Miles of trails: More than 355 miles along about 160 trails. These are the only official entry stations into the park. Where to Stay Near Rocky Mountain National Park? Do 4 days if you canthere are a LOT of hikes to choose from here. But dont bring your RV there. There is even a three-bedroom house that can accommodate up to nine people. Typically this road12,183 feet at it's highest point, remains closed from late-October to late-May. Mills Lake and Loch Vale are very nice and might be perfect for you. You can also see more travel itineraries on our Travel Itineraries page and our National Park Itineraries. While in Rocky Mountain National Park, please practice the seven principles of Leave No Trace: plan ahead, stay on the trails, pack out what you bring to the hiking trails, properly dispose of waste, leave areas as you found them, minimize campfire impacts, be considerate of other hikers, and do not approach or feed wildlife. The longer and harder the hike, the earlier you will have to start. 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). However, if Longs Peak is on your list, I recommend waiting one more day if you come from sea level. Duration. With its short distance and manageable elevation gain, it is a great first hike in the park, as you acclimate to the higher elevation. 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. After the passes and permits are sorted, they will offer you a park map and a park newspaper. Rocky Mountain National Park is a special place any season, but fall brings out the best in the park. Emerald Lake | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. We have visited Rocky Mountain National Park several times in the past. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. 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 recommend hiking Longs Peak on the day with the clearest weather. These two are the most popular entrances to the park. Loch Lake. Have a great trip! Ive lived down the hill and explored RMNP a lot for 44 years. If you want to stay in the park, you will be limited to campgrounds. Pre-hike fuel: Near the main junction in Estes, hit up Notchtop . 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. In order to see and do everything we list in this itinerary, plan on visiting the park when everything is open. This road opened in 1920 at it was the first road that led into Rocky Mountain National Park. The Kawuneeche entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park is located 2 miles north of Grand Lake on highway 34. Watch the weather, enjoy the time you spend in the park, and you might find you want to hike more, or less, than you expected to. #3 Granby - Best Place to Stay near Rocky Mountain National Park for Families. 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. The park is reducing the time period and number of hours daily that reservations are in effect for most areas of RMNP. The Beaver Meadows and the Kawuneeche Visitor Centers both show free park films. Alberta Falls Trail. The pilot Timed Entry Permit System will be extended through October 22, 2023. Along the way explore over 300 miles of hiking trails and incredible wildlife viewing. Stop at Alpine Visitor Center, the highest visitor center in the US national parks. But it looks like you have some free time on Thursday and Friday afternoon in case an afternoon gets rained out earlier in the week. Rocky Mountain National Park's 4 Neighborhoods to Stay in. Combine two of the above hikes into one great experience. 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 One Subscription to Fuel All Your Adventures. It's like a tour of amazing mountain lakes. 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. Elevation of Rocky Mountain National Park. 10 miles, moderate, 5 to 7 hours. $35 per vehicle, valid for one week. Hi Julie !! They said if you skip bear corridor, timed entry is only needed between 9a-3p. 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. So you basically log on in July when they open it up for dates in August and quickly pick 2-3 dates? The Kawuneeche entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park is located 2 miles north of Grand Lake on highway 34. Dream Lake | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. I want to avoid crowds and yet have good weather ( no snow). For more information about where to stay and where to eat, read our Guide to Estes Park. Rocky Mountain National Park, CO 80517. Thanks for the article I am planning to travel below hikes/places in 3rd week of june. If you want low crowds and dont mind cold temperatures and snow, plan your visit from November through May. Since I like to hike, I am guessing maybe 3 solid days? Driving distance from Denver: 1-2 hours. Trail Ridge Road is the highest paved through road, not only in Colorado, but also in the entire US national park system. 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. 1,400 feet (426 m)of elevation gain. In our experience, they typically just last an hour or two. This gave us enough time to hike at least one trail every day, with contingency time for bad weather. A Quick Geography Lesson. Pass Type. Download the official NPS app before your next visit. How likely is someone to get altitude sickness at RMNP? Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the highest national parks in the USA. This is one of the most popular hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. 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. [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. During the summer months, afternoon thunderstorms are very common. Rocky Mountain high means snow, ice, and thin air - in exchange for jaw-dropping beauty. The Beaver Meadows Entrance was remodeled . 