For much of the hike you are walking along the Continental Divide. Rocky Mountain National Park is best seen from a hiking trail. This trail is a great way to see many of the Rocky Mountain National Parks lakes all in the same hike. I dont know of a travel agency to recommend. Alternatively, the best way to access the trailhead is by using the shuttle to avoid crowds and creating traffic. Book the most popular Winter activities in Rocky Mountain National Park. There are three ways to hike to Fern Lake. And once you are in the park, you can stay as long as you like. You will also pass the trailhead for the Ute Trail to Tombstone Ridge. 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. How to Visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison. Rocky Mountain National Park is known for sudden changes in the weather. Meanwhile, Kara and I hiked Bear, Nymph, Dream, Emerald and Haiyaha Lakes. Do we have to wait to reserve it the day before on Sunday at 5? Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park 1. It is the tallest waterfall in Rocky Mountain National Park. The next morning we plan on taking a hike on Bear Lake and would need the Park Access+. Wherever you decide to turn around, make sure you catch a view of the Tyndall Glacier while youre there and enjoy this unique vantage point from the top. For the first part of the hike, you will share the trail with hikers on their way to Longs Peak. Beyond the Emerald Lake overlook you will reach the summit of Flattop Mountain. Please note: From May 27-October 10, 2022, RMNP will require timed reservations to enter, which you can purchase here. 1. Essential Hiking Gear: What Should You Bring on a Day Hike? Thanks Dave! 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. Way to answer the call and end up in a better place. 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. The rooms within the main hotel building get mixed reviews. Meeker and Longs Peak, the two highest peaks in Rocky Mountain National Park. The Emerald Lake hike is a family friendly hike and it also makes a great intro to hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park. 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. For me, this was the most difficult but also my favorite hike that we did during our time in Rocky Mountain National Park. They include Alpine Ridge Trail, Forest Canyon Overlook, Alluvial Fan West Trail, and Beaver Ponds Boardwalk. If you are acclimated to the elevation, the hike to Chasm Lake is another one of our favorites in Rocky Mountain National Park. The Best Easy Day Hikes series are handy, pocket-size guides for day hikers in America's most popular outdoor destinations. Thanks for your comment. For the final mile of this hike, you are treated to breathtaking views of Longs Peak, Columbine Falls, Peacock Pond, and finally Chasm Lake. Enjoy panoramic views of the park, as well as spectacular views from the overlooks of Dream Lake and Emerald Lake. 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). 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. Denver International Airport is the closest major airport. Here you'll pass more lakes, waterfalls, aspen groves and elk-inhabited meadows. Hey Kaeshawn! This saves you time from driving into Estes Park to get lunch. 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. 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. 1-Day Pass - Per Person - $15.00 Valid for date of purchase. 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. Its not a big deal but doing this will eat up some of your precious time. Please advise, You can try to reserve it now. Cheers, Julie. Finally, always wear sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses, as ultraviolet light is very strong in the mountains. How crowded does Rocky Mountain National Park get? I love how you outlined which hikes to do, based on what you are looking for. Along the way, you will hike through bogs and forests, past Ribbon Falls, and have a great view of Keyboard of the Winds. Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park: On a Map. 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. CALYPSO CASCADES. Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Before you go, get updated trail conditions on the National Park Service website. If you plan to visit Rocky Mountain National Park in the summer, afternoon thunderstorms occur quite frequently. From the summit of Deer Mountain, enjoy views over Moraine Valley and out to Longs Peak and the surrounding mountains. This is a great hike for newbie hikers who want to summit a mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park. Explore Joshua Tree's best day hikes. 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. You're going to want to start early, because parking fills up fast. Distance: 1.7 miles Difficulty: Easy Length of Time: 1 to 1.5 hours Location: Glacier Gorge parking lot on Bear Lake Road. The Ute Trail to Tombstone Ridge is a nice trail with a lot of opportunities to spot wildlife and take in the views. Typically, trails at higher elevations are still covered in snow until late-April. My team and I are here to show you its never too late to get your start and accomplish your goals in the outdoors. Bluebird Lake Hike: This lovely day hike is located in the lesser-visited Wild Basin area of the Rocky Mountain National Park. Julie Last updated: January 17, 2023 United States 9 Comments. Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. The trail starts to climb higher, eventually taking you up rock steps then down to Emerald Lake. ESTES PARK: In our Guide to Estes Park, learn about where to stay, where to eat, and what to do. 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. A water bottle is as essential as it gets. Web Visit website. Cheers, Julie. Wildlife, waterfalls, lakes, big peaks, and more. 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. https://bearfoottheory.com/tips-taking-friends-hiking-first-time/. 