Follow the Two Day Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary. We have info on this post on how to do this, so make sure you get your permit for each day that you plan to be in the park. But dont bring your RV there. If you plan to go hiking during July and August, you will have to assume that there will be a 2 pm thunderstorm. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. Evening at the hotel 3) Thur Morning: Mt Ida. Few people hike out this far so this is a great place to leave the crowds behind. Even for Old Fall River Road, a 44 or SUV is not necessary, as long as road conditions are good, and you can get updated info on this either on the NPS visitor center or at one of the visitor centers. Pssst. After one final short and strenuous climb you arrive at Chasm Lake. Snow on the trail in July (hiking to Fern and Odessa Lakes from Bear Lake). As one of the most popular hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, the Alberta Falls Trail is a must on any itinerary. 1000 US Hwy 36 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. 80517. Do you think this is doable? This hike has a little bit of everythingwaterfalls, alpine lakes, high mountain views, and fun river and stream crossings. Mills and Black Lake. To see fall colors and the elk mating season, plan your visit from mid-September through mid-October. 1. Afternoon/Evening spending it around the visitor center, or back at Estes Park 4) Fri Morning: Chasm lake. Yes, August is a great month to hike in RMNP. Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuous paved road in the United States. 3.1 miles (5 km). best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Answer (1 of 2): All of them them! Trail Ridge Road is the highest paved through road, not only in Colorado, but also in the entire US national park system. or are there better/rewarding hikes that i can sub in instead of the above listed ones? In July I will be doing Glacier NP so the hikes there should warm me up for RMNP QQ For RMNP, I noticed you mentioned the need for the extra pass (outside of America the beautiful) Are those passes setup in a way that they last 3 straight days (like how Yosemite or Glacier) or just limited to one day? RMNP is quite popular, with about than 3 million visitors a year. or maybe 4? Order our free stunning National Park Trip Planner for Colorado filled with an inspiring itinerary, gorgeous photographs and everything you need to plan your dream vacation. Note: Its a slightly shorter hike (1.7 miles) if you park at the Glacier Gorge Trailhead. If you are looking for a relatively uncrowded trail with the chance to visit multiple alpine lakes, this is a nice hike to consider. If you get to Allenspark, you have gone too far. Otherwise you'll need to login the day before and try to obtain one of the limited entry passes with . Flattop Mountain to Hallett Peak. Chasm Lake | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. Snow can start to fall in September. More about Trail Ridge Road's Season. A 2 hour trip from either Steamboat Springs or Breckenridge will only get you to the west side entrance to RMNP. It also is just a few minutes from Estes Parks downtown. However, if you are traveling in a car, Wild Basin is a wonderful area to explore with trails that reach eight lakes and three waterfalls. This station, which is one mile west of the park's headquarters and Beaver Meadows Visitor Center, usually receives the highest volume of visitors. 6. Deer mountain Alpine ridge trail Trail ridge drive Ute trail to tomb bridge Alberta falls Nymph, dream and emerald lake Haiyaha Bear lake Sprague lake loop sheep lakes lily lake loop chasm falls Gem lake Mills lake, Rocky Mountain is very safe for a solo traveler and yes, in the mornings, there will be people on these trails. 1000 US Hwy 36, Estes Park, CO, 80517. But more often than not, in the summer, afternoon storms will occur. Ideally, you want a day with crystal clear skies and no chance of rain. Are you referring to the timed entry ticket? How crowded does Rocky Mountain National Park get? 9. 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. Kawuneeche Entrance. 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. However, the road is open to Many Parks Curve, approximately 7 miles from the start of Trail Ridge Road from the east. This gives you enough time to drive Alpine Ridge Road, Old Fall River Road, and hike a few of the trails. Grand Lake's bustling little downtown with its charming historic boardwalk is right outside of Rocky Mountain National Park's West Entrance. 