At this elevation, its not enough to cause altitude sickness, but you will tire and get out of breath easily. Park Access: This permit gives you access to everything in Rocky Mountain National Park except for Bear Lake Road. These are some of the best hikes in the park. Here are the best section hikes on the John Muir Trail that require less than a week to complete. The most popular hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the highest national parks in the USA. Your blog is always my go-to, the most thorough, thoughtful content! Best Things to Do in Rocky Mountain National Park #1 Trail Ridge Road #2 Beaver Meadows Visitor Center #3 Downtown Estes Park See Full Ranking List Tours & Sightseeing Discover Rocky. Well have to put it on our to do list when we are back in the area. To help you plan your trip, we also have articles about the best things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park, the best hikes in the park, and how to plan the perfect itinerary. Begin here, at Glacier Gorge, and hike for a quarter of a mile over Chaos Creek until you see the trail split. The views from the summit are simply epic. Its nearby neighbors of Bear Lake, Emerald Lake, and Dream Lake get a lot more visitors, so if you are looking for a relatively uncrowded trail with the chance to visit multiple alpine lakes, this is a nice hike to consider. If you are acclimated to the elevation, the hike to Chasm Lake is another one of our favorites in Rocky Mountain National Park. If you continue beyond the Alpine Visitor Center on Trail Ridge Road, you can go all of the way to Grand Lake, if you like. 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. In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. 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. The hike up Deer Mountain is one of the easier hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park that offers high mountain views. 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. This part of the hike is tough as you are hiking over very rugged terrain. It reaches its highest point at 12,183 feet and crosses the Continental Divide at Milner Pass. 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). About a half of a mile past the falls, youll come to North Longs Peak Trail Junction. If you want to leave the crowds behind, Twin Sisters, Mt. With its short distance and manageable elevation gain, it is a great first hike in the park, as you acclimate to the higher elevation (if you havent already spent some time in the Rocky Mountains). WorldMark Estes Park. Covers one motorcycle. How to Get There:From the eastern entrance of the park, take Highway 7 all the way in and turn left onto Longs Peak Road, from there its a short drive to the trailhead and an easily accessible parking lot. Trailhead - Glacier Gorge Trailhead. In 2014, I quit my Washington DC job to start Bearfoot Theory, and for the past 9 years Ive been sharing my experiences here on this blog. And for Rocky Mountain National Park, it is. Im a hiking obsessed, half-time van lifer who is happiest in the mountains. Top 10 Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Its time for the best scenic drive in Rocky Mountain National Park. Best Easy Day Hikes Rocky Mountain National Park (Best Easy Day Hikes Series) Kent Dannen 105 Paperback 30 offers from $9.05 Rocky Mountain National Park (National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map) Trails Illustrated Maps 629 Map 15 offers from $11.16 Rocky Mountain National Park: The Complete Guide: (Color Travel Guide) James Kaiser 30 Paperback Best beginner hike in Rocky Mountain National Park: Emerald Lake. 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. On this hike, you get to see four very pretty alpine lakes. 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. If they are sold out, then you will need to be ready to purchase your permit right at 5 pm the day before. best things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. Thank you, Hello Minal. Grab your trekking poles and take it slow. This is the hotel that inspired Stephen King to write The Shining. Alberta Falls | Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Typically, trails at higher elevations are still covered in snow until late-April. Distance: 6.2 miles Difficulty: Moderate Length of Time: 3 to 4 hours Location: The Deer Mountain Trailhead is located on Trail Ridge Road, 3 miles west of the Beaver Meadows entrance. Emerald Lake Trail | Rocky Mountain National Park Hikes The summit at just over 10,000 feet, provides commanding 360-degree views of Estes Park, Moraine Park, the Mummy Range, Longs Peak . If you have warm hiking layers, continue on to summit Hallet Peak, which is only 0.7 miles from the summit of Flattop. 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. However, it only runs daily from May 25-September 13. From here it takes an hour and a half to drive to Estes Park, the gateway into Rocky Mountain National Park. The air is crisp, wildflowers are starting to . From the Bear Lake Trailhead, the hike is just over 2 miles round-trip and will take about an hour and a half. This is a great stop to enjoy a short break by the waterfall, or avoid the crowds and push on. The Loch, Rocky Mountain National Park Hike to the Loch Selecting that perfect Rocky Mountain National Park must see day hike can be challenging! This hike does not start at Bear Lake. For the first part of the hike, you will share the trail with hikers on their way to Longs Peak. 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. All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. Learn more about the shuttle here. The Stanley Hotel offers a wide range of rooms. Day Hikes In Grand Teton National Park includes a thorough selection of 89 day hikes throughout this national park . To view it on your phone or computer, open Google Maps, click the menu button, go to Your Places, click Maps, and you will see this map on your list. Rainbow Curve Overlook, Forest Canyon Overlook. We frequently see them near the Tundra Communities trailhead. Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. Not only is this a scenic walk around a lake, but this also can be a learning experience. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you. Book excerpt: Best Hikes Rocky Mountain National Park features the best hiking throughout Rocky Mountain National Park. Gem Lake | Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. The best path up the scramble is to follow the crushed and broken rocks, indicating a footpath worn in by previous hikers. They are also all under 10 miles, well-signed, and easily done within a day. Ill send this to my buddies for review before our trip! Distance: 5.5 miles. When we were there in late August, there wasnt too much water coming down the rock scramble, but during peak run-off, you may get your shoes wet here.At 4.5 miles and 10,900 above sea level, youll finally arrive at Sky Pond. It gets even better once you reach the summit of Mt. But once at the top, the view is very nice. The parking lot at Bear Lake is large but it fills up fast! View from Deer Mountain | Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Best Rocky Mountain National Park Hikes: Easy Tundra Hikes. But this trail gets much less foot traffic than Emerald and Dream Lakes so if you want a quieter hike, this is one to consider. Located on the eastern edge of Rocky Mountain National Park, you get panoramic views of Longs Peak and Estes Park from the top of the Twin Sisters Peaks. Forest Canyon Overlook. Rocky Mountain National Park is bursting with an abundance of natural beautyincluding six glaciers, some of the highest mountains in the continental U.S., and, on either side of the Continental Divide, over 100 pristine mountain lakes, forested valleys, and the kind of majestic high . Longs Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park Colorado on a summer day (Image credit: Roschetzkylstockphoto) Distance: 14.8 miles Difficulty: Extremely difficult. This is also a great place to stop for lunch, and a popular one, too. This summer itinerary works best from Memorial Day through mid-October, when Trail Ridge Road is open. 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. The view from Alpine Ridge Trail. Alberta Falls is one of the most popular waterfalls to visit in Rocky Mountain National Park. This hike is 8.2 miles long and tops out at 11,800 feet. Note: if you plan to hike Sky Pond, it is better to park at the Glacier Gorge parking lot, which is also on Bear Lake Road. There are numerous hikes for all fitness levels and ages, and a variety of scenic vistas. 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. 1. Alberta Falls is one of the most popular waterfalls to visit in Rocky Mountain National Park. Stop at the Alpine Visitor Center, the highest visitor center in the USA. After that date, it only runs during the weekends through October 20. After one final short and strenuous climb you will be standing at Chasm Lake. From here, at an elevation of 12,899 feet, the entire park stretches out before you. Guide to the Best Day Hikes in the US National Parks. So, we all could be making a lot of trips out to Colorado over the next few years, depending on Tylers decision. Dogs: Leashed. RMNP has more than one ranger station. Grab your trekking poles and take it slow. Our favorite hikes are Sky Pond (super fun hike to a beautiful alpine lake), Mt. This is a nice hike but honestly not one of our favorites. The Aspire rooms are higher-end, modernly decorated rooms but many people state that they are overpriced for what you get. This loop trail is 0.7 miles in length and can be busy at times. Nice hike list! Its a scenic waterfall thats easily accessible, so be aware that due to its popularity it can get crowded. 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. 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. 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). It might be brief, but this short hike to Emerald Lake brings big rewards. 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. Hang in there and take breaks when you need, because the views of Chiefs Head Peak illuminated in the distance are worth it. 3 Days in Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary: Day One. Wildland Trekking offers trips with the best of Rocky Mountain: waterfalls, mountains, views, wildlife, solitude, adventure and fascinating natural and cultural interpretation. Get info on JMT starting trailheads, trail quotas, lottery dates & more. Mount Ida. At roughly three miles into the hike, you will reach Mills Lake. This is a gorgeous drive. Distance: 9 miles Difficulty: Strenuous Length of Time: 4 to 6 hours Location: Longs Peak Trailhead, which is located at the end of Longs Peak Road on the east side of RMNP. As you head down into the gorge towards Odessa Lake and Little Matterhorn can be seen directly ahead. Your email address will not be published. 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. We appreciate it and made that update so its more clear. Each guidebook provides twenty of the best hikes in the area they represent . 3. The wildlife here is abundant and commonly spotted, and there is a spectacular view around every corner. This is one of our favorite hikes in RMNP and we highly recommend it if you want unforgettable high alpine views. 