Learn more on the national park service website. Park Details. You can learn more about all of these hikes on our post 15 Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Earth Trekkers is my starting point for every hiking vacation. Mills and Black Lake. In the southeast corner of the park there is an entrance to the Wild Basin area. Snow on the trail in July (hiking to Fern and Odessa Lakes from Bear Lake). On the west side of the park is the Kawuneeche entrance, located just north of the town of Grand Lake. $70. If you are not acclimated to the higher elevation, it is normal to get out of breath easily. You are now standing at 12,718 feet, with 360 views, which makes this one of the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. The Alberta Falls Trail, like many other hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, follows a creek (in this case, Glacier Creek). Afternoon/Evening free to do whatever 5) Sat Morning: Prepare to drive back to the airport for afternoons flight. If you are planning your Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary, this is a great place to start. If you think you can go farther, and if skies are clear, consider going all of the way to Sky Pond. In this post, get all of the information you need to plan your Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary. 6. Nymph, Dream, Emerald, Haiyaha and Bear Lake: 6.2 miles, moderate, 4 to 5 hours. Hike one of the trails that I mentioned earlier in this itinerary, or click here to see our list of 15 great hikes to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. How likely is someone to get altitude sickness at RMNP? Thats a great question! If you love lakes you'll like this hike. Summer (generally Memorial Day to Labor Day) is peak visitor season for good reason trails are snow-free, the park's wildlife is active, and the wildflowers are in full bloom. Hopefully in your case they will be quick! great service , clean and location is in the center of town. If the weather was clear yesterday, and you drove Trail Ridge Road, I recommend doing another hike this morning. Just be aware that this is also the busiest time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park. best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Start your trip off right, with a hike from the Bear Lake trailhead at the end of Bear Lake Road. A Quick Geography Lesson. Longs Peak is the highest mountain in the park, and the only fourteener in Rocky Mountain National Park. It is located just outside of Estes Park, on the south side, an excellent location for driving into the park. There will be people. Longs Peak, at 14,259 feet, is the only fourteener in the park. How Many Days Do You Need in Rocky Mountain National Park? If driving Trail Ridge Road or Old Fall River Road is on the top of your list and you have limited time, you may want to enter the park via the Fall River Entrance on the parks east side. You will have to find your own way to the park from Estes Park because the shuttle only runs to the town. Simply follow highway 36 through downtown Estes Park. Bodies of Water. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Earth Trekkers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by advertising & linking to Amazon.com. Download the official NPS app before your next visit. On the way, you'll pass the park entry sign on your right, which is a great place to take family photos, and then the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center on your left. Which entrance would be better. The Kawuneeche entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park is located 2 miles north of Grand Lake on highway 34. From here, you can park at the trailheads and hike some of the best trails in RMNP, like Emerald and Dream Lakes, Alberta Falls, Sky Pond, Mills Lake, and Hallett Peak. Looking at the trail signs on our Sky Pond guide, it looks like hiking the spur only to Loch Vale adds 1.6 miles total. Since you will know your exact dates, I recommend making your reservations on July 1 so you get the permits for each day you will be in RMNP. For reference, I was able to do Highline trail from the loop all the way to Grinnell viewpoint, Ptarmigan tunnel and Grinnell Glacier including Grinnell lake, hidden lake overlook, virginia waterfalls over 3 full days at my recently concluded Glacier NP trip. Each residence is individually managed, so some are better than others. At the entry station you will be greeted by a ranger. Hi Julie! See five lakes in one hike. BTW I reach Denver around 12.30pm on a Tuesday in mid August, that puts me in Estes Park area at about 3:30pm (waiting for rental/lunch/traffic). Rocky Mountain Nat'l Park; Flat Tops Wilderness; Maine. The Inn on Fall River & Fall River Cabins. While here you can enjoy quiet walks, exhilarating hikes, gorgeous sunrises and . Plus, this is a lesser known hike, so the trail gets a lower number of hikers than other hikes on this list. Sky Pond. Address. This tough hike follows along the Continental Divide, starting at 10,800 feet and tops out at 12,899 feet on Mount Ida. But it is a great entrance for those traveling the Peak-to-Peak from Nederland who dont want to join the crowds entering in Estes Park. However, both routes cross high over the mountains and close down once winter weather arrives. Dream Lake | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. 