Mountain National Park: Best Things to Do. Are we only allowed to be on the trail ridge road until 3? 15 Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park We divided this guide into three sections: easy, moderate, and challenging. If you want to stay in the park, you will be limited to campgrounds. Thanks Dave! Ida. All great (especially sky pond). If you have more than a few days in RMNP and need some warm-up hikes. All-inclusive trips, expert guides, Top-rated hiking company on Trip Advisor! You'll pass Nymph and Dream lakes on the way to your final destination, Emerald Lake with the surrounding peaks reflected on its surface. Also, it can snow every month of the year in Rocky Mountain National Park. View from Deer Mountain | Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. It is located just outside of Estes Park, on the south side, an excellent location for driving into the park. If you're after something moderate but rewarding a visit to The Loch, an iconic subalpine lake framed epicly by the Sharktooth (12,530') and Mt. 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. On the way down, you can hand your backpack to a friend and then scoot your way down on your butt. For more tips for your first visit to RMNP, check out this blog post. You can either hike to Fern Lakes and Odessa Lake as a point-to-point hike, starting at Bear Lake and ending at Moraine Park (or vice versa). Rocky Mountain National Park spans over 415.25 square miles and has 355 miles of well-maintained hiking trails with different elevations. Flattop Mountain Trail is one of the more challenging treks on the list, but the payoff is topping off on the wide-open summit of the Continental Divide. For many visitors to Colorado, bagging one of the state's 53 highly coveted 14ers (peaks higher than 14,000 feet) can be top of the list. If you choose to hike Chasm Lake, you will be skipping 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. During the climb up, the trail gets incrementally steeper and youll be taking switchbacks for most of the way. Wherever you decide to turn around, make sure you catch a view of the Tyndall Glacier while youre there and enjoy this unique vantage point from the top. Rocky Mountain National Park Elle Ossello Lake Haiyaha Hike Rocky Mountain National Park Elle Ossello Nymph, Dream + Emerald Lakes Hike Rocky Mountain National Park Elle Ossello Bear Lake Loop Hike Rocky Mountain National Park Elle Ossello Gem Lake Hike via Lumpy Ridge Trailhead Rocky Mountain National Park Elle Ossello Lily Mountain Hike How to get there: The most direct route is to take Highway 36, from Estes Park, to Bear Lake Road. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. How crowded does Rocky Mountain National Park get? Im glad we could help! The Aspire rooms are higher-end, modernly decorated rooms but many people state that they are overpriced for what you get. Mount Ida. Park Access +: This permit gives you access to everything in Rocky Mountain National Park. This challenging hike starts at Bear Lake and rapidly gains elevation once you are on the Flattop Mountain Trail. Grab your trekking poles and take it slow. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you. It doesnt take long until you get see amazing views of Longs Peak and Keyboard of the Winds. This charming island is home. Yes, the views from the summit are beautiful, but this hike is a bit boring at times since it is a constant uphill climb through a forest. You can arrive mid-morning, hike one of the trails that start at Bear Lake, and then spend the afternoon and evening at Estes Park. Best day hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park While there are tons of hiking opportunities in the park, we've narrowed down our top picks for the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park to add to your itinerary. Distance: 7.4 miles Difficulty: Moderate Length of Time: 4 to 5 hours Location: Eastern Rocky Mountain National Park, near Lily Lake, Twin Sisters | Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, Longs Peak from Twin Sisters | Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Note: Many hikes start at or near Bear Lake: Emerald Lake, Lake Haiyaha, Sky Pond, Black Lake, Fern Lake, Flattop Mountain, and Hallett Peak. It can be very windy and cold here, and in true Rocky Mountain fashion, the weather can turn without much warning. 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. The best time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park without the summer crowds, an open Trail Ridge Road, and a good chance of pleasant weather is in late spring or in the fall. Maybe you should say Longs Peak ranger station, or Longs Peak trailhead instead. The views from the overlooks are stunning. This historic hotel is one of the top places to stay in Estes Park. Explore Rocky Mountain National Parks best trails with this detailed list of my favorite day hikes. Plan on being at the trailhead by 7am (or earlier) if you want to park at the trailhead itself. For the entire hike, you are walking along the alpine tundra, with unobstructed views of Longs Peak, Forest Canyon, and the Continental Divide. Distance: 0.6 miles Difficulty: Easy Length of Time: 30 minutes Location: Alpine Visitor Center on Trail Ridge Road. The waterfall borders Rocky Mountain National Park and its trail begins at the same trailhead for the East Inlet Trail. If you want to check them out for yourself, youre in luck because they both leave from the Glacier Gorge Trailhead. There is no lodging inside Rocky Mountain National Park. From the Glacier Gorge parking lot, is a mostly uphill walk to get to Alberta Falls, but it is not too strenuous. Stick to the maintained trail, and whenever possible, step on rocks instead of vegetation. This is a great hike to do with kids. Along the way, there is a good chance that you will spot bighorn sheep and elk. This helps control crowd levels on the roads and hiking trails. Find the right trail for any skill level. For this one day itinerary, you will need a Park Access + permit (the timed-entry permit that includes Bear Lake Road). The way up to here is known to have snow and icy conditions at about 3.8 miles in, which doesnt melt until mid or even late June. Not only do you get to visit a pretty lake but you also get sweeping views of Estes Park with Longs Peak in the distance. You can stay in a cozy cabin with a river view or a well-decorated suite. Over the next half of a mile, snow and ice can remain on the trail well into June. Do we have to wait to reserve it the day before on Sunday at 5? Alberta Falls. 