It starts on the east side of the park, on Highway 7 south of Estes Park. Take a left onto Bear Lake Road, and arrive at the Glacier Gorge trailhead. Thanks!! Not only are the photos amazing, but the trail descriptions are spot on and the way the book is organized makes it very easy to find a hike thats right for you. The weather is warm, the days are long, and this is the best time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park if you plan to go hiking. 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. Best For: Bragging rights. Republishing this articleand/orany of its contents (text, photography, etc. One Day in Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary - Top Things to Do in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. It starts at 10,800 feet and tops out at 12,899 on Mt. There are three ways to hike to Fern Lake. Begin at the Ute Crossing Trailhead, where the terrain is rocky and the flora and fauna of the tundra ecosystems are fragile. This is an essential hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. Many of the best hiking trails are situated within Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP). To get here, take Highway 7 south from Estes Park. 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. LEARN MORE: How to Hike to Nymph, Dream & Emerald Lakes (+ Add on Bear Lake and Lake Haiyaha). At mile three, theres an unmarked junction that veers off towards Lake Helene, which is worth the extra stop. Chasm Lake is one of the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Wonderful post highlighting day hikes that are exemplary, and truly offer the opportunity to view nature in its stunning glory. Emerald Lake Trail The hike to the Emerald Lake is one of the easiest hikes in Rocky Mountains National Park Length: 3.2 miles | Elevation gain: 698 feet | Guide For the full list, read our article about the Best Scenic Drives in Colorado. 15 Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park We divided this guide into three sections: easy, moderate, and challenging. For the entire hike, you are walking along the alpine tundra, with unobstructed views of Longs Peak, Forest Canyon, and the Continental Divide. Snow can linger on the trails as late as July, especially for the trails at higher elevations. if you want a quieter hike, this is one to consider. 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. During the busy summer and fall seasons, parking will fill up before 5 am. 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. But this is a tough hike. 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). 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. If you want to leave the crowds behind, Twin Sisters, Mt. 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. 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. Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. The Emerald Lake hike is one of the most popular hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Adams Falls is a short .6-mile round-trip hike near Grand Lake, Colorado. From the viewpoint, you are standing at 12,005 feet. Sometimes, we just need to start small and do simple walks with our friends to get them stoked on doing more outside. Like Bear Lake, it is an easy hike to get here. and most convenient. 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. WorldMark Estes Park. NATIONAL PARKS IN COLORADO: In our guide to the National Parks in Colorado, learn about all 4 national parks: Rocky Mountain, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Great Sand Dunes, and Mesa Verde. Find the best Rocky Mountain National Park trails for summer and fall hikes. Do we need a AWD car ? It gets even better once you reach the summit of Mt. Thanks for your comment. Nymph and Dream Lakes are beautiful, so you will have a wonderful hike if you choose to turn around at Dream Lake. Look for an unmarked trail thats a quick hike out to Lake Helene. The buses run from around 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. for Bear Lake and Moraine Park but run from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Its a very short hike (just over a half-mile round trip), but it will literally take your breath away. Another view from Forest Canyon Overlook. Its about more than standing on the mountain top. Emerald Lake Trail | Rocky Mountain National Park Hikes 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. You can still get around, but it might be on skis or snowshoes, rather than by vehicle. This very highly rated property offers two-bedroom apartments that can accommodate up to six people. Continue for two more miles until you reach Black Lake. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Begin at Bear Lake Trailhead, and take the Bear Lake Trail through a forested area full of aspens past Bear Lake. Well have to put it on our to do list when we are back in the area. Starting at the Alpine Visitor Center (the highest visitor center in the United States) you simply hike up a long staircase to a viewpoint. It doesnt take long until you get see amazing views of Longs Peak and Keyboard of the Winds. . Your blog is always my go-to, the most thorough, thoughtful content! The Perfect Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary, 15 Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, 10 Best Things to Do in Rocky Mountain National Park, Complete Guide to the Twin Sisters Peak Trail, RMNP. Our website uses cookies. This is a great hike for almost all ages and ability levels. Elevation Gain: 1,062' Max Elevation: 10,210' Winter Skill Level: Beginner Why it rocks. It can be very windy and cold here, and in true Rocky Mountain fashion, the weather can turn without much warning. Hiking is one of my favorite and all-the-time go-to activities during my trip abroad. You can drive Trail Ridge Road, visit the Alpine Visitor Center, hike to Longs Peak and to Chasm Lake, and hike Gem Lake. The craggy Teton peaks reach as high as 13,770 feet, forming a bony ridge through Wyoming along the Continental Divide. Here are 15 of the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. As you drive west on Trail Ridge Road, there are numerous overlooks. 