Cheers, Julie. 9 Adventures in Grand County near Rocky Mountain National Park 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. Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary Ideas from 1 to 5 Days We just walked up and down the main road, and glanced at all the salt water taffy . Each residence is individually managed, so some are better than others. They are also happy to answer quick questions, but you have to keep them very short as there will almost certainly be others waiting behind you. On day two, as you are still acclimating to the altitude, I recommend one of these hikes: Deer Mountain. Aspenglen, Moraine Park, and Glacier Basin are the most popular campgrounds and these get reserved well in advance. You can also hike to Fern Lake out-and-back from either Bear Lake or Moraine Park. The closest town near Rocky Mountain National Park is Estes Park, less than 5 miles from the Beaver Meadows entrance.Many popular trails are easily accessible from here, as well at the national park's Beaver Meadows Visitor Center, Fall River Visitor Center, and Moraine Park Discovery Center. Two of them, Beaver Meadows and Fall River, are just west of the town of Estes Park. I think that puts the Mills Lake + Loch Vale hike somewhere around 7.6 miles total. 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. The main entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park is located on highway 36 just four miles west of downtown Estes Park. If you do not have a reservation, you will not be allowed to enter the park. This "rest of park" Timed Entry Permit Reservation period will be in effect between the hours of 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. This tough hike follows along the Continental Divide, starting at 10,800 feet and tops out at 12,899 feet on Mount Ida. 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. However, Old Fall River Road is only open during the summer months. Emerald Lake | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. It is our favorite short hike in the park. Lily Lake. For a longer list, read our post about Estes Park. This hike is much different than many other hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. And for FREE checklist of the US National Parks, take a look at our article US National Parks List. It is close to my Rocky Mtn NP trip (going there next week tue-sat), I wanted your opinion for this following itinerary and if it is doable 1) Tuesday afternoon: I will be at RMNP around 4pm. 9 miles, strenuous, 4 to 6 hours. Best Rocky Mountain National Park Hikes: Easy Tundra Hikes. 8 Unbelievable Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park - Wheatless Wanderlust 15 Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Thats crazy how early parking lots fill up, too. Snow can linger on the trails as late as July, especially for the trails at higher elevations. Spend the afternoon and evening exploring Estes Park. 16 Exciting Things to Do in Rocky Mountain National Park To reserve a campsite at Elk Meadow Lodge & RV Park, call (970) 586-5342. Thank you! Hike to one of the most popular waterfalls in RMNP. 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. It includes Bear Lake Road and the hikes that start here (Bear Lake, Emerald and Dream Lakes, Alberta Falls, Sky Pond, Hallett Peak, and Sprague Lake). This area is home to various trails, lakes, and wildlife. This helps control crowd levels on the roads and hiking trails. Flattop Mountain to Hallett Peak. The Mummy Mountain Range, Lumpy Ridge, and several . I hope you have a great time! Get updates on road conditions on the national park service website. Photo: Flickr/David Wilson. In order to see and do everything we list in this itinerary, plan on visiting the park when everything is open. Altitude sickness is rare in RMNP, unless you are hiking to peaks over 12,000 feet and are not acclimated. Have fun in RMNP! Pre-hike fuel: Near the main junction in Estes, hit up Notchtop . Drive Trail Ridge Road. Between the end of May through early October, you must reserve a permit to visit the park. Pssst. Duration. Take your pick from one, two, three, and four bedroom houses that come equipped with a full kitchen. Difficulty: Challenging. Earth Trekkers is my starting point for every hiking vacation. best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. The Aspire rooms are higher-end, modernly decorated rooms but many people state that they are overpriced for what you get. 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. Rocky Mountain National Park Is A National Treasure. 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. Cheers, Julie. If you are looking for a relatively uncrowded trail with the chance to visit multiple alpine lakes, this is a nice hike to consider. Length: 5.5 miles. 