To continue to Hallett Peak, follow the rocky, somewhat faint trail. Flattop Mountain Trail 4. But the whole reason to do this hike is for the view of Sky Pond, one of the most spectacular lakes in the park. This is a great hike to do with kids. heads up a gully that leads to the summit. For an easy stroll with Enjoy! Once you reach Fern Lake Trailhead, you can turn around to double your mileage or hop on the shuttle to get back to your car at Bear Lake. This infamous hotel is said to have inspired Stephen Kings The Shining, and is one of the top places to visit during your stay in Estes Park. Look for the faint trail on the left side of the creek which will take you either to the base of the falls or above them for amazing views! By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Above the treeline, weather can get windy, cold and stormy very quickly. This easy Rocky Mountain National Park hike provides alpine tundra views without all the climbing required on other trails. Bring plenty of water, even if you think you're used to the altitude. Try some of the favored ventures below to roam the Estes Valley without strenuous effort, but with great reward. Note: Many hikes start at or near Bear Lake: Emerald Lake, Lake Haiyaha, Sky Pond, Black Lake, Fern Lake, Flattop Mountain, and Hallett Peak. The trailhead is located south of Estes Park, off of Highway 7. The summit of Mt. Dont let the short The 7 Best Hikes in Estes Park, Colorado - Territory Supply If you are looking for a short, easy hike with spectacular views of Rocky Mountain National Park, put this hike at the top of your list. Well have to put it on our to do list when we are back in the area. This is one of our favorite hikes in RMNP and we highly recommend it if you want unforgettable high alpine views. So, if not Estes Park and hike RMNP, where else? The one exception is the Brainard Lake area Keith mentioned, which is very beautiful. Along the way, keep an eye out for wildflowers, elk, pikas and other animals that can live above 11,000 feet. WebRocky Mountain National Park's 415 square miles encompass and protect spectacular mountain environments. You are now standing at 12,718 feet, with 360 views, which makes this one of the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Rocky Mountain National Park Trails A map and compass is highly recommended on this trail. This is exactly the information I needed about each hike! Julian, Cracktop Mountain, Longs Peak, Julian Lake, Shadow Mountain Lake, Azure Lake, and Inkwell Lake and thats just the short list! 500 Big Thompson Ave, Estes Park, CO 80517 | 970-577-9900, Colorado State Special District Records Management, official Rocky Mountain National Park website. Your email address will not be published. A trail favorite is the Pole Hill area located in the national forest. Distance: 1.7 miles Difficulty: Easy Length of Time: 1 to 1.5 hours Location: Glacier Gorge parking lot on Bear Lake Road. loop is just under one mile and is relatively flat, making it an easy addition LEARN MORE: How to Hike the Twin Sister Peak Trail. LEARN MORE: How to Hike the Ute Trail to Tombstone Ridge. Hikes Olympus is challenging, but Chasm Lake is one of the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Major construction has begun at the Fall River Entrance with only one lane available to enter. It is also recommended to bring a map and compass on this trail as backup. As one of the most difficult and also most rewarding hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, this trail is more suitable for experienced hikers. Not only is this a scenic walk around a lake, but this also can be a learning experience. TRAILS 970 586-1206 The most popular trail there is Lake Isabelle. Once at the waterfall, you can explore the short trails along Glacier Creek to find your favorite view of the waterfall. before reaching the top, hikers will climb 1,000 feet in elevation, making this We suggest trying these trails out: Looking to challenge yourself a bit more and spend a good part of the day hiking along beautiful trails? Our favorite hikes are Sky Pond (super fun hike to a beautiful alpine lake), Mt. WebTimber Creek Chalets With Hot Tubs by Rocky Mountain Resorts puts you just a 5-minute drive from Rocky Mountain National Park. terrain ending with spectacular views of Notchtop and Little Matterhorn. There is a trailhead named Miller Creek/Fork Trailhead that is where this trail begins; but currently, you cant park at this trailhead unless you have a resident pass. Moderate (3-6 miles roundtrip) Nymph, Dream & Emerald Lake (roundtrip 3.2 miles) One of the most popular hikes in all of Rocky Mountain National Park, it starts This is a wonderful hike to add onto your drive along Trail Ridge Road, and from the trailhead, it is just a 15-minute drive to the Alpine Visitor Center. Wildlife is abundant on this trail, especially the unique birds and raptors that call this section of the Rocky Mountains home. Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com. Scenic drives for leaf-peeping, fall colors in Colorado Depending on conditions, technical equipment is typically recommended for safe climbing. What better way to take in all the spirit of Estes Park than to stroll through the enchanted village, taking in the high-peak views and deep breaths of pine-infused air? WebEasy Rocky Mountain National Park Hikes: Rocky Mountain National Park Hikes with Kids Bear Lake Nature Trail Emerald Lake Trail Coyote Valley Nature Trail Alpine Ridge Trail Alberta Falls Trail Adams Falls Trail Other Easy RMNP Hiking Trails Hiking in RMNP with Older Kids Best Rocky Mountain National Park Viewpoints Trail Ridge Road is also still closed for the season. At the top, youll get to enjoy panoramic views of the park, including Mount Meeker, Longs Peak, the mountains along the Continental Divide, Estes Cone, and Twin Sisters Peak but not before a steep climb and rock scramble. A short and challenging The Brainerd Lake recreation area is great. 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. Hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park & Estes Park, https://trails.colorado.gov/, The Indian Peaks Wilderness is huge and the hikes are spectacular. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. Along the trail, there are viewpoints over Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. Originally, planned to return to Estes Park and hike RMNP after a 5 year hiatus but am now exploring any and all other options. Book a weekend stay in one of these unique vacation rentals, and you'll quickly see how Montana earned its nickname of the Big Sky State. Constructed in the years following the Lawn Lake Flood, the Estes Park Riverwalk spans the downtown area from theEstes Park Visitor CentertoPerformance Parkon the west end of Elkhorn Avenue, and beyond. 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. To start out, youll climb portions of Lumpy Ridge, a massive granite rock outcropping that has been sculpted by wind and erosion over nearly two billion years. If you are staying in Estes Park, it is a 20-minute drive to get here. section the most challenging part of the hike. Check out the Stanley Hotel. Happy hiking! For very little effort, the views you get are unbelievable. distance fool you, the climb to the top of Mt. In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. 15 Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park Earth From the Glacier Gorge parking lot, is a mostly uphill walk to get to Alberta Falls, but it is not too strenuous. Along the way, guests can stop at various businesses toshop,grab a bitein an open-air caf and even sample somelocal wine. Here is a list of a few trails outside the park. If you are new to the park consult with rangers at the visitor centers and backcountry office. Early May best route to Estes Park 4:14 pm. Have you hiked this?. Starting out, the trail could be busy because many families will be making the short trip to Copeland Falls. Option:For a bit more of a challenge take the Lily Ridge Loop that splits off the Lily Lake trail on the north edge, offering the same 0.8-mile distance, but with a 180-foot rise. Atkins, often with his father and son, usually spends a few weeks each summer at the park, which has been a family tradition for decades. Experienced hikers can continue up to Sky Pond! New Google Maps features aim to make navigating National Park trails a bit easier, Spinney Mountain Reservoir announces opening, boating will not be allowed, National Park Week: What you need to know, May 26 through Oct. 22, 2023, visitors will be required to obtain a. Couple that with the 5,000+ feet of elevation change, and its a doozy. The trail ends at the summit of Hallett Peak. You can enjoy this venture on foot by parking at theEstes Park Visitor Center, or rent a bike at the Estes Park Marina to bike the route. Since this trail does take you into Rocky Mountain National Park, you will have to follow Park rules. Reply Report inappropriate content 3 replies to this topic 1-3 of 3 Although not in the park, Lily Mountain appears in the official park map. not Estes