You spend very little time below the tree line, so the views are incredible for most of the hike. Easy Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park 1. This is a great hike for newbie hikers who want to summit a mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park. Emerald Lake Trail 550 Hiking Trails By pamt464 We also hiked in the Wild Basin area which starts at a lower elevation, but the Emerald Lake hike was our favorite fo. The classic hike for first-timers in Rocky Mountain National Park is a Bear Lake and Emerald Lake combo. What should you not miss in Rocky Mountain National Park? Chasm Lake sits at 11,760 feet and puts you right at the base of Longs Peak, RMNPs tallest mountain. Please advise, You can try to reserve it now. For this one day itinerary, you will need a Park Access + permit (the timed-entry permit that includes Bear Lake Road). Maligne Canyon Ice Walk . It starts on the east side of the park, on Highway 7 south of Estes Park. The vast majority of these people visited the park between Memorial Day and Labor Day. 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. There are hiking trails and the Fiddle Valley Cafe. Required fields are marked *. Republishing this articleand/orany of its contents (text, photography, etc. 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. Watch your step and take it slow. A steep ascent will take you up towards Flattop Mountain Trail (this is one of the most difficult climbs), which has stunning views of Longs Peak, Chiefs Head Peak, and Keyboard of the Winds. 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. The fairly easy trail is beautiful in the summer, fall or winter. On the hike to Mt. The most popular hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. Rocky Mountain National Park spans over 415.25 square miles and has 355 miles of well-maintained hiking trails with different elevations. This is one of the easier lake hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. I have been in RMCP for four days now, and did skypond, emerald lake and Hiayaha, Ute to tombstone, and deer mountain. When is the best time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park? Learn everything you need to know about the John Muir Trail permit process for 2023. If you want to check them out for yourself, youre in luck because they both leave from the Glacier Gorge Trailhead. Make a left turn to follow the road all the way to the trailhead and parking lot. Hi guys I am a big fan and lived by your Sedona hikes. LEARN MORE: How to Hike to Nymph, Dream & Emerald Lakes (+ Add on Bear Lake and Lake Haiyaha). The Inn on Fall River & Fall River Cabins. The craggy Teton peaks reach as high as 13,770 feet, forming a bony ridge through Wyoming along the Continental Divide. Travelers favorites include #1 Trail Ridge Road, #2 Beaver Meadows Visitor Center and more. Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park: On a Map. For much of the hike you are walking along the Continental Divide. For the full list, read our article about the Best Scenic Drives in Colorado. Top 10 Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. We have not been inside of this caf so I do not know what kind of food is served. If this sounds like a hike you would like to do, it will take some planning and patience. Spend several days in the park, hiking the other trails, to acclimate yourself to the higher elevation. On day 2, you will need the Park Access + pass to visit Bear Lake. To get here, you will take Devils Gulch Road to Lumpy Ridge Road. We frequently see them near the Tundra Communities trailhead. Here is the list and our recommendations. 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. You also have the option to add on a fifth lake, Lake Haiyaha, making this hike a total of 6.2 miles. If you have any questions about how to spend one day in Rocky Mountain National Park, let us know in the comment section below. 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. You also have the option to purchase the Rocky Mountain National Park Annual Pass ($70) or the America the Beautiful Pass ($80 and valid for all of the national parks for one year). By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. As you continue on, take a left at the Sky Pond and Andrews Glacier junction which youll hike for a couple more miles until you finally arrive at the Timberline Falls. Hello Matt. Nymph and Dream Lakes are beautiful, so you will have a wonderful hike if you choose to turn around at Dream Lake. 2. There are three ways to hike to Fern Lake. There are three ways to hike to Fern Lake. This part of the hike is tough as you are hiking over very rugged terrain. Yes, the views from the summit are beautiful, but this hike is a bit boring at times since it is a constant uphill climb through a forest. The official website for RMNP has up-to-date news on trail conditions, so take a look before you head out. We appreciate it and made that update so its more clear. Views of Peacock Pond with the massive, rocky mountains that form the backdrop, waterfalls, and the chance to see wildlife, almost gave us a sense of dj vu, like we were back in Glacier National Park again. 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. Backpacking in Rocky Mountain National Park offers the visitor a tremendously unique perspective and experience because a majority of the park's visitors only have time for single-day outings. This has been implemented to limit crowds at the busiest sections of the park during the peak visitation season (the summer months). This hike is much different than many other hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. If you're after something moderate but rewarding a visit to The Loch, an iconic subalpine lake framed epicly by the Sharktooth (12,530') and Mt. If you love mountains, this is the place for you. This takes you directly up a short scramble for about 100 feet. 2. On the way down, you can hand your backpack to a friend and then scoot your way down on your butt. But this trail gets much less foot traffic than Emerald and Dream Lakes so if you want a quieter hike, this is one to consider. Download or read book Best Hikes Rocky Mountain National Park written by Kent Dannen and published by Rowman & Littlefield. Explore one of 39 easy hiking trails in Estes Park or discover kid-friendly routes for your next family trip. Very nice list, Sky Pond is my favorite, as well as Black Lake. Grab your trekking poles and take it slow. Motorcycle - $30.00 Valid for seven consecutive days (including date of purchase). Click the star next to the title of the map to add this map to your Google Maps account. 