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. Required fields are marked *. The Beaver Meadows Entrance was remodeled . Black Lake and Mills Lake are often labeled as two of the prettiest lakes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Cheers, Julie, Your email address will not be published. The Best Campgrounds in (and Near) Rocky Mountain National Park 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). We were here in early July, so all of the photos on our website were taken around the first week of July. Elk on Trail Ridge Road | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. If you had afternoon thunderstorms on Day One, drive Trail Ridge Road in the morning. Is there any need for an SUV or non-standard vehicle to access any of the trailheads for your recommended hikes? To feel like you are really in the heart of the mountains, head to the only entrance on the parks west side, the Grand Lake Entrance. South Saint Vrain Ave/Hwy 7. If the weather was clear yesterday, and you drove Trail Ridge Road, I recommend doing another hike this morning. 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. This gave us enough time to hike at least one trail every day, with contingency time for bad weather. 4 Entrances to Rocky Mountain National Park - Which is best? From Bear Lake Road, turn left onto Highway 36 and continue on Trail Ridge Road. 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. By fv1989. Ideally, plan on spending at least three days in Rocky Mountain National Park. Plenty of room, good WiFi, nice furnishings, and beautiful views from our balcony. This property is located west of Estes Park on Fall River Road, so you will have a longer drive to get into the heart of the park. 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. From the summit you have a great view over Moraine Park and Longs Peak. If you hike to Sky Pond, you will hike through the Loch to get there. 3. In this post, get all of the information you need to plan your Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary. Sky Pond. What would be the best time to hike RMNP after labor day? USA TRAVEL INSPIRATION:For more great ideas on where to go in the United States, check out our article Best USA Road Trips, which has 18 sample itineraries for your next big adventure. A beginner's guide to visiting Rocky Mountain National Park In this Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary, many of days end by the early afternoon, because of these storms. 4. Colorado Springs. You can drive Trail Ridge Road, visit the Alpine Visitor Center, hike to Longs Peak and to Chasm Lake, and hike Gem Lake. On the west side of the park is the Kawuneeche entrance, located just north of the town of Grand Lake. Miles of trails: More than 355 miles along about 160 trails. If you only have one day in Rocky Mountain National Park, it will be a busy day. You'll pass the popular Wild Basin Lodge just before the entrance. 15+ Best Hikes In Rocky Mountain National Park - Hiking Daily It is the east side (Estes Park side) of RMNP that has . , Thanks ! The permit is in effect from 9 am to 2 pm. 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. For many visitors, the winter months are their favorite time to visit RMNP. Map courtesy of the National Park Service. During the winter months, cross-country skiing is also a popular activity. This entrance station gives you access to the Aspenglen Campground, Horseshoe Park, Old Fall River Road, and Trail Ridge Road. Chasm Lake. Its our favorite hike in RMNP. 2. From $73.48 per night. One Perfect Day in Rocky Mountain National Park. The west side of RMNP is not the side of RMNP that most people want to visit. Learn more on the official National Park Service website. (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. For the first part of this hike you will be sharing the trail with those on their way to Longs Peak. The best entrance for Rocky Mountain National Park is Beaver Meadows Entrance or Fall River Entrance. Eleven miles of this road is in the alpine tundra, which is over 11,000 feet. Grand Lake, Colorado at Rocky Mountain National Park During the summer months, afternoon thunderstorms are very common. They will ask to see your park pass and ID or offer you the opportunity to purchase one. Typically this road12,183 feet at it's highest point, remains closed from late-October to late-May. When you visit Rocky Mountain National Park, you have several choices of which entry point to use. Timed Entry Reservation Info for 2023 Season Dec 16, 2022. There are many things to do here. 10. If you are an avid hiker, I recommend spending five or more days in Rocky Mountain National Park. Things to Do in Rocky Mountain National Park - Tripadvisor 15 great hikes to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. This entrance station has three entry booths which helps traffic to enter more quickly; however, this also tends to be the busiest entrance station. When Trail Ridge Road closes, there will be no access to the west side of the park, if you are staying in 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. 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. All offer bookstores and much printed information to supplement the knowledgeable staff. I highly recommend this particular residence. Follow the Two Day Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary. If you are an avid hiker, dont miss the Gunnison Route, a trail that takes you from the rim to the Gunnison River. 