If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Glass Lake | Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, Sky Pond | Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Although not in the park, Lily Mountain appears in the official park map. Continue west along the Fall River to reach manylodging propertiesor simply to enjoy a longer stroll.To the east the Riverwalk trail meets up with the Lake Estes Loop. Continental Divide, including Hallett Peak, Taylor Peak, and Flattop Mountain Sky Pond is awesome, Chasm Lake is also great but its a little more challenging, and Emerald and Dream Lakes are also favorites of many park visitors. Recorded Trail Ridge Road status: (970) 586-1222. more information on current conditions An excellent interpretive nature trail circles this popular subalpine lake at the end of Bear Lake Road. 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. For much of the hike you are walking along the Continental Divide. Quality Inn near Rocky Mountain National Park Hotel Not looking for strenuous hiking - just trails with beautiful views. Couple that with the 5,000+ feet of elevation change, and its a doozy. From the Bear Lake Trailhead, follow signs to Alberta Falls. From here, at an elevation of 12,899 feet, the entire park stretches out before you. Spend several days in the park, hiking the other trails, to acclimate yourself to the higher elevation. Live music, festivals andeventsdot theRiverwalkplazas throughout the year. While there is no actual summit, hikers will enjoy views of the Easily access some of these trails from your cabin and begin your mountain experience with us! A beautiful stream and pleasant scenery accompany hikers on this popular west side walk. This is the shortest, most popular hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. Your email address will not be published. ESTES PARK: In our Guide to Estes Park, learn about where to stay, where to eat, and what to do. If you are visiting Rocky Mountain National Park, I encourage you to explore outside the park as well! bikers, and walkers. When we did this, we saw lots of elk, some of them males with enormous antlers. Wear layers, and bring rain gear. Hiking. This is a tough fourteener and many people who attempt it never make it to the summit, turning around early because of storms or the difficult conditions. Related Read:11 Beautiful National Forests in Colorado for Outdoor Recreation. If you are new to the park consult with rangers at the visitor centers and backcountry office. Simply turn around when you are ready, the spectacular views start as soon as your feet hit the trail. If you are staying in Estes Park, it is a 20-minute drive to get here. Whether you're an experienced trail runner, an ultra-marathoner, a trail newbie, a trail race director, or somewhere in between, this Conference is for you, providing inspiration & education through expert guest speakers, presentations and an expo. Birds abound along this 0.5-mile path that features many benches for resting or just taking in the amazing views of the Continental Divide. So, if not Estes Park and hike RMNP, where else? More popular among rock climbers than hikers, this trail is a lightly traveled local secret. Our Favorite Stops on RMNP Trail Ridge Road, Top Places for Springtime Photography in Estes Park, Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth with these Estes Park Candy Shops. For the ultimate hiking experience in Rocky Mountain National Park, put Longs Peak on the top of your list. Hiking is one of my favorite and all-the-time go-to activities during my trip abroad. Note: Many hikes start at or near Bear Lake: Emerald Lake, Lake Haiyaha, Sky Pond, Black Lake, Fern Lake, Flattop Mountain, and Hallett Peak. Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park 1. To get here, you will take Devils Gulch Road to Lumpy Ridge Road. Black Bears are prominent in this area and are known to even take a stroll through town. You can also hike to Fern Lake out-and-back from either Bear Lake or Moraine Park. Heres the thing: this hike starts just under 12,000 feet of elevation. Since the trail is lightly traveled, it isnt the most obvious in some areas. Starting at the Alpine Visitor Center (the highest visitor center in the United States) you simply hike up a long staircase to a viewpoint. Once you reach Chasm Lake, your workout is rewarded with a jaw-dropping view of Longs Peak. Gem Lake | Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Sign up for the Weekend Wanderer to join thousands of readers getting epic travel, hiking, camping and gear ideas every week. You are now standing at 12,718 feet, with 360 views, which makes this one of the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Along the way, guests can stop at various businesses toshop,grab a bitein an open-air caf and even sample somelocal wine. hiking Not only does it make it a lot more fun, it also functions a nice safety blanket if you injure yourself. Along the way, keep an eye out for