3.4 miles, moderate, 2 to 3 hours. Pssst. Longs Peak and Timber Creek Campgrounds are easier to get reservations. Reservations are made online on the recreation.gov website. Al, Thats a tricky question to answer. ), you can spend the mornings hiking and the afternoons relaxing in Estes Park or wherever you might be staying. Go back to the fork and then take the trail to Loch Vale. This year's system has loosened to 75% to 85% of parking capacity. Rocky Mountain National Park began addressing crowding . But its only worth it if skies are clear. If you hike to Sky Pond, you will hike through the Loch to get there. Hiking poles can help you keep your balance in the snow. USA TRAVEL INSPIRATION:For more great ideas on where to go in the United States, check out our article Best USA Road Trips, which has 18 sample itineraries for your next big adventure. Republishing this articleand/orany of its contents (text, photography, etc. This station is .25 miles north of the Kawuneeche Visitor Center near the beautiful Kawuneeche Valley. Longs Peak is the biggest at 14,259 ft and can be seen from nearly anywhere. View from the Alpine Ridge Trail | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. During the winter months, cross-country skiing is also a popular activity. Get a free Colorado national park trip planner for inspiring itineraries and essential information. Rocky Mountain National Park operates on a timed permit entry system during the summer (May to October), and entry to the park during every season requires a $30 vehicle entrance pass. Length: 5.2 miles round-trip. [The vibe of Estes Park is very wild west mountain-like] [We passed at least 4 Saltwater Taffy shops on our way up the main street] [The Historic Park Theater] Estes Park is definitely worth checking out if you go through the Beaver Meadows entrance like we did. Those are the 3 that were recommended to me. Odessa and Fern Lakes, Mills and Black Lake, Sky Pond, and Hallett Peak can all be hiked from this trailhead. Gorgeous alpine views can certainly be seen from this center located at 11,796' elevation! You can visit Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) all year, but sections of the park close once the snow begins to fall. This very highly rated property offers two-bedroom apartments that can accommodate up to six people. But more often than not, in the summer, afternoon storms will occur. In July, we hiked through a snowstorm on the way back from Sky Pond. The various view points along trail ridge road were worth the stop overs as well (especially Forest canyon overlook and the small hike behind Alpine visitor center) Thanks again !! If you are coming from Estes Park, this drive takes 30 minutes. 2) Wed morning: Sky pond. Autumn ushers in cooler days, smaller crowds, golden aspen and elk bugling. You can also see more travel itineraries on our Travel Itineraries page and our National Park Itineraries. Timed Entry Ticket: You will need a Bear Lake Road Corridor + Full Park Access permit (Park Access +) if you plan to hike Sky Pond, Hallett Peak, or Mills and Black Lake. Stay on US 34 as it becomes Trail Ridge Road to enjoy a spectacular tour of the parks incredible landscapes. 2. There is no lodging inside Rocky Mountain National Park. Loveland and Boulder are two Colorado cities that are located much further away than the other options for where to stay when visiting Rocky Mountain National Park. For reference, we live in Maryland, visited RMNP as our first Colorado park last summer, hiked to Emerald Lake and Fern Lake on our first day here, and had no issues whatsoever. In fact, it is such a popular place to visit that you now need a timed entry permit to enter. And you must have really been moving to catch sunrise at Chasm Lake. And if you hike fast, you should have no problem getting to all 3 lakes on Tuesday afternoon. The Beaver Meadows Entrance was remodeled . Cheers, Julie, Thanks Julie, Also seems like the bear lake corridor timed entry begins at 5a. The Finch Lake trail is a great choice for those who prefer solitude as it's one of the lesser traveled trails in the Wild Basin region of RMNP. Morning: Hike Nymph, Dream, Emerald, and Bear Lakes from the Bear Lake Trailhead Afternoon: Trail Ridge Road (if the weather is clear), Timed Entry Ticket: Bear Lake Road Corridor + Full Park Access. Are current Colorado fires affecting or near RMNP? Would that help mitigate some of the altitude sickness? Best Hikes Rocky Mountain National Park. Tahosa Valley Cabin is situated near the entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park, easily sleeping up to four guests. 