Nice hike list! It's hard to narrow it down, but here are a few ideal day hikes that will give you a great introduction to Rocky Mountain National Park. Trail Ridge Road winds high into the Rockies, taking visitors into the treeless tundra. 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. Its time for the best scenic drive in Rocky Mountain National Park. The descent down towards Fern Lake is just as scenic, with a new vantage point of the same mountains, and a deep blue alpine lake. This is your spot to turn around and descend back to Ute Crossing. Required fields are marked *. Alternatively, if you are driving over Trail Ridge Road and want to stretch your legs, this is a fantastic place to do it. BEST NATIONAL PARKS IN THE USA:Looking for your next big adventure? To help you plan your trip, we also have articles about the best things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park and how to plan the perfect itinerary. 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). 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. Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National 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). This hike starts at the Glacier Gorge Trailhead. A steep ascent will take you up towards Flattop Mountain Trail (this is one of the most difficult climbs), which has stunning views of Longs Peak, Chiefs Head Peak, and Keyboard of the Winds. We frequently see them near the Tundra Communities trailhead. How to Use This Map: Click the icons on the map to get more information about each point of interest. Cheers, Julie, The Rocky mountain national park looks amazing dear. This has been corrected in the article . 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. Estes Park is the bigger of the two gateway cities to Rocky Mountain National Park, and is also closer to the major sites and attractions in the park. Trailhead - Glacier Gorge Trailhead. Before we dive in to all 25+ of the best hikes in Rocky Mountain NP, we've compiled the top 10! On our most recent visit we stayed in The Residences at #402 and it was wonderful. Finally, Trail Ridge Road, the main road the cuts across the park, is open from Memorial Day to mid-October. Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park 1. Trip at a Glance: Day 1 - Start with a scenic road trip and then hike the Wild Basin trail (1-6 mile options), drive Trail Ridge Road, and end with a 2.5 hour hike to Moraine Lake with chances to see wildlife.Spend the night in Estes Park. best things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. Before you go, get updated trail conditions on the National Park Service website. Rocky MountainNational Park Travel Guide. Get info on JMT starting trailheads, trail quotas, lottery dates & more. If you have any questions about the permit, let us know in the comment section below. If we plan on leaving Denver around 11 and traveling the Trail Ridge road would we only need the regular park pass? Middle Taylor Creek. Please note: From May 27-October 10, 2022, RMNP will require timed reservations to enter, which you can purchase here. View from Deer Mountain | Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. 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). Whether you're getting ready to hike, bike, trail run, or explore other outdoor activities, AllTrails has 190 scenic trails in the Estes Park area. These are some of the best hikes in the park. Motorcycle - $30.00 Valid for seven consecutive days (including date of purchase). The biggest feature of this hike is the wildlife, such as elks, marmots, or pikas, and the incredible gardens of the alpine tundra. There is something here for everyone, ranging from easy, lakeside strolls to short hikes to waterfalls to challenging hikes up the tallest peaks. When is the best time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park? Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most popular natural parks featuring 76 mountains each over 10 thousand feet high. What do you think are the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park? Nymph and Dream Lakes are beautiful, so you will have a wonderful hike if you choose to turn around at Dream Lake. I know some of the trails will be closed due to the 2020 fires, but there are still a lot open. This takes you directly up a short scramble for about 100 feet. Distance: 3.4 miles Difficulty: Moderate Length of Time: 2 to 3 hours Location: Lumpy Ridge Trailhead. If you have been hiking in Glacier National Park, this hike looks very similar to the Grinnell Glacier hike. Starting at the Alpine Visitor Center (the highest visitor center in the United States) you simply hike up a long staircase to a viewpoint. The next morning we plan on taking a hike on Bear Lake and would need the Park Access+. In the summertime youll be surrounded by wildflowers. Grand Lake and the western side of the park will also be accessible but with more to do on the east side, and its easy access from Boulder and Denver, I think this is the better place to put your time if you only have one day in Rocky Mountain National Park. Make sure you bring extra layers, even during the summer months. Republishing this articleand/orany of its contents (text, photography, etc. 15 Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park We divided this guide into three sections: easy, moderate, and challenging. Best Rocky Mountain National Park Hikes: Easy Tundra Hikes. Note: This post contains affiliate links. For the full list, read our article about the Best Scenic Drives in Colorado. Its about more than standing on the mountain top. The views from the summit are simply epic. But once at the top, the view is very nice. We wanted to do this, but it was incredibly windy and much colder above the treeline than in the parking lot. Sign up to receive our newsletter packed with the best adventure guides, travel ideas, news, and articles. However, if you only have the time for one hike, and the thought of a tough, 9-mile hike isnt a deal breaker, we recommend Sky Pond. If they are sold out, then you will need to be ready to purchase your permit right at 5 pm the day before. 