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. How to Spend One Day in Rocky Mountain National Park Forest Canyon Overlook | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary, Rainbow Curve Overlook | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. For the "Park Access, Does Not Include Bear Lake Road" Timed Entry Permits, they will be in effect between the hours of 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. :) All the entrances lead to the Beautiful Rocky Mountains. Cheers, Julie. Less known, but my personal favorite moderate hike in the Bear Lake Trailhead: Jewel Lake. Address. Loch Lake. But even with a week here, there are still a lot of hikes left on our to-do list. Get inspired with tips about where to go and what to see on your national park vacation, delivered right to your inbox. Park at Bear Lake Trailhead. 5. All passes are available at all park entrance stations. $35 per vehicle, valid for one week. Snow on the trail in July (hiking to Fern and Odessa Lakes from Bear Lake). Past the Alpine Visitor Center, you can continue on Alpine Ridge Road and go all of the way to Grand Lake, if you like. 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. How to Make the Most of One Day in Rocky Mountain National Park Get updates on trail closures and park conditions on the National Park Service website. But dont bring your RV there. Crowds are still big in September, both to see fall colors and the elk mating season. 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. 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 !! From the hotel it's a 15-minute drive to Beaver Meadows Entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park, while downtown Estes Park is just a couple of miles away. Do you think I can do Nymph, dream and emerald lakes (or at least 2 out of those 3?). In July, we hiked through a snowstorm on the way back from Sky Pond. Is it safe?. 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. You can follow this itinerary during the winter months with some modifications. 22 Best Cabins In Rocky Mountain National Park - Updated | Trip101 The road is well-graded and suitable for standard cars. Location: north-central Colorado. Travel to Aspen and Rock Mountain During thanksgiving Nov 08, 2022. This has been implemented to limit crowds at the busiest sections of the park during the peak visitation season (the summer months). This gives you enough time to drive Alpine Ridge Road, Old Fall River Road, and hike a few of the trails. Complete Rocky Mountain National Park Winter Guide. The Stanley Hotel. For reference, my family will be traveling to all the Colorado national parks in late July for around two weeks. It is situated on the north side of Moraine Park. The daily access to the Rocky Mountain National Park is US$ 30 per vehicle, US$ 15 per person, and US$ 25 per motorcycle. Bear Lake with Longs Peak and the Keyboard of the Winds in the background. Plan on being at the trailhead by 7am (or earlier) if you want to park at the trailhead itself. Timed Entry Permit: If you have plans to visit the park in the summer months, dont forget to reserve your permit in advance. Alberta Falls: 2 miles, easy, 1 to 1.5 hours. 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. Best nearby. As it is, I like to hike early to avoid the crowd, Yes, leaving that early should work. 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. Get a free Colorado national park trip planner for inspiring itineraries and essential information. Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the highest national parks in the USA. Rocky Mountain National Park, located in northern Colorado, encompasses an area of 416 square miles (265,769 acres). You can hike here from Glacier Gorge or Bear Lake Trailhead. 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. 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. The park has gotten so popular that in 2020 a timed entry system was put into effect. 94 within 3 miles. There will also be three amazing lakes. Follow the three day Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary. Go back to the fork and then take the trail to Loch Vale. The Beaver Meadows Entrance was remodeled in 2000-2001, adding another entrance lane to reduce the time spent waiting in line. If you had afternoon thunderstorms on Day One, drive Trail Ridge Road in the morning. So you basically log on in July when they open it up for dates in August and quickly pick 2-3 dates? This year's system has loosened to 75% to 85% of parking capacity. This is the hotel that inspired Stephen King to write The Shining. . 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. Best Time to Visit Rocky Mountain National Park One Perfect Day in Rocky Mountain National Park - Earth Trekkers However, I only recommend doing this if you are acclimated to the altitude, since these are strenuous hikes with big ascents. Julie Last updated: February 23, 2023 United States 61 Comments. 