You can also hike to Fern Lake out-and-back from either Bear Lake or Moraine Park. Its time for an amazing scenic drive in RMNP. Best beginner hike in Rocky Mountain National Park: Emerald Lake. This is the best Timed Entry Permit for visitors planning to drive over Trail Ridge Road, recreate on the west side of the park, as well as access Longs Peak, Lily Lake, East Inlet, Wild Basin, and all other outlying areas of RMNP. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. Turn around and look for the trailhead on your left. If the weather was clear yesterday, and you drove Trail Ridge Road, I recommend doing another hike this morning. Anything to keep in mind? The One Subscription to Fuel All Your Adventures. As one of the most popular hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, the Alberta Falls Trail is a must on any itinerary. This "rest of park" Timed Entry Permit Reservation period will be in effect between the hours of 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Finch Lake Hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. But more often than not, in the summer, afternoon storms will occur. If you think you can go farther, and if skies are clear, consider going all of the way to Sky Pond. This is a must-do in Rocky Mountain National Park. Tahosa Valley Cabin (from USD 275) Show all photos. This gives you enough time to acclimate to the higher elevation (very important if you live at a low elevation) before tackling some of the higher, tougher hikes (such as Mount Ida, Hallett Peak, or Longs Peak). It is only staffed in the busy season and during the busiest hours of the day the line can get long. 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. You will have to find your own way to the park from Estes Park because the shuttle only runs to the town. 10.4 miles, strenuous, 6 to 8 hours. Between the end of May through early October, you must reserve a permit to visit the park. Snow can linger on the trails as late as July, especially for the trails at higher elevations. It's like a tour of amazing mountain lakes. The Bear Lake Corridor is one of the most popular areas in Rocky Mountain National Park for first-time visitors. This is one of the most popular hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Outside the usual water, bug spray, sunscreen, etc? 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. However, the road is open to Many Parks Curve, approximately 7 miles from the start of Trail Ridge Road from the east. Head to Grand Lake, a quaint, historic town surrounded on three sides by Rocky Mountain National Park. The rooms within the main hotel building get mixed reviews. Few people hike out this far so this is a great place to leave the crowds behind. Odessa and Fern Lakes. The permit system limited visitation to about 60% of parking capacity. Rocky Mountain National Park, CO 80517. There is even a three-bedroom house that can accommodate up to nine people. 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. Thank you! During the summer and autumn, you can expect the entrance stations to be busy for most of the day, and extra busy in the morning from 7:00am-9:30am and in the afternoon from 2:30-4:00pm. In a normal year, Rocky Mountain National Park attracts well over 4 million visitors to its 415 square miles that are home to 147 lakes, dozens of different mammals (bear, moose and bighorn sheep among them), 355 miles of hiking trails and the Continental Divide. If you plan to do a lot of hiking and drive Trail Ridge Road, plan on visiting Rocky Mountain National Park between Memorial Day and mid-October. 11. 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. Pssst. This gives you enough time to drive Alpine Ridge Road, Old Fall River Road, and hike a few of the trails. 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. If you plan to visit multiple national parks, consider purchasing the America the Beautiful Pass ($80 and valid for all of the national parks for one year). Afternoon/Evening spending it around the visitor center, or back at Estes Park 4) Fri Morning: Chasm lake. We still had some snow in a few spots at the higher elevations. Fern Lake | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. I hope you have an awesome time in RMNP and happy hiking! Do 4 days if you canthere are a LOT of hikes to choose from here. The views from the overlooks are stunning. Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the highest national parks in the USA. I recommend the shorter, easier hikes if you are not acclimated to the altitude, arent a big fan of hiking, and/or have more than one day in Rocky Mountain National Park. The Loch. Lake Estes | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. Trail Ridge Road - You can see forever! Find out what to do, what to see, tours to join and more! For the first part of this hike you will be sharing the trail with those on their way to Longs Peak. I want to avoid crowds and yet have good weather ( no snow). Cheers, Julie. The only thing to note is that each day I started the hike between 4a-5a (especially because some parking lots like the Glacier gorge one and Longs peak one get filled up by 5a). Gem Lake | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. If you only have one day in Rocky Mountain National Park, it will be a busy day. The various view points along trail ridge road were worth the stop overs as well (especially Forest canyon overlook and the small hike behind Alpine visitor center) Thanks again !! Rocky Mountain National Park is the most visited recreation area in the state, headquartered in Estes Park. On the way you'll pass the Kawuneeche Visitor Center on your right. If you live in Colorado and/or are planning on visiting the park more than once, you can get the Rocky Mountain National Park Annual Pass for US$ 70 per vehicle. When does Trail Ridge Road close in the fall? Rocky Mountain National Park. Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most popular natural parks featuring 76 mountains each over 10 thousand feet high. You are now standing at 12,718 feet, with 360 views, which makes this one of the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Waterproof hiking shoes or boots are a great idea too, since snow is a possibility on some of these trails, all year. CO 9 miles, strenuous, 4 to 6 hours. 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. Prospect Mountain is a 15-minute drive, and you can set out along Lake Estes Trail less than 10 minutes after departing the accommodation. Never been to park at all. Full-Day Rocky Mountain National Park "Over The Top Tour" - RMNPhotographer. The Beaver Meadows Entrance was remodeled . Hi Julie! Itinerary Help: 1 or 1.5 days in RMNP and other CO NPs Nov 20, 2022. 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). Cheers, Julie, Thanks Julie, Also seems like the bear lake corridor timed entry begins at 5a. Take a 0.4-mile detour to Lake Haiyaha for an added bonus. Trail Ridge Road, the highest paved continuous road in the United States, cuts through the park from the east to the west. The best time for this Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary is from Memorial Day through mid-October, when Trail Ridge Road is open. It does get tiring, but these trails are so much fun and offer such a wide variety of views and experiences that it never gets monotonous or boring. When to Visit. While here you can enjoy quiet walks, exhilarating hikes, gorgeous sunrises and . Serving visitors to the Wild Basin area of the park, approximately 19 miles to the south of Estes Park on highway 7, is the Wild Basin Entrance station. Parking at the most popular trailheads fill up extremely early in the day. This hike is much different than many other hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Phone. If you choose to skip Sky Pond, you can combine Loch Vale and Mills Lake into one hike. I hope you have a great time! Difficulty: Moderate. Whats the Best Season to Visit Rocky Mountain National Park. Yay!! 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. It is situated on the north side of Moraine Park. The park is quieter and with the snow, it is a winter wonderland. How much is the entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. You will need a Bear Lake Road Corridor + Full Park Access Timed Entry Ticket (Park Access +)for this day. Sky Pond. This is a hike that we did on our first trip to Rocky Mountain National Park a few years ago, and we retraced our steps on our latest trip en route to Sky Pond (more on that in a second). 3.1 miles (5 km). The best time for this Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary is from Memorial Day through mid-October, when Trail Ridge Road is open. Park Details. Take a tour of the historic Stanley Hotel, ride the Aerial Tramway to the peak of Prospect Mountain, go shopping, walk the Riverwalk, visit Lake Estes, play mini-golf, or visit a winery or brewery. If you are an avid hiker, plan on spending at least three to five days in Rocky Mountain National Park. You will reach Loch Vale before the final climb to Sky Pond. Longs Peak Campground on the East Side. this is a great place to stay when you visit Rocky Mountain National Park. For reference, my family will be traveling to all the Colorado national parks in late July for around two weeks. So, keep your fingers crossed for clear skies! 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. When Trail Ridge Road closes, there will be no access to the west side of the park, if you are staying in Estes Park. This is a well-rounded, well-written, and nicely illustrated summary for newbies. Do we have others using the trails even in the mornings? There are numerous pull-over areas on each side of the road for this purpose. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. The west side of RMNP is not the side of RMNP that most people want to visit. Elk on Trail Ridge Road | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. This station, which is one mile west of the park's headquarters and Beaver Meadows Visitor Center, usually receives the highest volume of visitors. Thanks so much ! Colorado has also designated Trail Ridge Road as a scenic and historic byway. The Stanley Hotel. The Park's 415 square miles encompass a variety of alpine terrain, with at least 60 mountains exceeding 12,000 ft. And you must have really been moving to catch sunrise at Chasm Lake. When the parking areas in Wild Basin are full, usually by 9am in the summer, vehicles will be turned away. RMNP in February Dec 18, 2022. 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 !!). If you want low crowds and dont mind cold temperatures and snow, plan your visit from November through May. Old Fall River Road | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. Since I like to hike, I am guessing maybe 3 solid days? Its a very short hike (just over a half-mile round trip), but it will literally take your breath away. High in the center of the park, the Alpine Visitor Center offers displays about the most noted area of the park, the land above the trees. 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. Youll reach Trail Ridge Road a lot faster than those waiting in line at the Beaver Meadows Entrance during the summer and fall seasons. In the winter months, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing top the list. By 4 to 5 pm, the skies begin to clear. Price. 