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. Are we only allowed to be on the trail ridge road until 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. Park Hours: Park entrances are open 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. 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. TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY: For more information about the camera gear we carry, check out our Travel Photography Gear Guide. None of them will disappoint. If you want a quiet lunch spot, keep hiking around the lake to escape the crowds. The hike up Deer Mountain is one of the easier hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park that offers high mountain views. 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. Longs Peak, at 14,259 feet, is the only fourteener in the park. Distance: 3.6 miles Difficulty: Easy to moderate Length of Time: 2 to 3 hours Location: Bear Lake Trailhead, at the end of Bear Lake Road, Emerald Lake | Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, Dream Lake | Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. The parking lot at Bear Lake is large but it fills up fast! The trail starts at the Bear Lake trailhead, and heads left soon after. Which travel agency can book it for me? The official National Park Service website lists when the permits become available and has more information about the permits. The summit at just over 10,000 feet, provides commanding 360-degree views of Estes Park, Moraine Park, the Mummy Range, Longs Peak . Rocky Mountain National Park made our list of the best national parks for kids. Alternatively, the best way to access the trailhead is by using the shuttle to avoid crowds and creating traffic. Emerald Lake hike (passing Bear Lake and Dream Lake) is about 3.5 miles in total and takes 2-3 hours depending on your hiking speed and the number of photo stops. Alberta Falls. The wildlife here is abundant and commonly spotted, and there is a spectacular view around every corner. Begin at Bear Lake Trailhead, and take the Bear Lake Trail through a forested area full of aspens past Bear Lake. Explore Rocky Mountain National Parks best trails with this detailed list of my favorite day hikes. Spectacular views of the Never Summer Mountains are only some of the peaks to be seen on this trail. Cheers, Julie. If you get here late and there are no more parking spaces, you will have to drive back down Bear Lake Road to the Park and Ride and then ride the free park shuttle back to Bear Lake. Simply turn around when you are ready, the spectacular views start as soon as your feet hit the trail. Have saved for later when we can go again. 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. If you have more than a few days in RMNP and need some warm-up hikes, good options are Emerald Lake, Deer Mountain, and Twin Sisters. But the views are spectacular and there is a good chance that you will see elk from the trail. How to get there:Highway 36 will take you directly into the park. 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. 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. However, if you are doing well on time or only plan to do a very short hike in the morning, going into Estes Park for lunch is not a bad idea. This is a great hike for almost all ages and ability levels. Green Mountain Trail to Big Meadow A river running through Big Meadow, which is, in fact, a big meadow Length: 3.6 miles Elevation Gain: 600 ft. This helps control crowd levels on the roads and hiking trails. Taylor (13,651'), won't disappoint. First, you will pass lovely Alberta Falls. This is one of the easier lake hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. 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. The Emerald Lake hike is a family friendly hike and it also makes a great intro to hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park. Sign up for access to our free Member-only resources, packing lists, and itineraries. At this elevation, its not enough to cause altitude sickness, but you will tire and get out of breath easily. Less than a mile in, youll arrive at Alberta Falls. Happy hiking!! Here are 15 of the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Located in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, Jasper National Park was officially established in 1907, after a group of Canadian Pacific Railway . Your email address will not be published. If you plan to visit the park during the summer months, you will also need to reserve your timed permit in advance. In this post, learn how to spend one day in Rocky Mountain National Park, with several different suggestions based on travel style and the timing of your visit. Our favorites are Rainbow Curve Overlook, Forest Canyon Overlook, and Gore Range Overlook. 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. The Emerald Lake hike is one of the most popular hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Chasm Lake. If you only have one day in Rocky Mountain National Park, what should you do? Best beginner hike in Rocky Mountain National Park: Emerald Lake. Its about protecting what sustains us. A vacuum style bottle, like this one from Day 1 Fitness can keep your water icy cold for hours into your hike. I have been in RMCP for four days now, and did skypond, emerald lake and Hiayaha, Ute to tombstone, and deer mountain. 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. 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. Thank you! During the climb up, the trail gets incrementally steeper and youll be taking switchbacks for most of the way. Distance: 10.4 miles Difficulty: Strenuous Length of Time: 6 to 8 hours Location: Bear Lake Trailhead. And get out of breath easily around and descend back to Ute Crossing think are the hikes. Questions about the permit, let us know in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, Jasper Park... Feet high how to get more information about the permit, let us know in the Park:... Them near the Tundra Communities trailhead Curve Overlook, and heads left soon after travel photography gear.. 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