Get all of the details on how to do this hike in our post about Fern Lake. 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. The way up to here is known to have snow and icy conditions at about 3.8 miles in, which doesnt melt until mid or even late June. Skirt around the eastern side of the lake and onto a rocky area that juts out over the water to get a spectacular look at Mills Lake from a different angle. You need to stay hydrated on the trail, and being prepared is a necessity. And you can also visit the Alpine Visitor Center, the highest visitor center in the USA. Nymph, Dream, & Emerald Lakes. You will also pass the trailhead for the Ute Trail to Tombstone Ridge. Look out for cairns here and head directly through the meadow up towards the spot where you can see a waterfall coming out of the rocks from Chasm Lake. Ida, and Tombstone Ridge are the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park for your list. The trail gains 700 feet as it climbs to Emerald Lake, which sits at 10,110 feet above sea level. 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. However, this property gets rave reviews. From the viewpoint, you are standing at 12,005 feet. This was one of our favorite hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park and we highly recommend it. Youre not alone Check out our blog post with tips for taking friends hiking. That book is pure gold. BEST NATIONAL PARKS IN THE USA:Looking for your next big adventure? There is even a three-bedroom house that can accommodate up to nine people. Stick to the maintained trail, and whenever possible, step on rocks instead of vegetation. Past the waterfall, follow the signs to Mills Lake. The waterfall borders Rocky Mountain National Park and its trail begins at the same trailhead for the East Inlet Trail. Learn more about the shuttle here. Very nice list, Sky Pond is my favorite, as well as Black Lake. From the Glacier Gorge parking lot, is a mostly uphill walk to get to Alberta Falls, but it is not too strenuous. The Stanley Hotel. Hi guys I am a big fan and lived by your Sedona hikes. Bearfoot Theory is one of the leading hiking, camping, and van life blogs powered by an all-female team. The ever changing views and trail conditions really keep this hike interesting. Denver International Airport is the closest major airport. Distance: 10.4 miles Difficulty: Strenuous Length of Time: 6 to 8 hours Location: Bear Lake Trailhead. Guide to the Best Day Hikes in the US National Parks. Its best to hike in the morning and to be below the tree line by 1 pm. Rocky MountainNational Park Travel Guide. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. However, snow is possible at both times at higher . Hallett Peak is a good warm-up hike for those who plan to summit Longs Peak. This is an essential hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. Unless you're Superman (I very much am not), you can't possibly cover this much ground in one day. Meeker and Longs Peak, the two highest peaks in Rocky Mountain National Park. From the Bear Lake Trailhead, follow signs to Alberta Falls. We appreciate it and made that update so its more clear. For families with young kids and for those who dont like to do a lot of hiking, I recommend the easy stroll around Bear Lake plus the hike to Alberta Falls. Less known, but my personal favorite moderate hike in the Bear Lake Trailhead: Jewel Lake. Visit our. What a great place to live! Our website uses cookies. This is our favorite short, easy hike in RMNP. At approximately 1.9 miles in, youll reach Lightning Bridge, a footbridge thats bookended by two signs warning hikers about lightening risk. In 2014, I quit my Washington DC job to start Bearfoot Theory, and for the past 9 years Ive been sharing my experiences here on this blog. Bear Lake is a well-marked trail and is one of the easiest hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. I have been to RMNP in March when there was very little snow on the ground and I was able to go hiking without any special gear. You are now standing at 12,718 feet, with 360 views, which makes this one of the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. But don't be intimidated by its height. 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. When is the best time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park? Republishing this articleand/orany of its contents (text, photography, etc. One way to check off some of the best hikes in RMNP is by linking them on a multi-day backpacking trip. Here are the best section hikes on the John Muir Trail that require less than a week to complete. 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. Trailhead: Glacier Gorge Round Trip Distance: 5.9 mi. Your email address will not be published. Have updates, photos, alerts, or just want to leave a comment? 