3 Days in Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary: Day One. From the Bear Lake Trailhead, follow signs to Alberta Falls. The craggy Teton peaks reach as high as 13,770 feet, forming a bony ridge through Wyoming along the Continental Divide. Elevation: 49 feet / 15 meters. We hiked to Odessa Lake and Fern Lake as an out-and-back hike from Bear Lake. The rooms within the main hotel building get mixed reviews. This is an essential hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. At roughly three miles into the hike, you will reach Mills Lake. However, snow is possible at both times at higher . No An official form of the United States government. Before our trip, I purchased The Essential Guide to Hiking Rocky Mountain National Park by Erik Stensland. Colorado, USA. Green Mountain Trail to Big Meadow A river running through Big Meadow, which is, in fact, a big meadow Length: 3.6 miles Elevation Gain: 600 ft. How to Visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison. In the summer months, the best things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park are hiking, driving Trail Ridge Road, taking a stroll around Bear Lake, driving Old Fall River Road, and mountaineering. 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. Ida on day 3. Once at the waterfall, you can explore the short trails along Glacier Creek to find your favorite view of the waterfall. BEST NATIONAL PARKS IN THE USA:Looking for your next big adventure? The park has gotten so popular that in 2020 a timed entry system was put into effect. If you only have one day in Rocky Mountain National Park, what should you do? This is my favorite easy day hike in Rocky Mountain National Park and the one I often bring out-of-town friends on. Wildlife, waterfalls, lakes, big peaks, and more. The Inn on Fall River & Fall River Cabins. Click the star next to the title of the map to add this map to your Google Maps account. Thanks for sharing!!! Trailhead - Glacier Gorge Trailhead. Expect lots of wind and cold temperatures, even during the summer months. 7.4 miles (12 km). The park encompasses over 400 square miles of Colorados Front Range, which juts up suddenly at the western edge of the Great Plains to create one ofthe most scenic and dramatic alpine areas in the country. Learn how to combine them all together into one epic road trip in our 10 Day Colorado Itinerary. The view from Alpine Ridge Trail. If you have any questions about the permit, let us know in the comment section below. Nice hike list! Here in the heart of the Rockies, it's not hard to see why this is one of the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park For Spring 1| Ouzel Falls Length: 5.4 miles (8.7 km) Location: Wild Basin Trailhead Key features: Waterfalls The stunning 40 ft tall Ouzel Falls is the most famous waterfall trail in the park. Its a very short hike (just over a half-mile round trip), but it will literally take your breath away. Sign up for access to our free Member-only resources, packing lists, and itineraries. 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. To get a parking space here, plan on arriving no later than 6:30 am, but even earlier is better. If this is your first day at RMNP, and one of your first days in Colorado, be prepared to take a few breaks. 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. The views across the park are incredible. Many even consider it to be one of the best waterfalls in the park. To continue to Hallett Peak, follow the rocky, somewhat faint trail. The only place that you can get food inside the park is at the Trail Ridge Store, a caf and coffee house that sits next to the Alpine Visitor Center. 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. One of the most beloved summit hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park is the Flattop Mountain and Hallett Peak hike, which spans just over 10 miles and 3,293 feet of elevation gain. It includes Bear Lake Road and the hikes that start here (Bear Lake, Emerald and Dream Lakes, Alberta Falls, Sky Pond, Hallett Peak, and Sprague Lake). Distance: 5 miles round trip (from Wild Basin Winter trailhead which adds about 1.5 miles round trip) Difficulty: Easy Located in the stunning but less-frequented southeast corner of Rocky Mountain National Park, this hike delivers not just gorgeous views at the end, but glimpses of various waterfalls throughout the journey. Just note that when you re-enter the park, you may have to wait in line to pass through the entrance booth. There is never a boring moment on this trail. The trail starts at the Bear Lake trailhead, and heads left soon after. For the entire hike, you are walking along the alpine tundra, with unobstructed views of Longs Peak, Forest Canyon, and the Continental Divide. If this sounds like a hike you would like to do, it will take some planning and patience. There is even a three-bedroom house that can accommodate up to nine people. Another view from Forest Canyon Overlook. 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. Ida, you really feel like you are walking on top of the world. Grand Teton National Park may be one of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring parks of the Rocky Mountains. Your blog is always my go-to, the most thorough, thoughtful content! The elevation here is about 11,600, so take your time and stop to catch your breath when you need a break. There are numerous hikes for all fitness levels and ages, and a variety of scenic vistas. Paved through Road, not only in Colorado, but it is not too strenuous section below friends on lists... Excellent location for driving into the Park, it was only 34 degrees at the trailhead by 7am ( earlier. 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