We were here in early July, so all of the photos on our website were taken around the first week of July. Cascade Cottages & Colorado Cottages. Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuous paved road in the United States. The Alberta Falls Trail, like many other hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, follows a creek (in this case, Glacier Creek). 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. The west side of RMNP is not the side of RMNP that most people want to visit. (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. Accessible trails include favorites like Bear Lake and Sprague Lake, and you can also reserve an all-terrain wheelchair from Estes Park Mountain Shop (970-586-6548). For the first part of this hike you will be sharing the trail with those on their way to Longs Peak. On the other side of this entrance station you enter the meadows of the Kawuneeche Valley. Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most popular natural parks featuring 76 mountains each over 10 thousand feet high. Cheers, Julie. 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? Located just a couple minutes from Grand Lake, the Grand Lake Entrance is arguably the parks best-kept secret. 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. Show more. This entrance station has only one entry booth. Chasm Lake. Rocky Mountain National Park began addressing crowding . Is RMNP a good place to visit for the elderly or those with limited mobility? 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. In this Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary, many of days end by the early afternoon, because of these storms. There are sixty mountain peaks over 12,000 feet and many of these top out over 13,000 feet. 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. 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. There are two ticket types: Park Access + and Park Access. From Bear Lake Road, turn left onto Highway 36 and continue on Trail Ridge Road. The Park's 415 square miles encompass a variety of alpine terrain, with at least 60 mountains exceeding 12,000 ft. See what else made the list! We still had some snow in a few spots at the higher elevations. There is also a shuttle bus that runs from Denver International Airport straight to Estes Park. This is the highest continuous paved road in the United States. Keep your fingers crossed for clear afternoon skies. During this time, you will be able to drive through the park, with access to all of the hikes and overlooks. If the weather was clear yesterday, and you drove Trail Ridge Road, I recommend doing another hike this morning. Bear Lake: 0.6 miles, easy, 30 minutes. 700 feet (213 m) elevation gain. Each daily reservation costs $2 per vehicle, which is in addition to the $25 daily entrance fee or $35 weekly fee per vehicle. When does Trail Ridge Road close in the fall? How long does it take to drive Trail Ridge Road? 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. The One Subscription to Fuel All Your Adventures. 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. This hike has a little bit of everythingwaterfalls, alpine lakes, high mountain views, and fun river and stream crossings. Potentially one of the busiest trails at RMNP is the Emerald Lake trail. 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. . Summer (generally Memorial Day to Labor Day) is peak visitor season for good reason trails are snow-free, the park's wildlife is active, and the wildflowers are in full bloom. Approaching Moraine Park, the road winds through large open meadows where the elk love to congregate. Rocky Mountain National Park Neighborhood Guide. 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. Longs Peak is the highest mountain in the park, and the only fourteener in Rocky Mountain National Park. Yes, I know, I said no hiking today, but I couldnt resist adding this one in. Unsubscribe anytime by clicking the link at the bottom of your email. A Park Access (Excludes Bear Lake Road Corridor) timed entry ticket is sufficient for this day. Plenty of room, good WiFi, nice furnishings, and beautiful views from our balcony. Its time for an amazing scenic drive in RMNP. Kawuneeche Entrance. miles of dramatic beauty, high rugged mountains, sparkling lakes, 350 miles of hiking trails, and abundant wildlife. Ranking of the top 16 things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. It is our favorite short hike in the park. If you love lakes you'll like this hike. During the summer months, afternoon thunderstorms are very common. 2) Wed morning: Sky pond. Cheers, Julie. 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. With its short distance and manageable elevation gain, it is a great first hike in the park, as you acclimate to the higher elevation. The most popular hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. I think that puts the Mills Lake + Loch Vale hike somewhere around 7.6 miles total. Information? In our experience, they typically just last an hour or two. Snow can linger on the trails as late as July, especially for the trails at higher elevations. Alberta Falls: 2 miles, easy, 1 to 1.5 hours. I recommend hiking Longs Peak on the day with the clearest weather. This includes the best hikes, the best experiences, how to get around, and where to stay. Ah one for each day, got it Ty !! 10. Complete Rocky Mountain National Park Winter Guide. Entrance Sign to Rocky Mountain National Park Photo: Depositphotos. 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. On the west side of the park is the Kawuneeche entrance, located just north of the town of Grand Lake. Rocky Mountain National Park is a special place any season, but fall brings out the best in the park. Located outside Estes Park, Colorado, Rocky Mountain is a great family vacation . You can follow this itinerary during the winter months with some modifications. 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. This is a great hike for newbie hikers who want to summit a mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park. The best Time to do scenic driving and hiking is during the summer and fall seasons. Clouds start moving in around noon with the storms occurring almost like clockwork between 1 and 3 pm. Moraine Park Campground is located in Rocky Mountain National Park near the Beaver Meadows Entrance on Highway 36. Trailhead Location. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. 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. Download the official NPS app before your next visit. You can get to this entrance without going through the middle of town by following highway 34 up East Wonderview Avenue. Best Things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. 11 miles of this road is located in the alpine tundra, which is above the treeline. The elevation of the lowest sections of the park range from 5,600 to 9,500 feet. Rocky Mountain National Park is open all year. Rocky Mountain National Park Travel Guide. 1. Founded in 1881, the village still embraces its original rustic architectural style . . 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. Timed Entry Ticket: You will need a Bear Lake Road Corridor + Full Park Access permit (Park Access +) if you plan to hike Sky Pond, Hallett Peak, or Mills and Black Lake. Not bad for a town of 400 residents, all of whom seem . Glacier Gorge parking lot and Longs Peak trailhead parking lot fill before sunrise. This is one of the highest national parks in the USA. 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. With numerous hotels and restaurants, and a great location near the heart of Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park is a great place to stay. 3.4 miles, moderate, 2 to 3 hours. You could plan your visit for the end of September and keep your fingers crossed that the weather cooperates. If you are looking for a relatively uncrowded trail with the chance to visit multiple alpine lakes, this is a nice hike to consider. Cheers, Julie. You'll need to be prepared to pull over regularly to let cars pass that are coming the other way. Thats a great question! Cheers, Julie. 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. 10 miles, moderate, 5 to 7 hours. If you plan to go hiking during July and August, you will have to assume that there will be a 2 pm thunderstorm. This is one of the most popular hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Rocky Mountain National Park. Only 0.6 miles round trip, this flat, easy trail circles around Bear Lake. And if you hike fast, you should have no problem getting to all 3 lakes on Tuesday afternoon. Full-Day Rocky Mountain National Park "Over The Top Tour" - RMNPhotographer. WorldMark Estes Park. Stop by the Kawuneeche Visitor Center near the Grand Lake Entrance to get more information. Trail Ridge Road - You can see forever! Best beginner hike in Rocky Mountain National Park: Emerald Lake. 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. There are four main entrance stations to Rocky Mountain National Park. Wondering if there are differences between entering park through entrances by Estes park or better to enter park through grand lake? The park is reducing the time period and number of hours daily that reservations are in effect for most areas of RMNP. We are going to put RMNP last so we have time to get used to the altitude, because we are from the East Coast. 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. Stop at Alpine Visitor Center, the highest visitor center in the US national parks. Trail Ridge Road, the highest paved continuous road in the United States, cuts through the park from the east to the west. 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. 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). Rocky Mountain National Park's 4 Neighborhoods to Stay in. Longs Peak is the biggest at 14,259 ft and can be seen from nearly anywhere. In summer 2022, timed-entry reservations are required between May 27 and October 10, 2022, and are in addition to your entrance fee. You'll either need to pay an entrance fee or use a National Parks Pass to enter. This itinerary is best from Memorial Day through mid-October, when Trail Ridge Road is open. Park Hours:Park entrances are open 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. Cheers, Julie, QQ for those noon thunderstorms, are they quick showers? Colorado has also designated Trail Ridge Road as a scenic and historic byway. I was thinking June but am guessing some of the hikes up about 10k feet would still have snow? The Continental Divide runs through the park. 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. This hike adds on Lake Haiyaha, another very pretty alpine lake. You can also access Bear Lake Road, but it requires an additional 10 minutes of driving. Emerald Lake | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. 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. Go back to the fork and then take the trail to Loch Vale. From the Alpine Visitor Center, drive Alpine Ridge Road back to Estes Park. Unlike other RV parks in the area, Elk Meadow has spaces for tent camping so it is more accommodating to a wider variety of camping styles. Afternoon/Evening Trail ridge road/Alpine ridge trial. The best time for this Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary is from Memorial Day through mid-October, when Trail Ridge Road is open. From Glacier Gorge parking lot (get there super earlypeople are rolling into the park before 5 am if they dont have a timed entry ticket so parking lots are filling up earlier this year), hike to Mills Lake. Do you think I can do Nymph, dream and emerald lakes (or at least 2 out of those 3?). RMNP is quite popular, with about than 3 million visitors a year. This is the hotel that inspired Stephen King to write The Shining. By 4 to 5 pm, the skies begin to clear. This helps control crowd levels on the roads and hiking trails. 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. l plan on 7 days there. Timed Entry Reservation Info for 2023 Season Dec 16, 2022. Just be aware that this is also the busiest time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park. 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. Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the highest national parks in the USA. Dont miss Forest Canyon Overlook, one of the best on the drive. Hopefully in your case they will be quick! Thanks for the article I am planning to travel below hikes/places in 3rd week of june. If time permits be adventurous and try a different entrance each day! 