15 great hikes to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. This entrance station gives you access to the Aspenglen Campground, Horseshoe Park, Old Fall River Road, and Trail Ridge Road. The vast majority of these people visited the park between Memorial Day and Labor Day. CO Want to receive a printed insiders guide to Colorados four national parks including Rocky Mountain National Park? Rocky Mountain Nat'l Park; Flat Tops Wilderness; Maine. Which entrance would be better. If you are planning your Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary, this is a great place to start. Timed Entry Ticket: Park Access (excludes Bear Lake Road Corridor) is sufficient unless you choose to hike to Fern and Odessa Lakes. How likely is someone to get altitude sickness at RMNP? Best Things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. Gem Lake. There will also be three amazing lakes. Arrived at the park entrance before 5am which allowed us access to Bear Lake Road before the timed entry kicked in. Is it safe?. 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. 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. Nymph, Dream & Emerald Lakes: 3.6 miles, easy to moderate, 2 to 3 hours. The Park's 415 square miles encompass a variety of alpine terrain, with at least 60 mountains exceeding 12,000 ft. This entrance station has two booths and is generally one of the quieter entrances of the park; however, on busy days you may have a short wait. Bear Lake Road runs into the heart of the park. Travelers favorites include #1 Trail Ridge Road, #2 Beaver Meadows Visitor Center and more. Those are the 3 that were recommended to me. Trail Ridge Road winds high into the Rockies, taking visitors into the treeless tundra. Spend the afternoon and evening exploring Estes Park. The park is quieter and with the snow, it is a winter wonderland. In the southeast corner of the park there is an entrance to the Wild Basin area. The Mummy Mountain Range, Lumpy Ridge, and several . So you basically log on in July when they open it up for dates in August and quickly pick 2-3 dates? Aspenglen, Moraine Park, and Glacier Basin are the most popular campgrounds and these get reserved well in advance. And you wouldn't be disappointed at any choice. The Beaver Meadows Entrance was remodeled in 2000-2001, adding another entrance lane to reduce the time spent waiting in line. I lucked out and it didnt rain on the 3 main days i was hiking (there was some rain on the day i came in but even that stopped around 4p and i was able to do nymph to dream to emerald and bear lake hike that evening). On the western side of the park, you can explore the Colorado Rivers headwaters, look for moose and hike to the site of Lulu City, a former mining town, among many other things. I love all of the information you provide and find your advice extremely helpful. Yay!! Hiking poles can help you keep your balance in the snow. If you have five or more days in Rocky Mountain National Park (lucky you! An hours drive from Boulder and two hours from Denver, the lively Estes Park is the closest town to the park on the east side of the park. What is a good itinerary for a day trip to RMNP in the winter? How Many Days Do You Need in Rocky Mountain National Park? The elevation of the lowest sections of the park range from 5,600 to 9,500 feet. The Kawuneeche entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park is located 2 miles north of Grand Lake on highway 34. One week was perfect for us. Acadia National Park; Montana / Wyoming. 700 feet (213 m) elevation gain. Longs Peak and Timber Creek Campgrounds are easier to get reservations. Altitude sickness is rare in RMNP, unless you are hiking to peaks over 12,000 feet and are not acclimated. Along the way explore over 300 miles of hiking trails and incredible wildlife viewing. This is our favorite hike in RMNP. You can visit Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) all year, but sections of the park close once the snow begins to fall. Shuttle Bus. Lily Lake. When to Visit. If you love lakes you'll like this hike. Is there any need for an SUV or non-standard vehicle to access any of the trailheads for your recommended hikes? Sometimes, when the permits open up, you just have to grab them, no matter where you are in the world (we got our Narrows permit for Zion while rock climbing Svolvaergeita in Norway ). To visit Rocky Mountain National Park from May 26 to October 22, 2023, you will need to reserve a permit in advance. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. A Park Access (Excludes Bear Lake Road Corridor) timed entry ticket is sufficient for this day. Located just a couple minutes from Grand Lake, the Grand Lake Entrance is arguably the parks best-kept secret. Or is it pretty bad and long lasting? Timed Entry Permit: If you have plans to visit the park in the summer months, dont forget to reserve your permit in advance. Colorado has also designated Trail Ridge Road as a scenic and historic byway. They will ask to see your park pass and ID or offer you the opportunity to purchase one. Because the entrance is so accessible from Estes Park and open year round, it is the most popular. The Fall River entrance also has three entry booths and can sometimes be a faster way to enter the park when it is busy. This station is .25 miles from our newest visitor center, the Fall River Visitor Center. The parking lot at the end of Bear Lake Road is large but from here, you have access to numerous popular trails in RMNP, so it also fills fast. If you do not have a reservation, you will not be allowed to enter the park. And bring a camera , its a beautiful park! But even with a week here, there are still a lot of hikes left on our to-do list. I was able to snag early AM Bear lake for 3/4 days i am going to be at the park (believe it or not, i snagged it from atop Lassen peak which was the only place i got 5g !!). Rocky Mountain National Park, established in 1915, is a living showcase of the grandeur of the Rocky Mountains. Head to Grand Lake, a quaint, historic town surrounded on three sides by Rocky Mountain National Park. Cheers, Julie, Thanks Julie, Also seems like the bear lake corridor timed entry begins at 5a. If you like scenic drives and going off-the-beaten-path, youll love this drive. Old Fall River Road is an 11-mile long gravel road that runs one-way from Horseshoe Park (near Estes Park) and ends at the Alpine Visitor Center. What do you think about Deer Mtn, Mills Lake and Loch Vale [sp?]. It is only staffed in the busy season and during the busiest hours of the day the line can get long. This is an essential hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. By fv1989. In fact, it is such a popular place to visit that you now need a timed entry permit to enter. You have a choice today: take a break from hiking and explore Rocky Mountain National Park and Estes Park, or hike another trail. Hi Julie ! Located on Highway 34, the gateway to Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park, the Quality Inn & Suites Loveland hotel is the perfect resting point for vacationing travelers. This is a gorgeous drive. Nymph, Dream, Emerald, Haiyaha and Bear Lake: You can learn more about all of these hikes on our post, For full details on how to spend one day in Rocky Mountain National Park, read our post, Two Day Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. Park Access +:This permit gives you access to everything in Rocky Mountain National Park. The Wild Basin entrance is located 13.5 miles south of Estes Park just off of scenic highway 7. Each daily reservation costs $2 per vehicle, which is in addition to the $25 daily entrance fee or $35 weekly fee per vehicle. Estes Park to the Alpine Visitor Centre distance. In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. You will really feel the effects of the altitude. Turn west onto Highway 84 (Wild Basin Road) and follow it for 0.4 miles to the Wild Basin entrance station. The Beaver Meadows and the Kawuneeche Visitor Centers both show free park films. Known as a "scenic wonder road of the world," it traverses 48 miles between Estes Park on the park's east side and Grand Lake on the west, taking in several not-to-be-missed sights. If you are an avid hiker, I recommend spending five or more days in Rocky Mountain National Park. This hike passes Cub Lake, Fern Falls, Fern Lake, Odessa Lake and Lake Helene. Get here by 7:30 am if you want a spot. Simply follow highway 36 through downtown Estes Park. Private vehicle: $30, valid for 1 day / $35, valid for 7 days; Motorcycle: $25, valid for 1 day / $30, valid for 7 days; Per person (including cyclists): $15, valid for 1 day Trail Ridge Road, the highest paved continuous road in the United States, cuts through the park from the east to the west. Do you think August is a good time to visit RMNP? For a longer list, read our post about Estes Park. Located outside Estes Park, Colorado, Rocky Mountain is a great family vacation . Or visit recreation.gov to make your reservation. Photo: Flickr/David Wilson. There is even a three-bedroom house that can accommodate up to nine people. . If you think you can go farther, and if skies are clear, consider going all of the way to Sky Pond. Rocky Mountain National Park. In 2021, RMNP was the fifth most visited park in the USA, receiving 4.4 million visitors. The Beaver Meadows Entrance was remodeled . You're going to want to start early, because parking fills up fast. You will reach Loch Vale before the final climb to Sky Pond. The Fall River entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park is located on highway 34 approximately 5 miles east of Estes Park. Stop by the Kawuneeche Visitor Center near the Grand Lake Entrance to get more information. You can stay in a cozy cabin with a river view or a well-decorated suite. And if you hike fast, you should have no problem getting to all 3 lakes on Tuesday afternoon. [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. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. 