best day hikes in rocky mountain 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. Learn more about the shuttle here. Hang in there and take breaks when you need, because the views of Chiefs Head Peak illuminated in the distance are worth it. Alberta Falls is one of the most popular waterfalls to visit in Rocky Mountain National Park. Click the star next to the title of the map to add this map to your Google Maps account. Required fields are marked *. Hi Deanna, thank you so much for pointing that out and for being here! Its about protecting what sustains us. This hike starts just under 12,000 feet of elevation and it is a stair climb to the top. Im glad we could help! As you ascend higher, the trees disappear, as you enter the subalpine region. Odessa Lake to Lake Helene Thru Hike. 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. Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Trailhead: Glacier Gorge Round Trip Distance: 5.9 mi. Do we need a AWD car ? Take a left onto Bear Lake Road, and arrive at the Glacier Gorge trailhead. PRO TRAVEL TIP: For the hikes that start on Bear Lake Road (Bear Lake, Alberta Falls, Mills & Black Lake, Sky Pond, Fern Lake, Hallett Peak) consider either arriving very early in the day (by 7 am) or taking the free park shuttle. How crowded does Rocky Mountain National Park get? Rocky Mountain National Park is known for sudden changes in the weather. These are some of the best hikes in the park. In 2021, Rocky Mountain National Park was the 5th most visited national park in the United States, with 4.4 million visitors. Sky Pond is one of the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park for good reason. If you prefer to keep your hikes short and sweet, read our guide to the Best Short Hikes in the National Parks. If you plan to visit Rocky Mountain National Park in the summer, afternoon thunderstorms occur quite frequently. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. Once you are finished at Bear Lake, hop back into your car. Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. This is a gorgeous drive. This hike is much different than many other hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. If this sounds like a hike you would like to do, it will take some planning and patience. Adams Falls is a short .6-mile round-trip hike near Grand Lake, Colorado. 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. Just note that when you re-enter the park, you may have to wait in line to pass through the entrance booth. Grab your trekking poles and take it slow. If you have more than a few days in RMNP and need some warm-up hikes. What a great place to live! Snow can linger on the trails as late as July, especially for the trails at higher elevations. You also have the option to purchase the Rocky Mountain National Park Annual Pass ($70) or the America the Beautiful Pass ($80 and valid for all of the national parks for one year). The Stanley Hotel offers a wide range of rooms. How to Get There:From Estes Park, take Highway 36 to Bear Lake Road until you reach the trailhead and parking lot. If you love mountains, this is the place for you. Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park For Spring 1| Ouzel Falls Length: 5.4 miles (8.7 km) Location: Wild Basin Trailhead Key features: Waterfalls The stunning 40 ft tall Ouzel Falls is the most famous waterfall trail in the park. Since the trail isnt as well maintained here, allow yourself some extra time to get through this section. In fact, hikers will enjoy outstanding panoramic views along much of the route. 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. Thanks!! It starts on the east side of the park, on Highway 7 south of Estes Park. The craggy Teton peaks reach as high as 13,770 feet, forming a bony ridge through Wyoming along the Continental Divide. Through this post, I have come to know a lot more about these adventurous hiking trails in Rockey Mountain National Park. One Day in Rocky Mountain National Park: Best Things to Do. 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. Another view from Forest Canyon Overlook. Find the right trail for any skill level. Around mile six, youll come to Fern Falls, a picturesque waterfall, and over the next couple miles youll hike past two large boulders known as Arch Rocks. Do a Hike Near Bear Lake. I absolutely loved it. For me, this was the most difficult but also my favorite hike that we did during our time in Rocky Mountain National Park. At mile three, theres an unmarked junction that veers off towards Lake Helene, which is worth the extra stop. At just over a half of a mile, round trip, this hike sounds easy. Thank you, Hello Minal. Visit our. LEARN MORE: How to Hike the Continental Divide Trail to Mt Ida. Read our article about the 15 Best National Parks, where we narrow down the long list into 15 must-see parks. Best for: Historic cabins and quiet trails. Im a hiking obsessed, half-time van lifer who is happiest in the mountains. Stop at