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. The Fall River entrance also has three entry booths and can sometimes be a faster way to enter the park when it is busy. 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). You are now standing at 12,718 feet, with 360 views, which makes this one of the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. At an elevation of over 14,000 feet, guests will be in awe of the breathtaking craggy peaks and lush valleys. 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. (Learn about the different park pass options available.) Photo: Flickr/David Wilson. These two are the most popular entrances to the park. This hike has a little bit of everythingwaterfalls, alpine lakes, high mountain views, and fun river and stream crossings. Get a free Colorado national park trip planner for inspiring itineraries and essential information. 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. The last stretch to Wild Basin is a narrow, gravel road that becomes one lane in places, so it is not appropriate to bring your RV. Rocky Mountain National Park is one of our nation's most spectacular national parks with 415sq. Rocky Mountain National Park, CO 80517. Difficulty: Challenging. CO Spend the rest of the day in Estes Park. 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. Drive Trail Ridge Road. If you are coming from Estes Park, this drive takes 30 minutes. This "rest of park" Timed Entry Permit Reservation period will be in effect between the hours of 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cheers, Julie. Black Lake looks similar to Chasm Lake, as both of these alpine lakes are surrounded by jagged mountain peaks. Learn about each of them and find the entrance station that will best meet your needs. 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. 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. There will also be three amazing lakes. 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. You will need a Park Access (Excludes Bear Lake Road Corridor) permit if you plan to hike Chasm Lake or Mount Ida. 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. Since I like to hike, I am guessing maybe 3 solid days? Glacier Gorge parking lot and Longs Peak trailhead parking lot fill before sunrise. Never been to park at all. In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. Potentially one of the busiest trails at RMNP is the Emerald Lake trail. This easy hike offers spectacular views of Rocky Mountain National Park and it is great for all ages and ability levels. Where to Stay Near Rocky Mountain National Park? The stark colors of the evergreen trees and the sparkling high-mountain waters combine for picture perfect vistas. 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. You're going to want to start early, because parking fills up fast. You need to make it through the Beaver Meadows entrance and where they check permits for the Bear Lake Corridor (I think that is the junction of Bear Lake Road and US-36 but I am not 100% about this) before 5 am. 11. Odessa & Fern Lakes Hike. The rooms within the main hotel building get mixed reviews. 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. 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. 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. You can also hike to Fern Lake out-and-back from either Bear Lake or Moraine Park. #1 Estes Park - Overall Best Place to Stay in Rocky Mountain National Park. Here are several to choose from. best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. On the way you'll pass the Kawuneeche Visitor Center on your right. Cheers, Julie, QQ for those noon thunderstorms, are they quick showers? Learn more here. 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. At the entry station you will be greeted by a ranger. Do we have others using the trails even in the mornings? Ideally, you want a day with crystal clear skies and no chance of rain. Timed entry permits (separate from an entrance fee) are no longer required. There are pull outs along the road for viewing but can get busy during the day so head . In 2021, Rocky Mountain National Park was the 5th most visited national park in the United States, with 4.4 million visitors. The Park's 415 square miles encompass a variety of alpine terrain, with at least 60 mountains exceeding 12,000 ft. The park is quieter and with the snow, it is a winter wonderland. Elk on Trail Ridge Road | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. 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. You'll pass the popular Wild Basin Lodge just before the entrance. 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. You can also access Bear Lake Road, but it requires an additional 10 minutes of driving. Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most popular natural parks featuring 76 mountains each over 10 thousand feet high. 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. Not sure either if we should stay in Estes park or grand lake? 10 miles, moderate, 5 to 7 hours. The Mummy Mountain Range, Lumpy Ridge, and several hiking trails sit to the north of Trail Ridge Road. If you hike to Sky Pond, you will hike through the Loch to get there. 4. We are going to put RMNP last so we have time to get used to the altitude, because we are from the East Coast. Learn more on the national park service website. Gem Lake | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. 