Keep your fingers crossed for clear afternoon skies. You can stay in a cozy cabin with a river view or a well-decorated suite. 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? For now, the forecast does call for afternoon thunderstorms from what i can see on weather.com, It depends. Bear Lake: 0.6 miles, easy, 30 minutes. Do you think this is doable? But the real reason for doing this is for the incredible view of Sky Pond, one of the most spectacular alpine lakes in the USA. It does get tiring, but these trails are so much fun and offer such a wide variety of views and experiences that it never gets monotonous or boring. 9. This hike starts at Bear Lake and summits Flattop Mountain before arriving at Hallett Peak. The Mummy Mountain Range, Lumpy Ridge, and several . Take the shuttle to avoid parking hassles. 9.5 miles, strenuous, 4 to 6 hours. If you are coming from Estes Park, this drive takes 30 minutes. Have a great time in RMNP! 11. 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. Emerald Lake. Cheers, Julie. Rocky Mountain National Park is the most visited recreation area in the state, headquartered in Estes Park. In the summer months, the best things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park are hiking, driving Trail Ridge Road, taking a stroll around Bear Lake, driving Old Fall River Road, and mountaineering. In order to see and do everything we list in this itinerary, plan on visiting the park when everything is open. Hopefully in your case they will be quick! Difficulty: Moderate. When is the best time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park? The Park's 415 square miles encompass a variety of alpine terrain, with at least 60 mountains exceeding 12,000 ft. I want to avoid crowds and yet have good weather ( no snow). We spent one wonderful week in Rocky Mountain National Park in July. :) All the entrances lead to the Beautiful Rocky Mountains. 1. When to Visit. 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. Up above 10,000 feet the air is thin, the temps are much cooler, and the wind is usually . Gem Lake | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. Longs Peak, at 14,259 feet, is the only fourteener in the park. 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. It is only staffed in the busy season and during the busiest hours of the day the line can get long. In June, there still could be snow at the higher elevations, and it really depends on how much snow the area gets this spring. 1-Day Pass - Automobile - $25. 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. Timed Entry Ticket: Park Access (excludes Bear Lake Road Corridor) is sufficient unless you choose to hike to Fern and Odessa Lakes. We still had some snow in a few spots at the higher elevations. 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. You can get to the Fall River Entrance by driving 5-10 minutes on US 34 west from Estes Park. Learn more on the national park service website. Lake Estes | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. Best Hikes Rocky Mountain National Park. One Perfect Day in Rocky Mountain National Park. Estes Park to the Alpine Visitor Centre distance. Odessa and Fern Lakes, Mills and Black Lake, Sky Pond, and Hallett Peak can all be hiked from this trailhead. With that being said, you should know that crowds are the largest during the summer months, especially July and August. Cheers, Julie. It is located at 9,500 feet in a pine forest. 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 do not have a reservation, you will not be allowed to enter the park. miles of dramatic beauty, high rugged mountains, sparkling lakes, 350 miles of hiking trails, and abundant wildlife. If you are an avid hiker, I recommend spending five or more days in Rocky Mountain National Park. Longs Peak, at 14,259 feet, is the only fourteener in the park. Here are six tips on what to do in Estes Park during your Rocky Mountain National Park vacation. Parking at the most popular trailheads fill up extremely early in the day. Do 4 days if you canthere are a LOT of hikes to choose from here. Download the official NPS app before your next visit. Yellowstone National Park; Wind River . 1. Moraine Park Campground is located in Rocky Mountain National Park near the Beaver Meadows Entrance on Highway 36. 9. We spent seven days in RMNP and every day we did at least one hike. 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. You can follow this itinerary during the winter months with some modifications. This hike passes Cub Lake, Fern Falls, Fern Lake, Odessa Lake and Lake Helene. 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). The Wild Basin entrance is located 13.5 miles south of Estes Park just off of scenic highway 7. You will need a Bear Lake Road Corridor + Full Park Access Timed Entry Ticket (Park Access +)for this day. , Thanks ! Unsubscribe anytime by clicking the link at the bottom of your email. I recommend hiking Longs Peak on the day with the clearest weather. more, Rocky Mountain National Park Destination Experts. Thunderstorms dont happen every single day, but it is something that you need to plan for. 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. There is even a three-bedroom house that can accommodate up to nine people. CO Miles of trails: More than 355 miles along about 160 trails. 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. To visit Rocky Mountain National Park from May 26 to October 22, 2023, you will need to reserve a permit in advance. It is situated on the north side of Moraine 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. If the weather was clear yesterday, and you drove Trail Ridge Road, I recommend doing another hike this morning. For reference, my family will be traveling to all the Colorado national parks in late July for around two weeks. Its time for an amazing scenic drive in RMNP. If you have any questions about planning your Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary, let us know in the comment section below. 