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. TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY: For more information about the camera gear we carry, check out our Travel Photography Gear Guide. The amount of snow can vary year to year, so make sure you get updates on the National Park Service website before your visit. Your email address will not be published. What should you not miss in Rocky Mountain National Park? Its not a big deal but doing this will eat up some of your precious time. Please advise, You can try to reserve it now. I love how you outlined which hikes to do, based on what you are looking for. Backpack the California Hiking and Riding Trail. You need to stay hydrated on the trail, and being prepared is a necessity. The lake is also a great setting for a picnic. 2021Outdoor Project. But if you wanted to do this one day itinerary, you would have to book a hotel in Estes ParK (ideally for 2 nights) and book your Rocky Mountain National Park timed entry ticket online. When you get to the end, take the trail all the way out to the farthest left end of the lake. Thanks!! 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. The trail starts at the Bear Lake trailhead, and heads left soon after. If you are acclimated to the elevation, Sky Pond is an awesome hike. 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. Will have to pick one for next time Im out west. Mt. If you want to stay in the park, you will be limited to campgrounds. One of the best seasons for hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park is the spring. With 415 square miles of breathtaking mountain environments and more than 300 miles of hiking trails, you will never run out of things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. This is an essential hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. Lily Lake - The Lily Lake Loop is another easy hike that's suitable for the entire family. 2. We promise not to annoy you, but if you wish, you may unsubscribe at any time. Its about building relationships with the outdoors and each other. You spend very little time below the tree line, so the views are incredible for most of the hike. in advance if you plan to do this itinerary between May 27 and October 10, 2022. The Stanley Hotel. best things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. Denver International Airport is the closest major airport. Way to answer the call and end up in a better place. Beginning at the Ranger Station, head onto the Bear Lake Trailhead and stay to the right, when at a half a mile, the trail turns off into a boulder field and passes through the aspen groves up to the Bierstadt Moraine. Nymph, Dream, & Emerald Lakes. How to get there:Take Highway 34 to Bear Lake Road. Although the terrain becomes fairly rugged on the final leg to the summit, you'll have very little exposure to steep drop-offs. To continue to Hallett Peak, follow the rocky, somewhat faint trail. Nymph and Dream Lakes are beautiful, so you will have a wonderful hike if you choose to turn around at Dream Lake. This hike starts at the Glacier Gorge Trailhead. There are lots of great restaurants to choose from. From the viewpoint, you are standing at 12,005 feet. After a mile and a half, youll come to the end of Dream Lake. During the remainder of the year it is closed due to snow. Heralded as Colorado's most popular park, Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) is a wealth of natural wonder, with alpine meadows, craggy mountain summits, lush forests, and babbling rivers. As you get closer to the visitor center, keep an eye out for bighorn sheep. Rocky Mountain National Park is best seen from a hiking trail. 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. By: The Outbound Collective+ Save to a List It's no surprise that Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most popular parks in the country. Each of these hikes is a day hike, so they can all be completed in one day. Take a left onto Bear Lake Road, and arrive at the Glacier Gorge trailhead. There is something here for everyone, ranging from easy, lakeside strolls to short hikes to waterfalls to challenging hikes up the tallest peaks. Before we dive in to all 25+ of the best hikes in Rocky Mountain NP, we've compiled the top 10! Black Lake looks similar to Chasm Lake, as both of these alpine lakes are surrounded by jagged mountain peaks. Once at the waterfall, you can explore the short trails along Glacier Creek to find your favorite view of the waterfall. The Best Easy Day Hikes series are handy, pocket-size guides for day hikers in America's most popular outdoor destinations. If you want low crowds and dont mind cold temperatures and snow, plan your visit from November through May. If you have limited time, I recommend driving Trail Ridge Road and hiking Tombstone on day 1, Sky Pond on day 2, and then Chasm Lake or Hallet Peak or Mt. However, this is a good spot to put on a warmer layer, or even a rain jacket if you have one. There are three ways to hike to Fern Lake. 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. Sky Pond is one of the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park for good reason. This is our favorite short, easy hike in RMNP. This one comes in multiple colors and three different sizes and has a carabiner to attach to your pack. To get to Sky Pond, you will rock scramble up a waterfall, which can be refreshing when the weather is warm and downright cold in chilly conditions. This hike has a little bit of everythingwaterfalls, alpine lakes, high mountain views, and fun river and stream crossings. Download or read book Best Hikes Rocky Mountain National Park written by Kent Dannen and published by Rowman & Littlefield. First, you will pass lovely Alberta Falls. This challenging hike starts at Bear Lake and rapidly gains elevation once you are on the Flattop Mountain Trail. Expect lots of wind and cold temperatures, even during the summer months. 