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. In the summer months, it is best to hike in the morning, in order to avoid the afternoon thunderstorms. Visit recreation.gov to make your reservation. If you have more than a few days in RMNP and need some warm-up hikes, good options are Emerald Lake, Deer Mountain, and Twin Sisters. So its easy to do set this up on your own, but if you prefer to have a travel agent make arrangements for you, you can share this itinerary with that person. The answer to this question depends on several factorsthe time of year you plan to visit Rocky Mountain National Park, if you are traveling with children, how much you like to hike, and if you are acclimated to the higher elevation. If you are coming from Estes Park, this drive takes 30 minutes. Julie Last updated: February 23, 2023 United States 8 Comments. Sky Pond. If you plan to visit Rocky Mountain National Park in the summer, afternoon thunderstorms occur quite frequently. Distance: 0.6 miles round-trip Length of Time: 30 minutes Difficulty: Easy Location: This hike starts at the Bear Lake Trailhead, located at the very end of Bear Lake Road. Bear Lake | Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. At mile three, theres an unmarked junction that veers off towards Lake Helene, which is worth the extra stop. It might be brief, but this short hike to Emerald Lake brings big rewards. You can hike this as an out and back, and start your return before the trail descends down into the valley. Do we need a AWD car ? It is 4 miles round-trip and great for kids. On day 2, you will need the Park Access + pass to visit Bear Lake. From here, you can walk up the Alpine Ridge Trail. Its a one-way hike that utilizes the Parks free shuttle system to get you back to your car after youre done with the hike. 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. Rocky MountainNational Park Travel Guide. Its an extra 0.8 miles to the shuttle stop on the dirt road. Of course, you dont have to hike all of the way to Emerald Lake. Park Hours: Park entrances are open 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. Day Hikes In Grand Teton National Park includes a thorough selection of 89 day hikes throughout this national park . To get here, take Highway 7 south from Estes Park. Practice your rock bouldering skills at one of the many climbing sites. This is one of our favorite hikes in RMNP and we highly recommend it if you want unforgettable high alpine views. Nymph and Dream Lakes are beautiful, so you will have a wonderful hike if you choose to turn around at Dream Lake. This hike takes about 30 minutes of your time. At 14,433 feet, Mount Elbert is the tallest 14er in Colorado and the highest peak in the entire Rocky Mountain Range. Enjoy hand-curated trail maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you. In fact, hikers will enjoy outstanding panoramic views along much of the route. On the hike to Mt. This is an essential hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. The Stanley Hotel offers a wide range of rooms. Just be aware that this is also the busiest time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park. This is another great spot to take a break and appreciate the views before heading on just remember not to break trail to protect the alpine vegetation. Ultimate Sky Pond & Lake Haiyaha Loop. Between the end of May through early October, you must reserve a permit to visit the park. One Day in Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary - Top Things to Do in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. Many hikes top out over 9,000 feet, with some reaching up to 13,000 and 14,000 feet. Hike up to continue onto the Tombstone Ridge, where there are beautiful views of the Rockies in front of you. It starts on the east side of the park, on Highway 7 south of Estes Park. The Bear Lake trail is handicap accessible and offers something for everyone. The summit at just over 10,000 feet, provides commanding 360-degree views of Estes Park, Moraine Park, the Mummy Range, Longs Peak . In the summertime youll be surrounded by wildflowers. They are rated easy, moderate or difficult. If this is part of a bigger road trip through the USA, visit our United States Travel Guide for more inspiration and travel planning tips. The entire hike is less than a mile in length, making it great for all ages and ability levels. 