There are three routes: the Bear Lake route, Hiker Express Route, and Moraine Park route. Rocky Mountain National Park is a massive and spectacularly beautiful area spanning 400 square miles. If you are looking for a short, easy hike, How to Hike the Ute Trail to Tombstone Ridge, How to Hike to Nymph, Dream & Emerald Lakes (+ Add on Bear Lake and Lake Haiyaha), panoramic views of Longs Peak and Estes Park, How to Hike the Continental Divide Trail to Mt Ida. 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Mountain National Park: The Complete Guide: (Color Travel Guide) James Kaiser 30 Paperback Your email address will not be published. Id recommend taking your time and putting your trekking poles away so you can use your hands. The parking lot at Bear Lake is large but it fills up fast! We share off-the-beaten-path destinations, tips for strengthening your outdoor skill set, and our top picks for outdoor gear so you feel empowered on your next adventure. The fairly easy trail is beautiful in the summer, fall or winter. Park Access +: This permit gives you access to everything in Rocky Mountain National Park. This is a much longer hike, coming in at 10.7 miles. If you love mountains, this is the place for you. 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. Here is the list and our recommendations. Moraine Park is another popular area that sees quite a bit of traffic too. If you want, you can choose to hike around the well-marked nature trail around Bear Lake. At this time, cross country skiing and snowshoeing are the main things to do in the park. 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. Emerald Lake Trail | Rocky Mountain National Park Hikes The park has gotten so popular that in 2020 a timed entry system was put into effect. Rocky Mountain National Park is home to some of the most epic and amazing hiking vacations in the world. COLORADO ITINERARY: With 10 days in Colorado, road trip to all four national parks (Rocky Mountain, Great Sand Dunes, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, and Mesa Verde), linking them together with some very scenic drives. Way to answer the call and end up in a better place. Love Rocky Mountain National Park! Elevation Gain - 1,761 Feet. Much of this hike is above the treeline, so its imperative to get an early start to beat any afternoon thunderstorms. Happy hiking! Get our top tips for visiting Rocky Mountain National Park including when to go, where to camp, hiking tips, how to beat the crowds, and more. In my opinion the lakes get better as you go but some people find Dream to be the best. How to get there:The most direct route is to take Highway 36, from Estes Park, to Bear Lake Road. Thanks for that feedback, Emily! However, if the exposure really bothers you, then the waterfall might be the point where you turn around. Follow the trail down into a wooded area and youll quickly arrive at Jewell Lake. Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park: On a Map. Republishing this articleand/orany of its contents (text, photography, etc. Here, we found a nice place to sit below the outlet of Sky Pond to enjoy lunch with a view. With just a day in the Rocky Mountain National Park, this is one of the best hikes you could do. Cheers, Julie. Easy Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park 1. With 360-degree views of the Mummy Range and dozens of RMNPs other giants, the relatively unfrequented, 12,880-foot Mount Ida offers one of the best viewpoints in all of Rocky Mountain National Park. Get info on JMT starting trailheads, trail quotas, lottery dates & more. So, climb those stairs, catch your breath if you need to, and enjoy the awesome view from the top. As it goes with all of the destinations shared on Bearfoot Theory, please remember to Leave No Trace. Lake Haiyaha, Rocky Mountain National Park Rocky Mountain National Park boasts a wide variety of attractions and wildlife in its different ecological zones, like mountains, alpine lakes, forests, and tundra. Also, it can snow every month of the year in Rocky Mountain National Park. Chasm Lake. Heres the thing: this hike starts just under 12,000 feet of elevation. 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 is one of our favorite hikes in RMNP and we highly recommend it if you want unforgettable high alpine views. It's a flat, beautiful easy walk in the parkliterally. From its high glacial snow fields, rounded cirques, and jagged mountain peaks to its placid lakes and stunning montane forests, Rocky Mountain National Park is a territory of extraordinary beauty on a grand scale. Up above 10,000 feet the air is thin, the temps are much cooler, and the wind is usually . Best price and money back guarantee! No, we havent done that hikehavent even heard of it. Can you please suggest me about how can I plan my solo visit to rocky mountain national park and where I can get best itinerary for same. During the busy summer and fall seasons, parking will fill up before 5 am. A vacuum style bottle, like this one from Day 1 Fitness can keep your water icy cold for hours into your hike. 