The stark colors of the evergreen trees and the sparkling high-mountain waters combine for picture perfect vistas. Longs Peak and Timber Creek Campgrounds are easier to get reservations. This itinerary is best from Memorial Day through mid-October, when Trail Ridge Road is open. If you are an avid hiker, your itinerary will look something like this: Day 1: Nymph, Dream & Emerald Lakes plus Trail Ridge Road and the Alpine Ridge Trail Day 2: Deer Mountain in the morning, Estes Park in the afternoon/evening Day 3: Sky Pond Day 4: Continental Divide Trail to Mount Ida Day 5: Longs Peak Day 6: Rest day from hiking (Old Fall River Road and activities in Estes Park) Day 7: Chasm Lake. Rocky Mountain National Park also offers a lot to do for those who arent big fans of hiking. There are two ticket types: Park Access + and Park Access. If you are an avid hiker, I recommend spending five or more days in Rocky Mountain National Park. Emerald lake lays below Hallett peak, Tyndall glacier, and Flattop mountain. Cascade Cottages & Colorado Cottages. Flattop Mountain to Hallett Peak. Many hikes top out over 9,000 feet, with some reaching up to 13,000 and 14,000 feet. Best entrance to rocky mountain national park - Tripadvisor For five days or more, follow our four day itinerary and for each additional day that you have, add on another hike. If you are looking for a relatively uncrowded trail with the chance to visit multiple alpine lakes, this is a nice hike to consider. For more information about where to stay and where to eat, read our, Get updates on trail closures and park conditions on the National Park Service, Learn more about the national parks in our. Restaurants. It is located at 9,500 feet in a pine forest. This hiker shuttle take visitors to some of the most popular trails along Bear Lake Road. You can hike here from Glacier Gorge or Bear Lake Trailhead. When Trail Ridge Road closes, there will be no access to the west side of the park, if you are staying in Estes Park. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 11 miles of this road is located in the alpine tundra, which is above the treeline. I am not the hiker I used to be [did Kili in 04] so a moderate/ mildly strenuous 8 miler more my speed now. Otherwise you'll need to login the day before and try to obtain one of the limited entry passes with . Miles of trails: More than 355 miles along about 160 trails. Rent kayaks, stand-up paddleboards or pedal boats and explore Grand Lake, Colorado's largest natural lake. Hotels in Rocky Mountain National Park, USA - save 15% with the best deals This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Among its special features are beautiful mountain vistas (114 named peaks above 10,000', with Longs Peak at 14,259'), and thousands of varieties of wild plants and animals. Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the highest national parks in the USA. 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). Call 970-586-1222 before you head out. For hikers, its the ultimate adventure. Are you referring to the timed entry ticket? Clicking on the photos on this page will open up a larger version. For many visitors, the winter months are their favorite time to visit RMNP. Mills Lake | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. This is another one of our favorite hikes. Park Access +:This permit gives you access to everything in Rocky Mountain National Park. We also really liked the Ute Trail to Tombstone Ridge. All offer bookstores and much printed information to supplement the knowledgeable staff. But more often than not, in the summer, afternoon storms will occur. If you only have one day in Rocky Mountain National Park, it will be a busy day. Nymph, Dream, Emerald & Bear Lakes: 4.2 miles, easy to moderate, 3 hours. Finch Lake Hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. Is RMNP a good place to visit for the elderly or those with limited mobility? Grand Lake's bustling little downtown with its charming historic boardwalk is right outside of Rocky Mountain National Park's West Entrance. This is a gorgeous drive. I think that puts the Mills Lake + Loch Vale hike somewhere around 7.6 miles total. 