wildflowers, elk, pikas and other animals that can live above 11,000 feet. 970 586-1206 Hike to Falcon Falls 10. Bus to Eldorado Canyon State Park from Boulder or Superior (Eldo Shuttle). We know there are so many jaw-dropping Estes Park hikes, that we couldnt list them all. The Twin Owls Loop gives you ad complete tour of this Northeast corner of Rocky Mountain National Park. We suggest trying these trails out: Looking to challenge yourself a bit more and spend a good part of the day hiking along beautiful trails? Ida, you really feel like you are walking on top of the world. This hike is much different than many other hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Along the trail, there are viewpoints over Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. Chasm Lake is one of the best 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. At 14,259 feet, the only fourteener on this list, the trek up Longs Peak is one of the most epic hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Honorable mention No. While we will spend at least one day in RMNP, we want to do some more hiking but hopefully without the crowds in the park. If the parking lot is full, park in the large parking lot at the end of Bear Lake Road. Mount Olympus. How to Use This Map: Click the icons on the map to get more information about each point of interest. Why you should go: Experience true solitude and adventure on this all-encompassing loop that takes you through Rocky Mountain National Parks untouched northeast corner. 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. And when in doubt, head out! offers rewarding views at the top. Those looking for a shorter, easier hike can turn around at this point. The Complete Guide to the US National Parks, 15 Great Hikes to do in Big Bend National Park, The Complete Guide to Hiking the Zion Narrows, 14 Best Things to do in Acadia National Park, The Perfect Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary, One Perfect Day in Rocky Mountain National Park, 10 Best Things to Do in Rocky Mountain National Park, Complete Guide to the Twin Sisters Peak Trail, RMNP. Why you should go: Enjoy a thick forest scene, great vistas, and amazing views at the top of this popular trail. Bierstadt Lake is a family favorite! This is the shortest, most popular hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. There are others as well. It was easy going the rest of the way For very little effort, the views you get are unbelievable. This is exactly the information I needed about each hike! What better way to take in all the spirit of Estes Park than to stroll through the enchanted village, taking in the high-peak views and deep breaths of pine-infused air? To avoid getting caught in a thunderstorm, the easiest solution is to begin your hike in the early morning, so you are hiking out by the time these storms have a chance to show up. 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. View from the Alpine Ridge Trail | Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Happy hiking! As we know, weather in Colorado can fluctuate rapidly, even in the span of a few hours. WebGlacier Basin Campground (8,500 feet) is adjacent to Estes Park in the awe-inspiring Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. During the 15+ miles of hiking, you will ascend more that 5,000 feet. Wildlife is quite abundant here; you can find deer, elk, black bears, foxes, coyotes, and even wild turkeys. WebBest Estes Park Hikes offers details on 20 hikes near Estes Park, from short and scenic, to challenging adventures, including the 11,428-foot summit of Twin Sisters Peak. Option:Continue along the Finch Lake Trail an additional two miles to reach Pear Lake, once a man-made reservoir, where you can explore the bathtub rings' of the shoreline. Ida. After traversing the wildflower and wildlife-filled landscape, youll reach Timberline Pass which is where most hikers end their Ute Trail trek. It even has photos so you can see how scenic they are. Its a flat, beautiful easy walk in the parkliterally. To download 9NEWS+ on Fire TV search for 9NEWS. You also have the option to add on a fifth lake, Lake Haiyaha, making this hike a total of 6.2 miles. From the Glacier Gorge parking lot, is a mostly uphill walk to get to Alberta Falls, but it is not too strenuous. Hike up through thick forest, listen to trickling waterfalls, then walk through high alpine meadows until you find yourself at the famous Walker and Griffith homesteads. Longs Peak is no joke, and its one of the top things to do at Estes Park, Colorado, for the most adventurous of spirits. This hike feels tough, a combination of the high elevation with the long stair climb. Learn how to combine them all together into one epic road trip in our 10 Day Colorado Itinerary. Estes Park: the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park is a small mountain town packed with history and charm. http://www.protrails.com/area/5/indian-peaks-wilderness-area-james-peak-wilderness-area, This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Originally, planned