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. This challenging hike starts at Bear Lake and rapidly gains elevation once you are on the Flattop Mountain Trail. At mile three, theres an unmarked junction that veers off towards Lake Helene, which is worth the extra stop. When is the best time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park? Once you are finished at Bear Lake, hop back into your car. For a big chunk of the year Trail Ridge Road is closed (from mid-autumn through late spring), making part of the park inaccessible, at least by car. Explore Rocky Mountain National Parks best trails with this detailed list of my favorite day hikes. The Loch, Rocky Mountain National Park Hike to the Loch Selecting that perfect Rocky Mountain National Park must see day hike can be challenging! 1. To get here, take Highway 7 south from Estes Park. We frequently see them near the Tundra Communities trailhead. 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. And dont forget to reserve your Timed Entry Permit in advance if you plan to do this itinerary between May 27 and October 10, 2022. Trail Ridge Road winds high into the Rockies, taking visitors into the treeless tundra. Adams Falls is a short .6-mile round-trip hike near Grand Lake, Colorado. Trail Type: Loop Difficulty: Moderate Trailhead Location 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. The hike offers outstanding views of Lily Mountain, Estes Cone, as well as Mt. Ida, so you will really feel the altitude. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you. best things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. When you finally make it to Chasm Lake youll have a full-on view of Longs Peak, and a high alpine lake where you can rest your legs. Its best to hike in the morning and to be below the tree line by 1 pm. back in the day. Finish at Fern Lake Trailhead. You dont even have to hike the entire 4 miles. Ida. A well-graded trail circles around the lake. 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. This is your spot to turn around and descend back to Ute Crossing. Finally, Trail Ridge Road, the main road the cuts across the park, is open from Memorial Day to mid-October. If you plan to visit the park during the summer months, you will also need to reserve your timed permit in advance. If you do not have a reservation, you will not be allowed to enter the park. You need to stay hydrated on the trail, and being prepared is a necessity. Here you'll pass more lakes, waterfalls, aspen groves and elk-inhabited meadows. RMNP has more than one ranger station. 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. Less known, but my personal favorite moderate hike in the Bear Lake Trailhead: Jewel Lake. Its nearby neighbors of Bear Lake, Emerald Lake, and Dream Lake get a lot more visitors, so if you are looking for a relatively uncrowded trail with the chance to visit multiple alpine lakes, this is a nice hike to consider. It gets even better once you reach the summit of Mt. There youll find a cascading waterfall with a small, rocky path that leads you up the side of it for a truly unique vantage point. 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. MORE GREAT HIKES IN THE NATIONAL PARKS: From hikes to the tallest peaks to beautiful coast trails, read our Guide to the Best Day Hikes in the US National Parks. For the ultimate hiking experience in Rocky Mountain National Park, put Longs Peak on the top of your list. Backpack the California Hiking and Riding Trail. This hike starts at the Glacier Gorge Trailhead. Along the trail, there are viewpoints over Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. If you plan to visit Rocky Mountain National Park in the summer, afternoon thunderstorms occur quite frequently. Each guidebook provides twenty of the best hikes in the area they represent . For the first part of the hike, you will share the trail with hikers on their way to Longs Peak. We are afraid we wont get one of those 195 tickets. Ill send this to my buddies for review before our trip! Do a Hike Near Bear Lake. Thanks for all the tips on your other articles, really helpful. Its about more than standing on the mountain top. This is a great hike for newbie hikers who want to summit a mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park. It is the tallest waterfall in Rocky Mountain National Park. 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. Top 10 Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. How to Use This Map: Click the icons on the map to get more information about each point of interest. Continue on until you reach Chasm Meadows with its flowing streams and beautiful green grass. Your best bet is to pack a picnic lunch. Rocky Mountain National Park made our list of the best national parks for kids. 