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. Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuous paved road in the United States. We have info on this post on how to do this, so make sure you get your permit for each day that you plan to be in the park. How much is the entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. Dream Lake | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. Timed Entry Ticket: Park Access (excludes Bear Lake Road Corridor) is sufficient unless you choose to hike to Fern and Odessa Lakes. Crowds will begin to quiet down in October, but snow on the trails becomes a lot more likely. Visit the Alpine Visitor Center, hike Alpine Ridge Trail, and consider driving down to Grand Lake, visiting the Holzwarth Historic Site on the way. However, Old Fall River Road is only open during the summer months. Cheers, Julie. Those are the 3 that were recommended to me. From here, you can park at the trailheads and hike some of the best trails in RMNP, like Emerald and Dream Lakes, Alberta Falls, Sky Pond, Mills Lake, and Hallett Peak. If you are not acclimated to the higher elevation, it is normal to get out of breath easily. 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. 2. Earth Trekkers is my starting point for every hiking vacation. You'll either need to pay an entrance fee or use a National Parks Pass to enter. Price. 15 Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. The road is well-graded and suitable for standard cars. All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. Is there any need for an SUV or non-standard vehicle to access any of the trailheads for your recommended hikes? Running north to south through the park is the Continental Divide and the highest mountain peaks.. Rocky Mountain National Park is home to 2 fantastic scenic drive opportunities. Odessa and Fern Lakes, Mills and Black Lake, Sky Pond, and Hallett Peak can all be hiked from this trailhead. 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. Once you pass through the entrance booth, you have access to that area of the park (for example, if you are coming from Estes Park and enter through the Beaver Meadows entrance before 9 am, you do not need a permit and can tour the park, with the exception of the Bear Lake Corridor, for the rest of the day). But its only worth it if skies are clear. Map courtesy of the National Park Service. Chasm Lake | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. For example, if you hike Deer Mountain at 6 am, you do not need a permit. miles of dramatic beauty, high rugged mountains, sparkling lakes, 350 miles of hiking trails, and abundant wildlife. Anything to keep in mind? Thats awesome that you got Bear Lake permits and thats so COOL that you got them while on Lassen Peak (yes, I cant wait to visit that park). Elevation Gain: 1,100 ft. A Quick Geography Lesson. Take your pick from one, two, three, and four bedroom houses that come equipped with a full kitchen. How long does it take to drive Trail Ridge Road? 94 within 3 miles. Rocky Mountain National Park operates on a timed permit entry system during the summer (May to October), and entry to the park during every season requires a $30 vehicle entrance pass. What is a good itinerary for a day trip to RMNP in the winter? Entrance tickets and fees. One Perfect Day in Rocky Mountain National Park. Only 0.6 miles round trip, this flat, easy trail circles around Bear Lake. Located just a couple minutes from Grand Lake, the Grand Lake Entrance is arguably the parks best-kept secret. 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. Ive lived down the hill and explored RMNP a lot for 44 years. Each residence is individually managed, so some are better than others. Turn west onto Highway 84 (Wild Basin Road) and follow it for 0.4 miles to the Wild Basin entrance station. :) All the entrances lead to the Beautiful Rocky Mountains. Nymph, Dream, Emerald, Haiyaha and Bear Lake: 6.2 miles, moderate, 4 to 5 hours. Less known, but my personal favorite moderate hike in the Bear Lake Trailhead: Jewel Lake. Depending on the volume of traffic, some visitors with detailed questions must be directed to the visitor centers where the rangers and volunteers there can more adequately provide the needed assistance. During the winter months, cross-country skiing is also a popular activity. , Tombstone Ridge | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. Emerald Lake | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. Yay!! Take the shuttle to avoid parking hassles. . Thank you! This station, which is one mile west of the park's headquarters and Beaver Meadows Visitor Center, usually receives the highest volume of visitors. Acreage: 265,769. Colorado has also designated Trail Ridge Road as a scenic and historic byway. Estes Park sits to the east of the park. Best Rocky Mountain National Park Hikes: Easy Tundra Hikes. To reserve a campsite at Elk Meadow Lodge & RV Park, call (970) 586-5342. 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?) When to Visit. l plan on 7 days there. Forest Canyon Overlook | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary, Rainbow Curve Overlook | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. From Bear Lake Road, turn left onto Highway 36 and continue on Trail Ridge Road. Have a great time in RMNP! 15 great hikes to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. Are you referring to the timed entry ticket? The elevation of the lowest sections of the park range from 5,600 to 9,500 feet. 