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. Its not a big deal but doing this will eat up some of your precious time. With lower crowds this time of year, there is no need to get to the Bear Lake Trailhead super early in the morning. Top 10 Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. At mile three, theres an unmarked junction that veers off towards Lake Helene, which is worth the extra stop. Have saved for later when we can go again. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. 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. Take a 0.4-mile detour to Lake Haiyaha for an added bonus. 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. There are hiking trails and the Fiddle Valley Cafe. 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 plan to visit the park during the summer months, you will also need to reserve your timed permit in advance. Middle Taylor Creek. At 14,433 feet, Mount Elbert is the tallest 14er in Colorado and the highest peak in the entire Rocky Mountain Range. All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. If you plan to visit Rocky Mountain National Park in the summer, afternoon thunderstorms occur quite frequently. Less known, but my personal favorite moderate hike in the Bear Lake Trailhead: Jewel Lake. While it is certainly a touristy town (and has the kitschy shops and prices to show for it), it's certainly beautiful (the mountains!) 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. BLACK CANYON OF THE GUNNISON: In our article How to Visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison, we cover the best things to do on the North and South Rims and include several itineraries to help you plan your visit. For the ultimate hiking experience in Rocky Mountain National Park, Before you go, get updated trail conditions on the, If this is part of a bigger road trip through the USA, visit our, for more inspiration and travel planning tips. Rocky Mountain National Park is a massive and spectacularly beautiful area spanning 400 square miles. However, if you want to hike a lower-traffic trail that is just a short drive from Estes Park, this is a nice one to consider. 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. if you want a quieter hike, this is one to consider. In the winter months, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing top the list. Plan on getting here no later than 7:30 am to make sure you get a spot. Looking back at the Alpine Visitor Center and Trail Ridge Road. evolving backdrop of beautiful pine forests into the aspen groves, so be aware that due to its popularity it can get crowded. This is the hotel that inspired Stephen King to write The Shining. This hike takes about 30 minutes of your time. If you have been hiking in Glacier National Park, this hike looks very similar to the Grinnell Glacier hike. Take advantage of the shuttle and park at the Park and Ride, and then shuttle up to the start at Bear Lake. Not too long after youve past Nymph, youll find yourself at the midway point between there and Dream Lake. You can also hike to Fern Lake out-and-back from either Bear Lake or Moraine Park. 1-Day Pass - Per Person - $15.00 Valid for date of purchase. It is located just outside of Estes Park, on the south side, an excellent location for driving into the park. Its a one-way hike that utilizes the Parks free shuttle system to get you back to your car after youre done with the hike. Gem Lake is a short but strenuous hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. For families with young kids and for those who dont like to do a lot of hiking, I recommend the easy stroll around Bear Lake plus the hike to Alberta Falls. I will discuss these hikes in more detail below, or you can click over to our Best Hikes in RMNP post now to learn more (it will open in a new browser tab so you wont lose your spot here). For the first part of the hike, you will walk the same trail as the hikers on their way to Longs Peak, the highest point in the hike. Click the star next to the title of the map to add this map to your Google Maps account. In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. If this sounds like a hike you would like to do, it will take some planning and patience. If you want to check them out for yourself, youre in luck because they both leave from the Glacier Gorge Trailhead. A water bottle is as essential as it gets. 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. Are we only allowed to be on the trail ridge road until 3? None of them will disappoint. Here is the list and our recommendations. 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. To get to the peak, its an almost constant uphill walk through an evergreen forest. It reaches its highest point at 12,183 feet and crosses the Continental Divide at Milner Pass. Im a hiking obsessed, half-time van lifer who is happiest in the mountains. Please advise, You can try to reserve it now. The hike to Odessa Lake and onward to Fern Lake is a relatively low-traffic trail in Rocky Mountain National Park. Longs Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park Colorado on a summer day (Image credit: Roschetzkylstockphoto) Distance: 14.8 miles Difficulty: Extremely difficult. As you hike in, youll start to get views of Longs Head Peak and Chiefs Head Peak in the distance. But the views are spectacular and there is a good chance that you will see elk from the trail. 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. You will pass Nymph Lake and Dream Lake on your way to Emerald. This historic hotel is one of the top places to stay in Estes Park. What a fantastic list of RMNP hikes! 