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. In the winter months, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing top the 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's 30 Best Hikes Explore an adventure playground full of 14ers, alpine lakes, and over 300 miles of trails. What should you not miss in Rocky Mountain National Park? Reservations are made online on the recreation.gov website. If you want low crowds and dont mind cold temperatures and snow, plan your visit from November through May. Rocky Mountain National Park is best seen from a hiking trail. Begin at Bear Lake Trailhead, and take the Bear Lake Trail through a forested area full of aspens past Bear Lake. This book was released on 2020-04-01 with total page 256 pages. 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 most notable differences was we found Black Lake to be less crowded and slightly easier overall. 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 can add on Lake Haiyaha for a total distance of 6.2 miles. Trail Ridge Road will be closed, limiting your visit to Bear Lake and the eastern side of the park. From the summit of Deer Mountain, enjoy views over Moraine Valley and out to Longs Peak and the surrounding mountains. Its not a big deal but doing this will eat up some of your precious time. One of the most popular hikes in all of Rocky Mountain National Park is the Nymph, Dream, & Emerald Lakes Hike. It is located just outside of Estes Park, on the south side, an excellent location for driving into the park. Although the terrain becomes fairly rugged on the final leg to the summit, you'll have very little exposure to steep drop-offs. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. This is a great hike for almost all ages and ability levels. If you want a quiet lunch spot, keep hiking around the lake to escape the crowds. One Day in Rocky Mountain National Park: Best Things to Do With one day in Rocky Mountain National Park, here are the best things to see and do: Drive Trail Ridge Road (late spring through early fall) Bear Lake Emerald Lake Dream Lake Alberta Falls Alpine Visitor Center Alpine Ridge Trail Go Hiking But this is a tough hike. Go up there for the solitude and to soak up all the amazing views of the lake, valley, and peaks that surround you. This is one of the easier lake hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. You can also hike to Fern Lake out-and-back from either Bear Lake or Moraine Park. Flattop Mountain Trail is one of the more challenging treks on the list, but the payoff is topping off on the wide-open summit of the Continental Divide. If you only have one day in Rocky Mountain National Park, what should you do? LEARN MORE: How to Hike to Nymph, Dream & Emerald Lakes (+ Add on Bear Lake and Lake Haiyaha). Known for sprawling alpine and subalpine forests filled . Well have to put it on our to do list when we are back in the area. If you want a short, easy hike, we recommend Tombstone Ridge (this makes a great add-on to your scenic drive along Trail Ridge Road) or Nymph, Dream, and Emerald Lakes. Bear Lake This is the shortest, most popular hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. Since the trail isnt as well maintained here, allow yourself some extra time to get through this section. This hike has a little bit of everythingwaterfalls, alpine lakes, high mountain views, and fun river and stream crossings. If you are coming from Estes Park, this drive takes 30 minutes. 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. https://bearfoottheory.com/tips-taking-friends-hiking-first-time/. On our most recent visit we stayed in The Residences at #402 and it was wonderful. Alternatively, if you are driving over Trail Ridge Road and want to stretch your legs, this is a fantastic place to do it. You spend very little time below the tree line, so the views are incredible for most of the hike. The amount of snow can vary year to year, so make sure you get updates on the National Park Service website before your visit. On this hike, you get to see four very pretty alpine lakes (Bear Lake, Nymph Lake, Dream Lake, and Emerald Lake) over a relatively short distance. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Rocky MountainNational Park Travel Guide. Longs Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park Colorado on a summer day (Image credit: Roschetzkylstockphoto) Distance: 14.8 miles Difficulty: Extremely difficult. We promise not to annoy you, but if you wish, you may unsubscribe at any time. 3. The elevation here is about 11,600, so take your time and stop to catch your breath when you need a break. I dont know of a travel agency to recommend. From there, follow this to the parking area and trailhead located at the end of the road. Taylor (13,651'), won't disappoint. Breath if you do the summer months, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are the Road. Starts at Bear Lake this is one of our favorite hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park Theory, please to... 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