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. More about Trail Ridge Road's Season. With its large collection of hotels and restaurants, this is a great place to stay when you visit Rocky Mountain National Park. 3. 365. Plus, this is a lesser known hike, so the trail gets a lower number of hikers than other hikes on this list. Get updates on trail closures and park conditions on the National Park Service website. 80517. When you visit Rocky Mountain National Park, you have several choices of which entry point to use. Thunderstorms dont happen every single day, but it is something that you need to plan for. The permit is in effect from 5 am to 6 pm. If you are an avid hiker, I recommend spending five or more days in Rocky Mountain National Park. For more information about where to stay and where to eat, read our Guide to Estes Park. The map above displays the main entrances, campgrounds, lodging options, and locations for the best things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. In 2021, RMNP was the fifth most visited park in the USA, receiving 4.4 million visitors. 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. 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. Follow the three day Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary. MESA VERDE: Learn about the best things to do and how to plan your visit in our Guide to Mesa Verde National Park. It's like a tour of amazing mountain lakes. When Trail Ridge Road closes, there will be no access to the west side of the park, if you are staying in Estes Park. Mills and Black Lake. In this post, get all of the information you need to plan your Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary. Old Fall River Road | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. The Continental Divide Trail to Mount Ida. photo by Ladona Stork. 9.5 miles, strenuous, 4 to 6 hours. Hiking poles are a good idea for some of the tougher hikes (Sky Pond, Chasm Lake) if you have knee issues or if there is snow on the trail. Get inspired with tips about where to go and what to see on your national park vacation, delivered right to your inbox. 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. The larger portion of the park sits to the south of Trail Ridge Road. 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. Waterproof hiking shoes or boots are a great idea too, since snow is a possibility on some of these trails, all year. If you are looking for a relatively uncrowded trail with the chance to visit multiple alpine lakes, this is a nice hike to consider. 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. Travelers favorites include #1 Trail Ridge Road, #2 Beaver Meadows Visitor Center and more. If you have five or more days in Rocky Mountain National Park (lucky you! best things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. Miles of trails: More than 355 miles along about 160 trails. 1-Day Pass - Automobile - $25. Inside the park, the Rocky Mountain Conservancy offers year-round seminars, guided fly-fishing, naturalist tours, hiking and photography classes. Founded in 1881, the village still embraces its original rustic architectural style . I love all of the information you provide and find your advice extremely helpful. Otherwise you'll need to login the day before and try to obtain one of the limited entry passes with . Snow on the trail in July (hiking to Fern and Odessa Lakes from Bear Lake). Should I spend my time on the east side or the west side of the park? If you had afternoon thunderstorms on Day One, drive Trail Ridge Road in the morning. 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. Eleven miles of this road is in the alpine tundra, which is over 11,000 feet. Hi Julie ! 970 586-1206 That is correct. By 4 to 5 pm, the skies begin to clear. Hopefully in your case they will be quick! Cheers, Julie. During the busy summer months, a free shuttle service is provided by the national park service. But even with a week here, there are still a lot of hikes left on our to-do list. Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the best US national parks to go hiking. Funds from RMNP passes insure the preservation of the Lily Lake area and help to maintain the parking lot, vault. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Lake of Glass, seen on the hike to Sky Pond. After the passes and permits are sorted, they will offer you a park map and a park newspaper. The Wild Basin entrance is located 13.5 miles south of Estes Park just off of scenic highway 7. Along the way explore over 300 miles of hiking trails and incredible wildlife viewing. If you are coming from sea level, you will feel the effects of the altitude as soon as you do anything strenuous. Recorded Trail Ridge Road status: (970) 586-1222. This entrance station has only one entry booth. Is RMNP a good place to visit for the elderly or those with limited mobility? You can visit Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) all year, but sections of the park close once the snow begins to fall. 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. How likely is someone to get altitude sickness at RMNP? Do you think this is doable? How crowded does Rocky Mountain National Park get? 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