6. Few people hike out this far so this is a great place to leave the crowds behind. If you love lakes you'll like this hike. Each residence is individually managed, so some are better than others. We stayed in a 3-bedroom house, #402, and it was perfect. Should I spend my time on the east side or the west side of the park? Less known, but my personal favorite moderate hike in the Bear Lake Trailhead: Jewel Lake. Trailhead Location. Estes Park sits to the east of the park. #1 Estes Park - Overall Best Place to Stay in Rocky Mountain National Park. The Stanley Hotel offers a wide range of rooms. Have a great trip! On the way you'll pass the Kawuneeche Visitor Center on your right. 7.4 miles (12 km). On the other side of this entrance station you enter the meadows of the Kawuneeche Valley. (Learn about the different park pass options available.) The Fall River entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park is located on highway 34 approximately 5 miles east of Estes Park. Mt Ida, Sky pond and Chasm lake(timed this to catch sunrise there) were epic hikes with great views. The Aspire rooms are higher-end, modernly decorated rooms but many people state that they are overpriced for what you get. These are the only official entry stations into the park. Look for that option at the intersection next to McDonald's on the east side of Estes Park. For reference, I was able to do Highline trail from the loop all the way to Grinnell viewpoint, Ptarmigan tunnel and Grinnell Glacier including Grinnell lake, hidden lake overlook, virginia waterfalls over 3 full days at my recently concluded Glacier NP trip. 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. Thanks for writing in!! If you only have one day in Rocky Mountain National Park, it will be a busy day. 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. It may sound counterintuitive, but if you really want to see Rocky Mountain National Park hassle-free, leave your car behind. The Continental Divide runs through the park. This is one of the most popular hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. For many visitors, the winter months are their favorite time to visit RMNP. In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. We just walked up and down the main road, and glanced at all the salt water taffy . The best time for this Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary is from Memorial Day through mid-October, when Trail Ridge Road is open. Hi Julie! Finch Lake Hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. 800-715-HIKE (4453) (9-4:30 Every Day) Top Rated On . Afternoon/Evening spending it around the visitor center, or back at Estes Park 4) Fri Morning: Chasm lake. Rocky Mountain National Park offers plenty of contrast from one season to the next. If you are an avid hiker, you are probably ready to hike some of the longer, tougher, more thrilling hikes in the park. Mills Lake and Loch Vale are very nice and might be perfect for you. Typically this road12,183 feet at it's highest point, remains closed from late-October to late-May. Is it safe?. Rocky Mountain National Park began addressing crowding . By fv1989. From here, hike the Alpine Ridge Trail. This hiker shuttle take visitors to some of the most popular trails along Bear Lake Road. Crowds will begin to quiet down in October, but snow on the trails becomes a lot more likely. The elevation of the lowest sections of the park range from 5,600 to 9,500 feet. The Stanley Hotel. Stop at Alpine Visitor Center, the highest visitor center in the US national parks. Yay!! Difficulty: Challenging. Is it worth going to RMNP if I only have 4 hours? 3.4 miles, moderate, 2 to 3 hours. ), you can spend the mornings hiking and the afternoons relaxing in Estes Park or wherever you might be staying. Afternoon/Evening Trail ridge road/Alpine ridge trial. . Never been to park at all. About this Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary, Ideally, plan on spending at least three days in Rocky Mountain National Park. Longs Peak is the highest mountain in the park, and the only fourteener in Rocky Mountain National Park. If you like scenic drives and going off-the-beaten-path, youll love this drive. You can get to this entrance without going through the middle of town by following highway 34 up East Wonderview Avenue. 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. 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, All material copyright by Morning Light Photography, Inc. All rights reserved. Be aware that you'll need to make a left turn at the stoplights onto Moraine Avenue. 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). . I was thinking June but am guessing some of the hikes up about 10k feet would still have snow? Thats crazy how early parking lots fill up, too. It is a common misconception that there are fee-free entrances into the Park. And for FREE checklist of the US National Parks, take a look at our article US National Parks List. For your afternoon activities, just keep your fingers crossed that you wont have afternoon thunderstorms on those days. This road opened in 1920 at it was the first road that led into Rocky Mountain National Park. You will really feel the effects of the altitude. It is located just outside of Estes Park, on the south side, an excellent location for driving into the park. This easy hike offers spectacular views of Rocky Mountain National Park and it is great for all ages and ability levels. The only thing to note is that each day I started the hike between 4a-5a (especially because some parking lots like the Glacier gorge one and Longs peak one get filled up by 5a). Colorado Springs. If you plan to go hiking during July and August, you will have to assume that there will be a 2 pm thunderstorm. Dream Lake | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. Its a very short hike (just over a half-mile round trip), but it will literally take your breath away. Just be aware that this is also the busiest time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park. I highly recommend this particular residence. Running north to south through the park is the Continental Divide and the highest mountain peaks. If you have five or more days in Rocky Mountain National Park (lucky you! Snow can start to fall in September. It's like a tour of amazing mountain lakes. Ah one for each day, got it Ty !! This family friendly hike is a great intro to hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park. You will hike past Alberta Falls, wind around lovely Mills Lake, and end at Black Lake. I hope you have a great time! Youre itinerary is great, thanks for this! Our website uses cookies. Sky Pond | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. Rocky Mountain National Park, CO 80517. Elevation of Rocky Mountain National Park. 94 within 3 miles. From $73.48 per night. Map courtesy of the National Park Service. 