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. In fact, hikers will enjoy outstanding panoramic views along much of the route. It starts on the east side of the park, on Highway 7 south of Estes Park. 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). Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Along the way, you will hike through bogs and forests, past Ribbon Falls, and have a great view of Keyboard of the Winds. You can stay in a cozy cabin with a river view or a well-decorated suite. Have you hiked this?. Phone +1 970-586-1206. One Day in Rocky Mountain National Park: Best Things to Do. During this time, you get to enjoy panoramic views of Rocky Mountain National Park. There are hiking trails and the Fiddle Valley Cafe. This is an essential hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. At approximately 1.9 miles in, youll reach Lightning Bridge, a footbridge thats bookended by two signs warning hikers about lightening risk. Trailhead - Glacier Gorge Trailhead. GREAT SAND DUNES: In our article Best Things to Do in Great Sand Dunes National Park, we cover the top experiences, plus how to plan your time, where to stay, and more. Emerald Lake Trail | Rocky Mountain National Park Hikes Snow can linger on the trails as late as July, especially for the trails at higher elevations. This list starts with the easiest trails and progresses to the longer, more challenging hikes. How to get there:Take Highway 34 into the park and turn right onto Trail Ridge Road to the trailhead parking lot. The hike up Deer Mountain is one of the easier hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park that offers high mountain views. Plan on being at the trailhead by 7am (or earlier) if you want to park at the trailhead itself. These are two hikes on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park that are worth a stop if you're driving through the park. Dig in and hike the rest of the way to the summit of Flattop Mountain, where it is more of a plateau rather than a peak, but nevertheless, offers panoramic views of nearby mountain ranges like Mummy Range and Notchtop Mountain in the distance. The Loch Hike details. If you are staying in Estes Park, it is a 20-minute drive to get here. Bear Lake is the trailhead for many trails in Rocky Mountain National Park. There are lots of great restaurants to choose from. If you continue beyond the Alpine Visitor Center on Trail Ridge Road, you can go all of the way to Grand Lake, if you like. Explore the full Adams Falls hike profile below for trail map, driving directions, and all the details you . To see fall colors and the elk mating season, plan your visit from mid-September through mid-October. How to Get There:From Estes Park, take Highway 36 to Bear Lake Road until you reach the trailhead and parking lot. Best Rocky Mountain National Park Hikes: Easy Tundra Hikes. This road connects Central City with Estes Park, running alongside the eastern edge of Rocky Mountain National Park. With its short distance and manageable elevation gain, it is a great first hike in the park, as you acclimate to the higher elevation (if you havent already spent some time in the Rocky Mountains). Continue for two more miles until you reach Black Lake. For those with an interest in historical sites, make sure you visit the Holzwarth Historical Site and learn more about the life of Colorado homesteaders. The vast majority of these people visited the park between Memorial Day and Labor Day. The fairly easy trail is beautiful in the summer, fall or winter. 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. Just be aware that this is also the busiest time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park. It gets even better once you reach the summit of Mt. As you hike in, youll start to get views of Longs Head Peak and Chiefs Head Peak in the distance. You need to stay hydrated on the trail, and being prepared is a necessity. You mention some hikes starting at the ranger station. To get to Sky Pond, you will rock scramble up a waterfall, which can be refreshing when the weather is warm and downright cold in chilly conditions. From Bear Lake Road, turn left onto Highway 36 and continue on to Trail Ridge Road. Suggested 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 Hiking Suggested Hikes Suggested Hikes Last updated: November 13, 2020 Was this page helpful? CALYPSO CASCADES. If you are coming from a lower elevation, I recommend skipping the hikes to the taller peaks and staying low. Longs Peak, at 14,259 feet, is the only fourteener in the park. This takes you directly up a short scramble for about 100 feet. 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. Make a left turn to follow the road all the way to the trailhead and parking lot. Way to answer the call and end up in a better place. I think it is better to drive Trail Ridge Road in the afternoon than visit Bear Lake. This is my favorite easy day hike in Rocky Mountain National Park and the one I often bring out-of-town friends on. 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. Granite spires, a clear blue basin, and a hard-earned break makes this scenic vista well worth the effort. Visit our. We believe good things come from people spending time outside. Stick to the maintained trail, and whenever possible, step on rocks instead of vegetation. At just over a half of a mile, round trip, this hike sounds easy. This trailhead is located just north of Estes Park. Dream Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park is definitely one of the best day hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park - you can see three lakes in about two miles! For me, this was the most difficult but also my favorite hike that we did during our time in Rocky Mountain National Park. Plus, this is a lesser known hike, so the trail gets a lower number of hikers than other hikes on this list. From the Bear Lake Trailhead, the hike is just over 2 miles round-trip and will take about an hour and a half. 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. Elevation Gain - 1,761 Feet. The word gets overused but CO is awesome. Visiting Rocky Mountain National Park is a much different experience in the winter than the summer months. By: The Outbound Collective+ Save to a List It's no surprise that Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most popular parks in the country. 