6.2 miles, moderate, 3 to 4 hours. However, the road is open to Many Parks Curve, approximately 7 miles from the start of Trail Ridge Road from the east. If you had afternoon thunderstorms on Day One, drive Trail Ridge Road in the morning. One week was perfect for us. To stay safe, start your hike early in the day so that you are finished, or at least below the tree line, by 1 pm. That is correct. Longs Peak Campground on the East Side. Colorado Springs is a great weekend trip from Denver if you are looking to explore a smaller city within an hour or two of Denver. It is equipped with a sofa bed and a double bed, and there is a fireplace in both the bedroom and the warm living room. This is another one of our favorite hikes. Do a Hike Near Bear Lake. The Information Office is open year-round: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. daily in summer; 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Mondays - Fridays and 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Saturdays - Sundays in winter. Many hikes top out over 9,000 feet, with some reaching up to 13,000 and 14,000 feet. After one final short and strenuous climb you arrive at Chasm Lake. Best beginner hike in Rocky Mountain National Park: Emerald Lake. All offer bookstores and much printed information to supplement the knowledgeable staff. Located just a couple minutes from Grand Lake, the Grand Lake Entrance is arguably the parks best-kept secret. Chasm Lake | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. The park is reducing the time period and number of hours daily that reservations are in effect for most areas of RMNP. Drive one of the highest roads in the USA, spot wildlife, walk the easier trails around scenic lakes and waterfalls, and be amazed at the beauty here. Trailhead Location. If the skies are clear, the weather forecast is favorable, and Longs Peak is on your bucket list, go for it today. Spend the afternoon and evening exploring Estes Park. this is a great place to stay when you visit Rocky Mountain National Park. Some visitors complain of noise and hot temperatures in the summer (there is no air conditioning). You need to make it through the Beaver Meadows entrance and where they check permits for the Bear Lake Corridor (I think that is the junction of Bear Lake Road and US-36 but I am not 100% about this) before 5 am. 9. Evening at the hotel 3) Thur Morning: Mt Ida. If you plan to go hiking during July and August, you will have to assume that there will be a 2 pm thunderstorm. If you do not have a reservation, you will not be allowed to enter the park. Lake of Glass, seen on the hike to Sky Pond. Cheers, Julie. If you are an avid hiker, plan on spending at least three to five days in Rocky Mountain National Park. From Bear Lake Road, turn left onto Highway 36 and continue on Trail Ridge Road. This road is gravel and is quite narrow. In this Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary, many of days end by the early afternoon, because of these storms. Drive Trail Ridge Road. We spent one wonderful week in Rocky Mountain National Park in July. Park Access: This permit gives you access to everything in Rocky Mountain National Park except for Bear Lake Road. Rocky Mountain National Park Travel Guide. If you are an avid hiker, I recommend spending five or more days in Rocky Mountain National Park. If you did not do it yet, you have the option to hike the short but sweet Ute Trail to Tombstone Ridge. The larger portion of the park sits to the south of Trail Ridge Road. Never been to park at all. Lake Haiyaha | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. Trail Ridge Road is the highest paved through road, not only in Colorado, but also in the entire US national park system. The permit is in effect from 9 am to 2 pm. Old Fall River Road | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. Alpine Ridge Road reaches its highest point at 12,183 feet. Fern Lake | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. This has been implemented to limit crowds at the busiest sections of the park during the peak visitation season (the summer months). The Loch. If you want low crowds and dont mind cold temperatures and snow, plan your visit from November through May. Note: Its a slightly shorter hike (1.7 miles) if you park at the Glacier Gorge Trailhead. Arrived at the park entrance before 5am which allowed us access to Bear Lake Road before the timed entry kicked in. I am there all day Wed,Thur and Fri (in mid August), On that Tuesday afternoon, you might be able to go hiking, depending on the thunderstorm situation. If you end at RMNP, you should not have any issues with altitude sickness, unless you hike Longs Peak on your first day here (but even that would be highly unlikely). This hike adds on Lake Haiyaha, another very pretty alpine lake. Lily Lake offers an easy and flat 0.8-mile loop trail around the lake, making it one of the top things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park with kids. This is a gorgeous drive. This station, which is one mile west of the park's headquarters and Beaver