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. CCY Route (Chapin-Chiqiuta-Ypsilon route) Bluebird Lake. Crater Lake National Park, Oregon . This hike has a little bit of everythingwaterfalls, alpine lakes, high mountain views, and fun river and stream crossings. Once at the waterfall, you can explore the short trails along Glacier Creek to find your favorite view of the waterfall. We spent a total of 10 days in the Park, focusing a majority of our time around Bear Lake, Fern Lake, and Longs Peak on the East side of the Park. The hike offers outstanding views of Lily Mountain, Estes Cone, as well as Mt. Distance: 4 miles Difficulty: Easy to moderate Length of Time: 1.5 to 3 hours Location: Ute Trailhead on Trail Ridge Road, 7 miles east of the Alpine Visitor Center, Tombstone Ridge | Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, Ute Trail to Tombstone Ridge | Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Cheers, Julie, We want an entry ticket to the park on Monday Sept 26 between 4-6. Bear Lake is the trailhead for many trails in Rocky Mountain National Park. Easy Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park 1. Trail Ridge Road winds high into the Rockies, taking visitors into the treeless tundra. For this one day itinerary, you will need a Park Access + permit (the timed-entry permit that includes Bear Lake Road). 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. Hello Matt. You can add on Lake Haiyaha for a total distance of 6.2 miles. 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. For the full list, read our article about the Best Scenic Drives in Colorado. In the summertime youll be surrounded by wildflowers. Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. It's well worth making the effort to get here, as the trail passes through some spectacular scenery, traversing a dense pine forest and passing by the lovely Ouzel Falls, before finally reaching Bluebird Lake. All of the products we recommend we stand behind, and we appreciate your support! You can drive Trail Ridge Road, visit the Alpine Visitor Center, hike to Longs Peak and to Chasm Lake, and hike Gem Lake. 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. Each guidebook provides twenty of the best hikes in the area they represent . LEARN MORE: How to Hike to Odessa Lake and Fern Lake. Of course, you dont have to hike all of the way to Emerald Lake. Many even consider it to be one of the best waterfalls 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. After the climb, at 2.8 miles, youll reach Loch Vale where the views will bring you to a standstill. This is the shortest, most popular hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. The rooms within the main hotel building get mixed reviews. NATIONAL PARKS: In our Guide to the US National Parks, get the full list of national parks with important travel planning information, such as things to do in the parks and sample itineraries. Bluebird Lake Hike: This lovely day hike is located in the lesser-visited Wild Basin area of the Rocky Mountain National Park. The trailhead serves as a starting point for several different routes, including a short loop around the stunning Bear Lake. You can stay in a cozy cabin with a river view or a well-decorated suite. Here you'll pass more lakes, waterfalls, aspen groves and elk-inhabited meadows. Cheers, Julie. This is my favorite easy day hike in Rocky Mountain National Park and the one I often bring out-of-town friends on. You can also see, More Information About the US National Parks. This hike is 8.2 miles long and tops out at 11,800 feet. Along the trail, there are viewpoints over Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Trail Ridge Road runs along the top of the ridge in the distance. 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. 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. Hike up to continue onto the Tombstone Ridge, where there are beautiful views of the Rockies in front of you. To get here, take Highway 7 south from Estes Park. The good thing is that you wont want to rush by these views. How to Use This Map: Click the icons on the map to get more information about each point of interest. The timed entry permit system covers ALL areas of the park, including outlying areas like Lily Lake, Longs Peak, Lumpy Ridge, and Wild Basin. if you want a quieter hike, this is one to consider. As you get closer to the visitor center, keep an eye out for bighorn sheep. 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. Thanks!! 27. Enjoy hand-curated trail maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you. Web Visit website. This hike starts at the Glacier Gorge Trailhead. View from Deer Mountain | Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. 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. 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. Take a 0.4-mile detour to Lake Haiyaha for an added bonus. Best Rocky Mountain National Park Hikes: Easy Tundra Hikes. Grab your trekking poles and take it slow. It will fit in your pocket or daypack and features color photos and maps throughout. 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. For very little effort, the views you get are unbelievable. In the winter months, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing top the list. 2021Outdoor Project. It doesnt take long until you get see amazing views of Longs Peak and Keyboard of the Winds. This charming island is home. How to Get There:From Estes Park, take Highway 36 to Bear Lake Road until you reach the trailhead and parking lot. Practice your rock bouldering skills at one of the many climbing sites. Happy hiking! back in the day. 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. Like Bear Lake, it is an easy hike to get here. Do a Hike Near Bear Lake. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Starting at the Alpine Visitor Center (the highest visitor center in the United States) you simply hike up a long staircase to a viewpoint. This is your spot to turn around and descend back to Ute Crossing. 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? 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