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). And bring a camera , its a beautiful park! Head to Grand Lake, a quaint, historic town surrounded on three sides by Rocky Mountain National Park. The park is much less crowded at this time, but Trail Ridge Road is not open and many, if not all, of the hiking trails can be snow covered. Located just a couple minutes from Grand Lake, the Grand Lake Entrance is arguably the parks best-kept secret. During this time, you will be able to drive through the park, with access to all of the hikes and overlooks. This road will lead you out of town and to the Beaver Meadows Entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. BEST OF ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK: For a list of top experiences, read our article Best Things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. Only 0.6 miles round trip, this flat, easy trail circles around Bear Lake. You will need a Bear Lake Road Corridor + Full Park Access Timed Entry Ticket (Park Access +)for this day. 3.4 miles, moderate, 2 to 3 hours. The vast majority of these people visited the park between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Up above 10,000 feet the air is thin, the temps are much cooler, and the wind is usually . Mills Lake | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. Learn more here. One of the drawbacks of visiting Rocky Mountain National Park during the winter months is that Trail Ridge Road is closed. Simply follow highway 36 through downtown Estes Park. Rocky Mountain National Park Timed Entry - Recreation.gov 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. This itinerary is best from Memorial Day through mid-October, when Trail Ridge Road is open. 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. There are a lot of hikes that start at the Bear Lake Trailhead. We still had some snow in a few spots at the higher elevations. The best Time to do scenic driving and hiking is during the summer and fall seasons. In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. From here, hike the Alpine Ridge Trail. If you are visiting between late May and mid-October during peak hours, then you will also need to show your timed entry permit to gain entry. The Continental Divide runs through the park. They said if you skip bear corridor, timed entry is only needed between 9a-3p. On the way you'll pass the Kawuneeche Visitor Center on your right. Afternoon/Evening free to do whatever 5) Sat Morning: Prepare to drive back to the airport for afternoons flight. The Mummy Mountain Range, Lumpy Ridge, and several hiking trails sit to the north of Trail Ridge Road. Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most popular natural parks featuring 76 mountains each over 10 thousand feet high. Estes Park This very highly rated property offers two-bedroom apartments that can accommodate up to six people. Show more. 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. Rocky Mountain National Park: Glacier Gorge Snowshoe Hike Lake of Glass, seen on the hike to Sky Pond. 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. On the west side of the park, located approximately two miles north of Grand Lake, is the Grand Lake Entrance Station. Dont miss Forest Canyon Overlook, one of the best on the drive. What to See and Do in Rocky Mountain National Park in One Day 6.2 miles, moderate, 3 to 4 hours. A 2 hour trip from either Steamboat Springs or Breckenridge will only get you to the west side entrance to RMNP. Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park for families Kawuneeche Entrance. Clouds start moving in around noon with the storms occurring almost like clockwork between 1 and 3 pm. 10 Awesome Hikes on the East Side of Rocky Mountain National Park It's like a tour of amazing mountain lakes. There is no lodging inside Rocky Mountain National Park. or are there better/rewarding hikes that i can sub in instead of the above listed ones? You can get to this entrance without going through the middle of town by following highway 34 up East Wonderview Avenue. This is a great hike for newbie hikers who want to summit a mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park. 6. 970 586-1206 Rocky Mountain National Park timed entry system frustrates visitors Trailhead Location. The best time for this Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary is from Memorial Day through mid-October, when Trail Ridge Road is open. Want to receive a printed insiders guide to Colorados four national parks including Rocky Mountain National Park? And if you hike fast, you should have no problem getting to all 3 lakes on Tuesday afternoon. Equally enjoyable on foot or from your car, there are four separate ecosystems: montane, subalpine, alpine tundra, and riparian. Rocky Mountain National Park is a relatively large park, with a total area of 415 square miles. With towering mountain peaks, alpine lakes and waterfalls, and the opportunity to hike along the Continental Divide, this park offers world-class hiking experiences. Glacier Gorge parking lot and Longs Peak trailhead parking lot fill before sunrise. For now, the forecast does call for afternoon thunderstorms from what i can see on weather.com, It depends. So on Tuesday, do you think I can salvage some hiking? Travelers favorites include #1 Trail Ridge Road, #2 Beaver Meadows Visitor Center and more.