Meadows Visitor Center, usually receives the highest volume of visitors. In 2021, Rocky Mountain National Park was the 5th most visited national park in the United States, with 4.4 million visitors. We have visited Rocky Mountain National Park several times in the past. Length: 5.5 miles. Timed Entry Permit: If you have plans to visit the park in the summer months, dont forget to reserve your permit in advance. Map courtesy of the National Park Service. Loch Lake. In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. We spent seven days in RMNP and every day we did at least one hike. Rocky Mountain National Park was established on January 26, 1915, and has a total area of 265,795 acres (415 square miles, or 1,076 square kilometers). . If you wish detailed information to help enjoy your time in the park, stop by one of the park's visitor centers. Nymph, Dream, Emerald & Bear Lakes: 4.2 miles, easy to moderate, 3 hours. This is the hike that I recommend for today. Plan on being at the trailhead by 7am (or earlier) if you want to park at the trailhead itself. The vast majority of these people visited the park between Memorial Day and Labor Day. If you get to Allenspark, you have gone too far. Here are you options: The private vehicle entrance fee, good for 1 day, is $25. Nymph, Dream & Emerald Lakes: 3.6 miles, easy to moderate, 2 to 3 hours. We just walked up and down the main road, and glanced at all the salt water taffy . At this time, cross country skiing and snowshoeing are the main things to do in the park. You can stay in a cozy cabin with a river view or a well-decorated suite. 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. The Continental Divide Trail to Mount Ida. The scenery is beautiful, as you gradually twist and turn through the mountains to get to the Alpine Visitor Center. There are two options and option #1 (Bear Lake Road and the rest the park) is the best option since it gives you access to the entire park. Most recently, in 2020, we spent one very busy week here, and learned a lot about this park. For now, the forecast does call for afternoon thunderstorms from what i can see on weather.com, It depends. 3.1 miles (5 km). Learn more here. Unlike other RV parks in the area, Elk Meadow has spaces for tent camping so it is more accommodating to a wider variety of camping styles. This property is located west of Estes Park on Fall River Road, so you will have a longer drive to get into the heart of the park. Take your pick from one, two, three, and four bedroom houses that come equipped with a full kitchen. Good to know: Emerald Lake, Lake Haiyaha, Black Lake, Sky Pond, Flattop Mountain, and Fern Lake are some of the trails that start at or near Bear Lake. ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK: For a full list of our Rocky Mountain National Park articles, plus important planning tips, check out our Rocky Mountain National Park Travel Guide. On the return drive, hike the Ute Trail to Tombstone Ridge. This hike starts at Bear Lake and summits Flattop Mountain before arriving at Hallett Peak. Alberta Falls Trail. The Wild Basin entrance is located 13.5 miles south of Estes Park just off of scenic highway 7. Rocky Mountain National Park is home to 2 fantastic scenic drive opportunities. We spent a week there in July and had a thunderstorm in the afternoon about 50% of the time, starting between 1 and 4 pm. It includes Bear Lake Road and the hikes that start here (Bear Lake, Emerald and Dream Lakes, Alberta Falls, Sky Pond, Hallett Peak, and Sprague Lake). Learn more about the national parks in our Guide to the US National Parks. Its a short, easy hike in the subalpine tundra so you have 360 degree views on the entire hike. With one day, I recommend going on a hike, starting at Bear Lake, and driving Trail Ridge Road (its awesome!). Trail Ridge Road, the highest paved continuous road in the United States, cuts through the park from the east to the west. It also is just a few minutes from Estes Parks downtown. You can also hike to Fern Lake out-and-back from either Bear Lake or Moraine Park. Driving distance from Denver: 1-2 hours. Just wrapped up my RMNP trip, ty so much for your help with the itinerary. The main entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park is located on highway 36 just four miles west of downtown Estes Park. The last stretch to Wild Basin is a narrow, gravel road that becomes one lane in places, so it is not appropriate to bring your RV. As part of the National Park system, Zion operates under the same rules as other parks. Answer (1 of 2): All of them them! Black Lake looks similar to Chasm Lake, as both of these alpine lakes are surrounded by jagged mountain peaks. In June, there still could be snow at the higher elevations, and it really depends on how much snow the area gets this spring. With towering mountain peaks, alpine lakes and waterfalls, and the opportunity to hike along the Continental Divide, this park offers world-class hiking experiences.
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