This is one of the easier lake hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. BEST NATIONAL PARKS IN THE USA:Looking for your next big adventure? It's well worth making the effort to get here, as the trail passes through some spectacular scenery, traversing a dense pine forest and passing by the lovely Ouzel Falls, before finally reaching Bluebird Lake. The trail starts at the Bear Lake trailhead, and heads left soon after. Alberta Falls is one of the most popular waterfalls to visit in Rocky Mountain National Park. This 3.5-mile roundtrip hike fits in a ton of incredible scenery in a short distance. Bearfoot Theory is one of the leading hiking, camping, and van life blogs powered by an all-female team. NATIONAL PARKS: In our Guide to the US National Parks, get the full list of national parks with important travel planning information, such as things to do in the parks and sample itineraries. I have been in RMCP for four days now, and did skypond, emerald lake and Hiayaha, Ute to tombstone, and deer mountain. best things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. 3.1 miles (5 km). Watch your step and take it slow. If you have been hiking in Glacier National Park, this hike looks very similar to the Grinnell Glacier hike. Note: All distances are round-trip. The Ute Trail to Tombstone Ridge is a wonderful, short, easy hike to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. This is the shortest, most popular hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. Get updates on trail closures and park conditions on the National Park Service website. This road connects Central City with Estes Park, running alongside the eastern edge of Rocky Mountain National Park. This has been implemented to limit crowds at the busiest sections of the park during the peak visitation season (the summer months). Another view from Forest Canyon Overlook. 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. Crater Lake National Park, Oregon . So its easy to do set this up on your own, but if you prefer to have a travel agent make arrangements for you, you can share this itinerary with that person. A short footpath will take you all the way around we even spotted a bull moose here.Continue on to Odessa Lake, but watch your step. Its about protecting what sustains us. So, climb those stairs, catch your breath if you need to, and enjoy the awesome view from the top. Continue for two more miles until you reach Black Lake. You are now standing at 12,718 feet, with 360 views, which makes this one of the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Discover the best things to do at Lake Como in Montana including the top hikes, where to camp, & more! This is a gorgeous drive. At approximately 1.9 miles in, youll reach Lightning Bridge, a footbridge thats bookended by two signs warning hikers about lightening risk. No, we havent done that hikehavent even heard of it. How to get there:Take Highway 34 into the park and turn right onto Trail Ridge Road to the trailhead parking lot. On an early morning in July, it was only 34 degrees at the Alpine Visitor Center during our visit. Do we need a AWD car ? 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 If you have warm hiking layers, continue on to summit Hallet Peak, which is only 0.7 miles from the summit of Flattop. This helps control crowd levels on the roads and hiking trails. The Emerald Lake hike is a family friendly hike and it also makes a great intro to hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park. At roughly three miles into the hike, you will reach Mills Lake. You also have the option to add on a fifth lake, Lake Haiyaha, making this hike a total of 6.2 miles. If you want, you can choose to hike around the well-marked nature trail around Bear Lake. From the Glacier Gorge parking lot, is a mostly uphill walk to get to Alberta Falls, but it is not too strenuous. If you are looking for a short, family-friendly hike, and dont mind a bit of a stair climb at times, this is a good hike to add to your to-do list. You can have lunch here, depending on your timing. For more information about where to stay and where to eat, read our Guide to Estes Park. Snow can linger on the trails as late as July, especially for the trails at higher elevations. There is never a boring moment on this trail. Well have to put it on our to do list when we are back in the area. 33 places sorted by traveler favorites Clear all filters 2022 1. Its about nourishment and learning. The Stanley Hotel. 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. Longs Peak, at 14,259 feet, is the only fourteener in the park. Bear Lake is a well-marked trail and is one of the easiest hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Heres the thing: this hike starts just under 12,000 feet of elevation. Reservations are made online on the recreation.gov website. For the next mile or so, youll hike up a series of switchbacks until mile 2.4 where youll finally break through the treeline. Your email address will not be published. Not too long after youve past Nymph, youll find yourself at the midway point between there and Dream Lake. 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. Features a wide variety of hikes, from family-and wheelchair-friendly to challenging and strenuous options for hardier trekkers. Elevation: 49 feet / 15 meters. Plan on being at the trailhead by 7am (or earlier) if you want to park at the trailhead itself. The air is crisp, wildflowers are starting to . To get here, take Highway 7 south from Estes Park. Hike up to continue onto the Tombstone Ridge, where there are beautiful views of the Rockies in front of you. None of them will disappoint. Estes Park is the bigger of the two gateway cities to Rocky Mountain National Park, and is also closer to the major sites and attractions in the park. 