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. In fact, it is such a popular place to visit that you now need a timed entry permit to enter. But one afternoon, they went until dinner, off and on. $70. Clicking on the photos on this page will open up a larger version. Rocky Mountain National Park Colorado From May 25 through Oct. 22, you'll need what Rocky Mountain National Park calls a timed entry permit , aka a reservation, depending on what time of day . Those are the 3 that were recommended to me. The Continental Divide Trail connects some of the tallest peaks, such as Mount Ida, Flattop Mountain, Hallett Peak, Isolation Peak, and many more. Lily Lake. As it is, I like to hike early to avoid the crowd, Yes, leaving that early should work. However, this property gets rave reviews. If you do not have a reservation, you will not be allowed to enter the park. Three Day Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary, Four Day Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary, Five or More Days in Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. Is it worth going to RMNP if I only have 4 hours? 7.6 Good 275 reviews. 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. 6. I hope you have an awesome time in RMNP and happy hiking! Visiting RMNP in the spring (April or May), Rocky Mountain National Park Bed and Breakfast, Rocky Mountain National Park Vacation Rentals, Rocky Mountain National Park Vacation Packages, Things to Do in Rocky Mountain National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park Travel Guide, Browse all 3,365 Rocky Mountain National Park topics , 2 days in Rocky Mountain National Park--afraid of heights, Multi-day horse riding trail or pack trip, See All Rocky Mountain National Park Conversations. The hike itself is relatively easy but follows uneven terrain and rock so take caution with small children and older folks. Emerald lake lays below Hallett peak, Tyndall glacier, and Flattop mountain. Along the way, its a quick stop to see Chasm Falls. It's like a tour of amazing mountain lakes. At this elevation, its not enough to cause altitude sickness, but you will tire and get out of breath easily. Julie Last updated: February 23, 2023 United States 61 Comments. Quantity. Get inspired with tips about where to go and what to see on your national park vacation, delivered right to your inbox. For a longer list, read our post about Estes Park. This road will lead you all the way up to the Alpine Visitor Center and across the Continental Divide to Grand Lake. They said if you skip bear corridor, timed entry is only needed between 9a-3p. Driving distance from Denver: 1-2 hours. Its proximity to the charming town of Grand Lake make it even more alluring. Thank you! Forest Canyon Overlook | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary, Rainbow Curve Overlook | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. Estes Park. Note: You do not need a 44 for this drive. Its a short, easy hike in the subalpine tundra so you have 360 degree views on the entire hike. 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. Best Rocky Mountain National Park Hikes: Easy Tundra Hikes. If you are coming from a lower elevation and plan to hike to these taller peaks, you will need to spend a few days in the park, acclimating to the higher elevation, before you tackle these hikes. The road is well-graded and suitable for standard cars. Rocky Mountain National Park is the most visited recreation area in the state, headquartered in Estes Park. Yellowstone National Park; Wind River . This hike passes Cub Lake, Fern Falls, Fern Lake, Odessa Lake and Lake Helene. Bodies of Water. However, both routes cross high over the mountains and close down once winter weather arrives. One Perfect Day in Rocky Mountain National Park. Rocky Mountain National Park, located in northern Colorado, encompasses an area of 416 square miles (265,769 acres). ), you can spend the mornings hiking and the afternoons relaxing in Estes Park or wherever you might be staying. Once the snow begins to fall, you can still hike many of the trails that we list, but you will need snowshoes. For full details on how to spend one day in Rocky Mountain National Park, read our post One Perfect Day in Rocky Mountain National Park. Save. Bear Lake Road runs into the heart of the park. The pilot Timed Entry Permit System will be extended through October 22, 2023. Visit the Alpine Visitor Center, hike Alpine Ridge Trail, and consider driving down to Grand Lake, visiting the Holzwarth Historic Site on the way. Arrived at the park entrance before 5am which allowed us access to Bear Lake Road before the timed entry kicked in. Map courtesy of the National Park Service. Along the way explore over 300 miles of hiking trails and incredible wildlife viewing. How likely is someone to get altitude sickness at RMNP? You may experience lines that can stretch up to a mile long during the busy season. Estes Park to the Alpine Visitor Centre distance. If you want to stay in the park, you will be limited to campgrounds. We stayed in a 3-bedroom house, #402, and it was perfect. How crowded does Rocky Mountain National Park get? With one day, I recommend going on a hike, starting at Bear Lake, and driving Trail Ridge Road (its awesome!). About this Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary, Ideally, plan on spending at least three days in Rocky Mountain National Park. 7.4 miles (12 km). Ascending only 700 feet over 3 miles, this is a great introduction to moderate hiking in the park. 11. photo by Ladona Stork. Timed Entry Permit: If you have plans to visit the park in the summer months, dont forget to reserve your permit in advance. 1000 US Hwy 36 Elevation Gain: 1,100 ft. 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. Suggestions for this weekend Nov 03, 2022. The main entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park is located on highway 36 just four miles west of downtown Estes Park. 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. The Beaver Meadows Visitor Center is the best place to get information, books, maps and backcountry permits, as well as catch the park bus. If you choose to skip Sky Pond, you can combine Loch Vale and Mills Lake into one hike. 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. You will really feel the effects of the altitude. You spend very little time below the tree line, so the views are incredible for most of the hike. Yes, August is a great month to hike in RMNP. 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). 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.