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. If you are acclimated to the elevation, the hike to Chasm Lake is another one of our favorites in Rocky Mountain National Park. In this post, learn how to spend one day in Rocky Mountain National Park, with several different suggestions based on travel style and the timing of your visit. How to get there:Take Highway 34 into the park and turn right onto Trail Ridge Road to the trailhead parking lot. When we did this, we saw lots of elk, some of them males with enormous antlers. Finally, Trail Ridge Road, the main road the cuts across the park, is open from Memorial Day to mid-October. CALYPSO CASCADES. From Bear Lake Road, turn left onto Highway 36 and continue on to Trail Ridge Road. What a great place to live! What do you think are the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park? Continue on until you reach Chasm Meadows with its flowing streams and beautiful green grass. You can stay in a cozy cabin with a river view or a well-decorated suite. Cheers, Julie, Your email address will not be published. Covers one motorcycle. Your email address will not be published. All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. Book excerpt: Best Hikes Rocky Mountain National Park features the best hiking throughout Rocky Mountain National Park. Trail Type: Loop Difficulty: Moderate Trailhead Location BEST NATIONAL PARKS IN THE USA:Looking for your next big adventure? The Inn on Fall River & Fall River Cabins. How to get there:Some of the Rocky Mountain National Parks best hikes are easily accessible by the parks shuttle system. Begin at the Ute Crossing Trailhead, where the terrain is rocky and the flora and fauna of the tundra ecosystems are fragile. This challenging hike starts at Bear Lake and rapidly gains elevation once you are on the Flattop Mountain Trail. Required fields are marked *. For the ultimate hiking experience in Rocky Mountain National Park, Before you go, get updated trail conditions on the, If this is part of a bigger road trip through the USA, visit our, for more inspiration and travel planning tips. Visiting Rocky Mountain National Park is a much different experience in the winter than the summer months. 11 miles of this road is located in the alpine tundra, which is above the tree line. You'll climb up to the treeline and an alpine lake before dropping back down through fields of scree into a forested valley. Granite spires, a clear blue basin, and a hard-earned break makes this scenic vista well worth the effort. With just a day in the Rocky Mountain National Park, this is one of the best hikes you could do. Alternatively, if you are driving over Trail Ridge Road and want to stretch your legs, this is a fantastic place to do it. Distance: 1.7 miles Difficulty: Easy Length of Time: 1 to 1.5 hours Location: Glacier Gorge parking lot on Bear Lake Road. This hike does not start at Bear 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 weather is warm, the days are long, and this is the best time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park if you plan to go hiking. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. If you are acclimated to the elevation, Sky Pond is an awesome hike. However, snow is possible at both times at higher . The hike offers outstanding views of Lily Mountain, Estes Cone, as well as Mt. Visit our. You spend very little time below the tree line, so the views are incredible for most of the hike. Travelers favorites include #1 Trail Ridge Road, #2 Beaver Meadows Visitor Center and more. Ive always wanted to go hiking , Love the adventure just didnt have the friends or resourcefulness to survive out there. Due to the popularity of the trail, this is a great time to use the shuttle. Chasm Lake sits at 11,760 feet and puts you right at the base of Longs Peak, RMNPs tallest mountain. It starts at 10,800 feet and tops out at 12,899 on Mt. The trail begins at the Longs Peak Ranger Station at 9,405 feet, and the first two miles of the Chasm Lake Trail travels through a forested area. Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. 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, Nymph, Dream & Emerald Lake Hike (+ How to Add on Bear Lake & Lake Haiyaha). Wonderful post highlighting day hikes that are exemplary, and truly offer the opportunity to view nature in its stunning glory. Black Lake Trail and Sky Pond are tied for my second favorite trail, since they both have all the features youd want (waterfall, scenic vistas, and an alpine meadow) from one of Rocky Mountain National Parks best hikes. Trail Ridge Road is the highest paved through road, not only in Colorado, but also in the entire US national park system. This is a gorgeous drive. In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. Applies to walk-ins, bicycles, and non-commercial . If you have warm hiking layers, continue on to summit Hallet Peak, which is only 0.7 miles from the summit of Flattop. For families with older kids or for those who like the idea of hiking to several beautiful, iconic lakes, hike to Emerald and Dream Lakes and either do the easy stroll around Bear Lake or hike to Alberta Falls. I also purchased the National Geographic Rocky Mountain National Park hiking map. Honestly, this is not the most exciting hike on the list. Lake Road, not only in Colorado and the flora and fauna the. To plan a trip around the world but this short hike to Emerald Lake the. Learn how to plan a trip around the world offers outstanding views of Lily Mountain, Estes Cone, well... Highest Peak in the winter than the summer months aware that this is a great to! Of your time once you are on the Flattop Mountain trail hiking.. Between the end of May through early October, you must reserve a permit to Rocky... 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