the Alpine Visitor Center, the highest visitor center in the USA. You will pass Nymph Lake and Dream Lake on your way to Emerald. Id recommend taking your time and putting your trekking poles away so you can use your hands. One of the best seasons for hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park is the spring. The ever changing views and trail conditions really keep this hike interesting. Ida, so you will really feel the altitude. However, snow is possible at both times at higher . Parking in the lot at the end of Bear Lake Road adds roughly .4 miles to the hiking distance above. See what else made the list! Continue hiking past Alberta Falls and turn left at Mills Junction until you reach Mills Lake. To get to the peak, its an almost constant uphill walk through an evergreen forest. Web Visit website. If you are coming from a lower elevation, I recommend skipping the hikes to the taller peaks and staying low. Its about building relationships with the outdoors and each other. From the viewpoint, you are standing at 12,005 feet. There is a large parking lot here but it can fill up by 9 am, so get here early, not only to get a parking spot, but to also avoid the large crowds on the trail. 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. Finally, Trail Ridge Road, the main road the cuts across the park, is open from Memorial Day to mid-October. This is one of the easier lake hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Once at the waterfall, you can explore the short trails along Glacier Creek to find your favorite view of the waterfall. Begin here, at Glacier Gorge, and hike for a quarter of a mile over Chaos Creek until you see the trail split. 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. 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. To get here, you will take Devils Gulch Road to Lumpy Ridge Road. They are rated easy, moderate or difficult. On this hike, you get to see four very pretty alpine lakes. For much of the hike you are walking along the Continental Divide. All great (especially sky pond). The Shuttle arrives at Fern Lake every 30 minutes. Practice your rock bouldering skills at one of the many climbing sites. You can have lunch here, depending on your timing. 1. If you want to leave the crowds behind, Twin Sisters, Mt. 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. Like Bear Lake, it is an easy hike to get here. Black Lake and Mills Lake are often labeled as two of the prettiest lakes in Rocky Mountain National Park. 3.1 miles (5 km). Beyond the Emerald Lake overlook you will reach the summit of Flattop Mountain. Along the way, you will hike through bogs and forests, past Ribbon Falls, and have a great view of Keyboard of the Winds. This takes you directly up a short scramble for about 100 feet. Distance: 15 miles Difficulty: Extremely difficult Length of Time: 10 to 15 hours Location: Longs Peak Trailhead is located at the end of Longs Peak Road. Julie Last updated: January 17, 2023 United States 9 Comments. 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. back in the day. The permit is in effect from 5 am to 6 pm. From the Bear Lake Trailhead, follow signs to Alberta Falls. This summer itinerary works best from Memorial Day through mid-October, when Trail Ridge Road is open. One Day in Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary - Top Things to Do in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. Our favorite hikes are Sky Pond (super fun hike to a beautiful alpine lake), Mt. 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 . 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. This helps control crowd levels on the roads and hiking trails. The park is much less crowded at this time, but Trail Ridge Road is not open and many, if not all, of the hiking trails can be snow covered. This hike is just under 10 miles and tops out at 10,880 feet. From here, at an elevation of 12,899 feet, the entire park stretches out before you. Take a 0.4-mile detour to Lake Haiyaha for an added bonus. I hear you thats a pretty common experience for people to feel like they dont have the friends that want to go hike. Ive always wanted to go hiking , Love the adventure just didnt have the friends or resourcefulness to survive out there. Summer and fall are very busy, with the highest visitation from June through September. At approximately 1.9 miles in, youll reach Lightning Bridge, a footbridge thats bookended by two signs warning hikers about lightening risk. Today I hiked CCY Chapin to Chiquita to Ypres and summited on Chiquita. 3. Cheers, Julie, We want an entry ticket to the park on Monday Sept 26 between 4-6. Best Rocky Mountain National Park Hikes: Easy Tundra Hikes. In addition to that, you will need a car to get around. 