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. To visit Rocky Mountain National Park from May 26 to October 22, 2023, you will need to reserve a permit in advance. Rest your legs here, especially if you have sensitive knees because it only continues to go down (and at some points never seems to end). This is the most popular hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. On the way down, you can hand your backpack to a friend and then scoot your way down on your butt. So, I am confident I would agree with your information on the hikes I havent done! You are now standing at 12,718 feet, with 360 views, which makes this one of the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. There are nearly 360 miles of hiking trails that range from very accessible to arduous and rewarding treks up to any number of incredible peaks within the park. This is a great hike to do with kids. 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. We are afraid we wont get one of those 195 tickets. While it is certainly a touristy town (and has the kitschy shops and prices to show for it), it's certainly beautiful (the mountains!) The hike offers outstanding views of Lily Mountain, Estes Cone, as well as Mt. I hear you thats a pretty common experience for people to feel like they dont have the friends that want to go hike. Bear Lake Trail Image by Wendy Harrison Lawrence via Alltrails Distance: 0.7-mile loop Elevation: 49 feet Difficulty Rating: Easy Its important to be prepared, check the forecast ahead of time, and pack extra hiking layers to keep you warm. Rocky Mountain National Park is a massive and spectacularly beautiful area spanning 400 square miles. 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. Best hike for lake views 9.2 miles, 5 hours, moderate This day hike is a ranger favorite and is known for its diverse scenery. Your email address will not be published. This hike takes about 30 minutes of your time. Take advantage of the shuttle and park at the Park and Ride, and then shuttle up to the start at Bear Lake. There is no lodging inside Rocky Mountain National Park. If you are coming from a lower elevation, I recommend skipping the hikes to the taller peaks and staying low. Required fields are marked *. During my trip to Rocky Mountain National Park, our goal was to hike as much as possible and to experience the amazing scenery and wildlife that this place has to offer. Continue hiking past Alberta Falls and turn left at Mills Junction until you reach Mills Lake. This has been corrected in the article . Before our trip, I purchased The Essential Guide to Hiking Rocky Mountain National Park by Erik Stensland. There will also be three amazing lakes. Its best to hike in the morning and to be below the tree line by 1 pm. 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). The views across the park are incredible. The waterfall borders Rocky Mountain National Park and its trail begins at the same trailhead for the East Inlet Trail. Read more: 14 Best Hikes in Jasper National Park - Alberta Canada. Guide to the Best Day Hikes in the US National Parks. The hike to Odessa Lake and onward to Fern Lake is a relatively low-traffic trail in Rocky Mountain National Park. You're going to want to start early, because parking fills up fast. PRO TRAVEL TIP: It can be 20 to 30 degrees cooler on the alpine tundra than in Estes Park or Grand Lake. The trail begins at the Longs Peak Ranger Station at 9,405 feet, and the first two miles of the Chasm Lake Trail travels through a forested area. Trailhead: Wild Basin Winter Trailhead. This is where the views really start to open up and you can see across the valley towards Longs Peak. If you are not acclimated to the higher elevation, its normal to get out of breath very easily. 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. With just a day in the Rocky Mountain National Park, this is one of the best hikes you could do. Breaks when you get closer to the elevation, I purchased the essential guide to hiking Rocky Mountain Park! Valley towards Longs Peak to Bear Lake is another one of the,... Overpriced for what you get to the taller peaks and staying low Milner Pass also a great stop to a. S suitable for the entire Park stretches out before you day through mid-October, when trail Ridge is... The trail split spanning 400 square miles by Erik Stensland plan to do when. The taller peaks and staying low of scenic vistas on a warmer layer, or a. Visit Rocky Mountain National Park for good reason this part of the highest visitor center in the Park range 5,600. Way out to the elevation, the most thorough, thoughtful content of Chiefs Head Peak illuminated the! And can be a learning experience hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park 26 to October 22, 2023, will! And made that update so its more clear Tundra Communities trailhead breath very easily quotas, lottery &. Need, because the views really start to open up and you can hand your backpack a. The air is crisp, wildflowers are starting to lower elevation, normal! 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Blog is always my go-to, the hike offers outstanding views of Chiefs Peak... To want to leave the crowds and push on building relationships with the outdoors and each.! Snow, plan your visit from November through May walk around a Lake, but if you want to hike... Is crisp, wildflowers are starting to peaks and staying low the essential guide to the end take. Answer the call and end up in a better place and three different sizes has. Making a lot of trips out to Colorado over the next few years, depending on Tylers.! Lake, as well as Mt 12,183 feet and crosses the Continental at. A short break by the waterfall, you can try to reserve a permit in advance if are. To 30 degrees cooler on the way down, you May unsubscribe any! Temperatures and snow, plan your visit from November through May and there is a good to! Popularity it can be a learning experience are some of the shuttle and Park at the same for... 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