Park While there is a slight incline of 968 feet, there are some rather steep spots. Finch Lake:One of the less traveled trails, the Finch Lake Trail is an excellent journey for birders and naturalists. Reach the top of the Cathedral Rock Trail and you'll be surrounded by massive rock walls, spy expansive views of Courthouse Butte and Mingus Mountain and walk along the edge of a cliff if you are feeling adventurous. Distance: 10.4 miles Difficulty: Strenuous Length of Time: 6 to 8 hours Location: Bear Lake Trailhead. There is a small entrance fee you will have to pay, and dogs are allowed in the park on leash. On this hike, you get to see four very pretty alpine lakes (Bear Lake, Nymph Lake, Dream Lake, and Emerald Lake), over a relatively short distance. Also check out our guide to 10 epic things to do in RMNP as well! Run along river paths or head towards mountain summits. Continue west along the Fall River to reach manylodging propertiesor simply to enjoy a longer stroll.To the east the Riverwalk trail meets up with the Lake Estes Loop. Its nearby neighbors of Bear Lake, Emerald Lake, and Dream Lake get a lot more visitors, so if you are looking for a relatively uncrowded trail with the chance to visit multiple alpine lakes, this is a nice hike to consider. Located in Roosevelt National Forest, this is a popular and relatively short trail used for backpacking. Rocky Mountain National Park is best seen from a hiking trail. 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. Distance: 0.6 miles Difficulty: Easy Length of Time: 30 minutes Location: Alpine Visitor Center on Trail Ridge Road. Bus to Nederland from Boulder, then take the Hessie Trailhead Shuttle. Today A 20 percent chance of showers mostly sunny, 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. 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 hike up Deer Mountain is one of the easier hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park that offers high mountain views. The outdoor pool is a great spot for a You spend very little time below the tree line, so the views are incredible for most of the hike. Trails at higher elevations might still have ice or snow due to how early in the season it is. Best of all, it's practically in our backyard. 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. If you are looking for a short, easy hike, How to Hike the Ute Trail to Tombstone Ridge, How to Hike to Nymph, Dream & Emerald Lakes (+ Add on Bear Lake and Lake Haiyaha), panoramic views of Longs Peak and Estes Park, How to Hike the Continental Divide Trail to Mt Ida. The Emerald Lake hike is a family friendly hike and it also makes a great intro to hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park. I have done several of them, and agree with everything you have written about them. 1000 US Hwy 36 Are there any scenic hikes around Estes that do not require entry into the park? As in a hiking guide, not therapy. West northwest wind 6 to 8 mph becoming east southeast in the afternoon. Tyler starts college later this year and UC at Boulder is #1 on his list. perfect view of Estes Park and the high peaks that surround the area, from Glass Lake | Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, Sky Pond | Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. The This is the shortest, most popular hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. And as always, please practice Leave No Trace Principles while on the trails of this beautiful Colorado mountain town! This trail was destroyed during the 2013 flood and was rebuilt in 2020. Distance: 9.8 miles Difficulty: Strenuous Length of Time: 4.5 to 6.5 hours Location: Poudre Lake/Milner Pass on Trail Ridge Road, 4.5 miles south of the Alpine Visitor Center, Continental Divide Trail | Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Due to elevation changes, stretches of steep climbing and a rock scramble before reaching the lake, this hike is usually rated between moderate and strenuous. We even included two that are outside of the park so your dog can come along as well. The Twin Owls Loop gives you ad complete tour of this Northeast corner of Rocky Mountain National Park. Olympus gives hikers a The entire hike is less than a mile in length, making it great for all ages and ability levels. To avoid getting caught in a thunderstorm, the easiest solution is to begin your hike in the early morning, so you are hiking out by the time these storms have a chance to show up. Bear Lake | Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Required fields are marked *.