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. From the summit you have a great view over Moraine Park and Longs Peak. Rocky Mountain National Park Fees. Its a very short hike (just over a half-mile round trip), but it will literally take your breath away. l plan on 7 days there. The park has gotten so popular that in 2020 a timed entry system was put into effect. Emerald Lake | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. I am not the hiker I used to be [did Kili in 04] so a moderate/ mildly strenuous 8 miler more my speed now. You can also see more travel itineraries on our Travel Itineraries page and our National Park Itineraries. 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. You'll pass the popular Wild Basin Lodge just before the entrance. 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. In July, we hiked through a snowstorm on the way back from Sky Pond. Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. This route will lead you up past the Stanley Hotel. Rocky Mountain National Park (Photo by Buddy Smith/The Points Guy) Rocky Mountain National Park basics. See what else made the list! Yes, I know, I said no hiking today, but I couldnt resist adding this one in. You can hike here from Glacier Gorge or Bear Lake Trailhead. Longs Peak is the biggest at 14,259 ft and can be seen from nearly anywhere. On the east side of the park lies the Beaver Meadows Entrance, the most direct entrance from Estes Park, Colo.,which lies right outside Rocky Mountain National Park. If time permits be adventurous and try a different entrance each day! Ty in advance for your help as usual ! If you have no desire to fill each day with a hike, your itinerary will look something like this: Day 1: Nymph, Dream & Emerald Lakes plus Trail Ridge Road and the Alpine Ridge Trail Day 2: Gem Lake in the morning, Estes Park in the afternoon Day 3: Sky Pond Day 4: Old Fall River Road and Estes Park Day 5: Mills and Black Lakes Day 6: More activities in Estes Park Day 7: Deer Mountain. great service , clean and location is in the center of town. Best Things to Do in Great Sand Dunes National Park, One Perfect Day in Rocky Mountain National Park, 10 Best Things to Do in Rocky Mountain National Park, 15 Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, Complete Guide to the Twin Sisters Peak Trail, RMNP. Cheers, Julie. The Bear Lake Corridor is one of the most popular areas in Rocky Mountain National Park for first-time visitors. Address. Longs Peak is the highest mountain in the park, and the only fourteener in Rocky Mountain National Park. Here are you options: The private vehicle entrance fee, good for 1 day, is $25. These two are the most popular entrances to the park. It is situated on the north side of Moraine Park. 4. Only 0.6 miles round trip, this flat, easy trail circles around Bear Lake. The Fall River entrance is 4 miles from Estes Park a wonderful little mountain town. Deer Mountain is nice because the views at the top, but we thought that the trail to get there was a little bit boring, at least compared to the other hikes we did in RMNP. Longs Peak, at 14,259 feet, is the only fourteener in the park. Equally enjoyable on foot or from your car, there are four separate ecosystems: montane, subalpine, alpine tundra, and riparian. The elevation of the lowest sections of the park range from 5,600 to 9,500 feet. Have fun in RMNP! This is the hotel that inspired Stephen King to write The Shining. And you must have really been moving to catch sunrise at Chasm Lake. On the east side of the park, located on highway 36 and 3.5 miles west of Estes Park, is the Beaver Meadows Entrance Station. Reservations are made online on the recreation.gov website. 4. Note: This post contains affiliate links. Founded in 1881, the village still embraces its original rustic architectural style . But the real reason for doing this is for the incredible view of Sky Pond, one of the most spectacular alpine lakes in the USA. #3 Granby - Best Place to Stay near Rocky Mountain National Park for Families. The Mummy Mountain Range, Lumpy Ridge, and several hiking trails sit to the north of Trail Ridge Road. 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). We still had some snow in a few spots at the higher elevations. Within the boundaries of Rocky Mountain National Park, more than 100 peaks rise above 11,000 feet in altitude, including Longs Peak at 14,259 feet. 800-715-HIKE (4453) (9-4:30 Every Day) Top Rated On . 