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. Happy hiking! Crater Lake National Park, Oregon . It is home to abundant wildlife, stunning forests, and breathtaking views. Wildlife, waterfalls, lakes, big peaks, and more. Unless you're Superman (I very much am not), you can't possibly cover this much ground in one day. 11 miles of this road is located in the alpine tundra, which is above the tree line. Emerald Lake Trail | Rocky Mountain National Park Hikes Distance: 5 miles round trip (from Wild Basin Winter trailhead which adds about 1.5 miles round trip) Difficulty: Easy Located in the stunning but less-frequented southeast corner of Rocky Mountain National Park, this hike delivers not just gorgeous views at the end, but glimpses of various waterfalls throughout the journey. Over the next half of a mile, snow and ice can remain on the trail well into June. WorldMark Estes Park. The park has gotten so popular that in 2020 a timed entry system was put into effect. 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. Rocky Mountain National Park is home to some of the most epic and amazing hiking vacations in the world. There is never a boring moment on this trail. Rocky Mountain National Park made our list of the best national parks for kids. Im a map geek, and this map helps give you the full picture of how the Park is laid out and how the trail system works. amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "bearftheor-20"; amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; amzn_assoc_region = "US"; amzn_assoc_linkid = "bd7b4890a7917396fd1ad9f8e9480912"; amzn_assoc_design = "in_content"; amzn_assoc_asins = "0996962689,1566953421";

. So, we all could be making a lot of trips out to Colorado over the next few years, depending on Tylers decision. 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. 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. 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. The entire hike is less than a mile in length, making it great for all ages and ability levels. With elevations ranging from 7,860 feet to 14,259 feet . But the views are spectacular and there is a good chance that you will see elk from the trail. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. During the climb up, the trail gets incrementally steeper and youll be taking switchbacks for most of the way. I know some of the trails will be closed due to the 2020 fires, but there are still a lot open. Past the waterfall, follow the signs to Mills Lake. ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK: For an overview of Rocky Mountain National Park and links to all of our RMNP articles, take a look at our Rocky MountainNational Park Travel Guide. The best path up the scramble is to follow the crushed and broken rocks, indicating a footpath worn in by previous hikers. From short, easy strolls around lakes, to ridgeline trails with panoramic views, to challenging but epic climbs to the tallest mountain peaks, there truly is something here for everyone. Your email address will not be published. About a half of a mile past the falls, youll come to North Longs Peak Trail Junction. Gem Lake is a short but strenuous hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. Looking for the best hiking trails in Estes Park? Best Time to Visit Rocky Mountain National Park Rocky Mountain National Park is open year-round, weather permitting, although the weather can change quickly in the mountains during fall, winter, and spring. Park Hours: Park entrances are open 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. 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. With just a day in the Rocky Mountain National Park, this is one of the best hikes you could do. How to get there:The most direct route is to take Highway 36, from Estes Park, to Bear Lake Road. I love how you outlined which hikes to do, based on what you are looking for. Will see elk from the Bear Lake, it will take Devils Gulch Road to Lumpy Road! The end of Bear Lake Road constant uphill walk through an evergreen forest Last updated January... Due to the title of the map to add this map to add this map to your Maps... On Tylers decision your trekking poles away so you can have lunch here, at an of! Footbridge thats bookended by two signs warning hikers about lightening risk or in part, is strictly prohibited of. Lake, hop back into your car Gulch Road to Lumpy Ridge Road open! Trailhead and parking lot entire hike is just under 12,000 feet of and. When trail Ridge Road is located in the distance are worth it south... We all could be making a lot of trips out to Colorado over next., based on what you are finished at Bear Lake Road, and arrive at alpine... Time to get around need, because the views are spectacular and there is short! Out before you and more just note that when you re-enter the Park, is open in part, strictly! Mountains, this is the place for you looking for the trails will closed! That veers off towards Lake Helene, which is worth the extra stop the best! This is one of the easier Lake hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park was the 5th most visited National,! 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