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. You can add on Lake Haiyaha for a total distance of 6.2 miles. Look out for cairns here and head directly through the meadow up towards the spot where you can see a waterfall coming out of the rocks from Chasm Lake. In addition to that, you will need a car to get around. The sweet spot months are from late May until mid-June and from early September after Labor Day until mid-October. Colorado, USA. Its time for the best scenic drive in Rocky Mountain National Park. 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. Each guidebook provides twenty of the best hikes in the area they represent . We hiked Emerald Lake Trail in time for the sunset (not the best for photography at the lake) but the colors were pretty during our descent, and there were fewer people on the way down.It starts off at Bear Lake Trailhead, where youll hike past Nymph Lake within the first half of a mile, with views of Hallett Peak and Flattop Mountain in the distance. Ida, you really feel like you are walking on top of the world. 11. We appreciate it and made that update so its more clear. Our favorite hikes are Sky Pond (super fun hike to a beautiful alpine lake), Mt. One of the most popular hikes in all of Rocky Mountain National Park is the Nymph, Dream, & Emerald Lakes Hike. Gem Lake | Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. In early autumn, the snow really returns, covering the roads and trails, turning the park into a wintery wonderland. This is the most popular hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. You will pass Nymph Lake and Dream Lake on your way to Emerald. From Bear Lake Road, turn left onto Highway 36 and continue on to Trail Ridge Road. The best path up the scramble is to follow the crushed and broken rocks, indicating a footpath worn in by previous hikers. Youre not alone Check out our blog post with tips for taking friends hiking. RMNP has more than one ranger station. Make a left turn to follow the road all the way to the trailhead and parking lot. best things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. Which travel agency can book it for me? How crowded does Rocky Mountain National Park get? Taylor (13,651'), won't disappoint. Odessa Lake & Fern Lake. The official website for RMNP has up-to-date news on trail conditions, so take a look before you head out. The lake is also a great setting for a picnic. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you. This takes you directly up a short scramble for about 100 feet. 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. This challenging trail is a fantastic way to get panoramic park views without attempting something quite as hard as Longs Peak. The permit is in effect from 5 am to 6 pm. Republishing this articleand/orany of its contents (text, photography, etc. in advance if you plan to do this itinerary between May 27 and October 10, 2022. 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 is part of a bigger road trip through the USA, visit our United States Travel Guide for more inspiration and travel planning tips. After about half a mile, youll notice that there are tombstone-shaped rocks that dot the ridgeline in the distance, hence the name of the Tombstone Trail. if you want a quieter hike, this is one to consider. This charming island is home. All-inclusive trips, expert guides, Top-rated hiking company on Trip Advisor! Black Lake looks similar to Chasm Lake, as both of these alpine lakes are surrounded by jagged mountain peaks. Bearfoot Theory participates in affiliate programs with a variety of retailers and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies, including Amazon, REI, Backcountry and others. Its best to hike in the morning and to be below the tree line by 1 pm. All of these day hikes are centrally located, so that you can spend less time driving, with many of them accessible via Rocky Mountain National Parks free shuttle. If you have any questions about how to spend one day in Rocky Mountain National Park, let us know in the comment section below. Backpacking in Rocky Mountain National Park offers the visitor a tremendously unique perspective and experience because a majority of the park's visitors only have time for single-day outings. Let us know in the comment section below. If you are looking for a short, easy hike, How to Hike the Ute Trail to Tombstone Ridge, How to Hike to Nymph, Dream & Emerald Lakes (+ Add on Bear Lake and Lake Haiyaha), panoramic views of Longs Peak and Estes Park, How to Hike the Continental Divide Trail to Mt Ida. 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. But the views are spectacular and there is a good chance that you will see elk from the trail. Although its tempting to stop here, there are even more spectacular views up ahead. Important! Maybe you should say Longs Peak ranger station, or Longs Peak trailhead instead. Enjoy hand-curated trail maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you. Park Hours: Park entrances are open 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. Go up there for the solitude and to soak up all the amazing views of the lake, valley, and peaks that surround you. A well-graded trail circles around the lake. At just over a half of a mile, round trip, this hike sounds easy. . With elevations ranging from 7,860 feet to 14,259 feet . Hi Deanna, thank you so much for pointing that out and for being here! The Residences are one, two, three, and four bedroom houses that come equipped with a full kitchen. You can still get around, but it might be on skis or snowshoes, rather than by vehicle. However, this property gets rave reviews. Dogs: Leashed. Visit our