Past the waterfall, follow the signs to Mills Lake. At roughly three miles into the hike, you will reach Mills Lake. Hike Further: Be sure to hike and additional approx 1.25 mile (one-way) to Timberline Falls to see one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Rocky Mountain National Park. It is 4 miles round-trip and great for kids. This loop trail is 0.7 miles in length and can be busy at times. You'll pass Nymph and Dream lakes on the way to your final destination, Emerald Lake with the surrounding peaks reflected on its surface. Ranking of the top 16 things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. Several great hikes start at the Bear Lake Trailhead. Rocky Mountain National Park is home to some of the most epic and amazing hiking vacations in the world. Snow can linger on the trails as late as July, especially for the trails at higher elevations. Let us know in the comment section below. The views from the summit are simply epic. This is our favorite hike in RMNP, but due to its long distance and high elevation, it might not be a good idea if you are coming directly from a lower elevation. This is a great hike for newbie hikers who want to summit a mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park. Along the way, there is a good chance that you will spot bighorn sheep and elk. 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. Heres the thing: this hike starts just under 12,000 feet of elevation. It starts on the east side of the park, on Highway 7 south of Estes Park. Each guidebook provides twenty of the best hikes in the area they represent . Youll get to pass by Alberta Falls (one of the most popular and beautiful waterfalls) or stop for a quick break and take in the views. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Its indeed the rocky mountain, I never been to hiking over mountains, usually in a forest but definitely it worth trying the experience, what would be your suggestion? This trailhead is located just north of Estes Park. Spectacular views of the Never Summer Mountains are only some of the peaks to be seen on this trail. The hike offers outstanding views of Lily Mountain, Estes Cone, as well as Mt. Each of these hikes is a day hike, so they can all be completed in one day. Covers one motorcycle. Rocky Mountain National Park spans over 415.25 square miles and has 355 miles of well-maintained hiking trails with different elevations. Youll be glad you did. Happy hiking! Thanks for that feedback, Emily! I hear you thats a pretty common experience for people to feel like they dont have the friends that want to go hike. The views across the park are incredible. The entire hike is less than a mile in length, making it great for all ages and ability levels. Continue on until you reach Chasm Meadows with its flowing streams and beautiful green grass. 2. Its about building relationships with the outdoors and each other. Youre not alone Check out our blog post with tips for taking friends hiking. There are numerous hikes for all fitness levels and ages, and a variety of scenic vistas. Although the terrain becomes fairly rugged on the final leg to the summit, you'll have very little exposure to steep drop-offs. Trail Ridge Road will be closed, limiting your visit to Bear Lake and the eastern side of the park. Emerald Lake Trail The hike to the Emerald Lake is one of the easiest hikes in Rocky Mountains National Park Length: 3.2 miles | Elevation gain: 698 feet | Guide This part of the hike is tough as you are hiking over very rugged terrain. If you plan to visit the park during the summer months, you will also need to reserve your timed permit in advance. And for Rocky Mountain National Park, it is. They are rated easy, moderate or difficult. We wanted to do this, but it was incredibly windy and much colder above the treeline than in the parking lot. We plan to visit for 2 half days this September. How to Get There:From Estes Park, take Highway 36 to Bear Lake Road until you reach the trailhead and parking lot. In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. Distance: 5.5 miles. It is located just outside of Estes Park, on the south side, an excellent location for driving into the park. 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. Lily Lake - The Lily Lake Loop is another easy hike that's suitable for the entire family. if you want a quieter hike, this is one to consider. This is a great hike for almost all ages and ability levels. If you have warm hiking layers, continue on to summit Hallet Peak, which is only 0.7 miles from the summit of Flattop. As you arrive at the end of the lake, take in the views of Chiefs Head Peak over the lake thats just behind you in the distance. Black Lake and Mills Lake are often labeled as two of the prettiest lakes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Thanks Dave! Less than a mile in, youll arrive at Alberta Falls. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you. 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 Aspire rooms are higher-end, modernly decorated rooms but many people state that they are overpriced for what you get. The next morning we plan on taking a hike on Bear Lake and would need the Park Access+. CCY Route (Chapin-Chiqiuta-Ypsilon route) Bluebird Lake. For hikers, I recommend Dream and Emerald Lakes if you are not acclimated to the higher elevation. The biggest feature of this hike is the wildlife, such as elks, marmots, or pikas, and the incredible gardens of the alpine tundra. Backpack the California Hiking and Riding Trail. On day 2, you will need the Park Access + pass to visit Bear Lake. You will pass Nymph Lake and Dream Lake on your way to Emerald. All rights reserved. During the climb up, the trail gets incrementally steeper and youll be taking switchbacks for most of the way. Very nice list, Sky Pond is my favorite, as well as Black Lake. The trailhead serves as a starting point for several different routes, including a short loop around the stunning Bear Lake. If you are coming from sea level, you will feel the effects of the altitude as soon as you do anything strenuous. Bear Lake This is the shortest, most popular hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. For more tips for your first visit to RMNP, check out this blog post. Leave from Bear Lake. With one day in Rocky Mountain National Park during the summer and early fall, you have enough time to hike one of the trails, drive the legendary Trail Ridge Road, and visit the top sights in the park. It's hard to narrow it down, but here are a few ideal day hikes that will give you a great introduction to Rocky Mountain National Park. 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. Its time for the best scenic drive in Rocky Mountain National Park. Get info on JMT starting trailheads, trail quotas, lottery dates & more. You can add on Lake Haiyaha for a total distance of 6.2 miles. If you want to check them out for yourself, youre in luck because they both leave from the Glacier Gorge Trailhead. Begin at the Ute Crossing Trailhead, where the terrain is rocky and the flora and fauna of the tundra ecosystems are fragile. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. For the entire hike, you are walking along the alpine tundra, with unobstructed views of Longs Peak, Forest Canyon, and the Continental Divide. This list starts with the easiest trails and progresses to the longer, more challenging hikes. 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. BEST NATIONAL PARKS IN THE USA:Looking for your next big adventure? A short hike with plenty of scenery, the Emerald Lake trail is one of the most popular hikes in the park for good reason. To see fall colors and the elk mating season, plan your visit from mid-September through mid-October. However, if you want to hike a lower-traffic trail that is just a short drive from Estes Park, this is a nice one to consider. Plus, this is a lesser known hike, so the trail gets a lower number of hikers than other hikes on this list. Its best to hike in the morning and to be below the tree line by 1 pm. The most notable differences was we found Black Lake to be less crowded and slightly easier overall. My team and I are here to show you its never too late to get your start and accomplish your goals in the outdoors. 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. . From Bear Lake Road, turn left onto Highway 36 and continue on to Trail Ridge Road. As you head down into the gorge towards Odessa Lake and Little Matterhorn can be seen directly ahead. Many of the best hiking trails are situated within Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP). 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. If you have any questions about the permit, let us know in the comment section below. The hiking trails will still be open, but you will need to wear snowshoes or traction devices. See the top Minnesota road trip stops for outdoor adventure including State Parks, scenic drives, waterfalls, and day trips from Minneapolis. You can still get around, but it might be on skis or snowshoes, rather than by vehicle. 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. Gem Lake | Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. 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