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. Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most popular natural parks featuring 76 mountains each over 10 thousand feet high. Park Access: This permit gives you access to everything in Rocky Mountain National Park except for Bear Lake Road. This is the hike that I recommend for today. (Learn about the different park pass options available.) And you must have really been moving to catch sunrise at Chasm Lake. Sky Pond. These shuttle buses connect Moraine Park and Bear Lake, with numerous stops in between. Its our favorite hike in RMNP. This station, which is one mile west of the park's headquarters and Beaver Meadows Visitor Center, usually receives the highest volume of visitors. I am not the hiker I used to be [did Kili in 04] so a moderate/ mildly strenuous 8 miler more my speed now. RMNP in February Dec 18, 2022. If so, you need one for each day that you plan to visit RMNP. 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. 80517. Wondering if there are differences between entering park through entrances by Estes park or better to enter park through grand lake? If you plan to visit RMNP early in the summer, there is a good chance that you will encounter snow on some trails. 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. Finch Lake is a 4.5 mile hike through pines, aspen glades, and wildflower laden meadows to a sub-alpine lake where the forest surrounds its shores. By 4 to 5 pm, the skies begin to clear. But more often than not, in the summer, afternoon storms will occur. Not sure either if we should stay in Estes park or grand lake? $70. 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. The Mummy Mountain Range, Lumpy Ridge, and several hiking trails sit to the north of Trail Ridge Road. Cheers, Julie, Thanks Julie, Also seems like the bear lake corridor timed entry begins at 5a. BLACK CANYON OF THE GUNNISON: One of the best things to do on the South Rim is to drive South Rim Drive to the overlooks of the Black Canyon. 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. Rocky Mountain National Park is a beautiful place so we hope you have a wonderful time here. best things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. Those are the 3 that were recommended to me. Because the entrance is so accessible from Estes Park and open year round, it is the most popular. Prospect Mountain is a 15-minute drive, and you can set out along Lake Estes Trail less than 10 minutes after departing the accommodation. Best Hikes Rocky Mountain National Park. Longs Peak Campground on the East Side. Whats the Best Season to Visit Rocky Mountain National Park. I think that puts the Mills Lake + Loch Vale hike somewhere around 7.6 miles total. I recommend getting here early (ideally by 7:30 am) to make sure you get a parking space and to give yourself plenty of time today. Acreage: 265,769. We were here in early July, so all of the photos on our website were taken around the first week of July. Each residence is individually managed, so some are better than others. Rocky Mountain National Park made our list of the best national parks for kids. Running north to south through the park is the Continental Divide and the highest mountain peaks. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. Nymph, Dream, Emerald & Bear Lakes: 4.2 miles, easy to moderate, 3 hours. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. If you have five or more days in Rocky Mountain National Park (lucky you! Rocky Mountains National Park June 2023 Dec 05, 2022. Mount Ida. . 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. Park Fee: $25 per vehicle, valid for 1 day. All offer bookstores and much printed information to supplement the knowledgeable staff. 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). And for FREE checklist of the US National Parks, take a look at our article US National Parks List. The Fall River entrance also has three entry booths and can sometimes be a faster way to enter the park when it is busy. Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuous paved road in the United States. Mills Lake | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. 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. 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. You may experience lines that can stretch up to a mile long during the busy season. This is an essential hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. All passes are available at all park entrance stations. 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. 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. I was thinking June but am guessing some of the hikes up about 10k feet would still have snow? 2. So if i am staying at Estes, thats a 10-15mins drive to the Beavers meadow entrance (where I am assuming they check for the timed entry thing?) If you are coming from sea level, you will feel the effects of the altitude as soon as you do anything strenuous. Three Day Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary, Four Day Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary, Five or More Days in Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. You can get to this entrance without going through the middle of town by following highway 34 up East Wonderview Avenue. 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). 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. If the skies stay clear, you can stay in the park and do more exploring. Simply follow highway 36 through downtown Estes Park. Rocky Mountain National Park is one of our nation's most spectacular national parks with 415sq. Learn more on the national park service website. 