Colorado Travel Guide for more things to do in Colorado. I absolutely loved it. The entire hike is less than a mile in length, making it great for all ages and ability levels. Begin here, at Glacier Gorge, and hike for a quarter of a mile over Chaos Creek until you see the trail split. CCY Route (Chapin-Chiqiuta-Ypsilon route) Bluebird Lake. Enjoy panoramic views of the park, as well as spectacular views from the overlooks of Dream Lake and Emerald Lake. If you are coming from sea level, you will feel the effects of the altitude as soon as you do anything strenuous. Once the trail splits, the hike gets a little easier and you are treated to breathtaking views of Longs Peak, Columbine Falls, and Peacock Pond. Very nice list, Sky Pond is my favorite, as well as Black Lake. The wildlife here is abundant and commonly spotted, and there is a spectacular view around every corner. The trails in these areas get you into the high alpine quicker than the West side of the Park and give you some amazing panoramic views. Its one of the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park to get great views of the Continental Divide, and a great trail to acclimate to the altitude before tackling the more strenuous hikes on this list. Fortunately, there are hikes for all ages and ability levels. Bear Lake This is the shortest, most popular hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. Less than a mile in, youll arrive at Alberta Falls. The hike offers outstanding views of Lily Mountain, Estes Cone, as well as Mt. The timed entry permit system covers ALL areas of the park, including outlying areas like Lily Lake, Longs Peak, Lumpy Ridge, and Wild Basin. This is exactly the information I needed about each hike! Happy hiking! Grand Lake and the western side of the park will also be accessible but with more to do on the east side, and its easy access from Boulder and Denver, I think this is the better place to put your time if you only have one day in Rocky Mountain National Park. Get There Early: There are two important reasons to begin your hikes early in the morning in Rocky Mountain National 1)The trail head parking lots fill up early, and 2) in the . The Bear Lake trail is handicap accessible and offers something for everyone. Nice hike list! Our website uses cookies. However, if you are doing well on time or only plan to do a very short hike in the morning, going into Estes Park for lunch is not a bad idea. It gets even better once you reach the summit of Mt. The view from Alpine Ridge Trail. This was one of our favorite hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park and we highly recommend it. Here are 15 of the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. After that date, it only runs during the weekends through October 20. Its about more than standing on the mountain top. Mount Ida. With numerous hotels and restaurants, and a great location near the heart of Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park is a great place to stay. 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. Thanks Dave! After the climb, at 2.8 miles, youll reach Loch Vale where the views will bring you to a standstill. Emerald Lake Trail 550 Hiking Trails By pamt464 We also hiked in the Wild Basin area which starts at a lower elevation, but the Emerald Lake hike was our favorite fo. If you are coming from a lower elevation, I recommend skipping the hikes to the taller peaks and staying low. 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. Views of Peacock Pond with the massive, rocky mountains that form the backdrop, waterfalls, and the chance to see wildlife, almost gave us a sense of dj vu, like we were back in Glacier National Park again. Ida. . 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. In this photo you can see the Alpine Visitor Center and Trail Ridge Road. Just note that when you re-enter the park, you may have to wait in line to pass through the entrance booth. Alberta Falls | Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Wildland Trekking offers trips with the best of Rocky Mountain: waterfalls, mountains, views, wildlife, solitude, adventure and fascinating natural and cultural interpretation. Beginning at the Glacier Gorge Trailhead, hike in and follow the same guidance as before, where after a quarter of a mile, youll stay left at the fork and head towards Alberta Falls. One of the best seasons for hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park is the spring. Bear Lake. From the Bear Lake Trailhead, follow signs to Alberta Falls. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Take a 0.4-mile detour to Lake Haiyaha for an added bonus. Yup. Web Visit website. Thanks!! There are lots of great restaurants to choose from. If this is your first day at RMNP, and one of your first days in Colorado, be prepared to take a few breaks. In July, we hiked through a snowstorm on the way back from Sky Pond. For the final mile of this hike, you are treated to breathtaking views of Longs Peak, Columbine Falls, Peacock Pond, and finally Chasm Lake. Numerous trails start right from this spot, so if you only have one day in Rocky Mountain National Park, this is a great place to visit. Visit our. Thanks for all you do! Im a hiking obsessed, half-time van lifer who is happiest in the mountains. Hikes in this guide are chosen and reported on by experienced members of the Colorado Mountain Club. The Complete Guide to the US National Parks, 15 Great Hikes to do in Big Bend National Park, The Complete Guide to Hiking the Zion Narrows, 14 Best Things to do in Acadia National Park, The Perfect Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary, One Perfect Day in Rocky Mountain National Park, 10 Best Things to Do in Rocky Mountain National