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. Before we dive in to all 25+ of the best hikes in Rocky Mountain NP, we've compiled the top 10! You dont even have to hike the entire 4 miles. 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. Trail Type: Loop Difficulty: Moderate Trailhead Location Provided by Touchpoints One Day in Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary - Top Things to Do in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. On your first day, you will need the Park Access pass (the regular pass) if you plan to enter before 3. Your email address will not be published. Rainbow Curve Overlook, Forest Canyon Overlook. In the summer months, it is best to hike in the morning, in order to avoid the afternoon thunderstorms. You're going to want to start early, because parking fills up fast. Id recommend taking your time and putting your trekking poles away so you can use your hands. The Ute Trail to Tombstone Ridge is a nice trail with a lot of opportunities to spot wildlife and take in the views. That means picking up any trash you see on the trail, practicing good trail etiquette, and being respectful to other hikers. The summit at just over 10,000 feet, provides commanding 360-degree views of Estes Park, Moraine Park, the Mummy Range, Longs Peak . Bear Lake. 1-Day Pass - Per Person - $15.00 Valid for date of purchase. LEARN MORE: How to Hike the Twin Sister Peak Trail. The best time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park without the summer crowds, an open Trail Ridge Road, and a good chance of pleasant weather is in late spring or in the fall. 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. How crowded does Rocky Mountain National Park get? All rights reserved. LEARN MORE: How to Hike the Continental Divide Trail to Mt Ida. If you want a quiet lunch spot, keep hiking around the lake to escape the crowds. 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. If they are sold out, then you will need to be ready to purchase your permit right at 5 pm the day before. The official National Park Service website lists when the permits become available and has more information about the permits. With one day in Rocky Mountain National Park, here are the best things to see and do: Rocky Mountain National Park is best seen from a hiking trail. Driving distances and times to nearby destinations: If you are on a road trip through Colorado, I recommend driving the Peak to Peak Scenic By-way, either before or after your visit to Rocky Mountain National Park. Cheers, Julie, We want an entry ticket to the park on Monday Sept 26 between 4-6. 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. Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park: On a Map. Here are the best section hikes on the John Muir Trail that require less than a week to complete. This part of the hike is tough as you are hiking over very rugged terrain. Travelers favorites include #1 Trail Ridge Road, #2 Beaver Meadows Visitor Center and more. Cheers, Julie. This hike is just under 10 miles and tops out at 10,880 feet. You spend very little time below the tree line, so the views are incredible for most of the hike. Lily Lake - The Lily Lake Loop is another easy hike that's suitable for the entire family. From the viewpoint, you are standing at 12,005 feet. If you are looking for a short, family-friendly hike, and dont mind a bit of a stair climb at times, this is a good hike to add to your to-do list. Its both scenic and strenuous, and thats what makes it one of Rocky Mountain National Parks best hikes. Since the trail isnt as well maintained here, allow yourself some extra time to get through this section. This is a great hike for almost all ages and ability levels. You can still get around, but it might be on skis or snowshoes, rather than by vehicle. Crater Lake National Park, Oregon . Alberta Falls is one of the most popular waterfalls to visit in Rocky Mountain National Park. All hikes mentioned below are perfect for day hikes. The Stanley Hotel offers a wide range of rooms. Mount Ida. In July, we hiked through a snowstorm on the way back from Sky Pond. Get info on JMT starting trailheads, trail quotas, lottery dates & more. 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. Snowshoeing to Dream Lake is a popular winter time activity, as is cross-country skiing. The Residences are one, two, three, and four bedroom houses that come equipped with a full kitchen. Fortunately, there are hikes for all ages and ability levels. Read more: 14 Best Hikes in Jasper National Park - Alberta Canada. But the views are spectacular and there is a good chance that you will see elk from the trail. Looking back at the Alpine Visitor Center and Trail Ridge Road. This 3.5-mile roundtrip hike fits in a ton of incredible scenery in a short distance. Moraine Park is another popular area that sees quite a bit of traffic too. Denver International Airport is the closest major airport. The most popular hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. Important! With lower crowds this time of year, there is no need to get to the Bear Lake Trailhead super early in the morning. Bear Lake | Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Middle Taylor Creek. To get to the peak, its an almost constant uphill walk through an evergreen forest. But even the most fit, acclimated hikers can feel winded and out-of-breath on this short hike. Happy hiking! Keep hiking up to Black Lake, where youll encounter a meadow. Located in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, Jasper National Park was officially established in 1907, after a group of Canadian Pacific Railway . First, you will pass lovely Alberta Falls. 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. 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. There are three routes: the Bear Lake route, Hiker Express Route, and Moraine Park route. Julie Last updated: January 17, 2023 United States 9 Comments. About the permits become available and has more information about the permits become available has! 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