. You spend very little time below the tree line, so the views are incredible for most of the hike. Distance: 0.7 miles / 1.1 kilometers. A short footpath will take you all the way around we even spotted a bull moose here.Continue on to Odessa Lake, but watch your step. Ida. A water bottle is as essential as it gets. Park Hours: Park entrances are open 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. Emerald Lake Trail The hike to the Emerald Lake is one of the easiest hikes in Rocky Mountains National Park Length: 3.2 miles | Elevation gain: 698 feet | Guide 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. Sign up for access to our free Member-only resources, packing lists, and itineraries. The park has gotten so popular that in 2020 a timed entry system was put into effect. Just be aware that this is also the busiest time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park. For more information about where to stay and where to eat, read our Guide to Estes Park. 700 feet (213 m) elevation gain. This is a much longer hike, coming in at 10.7 miles. 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.<br /> amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0";<br /> amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "bearftheor-20";<br /> amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual";<br /> amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart";<br /> amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon";<br /> amzn_assoc_region = "US";<br /> amzn_assoc_linkid = "bd7b4890a7917396fd1ad9f8e9480912";<br /> amzn_assoc_design = "in_content";<br /> amzn_assoc_asins = "0996962689,1566953421";<br /> <br> . Mt. As you drive west on Trail Ridge Road, there are numerous overlooks. The Stanley Hotel. This list starts with the easiest trails and progresses to the longer, more challenging hikes. It's a flat, beautiful easy walk in the parkliterally. Motorcycle - $30.00 Valid for seven consecutive days (including date of purchase). Distance: 5.5 miles. 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. If you prefer to keep your hikes short and sweet, read our guide to the Best Short Hikes in the National Parks. During the 15+ miles of hiking, you will ascend more that 5,000 feet. Dont worry, its just a couple of moves and there are good handholds. Please advise, You can try to reserve it now. Follow the trail down into a wooded area and youll quickly arrive at Jewell Lake. This takes you directly up a short scramble for about 100 feet. If you prefer to keep your hikes short and sweet, read our guide to the Best Short Hikes in the National Parks. Bear Lake is a well-marked trail and is one of the easiest hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. 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. Distance: 0.6 miles Difficulty: Easy Length of Time: 30 minutes Location: Alpine Visitor Center on Trail Ridge Road. If you want to stay in the park, you will be limited to campgrounds. Update: Beginning June 4, 2020, a timed entry permit or camping reservation will be required to enter ALL areas of Rocky Mountain National Park in a private vehicle between the hours of 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. Reserve a timed entry permit at Recreation.gov. Visiting Rocky Mountain National Park is a much different experience in the winter than the summer months. With one day in Rocky Mountain National Park during the summer and early fall, you have enough time to hike one of the trails, drive the legendary Trail Ridge Road, and visit the top sights in the park. This is an essential hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. Our website uses cookies. Cheers, Julie, Your email address will not be published. Start your trip off right, with a hike from the Bear Lake trailhead at the end of Bear Lake Road. Continue on until you reach Chasm Meadows with its flowing streams and beautiful green grass. 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. Backpack the California Hiking and Riding Trail. If you are coming from a lower elevation, I recommend skipping the hikes to the taller peaks and staying low. PRO TRAVEL TIP: It can be 20 to 30 degrees cooler on the alpine tundra than in Estes Park or Grand Lake. This is the most popular hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. Get all of the details on how to do this hike in our post about Fern Lake. evolving backdrop of beautiful pine forests into the aspen groves, so be aware that due to its popularity it can get crowded. Black Lake and Mills Lake are often labeled as two of the prettiest lakes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Yup. From the viewpoint, you are standing at 12,005 feet. Bear Lake This is the shortest, most popular hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. As you get closer to the visitor center, keep an eye out for bighorn sheep. From what we noticed, most of the people on this trail were either locals (this is a popular trail running route) or those who had already checked off a bunch of hikes in RMNP. 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. If you love mountains, this is the place for you. Practice your rock bouldering skills at one of the many climbing sites. Elevation Gain: 1,062' Max Elevation: 10,210' Winter Skill Level: Beginner Why it rocks. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. There is something here for everyone, ranging from easy, lakeside strolls to short hikes to waterfalls to challenging hikes up the tallest peaks. Once at the waterfall, you can explore the short trails along Glacier Creek to find your favorite view of the waterfall. 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. 3. For the full list, read our article about the Best Scenic Drives in Colorado. If you have any questions about how to spend one day in Rocky Mountain National Park, let us know in the comment section below. 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. BLACK CANYON OF THE GUNNISON: In our article How to Visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison, we cover the best things to do on the North and South Rims and include several itineraries to help you plan your visit. With numerous hotels and restaurants, and a great location near the heart of Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park is a great place to stay. The trail ends at the summit of Hallett Peak. Thanks Dave! In the summer months, the best things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park are hiking, driving Trail Ridge Road, taking a stroll around Bear Lake, driving Old Fall River Road, and mountaineering. The sweet spot months are from late May until mid-June and from early September after Labor Day until mid-October. This challenging trail is a fantastic way to get panoramic park views without attempting something quite as hard as Longs Peak. Required fields are marked *. Explore one of 39 easy hiking trails in Estes Park or discover kid-friendly routes for your next family trip. Get There Early: There are two important reasons to begin your hikes early in the morning in Rocky Mountain National 1)The trail head parking lots fill up early, and 2) in the . Bear Lake. Keep in mind that you dont have to do the whole thing. Honestly, this is not the most exciting hike on the list. The Ute Trail to Tombstone Ridge is a wonderful, short, easy hike to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. or a FWD is also fine? For the full list, read our article about the Best Scenic Drives in Colorado. Each of these hikes is a day hike, so they can all be completed in one day. This is a great hike for almost all ages and ability levels. It reaches its highest point at 12,183 feet and crosses the Continental Divide at Milner Pass. If you are coming from sea level, you will feel the effects of the altitude as soon as you do anything strenuous. Alternatively, the best way to access the trailhead is by using the shuttle to avoid crowds and creating traffic. 1-Day Pass - Per Person - $15.00 Valid for date of purchase. RMNP has more than one ranger station. For much of the hike you are walking along the Continental Divide. Its about protecting what sustains us. 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. Rest your legs here, especially if you have sensitive knees because it only continues to go down (and at some points never seems to end). 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. How crowded does Rocky Mountain National Park get? You can still get around, but it might be on skis or snowshoes, rather than by vehicle. Bear Lake | Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Not only are the photos amazing, but the trail descriptions are spot on and the way the book is organized makes it very easy to find a hike thats right for you. Visit our Colorado Travel Guide for more things to do in Colorado. 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. The official National Park Service website lists when the permits become available and has more information about the permits. You will also pass the trailhead for the Ute Trail to Tombstone Ridge. 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). 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. In my opinion the lakes get better as you go but some people find Dream to be the best. This is a gorgeous drive. Of course, you dont have to hike all of the way to Emerald Lake. To visit Rocky Mountain National Park from May 26 to October 22, 2023, you will need to reserve a permit in advance. The ever changing views and trail conditions really keep this hike interesting. Hang in there and take breaks when you need, because the views of Chiefs Head Peak illuminated in the distance are worth it. We hiked to Odessa Lake and Fern Lake as an out-and-back hike from Bear Lake. The classic hike for first-timers in Rocky Mountain National Park is a Bear Lake and Emerald Lake combo. The views from the overlooks are stunning. Its best to hike in the morning and to be below the tree line by 1 pm. On the hike to Mt. And once you are in the park, you can stay as long as you like. The air is crisp, wildflowers are starting to . Make sure you bring extra layers, even during the summer months. . If you want low crowds and dont mind cold temperatures and snow, plan your visit from November through May. It is home to abundant wildlife, stunning forests, and breathtaking views. If this sounds like a hike you would like to do, it will take some planning and patience. This is a great hike for newbie hikers who want to summit a mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park. If you have been hiking in Glacier National Park, this hike looks very similar to the Grinnell Glacier hike. Best Things to Do in Great Sand Dunes National Park. Ida. We wanted to do this, but it was incredibly windy and much colder above the treeline than in the parking lot. All-inclusive trips, expert guides, Top-rated hiking company on Trip Advisor! Julie Last updated: February 23, 2023 United States 8 Comments. Like Bear Lake, it is an easy hike to get here. Finally, always wear sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses, as ultraviolet light is very strong in the mountains. When is the best time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park? We live in Colorado Springs now and have visited the other 3 Colorado national parks very recently, but its time to get back to uncover more of Rocky Mountain NP! 