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 wish detailed information to help enjoy your time in the park, stop by one of the park's visitor centers. Waterproof hiking shoes or boots are a great idea too, since snow is a possibility on some of these trails, all year. 970 586-1206 MESA VERDE: Learn about the best things to do and how to plan your visit in our Guide to Mesa Verde National Park. Most of this hike is over 11,000 feet, in the alpine tundra, so its best to save this hike for when you are acclimated to the altitude. Yellowstone National Park; Wind River . Moraine Park - Located just a few miles east from the park headquarters, Moraine Park is one of the best places to see elk in Rocky Mountain National Park. Known appropriately as the "Highway to the Sky," it crosses the Continental Divide at a whopping 12,183 feet. This is a must-do in Rocky Mountain National Park. You can stay in a cozy cabin with a river view or a well-decorated suite. Thats crazy how early parking lots fill up, too. Just a mile from the park's west entrance, Grand Lake, Colo., offers incredible family friendly activities from paddle boating and nature walks to world-class theater productions. If you are coming from Estes Park, this drive takes 30 minutes. Our website uses cookies. 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. Go back to the fork and then take the trail to Loch Vale. Some visitors complain of noise and hot temperatures in the summer (there is no air conditioning). Here are several to choose from. Buckle in for some altitude gain and, outside of warmer summer months, pack spikes for the hiking trail! How much is the entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. The Wild Basin entrance is located 13.5 miles south of Estes Park just off of scenic highway 7. On the way you'll pass the Kawuneeche Visitor Center on your right. Running north to south through the park is the Continental Divide and the highest mountain peaks.. Cheers, Julie. Address. . COLORADO ITINERARY: With 10 days in Colorado, road trip to all four national parks (Rocky Mountain, Great Sand Dunes, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, and Mesa Verde), linking them together with some very scenic drives. Is there anything you recommend to bring on the hikes? In this post, get all of the information you need to plan your Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary. Timed Entry Permit: If you have plans to visit the park in the summer months, dont forget to reserve your permit in advance. 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. Rocky Mountain National Park offers plenty of contrast from one season to the next. Julie Last updated: February 23, 2023 United States 61 Comments. The Fall River entrance is 4 miles from Estes Park a wonderful little mountain town. Tahosa Valley Cabin (from USD 275) Show all photos. The best Time to do scenic driving and hiking is during the summer and fall seasons. Once you are finished hiking, hop back into your car. In 2021, Rocky Mountain National Park was the 5th most visited national park in the United States, with 4.4 million visitors. Take your pick from one, two, three, and four bedroom houses that come equipped with a full kitchen. 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. Gem Lake | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. We still had some snow in a few spots at the higher elevations. 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. On the return drive, hike the Ute Trail to Tombstone Ridge. If time permits be adventurous and try a different entrance each day! Earth Trekkers is my starting point for every hiking vacation. The Stanley Hotel. Stop by the Kawuneeche Visitor Center near the Grand Lake Entrance to get more information. Youll reach Trail Ridge Road a lot faster than those waiting in line at the Beaver Meadows Entrance during the summer and fall seasons. 10.4 miles, strenuous, 6 to 8 hours. The price for one way is just $55, but you can also book a round-trip shuttle for $95. Required fields are marked *. 1000 US Hwy 36 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. Afternoon/Evening spending it around the visitor center, or back at Estes Park 4) Fri Morning: Chasm lake. It is our favorite short hike in the park. The park is quieter and with the snow, it is a winter wonderland. Fall River Visitor Center features life-sized displays of a wide variety of park wildlife. The elevation of the lowest sections of the park range from 5,600 to 9,500 feet. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. We spent one wonderful week in Rocky Mountain National Park in July. Elevation Gain: 1,100 ft. Cheers, Julie. 365. The Beaver Meadows Entrance was remodeled in 2000-2001, adding another entrance lane to reduce the time spent waiting in line. Longs Peak is the biggest at 14,259 ft and can be seen from nearly anywhere. Ah one for each day, got it Ty !! In the winter months, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing top the list. 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. 1. The Aspire rooms are higher-end, modernly decorated rooms but many people state that they are overpriced for what you get. If you are an avid hiker, you are probably ready to hike some of the longer, tougher, more thrilling hikes in the park. Park Access +:This permit gives you access to everything in Rocky Mountain National Park. As one of the most popular hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, the Alberta Falls Trail is a must on any itinerary. Yes, I know, I said no hiking today, but I couldnt resist adding this one in. There are sixty mountain peaks over 12,000 feet and many of these top out over 13,000 feet. Should I spend my time on the east side or the west side of the park? Is there any need for an SUV or non-standard vehicle to access any of the trailheads for your recommended hikes? And bring a headlampyoull be hiking before the sun comes up. If you are an avid hiker, I recommend spending five or more days in Rocky Mountain National Park. If you plan to hike Sky Pond, Mills Lake, or Black Lake later in this itinerary, you will pass Alberta Falls, so there is no need to hike to it today. Kawuneeche Entrance. I love all of the information you provide and find your advice extremely helpful. 