1000 US Hwy 36 Fall River Visitor Center features life-sized displays of a wide variety of park wildlife. There are a lot of hikes that start at the Bear Lake Trailhead. Trail Ridge Road is 48 miles long, connecting Estes Park to Grand Lake. The Continental Divide Trail connects some of the tallest peaks, such as Mount Ida, Flattop Mountain, Hallett Peak, Isolation Peak, and many more. Youll be glad you did. The Mummy Mountain Range, Lumpy Ridge, and several . 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 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. With towering mountain peaks, alpine lakes and waterfalls, and the opportunity to hike along the Continental Divide, this park offers world-class hiking experiences. You can hike here from Glacier Gorge or Bear Lake Trailhead. If you are an avid hiker, you are probably ready to hike some of the longer, tougher, more thrilling hikes in the park. Running north to south through the park is the Continental Divide and the highest mountain peaks.. The elevation of the lowest sections of the park range from 5,600 to 9,500 feet. If you plan to go hiking during July and August, you will have to assume that there will be a 2 pm thunderstorm. Potentially one of the busiest trails at RMNP is the Emerald Lake trail. If time permits be adventurous and try a different entrance each day! Get here by 7:30 am if you want a spot. Or is it pretty bad and long lasting? By fv1989. From $73.48 per night. In fact, it is such a popular place to visit that you now need a timed entry permit to enter. In summer 2022, timed-entry reservations are required between May 27 and October 10, 2022, and are in addition to your entrance fee. 800-715-HIKE (4453) (9-4:30 Every Day) Top Rated On . Cheers, Julie. Emerald Lake | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. Not bad for a town of 400 residents, all of whom seem . 10 miles, moderate, 5 to 7 hours. Many hikes top out over 9,000 feet, with some reaching up to 13,000 and 14,000 feet. Cheers, Julie. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Acreage: 265,769. You may experience lines that can stretch up to a mile long during the busy season. It is about 2 hours to get to the western entrance and 2 3/4 hours to get to the eastern entrance, taking the least scenic routes in both cases and hoping for no significant delays for the Twin Tunnels construction near Idaho Springs. Hiking poles can help you keep your balance in the snow. In this Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary, many of days end by the early afternoon, because of these storms. 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. Park Fee: $25 per vehicle, valid for 1 day. It is located at 9,500 feet in a pine forest. However, I only recommend doing this if you are acclimated to the altitude, since these are strenuous hikes with big ascents. Arrived at the park entrance before 5am which allowed us access to Bear Lake Road before the timed entry kicked in. The hike itself is relatively easy but follows uneven terrain and rock so take caution with small children and older folks. 700 feet (213 m) elevation gain. 3.4 miles, moderate, 2 to 3 hours. All entrances into Rocky Mountain National Park require entrance fees, even the ones that don't have a physical entrance to drive through. Put your higher hikes in the second half of your RMNP visit and you should be fine. The Beaver Meadows Visitor Center is the best place to get information, books, maps and backcountry permits, as well as catch the park bus. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Stay on US 34 as it becomes Trail Ridge Road to enjoy a spectacular tour of the parks incredible landscapes. You can help to move the line move more quickly by having your park pass, permit, and ID ready when you reach the entrance station. There will be people. If you do not have a reservation, you will not be allowed to enter the park. Gem Lake. 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. Mills Lake | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. Length: 5.5 miles. 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 ). It may sound counterintuitive, but if you really want to see Rocky Mountain National Park hassle-free, leave your car behind. Combine two of the above hikes into one great experience. This station, which is one mile west of the park's headquarters and Beaver Meadows Visitor Center, usually receives the highest volume of visitors. This is the highest continuous paved road in the United States. Plan on being at the trailhead by 7am (or earlier) if you want to park at the trailhead itself. 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. Hi Julie ! How Many Days Do You Need in Rocky Mountain National Park? I am not the hiker I used to be [did Kili in 04] so a moderate/ mildly strenuous 8 miler more my speed now. These are the only official entry stations into the park. This itinerary is best from Memorial Day through mid-October, when Trail Ridge Road is open. Rocky Mountain National Park Neighborhood Guide. The best way to . Yellowstone National Park; Wind River . Visiting RMNP from Breckenridge regardless of which entrance you use is not ideal. 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. Important Things to Know Before You Plan Your Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary, When to Visit Rocky Mountain National Park. You'll need to be prepared to pull over regularly to let cars pass that are coming the other way. Timed Entry Ticket: Park Access (excludes Bear Lake Road Corridor) is sufficient unless you choose to hike to Fern and Odessa Lakes. If you want to see some of the best lakes such as Bear Lake, Glacier Gorge, or Sprague Lake, then you should go to the Beaver Meadows entrance. Answer (1 of 2): All of them them! Park Hours:Park entrances are open 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. 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.