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. If you do not have a reservation, you will not be allowed to enter the park. Along the way, youll pass through the Chasm Junction with 2,130 feet of elevation behind you, and as the Rockies unfold in front of you, one of the most scenic privies to take a break and relieve yourself. Granite spires, a clear blue basin, and a hard-earned break makes this scenic vista well worth the effort. 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. This is our favorite short, easy hike in RMNP. Over the next half of a mile, snow and ice can remain on the trail well into June. Finally, always wear sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses, as ultraviolet light is very strong in the mountains. 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. When we did this, we saw lots of elk, some of them males with enormous antlers. However, if the exposure really bothers you, then the waterfall might be the point where you turn around. LEARN MORE: How to Hike the Twin Sister Peak Trail. Cheers, Julie. There will be people. 700 feet (213 m) elevation gain. You can arrive mid-morning, hike one of the trails that start at Bear Lake, and then spend the afternoon and evening at Estes Park. 1. Cheers, Julie. The ever changing views and trail conditions really keep this hike interesting. It doesnt take long until you get see amazing views of Longs Peak and Keyboard of the Winds. There are three routes: the Bear Lake route, Hiker Express Route, and Moraine Park route. This is the hotel that inspired Stephen King to write The Shining. Stick to the maintained trail, and whenever possible, step on rocks instead of vegetation. Sky Pond is one of the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park for good reason. See the top Minnesota road trip stops for outdoor adventure including State Parks, scenic drives, waterfalls, and day trips from Minneapolis. Distance: 15 miles Difficulty: Extremely difficult Length of Time: 10 to 15 hours Location: Longs Peak Trailhead is located at the end of Longs Peak Road. if you want a quieter hike, this is one to consider. Trailhead: Wild Basin Winter Trailhead. To visit Rocky Mountain National Park from May 26 to October 22, 2023, you will need to reserve a permit in advance. To help you plan your trip, we also have articles about the best things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park, the best hikes in the park, and how to plan the perfect itinerary. Distance: 10 miles Difficulty: Moderate Length of Time: 5 to 7 hours Location: Glacier Gorge Trailhead on Bear Lake Road, Mills Lake | Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Wildlife, waterfalls, lakes, big peaks, and more. Before we dive in to all 25+ of the best hikes in Rocky Mountain NP, we've compiled the top 10! 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. Leave from Bear Lake. 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. Ultimate Sky Pond & Lake Haiyaha Loop. Finally, Trail Ridge Road, the main road the cuts across the park, is open from Memorial Day to mid-October. You can add on Lake Haiyaha for a total distance of 6.2 miles. Well have to put it on our to do list when we are back in the area. The air is crisp, wildflowers are starting to . Let us know in the comment section below. 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. Ranking of the top 16 things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. You can drive Trail Ridge Road, visit the Alpine Visitor Center, hike to Longs Peak and to Chasm Lake, and hike Gem Lake. Dont worry, its just a couple of moves and there are good handholds. If you have any questions about the permit, let us know in the comment section below. This charming island is home. The hike up Deer Mountain is one of the easier hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park that offers high mountain views. After youve layered up, keep hiking to mile three, where there is a perfect place to rest and catch your breath at the Emerald Lake Overlook, 1,200 up. In fact, hikers will enjoy outstanding panoramic views along much of the route. Thanks for that feedback, Emily! The elevation of the lowest sections of the park range from 5,600 to 9,500 feet. Distance: 9.5 miles Difficulty: Strenuous Length of Time: 4 to 6 hours Location: Glacier Gorge Trailhead on Bear Lake Road. If you have been hiking in Glacier National Park, this hike looks very similar to the Grinnell Glacier hike. Between the end of May through early October, you must reserve a permit to visit the park. 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. Its a very short hike (just over a half-mile round trip), but it will literally take your breath away. This is the shortest, most popular hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. Its best to hike in the morning and to be below the tree line by 1 pm. Although the terrain becomes fairly rugged on the final leg to the summit, you'll have very little exposure to steep drop-offs. How to get there:Some of the Rocky Mountain National Parks best hikes are easily accessible by the parks shuttle system. You will also pass the trailhead for the Ute Trail to Tombstone Ridge. Have saved for later when we can go again. best things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. in advance if you plan to do this itinerary between May 27 and October 10, 2022. . 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. 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. The permit is in effect from 9 am to 2 pm. Since the trail isnt as well maintained here, allow yourself some extra time to get through this section. Features a wide variety of hikes, from family-and wheelchair-friendly to challenging and strenuous options for hardier trekkers. As such, it's a favorite spot of outdoorsmen, basically turning it into their home away from home or an office. 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