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. Click the star next to the title of the map to add this map to your Google Maps account. For the next mile or so, youll hike up a series of switchbacks until mile 2.4 where youll finally break through the treeline. Between the end of May through early October, you must reserve a permit to visit the park. The Bear Lake trail is handicap accessible and offers something for everyone. What do you think are the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park? Thanks for that feedback, Emily! The permit is in effect from 5 am to 6 pm. 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 summit at just over 10,000 feet, provides commanding 360-degree views of Estes Park, Moraine Park, the Mummy Range, Longs Peak . Always pack rain gear and be alert, even on a clear day. Your email address will not be published. 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. Learn more about the shuttle here. But the whole reason to do this hike is for the view of Sky Pond, one of the most spectacular lakes in the park. If you dont get a ticket, you can still enter the park after 3 pm but you will not be allowed to drive down Bear Lake Road. With just a day in the Rocky Mountain National Park, this is one of the best hikes you could do. Distance: 7.5 to 10 miles, depending on the route you choose Difficulty: Moderate Length of Time: 4 to 7 hours Location: Bear Lake Trailhead or Moraine Park, Fern Lake | Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Bear Lake Trailhead 390 Hiking Trails By Tempusfugit2015 For very little effort, the views you get are unbelievable. But even the most fit, acclimated hikers can feel winded and out-of-breath on this short hike. The park encompasses over 400 square miles of Colorados Front Range, which juts up suddenly at the western edge of the Great Plains to create one ofthe most scenic and dramatic alpine areas in the country. Drive Trail Ridge Road (late spring through early fall). 2. in advance if you plan to do this itinerary between May 27 and October 10, 2022. Less known, but my personal favorite moderate hike in the Bear Lake Trailhead: Jewel Lake. LEARN MORE: How to Hike the Continental Divide Trail to Mt Ida. As you ascend higher, the trees disappear, as you enter the subalpine region. It's an 8.5-mile out-and-back hike that takes you past not one, not two but THREE beautiful mountain lakes AND Alberta Falls to top things off! Each daily reservation costs $2 per vehicle, which is in addition to the $25 daily entrance fee or $35 weekly entrance fee per vehicle. Wildland Trekking offers trips with the best of Rocky Mountain: waterfalls, mountains, views, wildlife, solitude, adventure and fascinating natural and cultural interpretation. Republishing this articleand/orany of its contents (text, photography, etc. All of these day hikes are centrally located, so that you can spend less time driving, with many of them accessible via Rocky Mountain National Parks free shuttle. How to get there:The most direct route is to take Highway 36, from Estes Park, to Bear Lake Road. Rocky Mountain National Park made our list of the best national parks for kids. 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. 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. 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. There are very few paved trails in Rocky Mountain National Park. Note: Many hikes start at or near Bear Lake: Emerald Lake, Lake Haiyaha, Sky Pond, Black Lake, Fern Lake, Flattop Mountain, and Hallett Peak. Thanks for sharing!!! Rocky Mountain National Park's 30 Best Hikes Explore an adventure playground full of 14ers, alpine lakes, and over 300 miles of trails. This hike is 8.2 miles long and tops out at 11,800 feet. How to get there:Some of the Rocky Mountain National Parks best hikes are easily accessible by the parks shuttle system. 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. Simply turn around when you are ready, the spectacular views start as soon as your feet hit the trail. Elevation: 49 feet / 15 meters. As such, it's a favorite spot of outdoorsmen, basically turning it into their home away from home or an office. Grab your trekking poles and take it slow. If you are acclimated to the elevation, the hike to Chasm Lake is another one of our favorites in Rocky Mountain National Park. The most notable differences was we found Black Lake to be less crowded and slightly easier overall. Gem Lake is a short but strenuous hike 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. This hike feels tough, a combination of the high elevation with the long stair climb. Just note that when you re-enter the park, you may have to wait in line to pass through the entrance booth. There are three routes: the Bear Lake route, Hiker Express Route, and Moraine Park route. 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