9.8 miles, strenuous, 4.5 to 6.5 hours. The scenery is beautiful, as you gradually twist and turn through the mountains to get to the Alpine Visitor Center. 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. What you will find is an old-fashioned charm combined with recreational opportunities like relaxing at the beach, paddle boarding, paddle boating and kayaking on Grand Lake and visiting the park. You spend very little time below the tree line, so the views are incredible for most of the hike. Odessa and Fern Lakes, Mills and Black Lake, Sky Pond, and Hallett Peak can all be hiked from this trailhead. 9.5 miles, strenuous, 4 to 6 hours. To ensure everyone gets a chance to experience the park during this . Arrived at the park entrance before 5am which allowed us access to Bear Lake Road before the timed entry kicked in. Glacier Gorge parking lot and Longs Peak trailhead parking lot fill before sunrise. You will need a Bear Lake Road Corridor + Full Park Access Timed Entry Ticket (Park Access +)for this day. Longs Peak, at 14,259 feet, is the only fourteener in the 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. Once the snow begins to fall, you can still hike many of the trails that we list, but you will need snowshoes. 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. 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. To reach the Wild Basin Entrance from Estes Park, head south on CO 7. Gem Lake. Timed Entry Reservation Info for 2023 Season Dec 16, 2022. This helps control crowd levels on the roads and hiking trails. At an elevation of over 14,000 feet, guests will be in awe of the breathtaking craggy peaks and lush valleys. Less known, but my personal favorite moderate hike in the Bear Lake Trailhead: Jewel Lake. But this is a strenuous hike and longer than your 8 mile cut-off. Most recently, in 2020, we spent one very busy week here, and learned a lot about this park. Your email address will not be published. It is a common misconception that there are fee-free entrances into the Park. What do you think about Deer Mtn, Mills Lake and Loch Vale [sp?]. Ty in advance for your help as usual ! It is only staffed in the busy season and during the busiest hours of the day the line can get long. Answer (1 of 2): All of them them! Founded in 1881, the village still embraces its original rustic architectural style . You can hike here from Glacier Gorge or Bear Lake Trailhead. Many of the taller peaks make up the Continental Divide, where snowmelt runs . Dont miss Forest Canyon Overlook, one of the best on the drive. Trail Ridge Road, the highest paved continuous road in the United States, cuts through the park from the east to the west. Lake of Glass, seen on the hike to Sky Pond. One Perfect Day in Rocky Mountain National Park. 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 !! The Mummy Mountain Range, Lumpy Ridge, and several . This road is gravel and is quite narrow. Look for that option at the intersection next to McDonald's on the east side of Estes Park. 1. By fv1989. Rocky Mountain National Park is a relatively large park, with a total area of 415 square miles. :) All the entrances lead to the Beautiful Rocky Mountains. When you visit Rocky Mountain National Park, you have several choices of which entry point to use. 1-Day Pass - Automobile - $25. This gives you enough time to drive Alpine Ridge Road, Old Fall River Road, and hike a few of the trails. Or visit recreation.gov to make your reservation. Learn more here. 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. , Tombstone Ridge | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. You could plan your visit for the end of September and keep your fingers crossed that the weather cooperates. This station, which is one mile west of the park's headquarters and Beaver Meadows Visitor Center, usually receives the highest volume of visitors. Plus, this is a lesser known hike, so the trail gets a lower number of hikers than other hikes on this list. 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. The larger portion of the park sits to the south of Trail Ridge Road. The Beaver Meadows Visitor Center is the best place to get information, books, maps and backcountry permits, as well as catch the park bus. Youre itinerary is great, thanks for this! The Loch. The best places to have your questions answered is at one of the park visitor centers. We also have a guide to the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park and how to spend one day in RMNP. Call 970-586-1222 before you head out. Grand Lake's bustling little downtown with its charming historic boardwalk is right outside of Rocky Mountain National Park's West Entrance. 9. Yes, August is a great month to hike in RMNP. Bodies of Water. To the north of the Beaver Meadows area, located on highway 34 approximately four miles west of Estes Park, is the Fall River Entrance Station. This "rest of park" Timed Entry Permit Reservation period will be in effect between the hours of 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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