There are three routes: the Bear Lake route, Hiker Express Route, and Moraine Park route. For very little effort, the views you get are unbelievable. The permit is in effect from 5 am to 6 pm. 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. The fairly easy trail is beautiful in the summer, fall or winter. A well-graded trail circles around the lake. For most of this hike you are entirely within a pine forest, so the views are rather lackluster for much of the hike. 1,400 feet (426 m)of elevation gain. 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. 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. 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. if you want a quieter hike, this is one to consider. LEARN MORE: How to Hike the Twin Sister Peak Trail. Ida, you really feel like you are walking on top of the world. We are afraid we wont get one of those 195 tickets. This has been corrected in the article . Top 10 Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. You are now standing at 12,718 feet, with 360 views, which makes this one of the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Republishing this articleand/orany of its contents (text, photography, etc. You can also see, More Information About the US National Parks. However, it only runs daily from May 25-September 13. You can also see all of our articles about Colorado in our Colorado Travel Guide. Happy hiking!! Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park: On a Map. All rights reserved. Begin at Deer Ridge Trailhead, 3 miles west of the Beaver Meadows entrance, to follow the North Deer Mountain Trail. Spend several days in the park, hiking the other trails, to acclimate yourself to the higher elevation. 3. Distance: 10 miles Difficulty: Moderate Length of Time: 5 to 7 hours Location: Glacier Gorge Trailhead on Bear Lake Road, Mills Lake | Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Crater Lake National Park, Oregon . Sign up to receive our newsletter packed with the best adventure guides, travel ideas, news, and articles. In addition to that, you will need a car to get around. Visit recreation.gov to make your reservation. Hello Matt. However, its a great warm-up hike for those who want to do Hallett Peak or Longs Peak and its a great hike for those who are looking for a less crowded trail that offers great views of the area. 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 prefer to keep your hikes short and sweet, read our guide to the Best Short Hikes in the National Parks. This is the most popular hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. Get updates on trail closures and park conditions on the National Park Service website. Thanks for sharing!!! From here it takes an hour and a half to drive to Estes Park, the gateway into Rocky Mountain National Park. 2021Outdoor Project. In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. Aspenglen, Moraine Park, and Glacier Basin are the most popular campgrounds and these get reserved well in advance. Essential Hiking Gear: What Should You Bring on a Day Hike? Ida on day 3. This hike starts from the same trailhead as Black Lake and splits off a couple miles in. The hike to Odessa Lake and onward to Fern Lake is a relatively low-traffic trail in Rocky Mountain National Park. Dream Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park is definitely one of the best day hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park - you can see three lakes in about two miles! To continue to Hallett Peak, follow the rocky, somewhat faint trail. 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. Make a right turn here, pass the turnoff at Mills Junction, and hike straight ahead to the Loch Vale Trail. Its about building relationships with the outdoors and each other. Get info on JMT starting trailheads, trail quotas, lottery dates & more. If this is your first day at RMNP, and one of your first days in Colorado, be prepared to take a few breaks. Please advise, You can try to reserve it now. Youre not alone Check out our blog post with tips for taking friends hiking. This is an essential hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. This hike does not start at Bear Lake. If you have been hiking in Glacier National Park, this hike looks very similar to the Grinnell Glacier hike. These are two hikes on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park that are worth a stop if you're driving through the 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 . 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. Lily Lake - The Lily Lake Loop is another easy hike that's suitable for the entire family. Dont worry, its just a couple of moves and there are good handholds. At mile three, theres an unmarked junction that veers off towards Lake Helene, which is worth the extra stop. On your first day, you will need the Park Access pass (the regular pass) if you plan to enter before 3. That means picking up any trash you see on the trail, practicing good trail etiquette, and being respectful to other hikers. To visit Rocky Mountain National Park from May 26 to October 22, 2023, you will need to reserve a permit in advance. 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. Guide to the Best Day Hikes in the US National Parks. 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. However, this is a good spot to put on a warmer layer, or even a rain jacket if you have one. How to get there:The most direct route is to take Highway 36, from Estes Park, to Bear Lake Road. Your email address will not be published. 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. Ive always wanted to go hiking , Love the adventure just didnt have the friends or resourcefulness to survive out there. 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. 