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. At roughly three miles into the hike, you will reach Mills Lake. Your email address will not be published. To continue to Hallett Peak, follow the rocky, somewhat faint trail. On this hike, you get to see four very pretty alpine lakes. For 48 miles, this road runs from Estes Park in the east to Grand Lake in the west. Visiting Rocky Mountain National Park is a much different experience in the winter than the summer months. Watch your step and take it slow. This is a nice hike but honestly not one of our favorites. Backpack the California Hiking and Riding Trail. All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. There will also be three amazing lakes. Enjoy hand-curated trail maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you. However, this is a good spot to put on a warmer layer, or even a rain jacket if you have one. If you prefer to keep your hikes short and sweet, read our guide to the Best Short Hikes in the National Parks. There are three routes: the Bear Lake route, Hiker Express Route, and Moraine Park route. Crater Lake National Park, Oregon . We frequently see them near the Tundra Communities trailhead. It is 4.2 miles round trip. 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. 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. When we were there in late August, there wasnt too much water coming down the rock scramble, but during peak run-off, you may get your shoes wet here.At 4.5 miles and 10,900 above sea level, youll finally arrive at Sky Pond. This hike starts from the same trailhead as Black Lake and splits off a couple miles in. In the winter months, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing top the list. The hike to Odessa Lake and onward to Fern Lake is a relatively low-traffic trail in Rocky Mountain National Park. Many of the best hiking trails are situated within Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP). 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. 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. This has been corrected in the article . When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you. Sky Pond is one of the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park for good reason. The answer to this question depends on several factorsthe time of year you plan to visit Rocky Mountain National Park, if you are traveling with children, how much you like to hike, and if you are acclimated to the higher elevation. If we plan on leaving Denver around 11 and traveling the Trail Ridge road would we only need the regular park pass? This hike is much different than many other hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. This one comes in multiple colors and three different sizes and has a carabiner to attach to your pack. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. If you plan to do a lot of hiking and drive Trail Ridge Road, plan on visiting Rocky Mountain National Park between Memorial Day and mid-October. Located on the eastern edge of Rocky Mountain National Park, you get panoramic views of Longs Peak and Estes Park from the top of the Twin Sisters Peaks. Bear Lake | Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. I know some of the trails will be closed due to the 2020 fires, but there are still a lot open. No An official form of the United States government. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Alberta Falls. From the Glacier Gorge parking lot, is a mostly uphill walk to get to Alberta Falls, but it is not too strenuous. The Loch Hike details. Snow can linger on the trails as late as July, especially for the trails at higher elevations. Take a 0.4-mile detour to Lake Haiyaha for an added bonus. Dogs: Leashed. Easy Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park 1. If you are coming from Estes Park, this drive takes 30 minutes. Which travel agency can book it for me? During the remainder of the year it is closed due to snow. If you plan to visit the park during the summer months, you will also need to reserve your timed permit in advance. For very little effort, the views you get are unbelievable. 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. Thank you, Hello Minal. For hikers, I recommend Dream and Emerald Lakes if you are not acclimated to the higher elevation. However, if the exposure really bothers you, then the waterfall might be the point where you turn around. Note: if you plan to hike Sky Pond, it is better to park at the Glacier Gorge parking lot, which is also on Bear Lake Road. Happy hiking! Due to the popularity of the trail, this is a great time to use the shuttle. 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. Bear Lake. Park Fee: $25 per vehicle, valid for 1 day or $35 per vehicle, valid for 7 days. 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. So, climb those stairs, catch your breath if you need to, and enjoy the awesome view from the top. 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. This loop trail is 0.7 miles in length and can be busy at times. The hiking trails will still be open, but you will need to wear snowshoes or traction devices. Hallett Peak is a good warm-up hike for those who plan to summit Longs Peak. Get updates on trail closures and park conditions on the National Park Service website. The lake is also a great setting for a picnic. Heres the thing: this hike starts just under 12,000 feet of elevation. Travelers favorites include #1 Trail Ridge Road, #2 Beaver Meadows Visitor Center and more. Looking back at the Alpine Visitor Center and Trail Ridge Road. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Gem Lake | Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. SCENIC DRIVES IN COLORADO: Pikes Peak, the Million Dollar Highway, and the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway is just a short list of the scenic drives you can do in Colorado. If you do not have a reservation, you will not be allowed to enter the park. 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: 0.6 miles round-trip Length of Time: 30 minutes Difficulty: Easy Location: This hike starts at the Bear Lake Trailhead, located at the very end of Bear Lake Road. 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. From the viewpoint, you are standing at 12,005 feet. 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