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. Running north to south through the park is the Continental Divide and the highest mountain peaks.. If your visit to Rocky Mountain National Park is part of a bigger road trip through Colorado, here are some articles to help you plan your trip. The Continental Divide Trail connects some of the tallest peaks, such as Mount Ida, Flattop Mountain, Hallett Peak, Isolation Peak, and many more. The Park's 415 square miles encompass a variety of alpine terrain, with at least 60 mountains exceeding 12,000 ft. Elk on Trail Ridge Road | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. Rocky Mountain National Park is the most visited recreation area in the state, headquartered in Estes 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. A Park Access (Excludes Bear Lake Road Corridor) timed entry ticket is sufficient for this day. Information? I hope you have an awesome time in RMNP and happy hiking! Or visit recreation.gov to make your reservation. I think your itinerary looks great. If you want low crowds and dont mind cold temperatures and snow, plan your visit from November through May. Visiting RMNP from Breckenridge regardless of which entrance you use is not ideal. Potentially one of the busiest trails at RMNP is the Emerald Lake trail. From the Alpine Visitor Center, drive Alpine Ridge Road back to Estes Park. 4. We spent seven days in RMNP and every day we did at least one hike. best things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. Thank you! After the passes and permits are sorted, they will offer you a park map and a park newspaper. Loveland & Boulder, CO - Rocky Mountain lodging further away. Elevation of Rocky Mountain National Park. 7.4 miles (12 km). For Longs Peak, that means starting by 3 or 4 am. How crowded does Rocky Mountain National Park get? The Kawuneeche entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park is located 2 miles north of Grand Lake on highway 34. Learn everything you need to know to plan the perfect day in Rocky Mountain National Park! Afternoon/Evening free to do whatever 5) Sat Morning: Prepare to drive back to the airport for afternoons flight. Do 4 days if you canthere are a LOT of hikes to choose from here. Odessa & Fern Lakes Hike. Odessa and Fern Lakes, Mills and Black Lake, Sky Pond, and Hallett Peak can all be hiked from this trailhead. Yes. Evening back at Estes park at my hotel. In the winter months, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing top the list. For those with an interest in historical sites, make sure you visit the Holzwarth Historical Site and learn more about the life of Colorado homesteaders. Ideally, you want a day with crystal clear skies and no chance of rain. Cheers, Julie. From here, hike the Alpine Ridge Trail. 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. Trail Ridge Road winds high into the Rockies, taking visitors into the treeless tundra. Alberta Falls: 2 miles, easy, 1 to 1.5 hours. Bear Lake with Longs Peak and the Keyboard of the Winds in the background. Duration. Have a great time in RMNP! This has been implemented to limit crowds at the busiest sections of the park during the peak visitation season (the summer months). GREAT SAND DUNES: In our article Best Things to Do in Great Sand Dunes National Park, we cover the top experiences, plus how to plan your time, where to stay, and more. Temporary Closures In Lumpy Ridge And Loch Vale Areas Begin February 15 to Protect Nesting Raptors, Winter Adventures in Rocky Mountain National Park, RMNP continues pilot timed entry permit reservations from May 26 through Oct 22, Winter Pile Burning Operations On Both Sides Of Park, All material copyright by Morning Light Photography, Inc. All rights reserved. You will have to find your own way to the park from Estes Park because the shuttle only runs to the town. If you have five or more days in Rocky Mountain National Park (lucky you! Nymph, Dream & Emerald Lakes: 3.6 miles, easy to moderate, 2 to 3 hours. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. It's like a tour of amazing mountain lakes. 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. Learn more here. Cheers, Julie. Rocky Mountain National Park, established in 1915, is a living showcase of the grandeur of the Rocky Mountains. 1-Day Pass - Automobile - $25. That means you will not be able to visit the Alpine Visitor Center, hike the Ute Trail to Tombstone Ridge, drive Old Fall River Road, or visit some of the best overlooks in the park. 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. Site by, Learn about the different park pass options available, Temporary Closures In Lumpy Ridge And Loch Vale Areas Begin February 15 to Protect Nesting Raptors, Winter Adventures in Rocky Mountain National Park, RMNP continues pilot timed entry permit reservations from May 26 through Oct 22, Winter Pile Burning Operations On Both Sides Of Park. Youll reach Trail Ridge Road a lot faster than those waiting in line at the Beaver Meadows Entrance during the summer and fall seasons. The Bear Lake Corridor is one of the most popular areas in Rocky Mountain National Park for first-time visitors. 9 miles, strenuous, 4 to 6 hours. 