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. The trail ends at the summit of Hallett Peak. The permit is in effect from 9 am to 2 pm. If you plan to visit Rocky Mountain National Park in the summer, afternoon thunderstorms occur quite frequently. Heres the thing: this hike starts just under 12,000 feet of elevation. However, if the exposure really bothers you, then the waterfall might be the point where you turn around. Get updates on trail closures and park conditions on the National Park Service website. Julie Last updated: January 17, 2023 United States 9 Comments. I also purchased the National Geographic Rocky Mountain National Park hiking map. Elevation Gain: 1,062' Max Elevation: 10,210' Winter Skill Level: Beginner Why it rocks. Plan on being at the trailhead by 7am (or earlier) if you want to park at the trailhead itself. Chasm Lake. Adams Falls is a short .6-mile round-trip hike near Grand Lake, Colorado. Finally, always wear sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses, as ultraviolet light is very strong in the mountains. Grab your trekking poles and take it slow. Many even consider it to be one of the best waterfalls in the park. Chasm lake is at 11,800 ft, you start at 9,400 ft. Weve done the trail, please look it up online so you can correct your article. This is a very pretty hike, but there are several other lake hikes that we would recommend first, before putting this hike on your list. The sweet spot months are from late May until mid-June and from early September after Labor Day until mid-October. Travelers favorites include #1 Trail Ridge Road, #2 Beaver Meadows Visitor Center and more. Hello Matt. All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. Park Access +: This permit gives you access to everything in Rocky Mountain National Park. All of the products we recommend we stand behind, and we appreciate your support! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Its indeed the rocky mountain, I never been to hiking over mountains, usually in a forest but definitely it worth trying the experience, what would be your suggestion? stop to catch your breath when you need a break, The Essential Guide to Hiking Rocky Mountain National Park by Erik Stensland, DAY HIKING ESSENTIALS: THE GEAR YOU NEED TO HIT THE TRAILS, COLORADO PEAK BAGGERS: 5 BEST FOURTEENERS FOR BEGINNERS, HIKING BOOTS: HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT PAIR, 11 Minnesota Road Trip Stops for Outdoor Adventure, How to Apply for a Southbound John Muir Trail Permit in 2023, Best Section Hikes on the John Muir Trail, Orcas Island Travel Tips: Moran State Park Travel Guide, Tips for Your First Visit to Rocky Mountain National Park, https://bearfoottheory.com/tips-taking-friends-hiking-first-time/, Winter Hiking Clothes & Cold Weather Layering Basics, Best Womens Winter Boots For Outdoor Adventure, Best Heated Socks For Men & Women in 2023, Camp Cooking Kitchen Essentials for Camping & Van Life, Van Life with a Dog: Tips for Living & Traveling with Pets, Sprinter Van Conversion Tour: Custom 44 Outside Van, 16 Best National Parks to Visit in Winter, 20 Best Winter Vacation Destinations for Outdoor Adventure, 9-Day Utah National Parks Road Trip Itinerary, 16 Best National Parks to Visit in Spring, How to Train for Hiking & Backpacking: Tips for Preparing for the Trail, A Beginners Guide to Indoor Rock Climbing. Let us know in the comment section below. Each guidebook provides twenty of the best hikes in the area they represent . 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. If you are coming from a lower elevation, I recommend skipping the hikes to the taller peaks and staying low. On this hike, you get to see four very pretty alpine lakes. This is one of our favorite hikes in RMNP and we highly recommend it if you want unforgettable high alpine views. Nymph, Dream, & Emerald Lakes. Take it slow and steady, because theres also a steep drop off on your left. One way to check off some of the best hikes in RMNP is by linking them on a multi-day backpacking trip. Through this post, I have come to know a lot more about these adventurous hiking trails in Rockey Mountain National Park. Less than a mile in, youll arrive at Alberta Falls. You need to stay hydrated on the trail, and being prepared is a necessity. The craggy Teton peaks reach as high as 13,770 feet, forming a bony ridge through Wyoming along the Continental Divide. You're going to want to start early, because parking fills up fast. If you do not have a reservation, you will not be allowed to enter the park. Ida), Chasm Lake (another gorgeous lake hike), and Tombstone Ridge (its short, its easy, the views are amazing, and most people can handle this hike). There are plenty of great hikes you can choose from that dont climb high into the mountains. Beyond the Emerald Lake overlook you will reach the summit of Flattop Mountain. We are afraid we wont get one of those 195 tickets. Rocky Mountain National Park has a few shuttle bus routes, but they are only open during peak season. There are numerous hikes for all fitness levels and ages, and a variety of scenic vistas. The most popular hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. Bear Lake | Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. More Important Things to Know Before You Visit RMNP. The Stanley Hotel. For the next mile or so, youll hike up a series of switchbacks until mile 2.4 where youll finally break through the treeline. 2021Outdoor Project. Distance: 10.4 miles Difficulty: Strenuous Length of Time: 6 to 8 hours Location: Bear Lake Trailhead. The hike to Deer Mountain is one of the more popular fall hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. For more tips for your first visit to RMNP, check out this blog post. Its a flat, beautiful easy walk in the parkliterally. Parking in the lot at the end of Bear Lake Road adds roughly .4 miles to the hiking distance above. In 2021, Rocky Mountain National Park was the 5th most visited national park in the United States, with 4.4 million visitors. 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