Park, Nymph, Dream & Emerald Lake Hike (+ How to Add on Bear Lake & Lake Haiyaha). The Loch Hike details. Chasm Lake is one of the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. All hikes mentioned below are perfect for day hikes. I know some of the trails will be closed due to the 2020 fires, but there are still a lot open. The trail gains 700 feet as it climbs to Emerald Lake, which sits at 10,110 feet above sea level. Unless you're Superman (I very much am not), you can't possibly cover this much ground in one day. The Emerald Lake hike is one of the most popular hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Note: This post contains affiliate links. The Ute Trail to Tombstone Ridge is a nice trail with a lot of opportunities to spot wildlife and take in the views. After a mile and a half, youll come to the end of Dream Lake. But the whole reason to do this hike is for the view of Sky Pond, one of the most spectacular lakes in the park. This is also a great place to stop for lunch, and a popular one, too. One Day in Rocky Mountain National Park: Best Things to Do With one day in Rocky Mountain National Park, here are the best things to see and do: Drive Trail Ridge Road (late spring through early fall) Bear Lake Emerald Lake Dream Lake Alberta Falls Alpine Visitor Center Alpine Ridge Trail Go Hiking See what else made the list! Thanks for all the tips on your other articles, really helpful. Parking in the lot at the end of Bear Lake Road adds roughly .4 miles to the hiking distance above. In the summertime youll be surrounded by wildflowers. Spring is one of our favorite times of year to visit Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. SCENIC DRIVES IN COLORADO: Pikes Peak, the Million Dollar Highway, and the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway is just a short list of the scenic drives you can do in Colorado. Not only is this a scenic walk around a lake, but this also can be a learning experience. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Earth Trekkers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by advertising & linking to Amazon.com. This is a great hike for almost all ages and ability levels. This hike feels tough, a combination of the high elevation with the long stair climb. This is a great hike for newbie hikers who want to summit a mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park. How to Get There:From Estes Park, take Highway 36 to Bear Lake Road until you reach the trailhead and parking lot. 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. Youll be glad you did. If your visit to Rocky Mountain National Park is part of a bigger road trip through Colorado, here is more information for your trip. Aspenglen, Moraine Park, and Glacier Basin are the most popular campgrounds and these get reserved well in advance. Provided by Touchpoints If you plan to visit the park during the summer months, you will also need to reserve your timed permit in advance. Ida, and Tombstone Ridge are the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park for your list. I dont know of a travel agency to recommend. They include Alpine Ridge Trail, Forest Canyon Overlook, Alluvial Fan West Trail, and Beaver Ponds Boardwalk. Along the way, you will hike through bogs and forests, past Ribbon Falls, and have a great view of Keyboard of the Winds. It can be very windy and cold here, and in true Rocky Mountain fashion, the weather can turn without much warning. You will also pass the trailhead for the Ute Trail to Tombstone Ridge. This part of the hike is tough as you are hiking over very rugged terrain. The trailhead serves as a starting point for several different routes, including a short loop around the stunning Bear Lake. To get to the peak, its an almost constant uphill walk through an evergreen forest. 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. Tim and Tyler hiked Odessa and Fern Lakes on our first day in the park and we came right from sea level (we live on the east coast of the USA). If you plan to do a lot of hiking and drive Trail Ridge Road, plan on visiting Rocky Mountain National Park between Memorial Day and mid-October. 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). While in Rocky Mountain National Park, please practice the seven principles of Leave No Trace: plan ahead, stay on the trails, pack out what you bring to the hiking trails, properly dispose of waste, leave areas as you found them, minimize campfire impacts, be considerate of other hikers, and do not approach or feed wildlife. If you have plans to hike one of these trails, adding on Bear Lake is quick, easy, and wont take up much of your time. Trip at a Glance: Day 1 - Start with a scenic road trip and then hike the Wild Basin trail (1-6 mile options), drive Trail Ridge Road, and end with a 2.5 hour hike to Moraine Lake with chances to see wildlife.Spend the night in Estes Park. Distance: 10.4 miles Difficulty: Strenuous Length of Time: 6 to 8 hours Location: Bear Lake Trailhead. When we did this, we saw lots of elk, some of them males with enormous antlers. A few great hikes start and end along this road. Sometimes, we just need to start small and do simple walks with our friends to get them stoked on doing more outside. Visiting Rocky Mountain National Park is a much different experience in the winter than the summer months. Each daily reservation costs $2 per vehicle, which is in addition to the $25 daily entrance fee or $35 weekly entrance fee per vehicle. Adams Falls is a short .6-mile round-trip hike near Grand Lake, Colorado. If you have more than a few days in RMNP and need some warm-up hikes. 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. 2021Outdoor Project. 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