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. Look for that option at the intersection next to McDonald's on the east side of Estes Park. Get answers to your questions about Rocky Mountain Do's and Don'ts When Visiting Rocky Mountain National Park, Timed Entry FAQ's and Explaining the Bear Lake Corridor. When to Visit. 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). Park Hours:Park entrances are open 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. Cheers, Julie. 1000 US Hwy 36 94 within 3 miles. If you want to stay in the park, you will be limited to campgrounds. I recommend staying at The Residences. Are current Colorado fires affecting or near RMNP? Abandon Your Car. Mount Ida. Get updates on road conditions on the national park service website. This is the hotel that inspired Stephen King to write The Shining. We were here in early July, so all of the photos on our website were taken around the first week of July. Lake of Glass, seen on the hike to Sky Pond. photo by Ladona Stork. Past the Alpine Visitor Center, you can continue on Alpine Ridge Road and go all of the way to Grand Lake, if you like. In our experience, they typically just last an hour or two. Answer (1 of 2): All of them them! 3.4 miles, moderate, 2 to 3 hours. Gem Lake. Mills Lake and Loch Vale are very nice and might be perfect for you. The elevation of the lowest sections of the park range from 5,600 to 9,500 feet. So, keep your fingers crossed for clear skies! If you are coming from sea level, you will feel the effects of the altitude as soon as you do anything strenuous. 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. I hope you have a great time! Rocky Mountain National Park began addressing crowding . 10. If you are an avid hiker, you are probably ready to hike some of the longer, tougher, more thrilling hikes in the park. l plan on 7 days there. Best Hikes Rocky Mountain National Park. Timed Entry Permit: If you have plans to visit the park in the summer months, dont forget to reserve your permit in advance. For every hike that we list, you do not need an SUV or non-standard vehicle. 22 Best Cabins In Rocky Mountain National Park - Updated | Trip101 Rocky Mountain National Park | Estes Park Wildlife & Activities Which entrance would be better. Whats the Best Season to Visit Rocky Mountain National Park. 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. The Stanley Hotel. Aspenglen, Moraine Park, and Glacier Basin are the most popular campgrounds and these get reserved well in advance. This entrance gives you access to Sandbeach Lake, Finch & Pear Lake, Calypso Cascades and Ouzel Falls, Thunder Lake, and Bluebird Lake. Spend the rest of the day in Estes Park. You will need a Bear Lake Road Corridor + Full Park Access Timed Entry Ticket (Park Access +)for this day. Trailhead: Glacier Gorge (40.31053, -105.64033) Why we love it: This quiet winter hike avoids the Bear Lake throngs while still delivering the same stop-in-your-tracks alpine viewsincluding Longs Peakfor hardy snowshoers. (Old Maps, 20th Century Maps, Americana, Travel, Tourism, Colorado, Rocky Mountain National Park, Granby Reservoir, Granby).Grand Lake West Entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park.Published c. 1940's, United States.Folding cartoon pictorial travel map, printed on both sides of the sheet. This hike has a little bit of everythingwaterfalls, alpine lakes, high mountain views, and fun river and stream crossings. Once you are finished hiking, hop back into your car. This helps control crowd levels on the roads and hiking trails. On the way you'll pass the Kawuneeche Visitor Center on your right. The Mummy Mountain Range, Lumpy Ridge, and several . 15+ Best Hikes In Rocky Mountain National Park - Hiking Daily 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. Beginners Guide to Rocky Mountain National Park - Visit Grand County Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. The Fall River entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park is located on highway 34 approximately 5 miles east of Estes Park. It is only staffed in the busy season and during the busiest hours of the day the line can get long. After you drive through the entrance station you can park at the Sandbeach Lake Trailhead which is immediately on your right or continue straight ahead on Wild Basin Road for 2 miles to reach the main parking area. Two of them, Beaver Meadows and Fall River, are just west of the town of Estes Park. We still had some snow in a few spots at the higher elevations. Turn around and look for the trailhead on your left. If you wish detailed information to help enjoy your time in the park, stop by one of the park's visitor centers. #3 Granby - Best Place to Stay near Rocky Mountain National Park for Families.