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). I dont know if it is too late, but you could always try to get a permit so you dont have to start super early. Since I like to hike, I am guessing maybe 3 solid days? Funds from RMNP passes insure the preservation of the Lily Lake area and help to maintain the parking lot, vault. Spend the rest of the day in Estes Park. I think Augusts dates open on Jul 1 but i will be at Lassen NP around then (so idk about internet coverage and the morning ones usually fly out fast). See five lakes in one hike. You have included all of our favorite hikes in RMNP so I think your list looks good! You could plan your visit for the end of September and keep your fingers crossed that the weather cooperates. However, Old Fall River Road is only open during the summer months. This includes the best hikes, the best experiences, how to get around, and where to stay. The road is well-graded and suitable for standard cars. Visit the Rockies and experience mountain climbing, hiking, camping, fishing, and breathtaking views of jagged peaks, glaciers, and high-mountain lakes. Information? 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. Emerald lake lays below Hallett peak, Tyndall glacier, and Flattop mountain. Get updates on trail closures and park conditions on the National Park Service website. Is there anything you recommend to bring on the hikes? Abandon Your Car. . The west side (Grand Lake side) is more about the Kawuneeche Valley and the Colorado River. Combine two of the above hikes into one great experience. There are a million different ways to put together a Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary, and how you choose to do so really depends on your interests, the time of year you plan to visit the park, and the weather. Whats the Best Season to Visit Rocky Mountain National Park. On the way you'll pass the Kawuneeche Visitor Center on your right. Up above 10,000 feet the air is thin, the temps are much cooler, and the wind is usually . The permit is in effect from 9 am to 2 pm. Prospect Mountain is a 15-minute drive, and you can set out along Lake Estes Trail less than 10 minutes after departing the accommodation. 7.5 to 10 miles, depending on the route you choose. For many visitors, the winter months are their favorite time to visit RMNP. For reference, my family will be traveling to all the Colorado national parks in late July for around two weeks. Rocky Mountain National Park Is A National Treasure. Park Details. WorldMark Estes Park. Here you'll have access to Holzwarth Historic Site, the Coyote Valley Trail, the Colorado River Trail, Green Mountain, and Onahu Trail as well as Trail Ridge Road. We are going to put RMNP last so we have time to get used to the altitude, because we are from the East Coast. Grand Lake sits to the southwest of RMNP and it is another place you can consider staying, but it will be a longer drive to most sites in the park. For 48 miles, this road runs from Estes Park in the east to Grand Lake in the west. If you hike to Sky Pond, you will hike through the Loch to get there. Less known, but my personal favorite moderate hike in the Bear Lake Trailhead: Jewel Lake. As it is, I like to hike early to avoid the crowd, Yes, leaving that early should work. You may experience lines that can stretch up to a mile long during the busy season. Bodies of Water. Cheers, Julie. This is one of the highest national parks in the USA. Enter the number of passes you would like to purchase from the available choices below: Site passes table. There are four entrances into Rocky Mountain National Park, and in 2022, you will need a park pass plus a separate day-use reservation to get into the park, regardless of which entrance you take. Trail Ridge Road, the highest paved continuous road in the United States, cuts through the park from the east to the west. 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. Rocky Mountain National Park is a special place any season, but fall brings out the best in the park. Thats crazy how early parking lots fill up, too. You are now standing at 12,718 feet, with 360 views, which makes this one of the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 1-Day Pass - Automobile - $25. If you are an avid hiker, I recommend spending five or more days in Rocky Mountain National Park. I highly recommend this particular residence. Rocky Mountain National Park also offers a lot to do for those who arent big fans of hiking. Earth Trekkers is my starting point for every hiking vacation. If you are coming from Estes Park, this drive takes 30 minutes. The Continental Divide runs through the park. 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. 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. Start your trip off right, with a hike from the Bear Lake trailhead at the end of Bear Lake Road. Trail Ridge Road - You can see forever! Longs Peak Campground on the East Side. It is a common misconception that there are fee-free entrances into the Park. Lily Lake. Along the way, its a quick stop to see Chasm Falls. 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). Crowds will begin to quiet down in October, but snow on the trails becomes a lot more likely. Clicking on the photos on this page will open up a larger version. The best entrance for Rocky Mountain National Park is Beaver Meadows Entrance or Fall River Entrance.