7 best winter hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park By Julia Clarke published November 23, 2022 Crunch through the snow surrounded by dazzling peaks on some of the best winter hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park Despite the impressive stats, the peak is generally considered to be one of the easiest 14ers to summit, and the standard Northeast Ridge route . The views from the summit are simply epic. The wildlife here is abundant and commonly spotted, and there is a spectacular view around every corner. If you want to avoid the crowds, begin in the early morning as early as sunrise to have the best experience and the best lighting. This is a much longer hike, coming in at 10.7 miles. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. This is our favorite short, easy hike in the park. Bear Lake. To get to the peak, its an almost constant uphill walk through an evergreen forest. Several great hikes start at the Bear Lake Trailhead. Before you go, get updated trail conditions on the National Park Service website. Bearfoot Theory is one of the leading hiking, camping, and van life blogs powered by an all-female team. Day 2 - Get a good workout on the Bear Lake Trail (6+ miles), see very different scenery at Lumpy Ridge, and . As you get closer to the visitor center, keep an eye out for bighorn sheep. Note: Many hikes start at or near Bear Lake: Emerald Lake, Lake Haiyaha, Sky Pond, Black Lake, Fern Lake, Flattop Mountain, and Hallett Peak. Best Things to Do in Great Sand Dunes National Park. Happy hiking! Keep in mind that you dont have to do the whole thing. 11. The good thing is that you wont want to rush by these views. 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). 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. Pause here to layer on an insulated jacket or windbreaker before entering into the exposed tundra ahead. Best for: Historic cabins and quiet trails. In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park: On a Map. For the entire hike, you are walking along the alpine tundra, with unobstructed views of Longs Peak, Forest Canyon, and the Continental Divide. Phone +1 970-586-1206. You can add on Lake Haiyaha for a total distance of 6.2 miles. After a mile and a half, youll come to the end of Dream Lake. . You can also hike to Fern Lake out-and-back from either Bear Lake or Moraine Park. After that date, it only runs during the weekends through October 20. Alternatively, if you are driving over Trail Ridge Road and want to stretch your legs, this is a fantastic place to do it. For hikers, I recommend Dream and Emerald Lakes if you are not acclimated to the higher elevation. We promise not to annoy you, but if you wish, you may unsubscribe at any time. How to get there:Some of the Rocky Mountain National Parks best hikes are easily accessible by the parks shuttle system. From here, at 1.7 miles, you will arrive at Dream Lake Overlook and can also see down into the turquoise waters of Dream Lake from above. 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. If your visit to Rocky Mountain National Park is part of a bigger road trip through Colorado, here is more information for your trip. Explore Rocky Mountain National Parks best trails with this detailed list of my favorite day hikes. Obviously, there are more than the hikes listed in this blog post, but if you are visiting for the first time, these will keep you plenty busy and give you a taste of the different environments and ecosystems in the Park. Book the most popular Winter activities in Rocky Mountain National Park. You can stay in a cozy cabin with a river view or a well-decorated suite. Keep hiking up to Black Lake, where youll encounter a meadow. Colorado, USA. If you are not acclimated to the higher elevation, its normal to get out of breath very easily. What do you think are the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park? This hike has a little bit of everythingwaterfalls, alpine lakes, high mountain views, and fun river and stream crossings. For restaurant recommendations, check out our guide to Estes Park. Please advise, You can try to reserve it now. Jasper Skyline Trail. Sky Pond via Glacier Gorge is without a doubt one of the best Rocky Mountain National park hikes. In the summer months, it is best to hike in the morning, in order to avoid the afternoon thunderstorms. This challenging trail is a fantastic way to get panoramic park views without attempting something quite as hard as Longs Peak. Find the right trail for any skill level. 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 Park Hours: Park entrances are open 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. Adams Falls in Rocky Mountain National Park. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Before we dive in to all 25+ of the best hikes in Rocky Mountain NP, we've compiled the top 10! No, we havent done that hikehavent even heard of it. This is my favorite easy day hike in Rocky Mountain National Park and the one I often bring out-of-town friends on. Here is the list and our recommendations. Taylor (13,651'), won't disappoint. No, we havent done that hikehavent even heard of it get.. 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