to return to Estes Park and hike RMNP after a 5 year hiatus but am now exploring any and all other options. Black Lake Hiking Trail 3. A map and compass is highly recommended on this trail. So, if not Estes Park and hike RMNP, where else? section the most challenging part of the hike. Embark up a steep grade on the last leg of the adventure until you hit the roaring, 40-foot Ouzel Falls. Mostly sunny, with a high near 63. Discover old mine shafts and hike a 1/4 mile to the top of the continental divide. Rocky Mountain National Park Trails Located south of Estes Park in Rocky Mountain National Park, this trail is easy to access directly along Highway 7. IPW includes the Brainard Lake Rec Area mentioned above. Additional forest access can be found at Hermit Park Open Space(entrance fees apply); and the Lily Mountain Trailhead, 5.8 miles south of town along Highway 7. These bears live close to humans and are pretty comfortable with being close to us; that doesnt mean you should take a selfie with them. Up and back, this trail involves 3.4 miles in all and boasts some of the most spectacular views of the Estes Valley along the way. Whether you live in Estes Park year-round or you just came for a breath of fresh mountain air, theres a good chance youll find yourself on a trail at some point during your stay. The ever changing views and trail conditions really keep this hike interesting. Estes Park Thanks to Rocky Mountain National Parks free shuttle system, this must-see trail is available as a one-way route. With an elevation gain Happy hiking! This is an essential hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. The trail also connects to the downtown Riverwalk and the Estes Valley trails system that takes you through Stanley Park, near the fairgrounds, and farther south along Fish Creek Road. How can I get to Estes Park without a car? To help you decide which trails to try for yourself, we rounded up ten of our top picks. Distance: 3.4 miles Difficulty: Moderate Length of Time: 2 to 3 hours Location: Lumpy Ridge Trailhead. Plus, this is a lesser known hike, so the trail gets a lower number of hikers than other hikes on this list. best things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. Title. However, its a great warm-up hike for those who want to do Hallett Peak or Longs Peak and its a great hike for those who are looking for a less crowded trail that offers great views of the area. The summit of Mt. Depending on conditions, technical equipment is typically recommended for safe climbing. The Fern lake Trailhead is located centrally in the park, near the west end of Moraine Park, inside Rocky Mountain National Park. 1000 US Hwy 36 A perfect rest day activity, or fun addition to walking around town, enjoying the Lake Estes Trail is fun for all ages and activities. Above the treeline, weather can get windy, cold and stormy very quickly. If you have plans to hike one of these trails, adding on Bear Lake is quick, easy, and wont take up much of your time. Youll be glad you did. Head south to view what is known as "The Knoll," a lookout to downtown and site of ruins from a stone cabin built in 1907. A 20 This gain brings you high into the Rockies and provides vast 360-degree views of Rocky Mountain National Park, Big Thompson Canyon, the Cache La Poudre Canyon, and the meadows below. Your blog is always my go-to, the most thorough, thoughtful content! Distance: 6.2 miles Difficulty: Moderate Length of Time: 3 to 4 hours Location: The Deer Mountain Trailhead is located on Trail Ridge Road, 3 miles west of the Beaver Meadows entrance. This out-and-back Rocky Mountain National Park trail is one of the best in the park. Tips for Hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) 1. Our website uses cookies. For the technical climber, continue past the lake to the south to find the bulging Andrews Glacier. Technical gear like snowshoes, micro-spikes or crampons might be needed, depending on conditions. Through Black Canyon, descend into Cow Creek lined with thick aspen groves, and continue on to gain views of the distant Mummy Range and Mount Ypsilon. This trailhead is located just north of Estes Park. Hiking Trails near Rocky Mountain National Park - Hiking WebSuggested Hikes - Rocky Mountain National Park (U.S. National Park Service) Rocky Mountain National Park Colorado NPS.gov Park Home Plan Your Visit Things To Do Fine views, pleasant hiking and a picnic on top make this trip a hiking favorite. 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. Rocky Mountain National Park This hike is very manageable for hikers of all ages and experience levels. While in Rocky Mountain National Park, please practice the seven principles of Leave No Trace: plan ahead, stay on the trails, pack out what you bring to the hiking trails, properly dispose of waste, leave areas as you found them, minimize campfire impacts, be considerate of other hikers, and do not approach or feed wildlife.