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. Many even consider it to be one of the best waterfalls in the park. 1. Of course, you dont have to hike all of the way to Emerald Lake. Chasm Lake is one of the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. The trail starts at the Bear Lake trailhead, and heads left soon after. Taylor (13,651'), won't disappoint. Finally, always wear sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses, as ultraviolet light is very strong in the mountains. Bearfoot Theory is one of the leading hiking, camping, and van life blogs powered by an all-female team. This takes you directly up a short scramble for about 100 feet. The view from Alpine Ridge Trail. As you get closer to the visitor center, keep an eye out for bighorn sheep. 33 places sorted by traveler favorites Clear all filters 2022 1. best things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. 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. They include Alpine Ridge Trail, Forest Canyon Overlook, Alluvial Fan West Trail, and Beaver Ponds Boardwalk. Take a left onto Bear Lake Road, and arrive at the Glacier Gorge trailhead. Required fields are marked *. This hike is just under 10 miles and tops out at 10,880 feet. There is no lodging inside Rocky Mountain National Park. Ranking of the top 16 things to do 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). best things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. Here you'll pass more lakes, waterfalls, aspen groves and elk-inhabited meadows. Thanks for that feedback, Emily! Best For: Bragging rights. Which travel agency can book it for me? 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. 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. Dogs: Leashed. As it goes with all of the destinations shared on Bearfoot Theory, please remember to Leave No Trace. For much of the hike you are walking along the Continental Divide. I love how you outlined which hikes to do, based on what you are looking for. Our website uses cookies. 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. In this photo you can see the Alpine Visitor Center and Trail Ridge Road. Take advantage of the shuttle and park at the Park and Ride, and then shuttle up to the start at Bear Lake. The Bear Lake Corridor is home to some of the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park and typically by 5 am parking is unavailable at any of the trailheads. If you are coming from sea level, you will feel the effects of the altitude as soon as you do anything strenuous. Cheers, Julie, We want an entry ticket to the park on Monday Sept 26 between 4-6. 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. Note: Several more hikes start at Bear Lake, but due to their long distance, massive elevation gains, and the amount of time it takes to do these hikes, I do not think that these are good options if you only have one day in Rocky Mountain National Park. Its important to be prepared, check the forecast ahead of time, and pack extra hiking layers to keep you warm. Cross over to the outlet and boulder hop your way to the right side of the lake to find a private spot to sit and take it all in. They are rated easy, moderate or difficult. You can also hike to Fern Lake out-and-back from either Bear Lake or Moraine Park. Since the trail isnt as well maintained here, allow yourself some extra time to get through this section. The good thing is that you wont want to rush by these views. 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. Sign up for access to our free Member-only resources, packing lists, and itineraries. The ever changing views and trail conditions really keep this hike interesting. Outdoor Project may earn commission on products purchased through our links, which supports the work we do for our readers. 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. Parking in the lot at the end of Bear Lake Road adds roughly .4 miles to the hiking distance above. 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. We live in Colorado Springs now and have visited the other 3 Colorado national parks very recently, but its time to get back to uncover more of Rocky Mountain NP! Another view from Forest Canyon Overlook. Theres a series of gentle climbs up and small descents, with some threat of mud and rough rocky terrain to be aware of on the trail. The rooms within the main hotel building get mixed reviews. I hear you thats a pretty common experience for people to feel like they dont have the friends that want to go hike. After a mile and a half, youll come to the end of Dream Lake. 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. Longs Peak, at 14,259 feet, is the only fourteener in the park. How to get there:Take Highway 34 into the park and turn right onto Trail Ridge Road to the trailhead parking lot. This one comes in multiple colors and three different sizes and has a carabiner to attach to your pack. With elevations ranging from 7,860 feet to 14,259 feet . 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. Begin at the Ute Crossing Trailhead, where the terrain is rocky and the flora and fauna of the tundra ecosystems are fragile. 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. Backpack the California Hiking and Riding Trail. Many hikes top out over 9,000 feet, with some reaching up to 13,000 and 14,000 feet. Read the reviews of your fellow travelers. After 3 pm, you dont need the pass. Nymph, Dream, & Emerald Lakes. Ill send this to my buddies for review before our trip! 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. As you continue on, take a left at the Sky Pond and Andrews Glacier junction which youll hike for a couple more miles until you finally arrive at the Timberline Falls. At approximately 1.9 miles in, youll reach Lightning Bridge, a footbridge thats bookended by two signs warning hikers about lightening risk. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Rocky Mountain National Park spans over 415.25 square miles and has 355 miles of well-maintained hiking trails with different elevations. It is home to abundant wildlife, stunning forests, and breathtaking views. This very highly rated property offers two-bedroom apartments that can accommodate up to six people. 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