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. Visit the Alpine Visitor Center, hike Alpine Ridge Trail, and consider driving down to Grand Lake, visiting the Holzwarth Historic Site on the way. Are you referring to the timed entry ticket? Founded in 1881, the village still embraces its original rustic architectural style . I think that puts the Mills Lake + Loch Vale hike somewhere around 7.6 miles total. This is one of the highest national parks in the USA. This route will lead you up past the Stanley Hotel. $35 per vehicle, valid for one week. So, keep your fingers crossed for clear skies! Want to receive a printed insiders guide to Colorados four national parks including Rocky Mountain National Park? 7.6 Good 275 reviews. We also have a guide to the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park and how to spend one day in RMNP. But dont bring your RV there. We also really liked the Ute Trail to Tombstone Ridge. These shuttle buses connect Moraine Park and Bear Lake, with numerous stops in between. There are four main entrance stations to Rocky Mountain National Park. Rocky Mountain National Park also offers a lot to do for those who arent big fans of hiking. Suggestions for this weekend Nov 03, 2022. . 5. I recommend staying at The Residences. You spend very little time below the tree line, so the views are incredible for most of the hike. Reservations are made online on the recreation.gov website. In a normal year, Rocky Mountain National Park attracts well over 4 million visitors to its 415 square miles that are home to 147 lakes, dozens of different mammals (bear, moose and bighorn sheep among them), 355 miles of hiking trails and the Continental Divide. And bring a camera , its a beautiful park! Elk on Trail Ridge Road | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. There are sixty mountain peaks over 12,000 feet and many of these top out over 13,000 feet. When you visit Rocky Mountain National Park, you have several choices of which entry point to use. To feel like you are really in the heart of the mountains, head to the only entrance on the parks west side, the Grand Lake Entrance. In summer 2022, timed-entry reservations are required between May 27 and October 10, 2022, and are in addition to your entrance fee. If you live in Colorado and/or are planning on visiting the park more than once, you can get the Rocky Mountain National Park Annual Pass for US$ 70 per vehicle. Acreage: 265,769. Since the timed slots are only 2hrs long, if i end up not doing any hikes on the bear lake corridor and i plan on being inside the park around 6a I can get away w/o having to get any timed entries right? 2. Past the Alpine Visitor Center, you can continue on Alpine Ridge Road and go all of the way to Grand Lake, if you like. Nymph, Dream, Emerald, Haiyaha and Bear Lake: 6.2 miles, moderate, 4 to 5 hours. Mills Lake | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. All entrances into Rocky Mountain National Park require entrance fees, even the ones that don't have a physical entrance to drive through. or are there better/rewarding hikes that i can sub in instead of the above listed ones? 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. If you are an avid hiker, dont miss the Gunnison Route, a trail that takes you from the rim to the Gunnison River. You'll need to be prepared to pull over regularly to let cars pass that are coming the other way. 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. Chasm Lake | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. Here are several to choose from. Best nearby. Nymph, Dream, Emerald & Bear Lakes: 4.2 miles, easy to moderate, 3 hours. best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. The wilderness area includes 355 miles of hiking trails, 147 lakes, 77 mountains taller than 12,000 feet, and the opportunity to see elk, bighorn sheep and moose. (970) 586-1206. Snow on the trail in July (hiking to Fern and Odessa Lakes from Bear Lake). Bodies of Water. 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). Learn more here. 10 miles, moderate, 5 to 7 hours. Moraine Park Campground. 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. And if you hike fast, you should have no problem getting to all 3 lakes on Tuesday afternoon. We are going to put RMNP last so we have time to get used to the altitude, because we are from the East Coast. Thank you! Hike to one of the most popular waterfalls in RMNP. Lake Haiyaha | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. Emerald lake lays below Hallett peak, Tyndall glacier, and Flattop mountain. Afternoon/Evening free to do whatever 5) Sat Morning: Prepare to drive back to the airport for afternoons flight. Rocky Mountain National Park (Photo by Buddy Smith/The Points Guy) Rocky Mountain National Park basics. Follow the Two Day Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary. The main entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park is located on highway 36 just four miles west of downtown Estes Park. The park has gotten so popular that in 2020 a timed entry system was put into effect. If you had afternoon thunderstorms on Day One, drive Trail Ridge Road in the morning. Flattop Mountain to Hallett Peak. Ive lived down the hill and explored RMNP a lot for 44 years. best things to do in 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. Because the Wild Basin Entrance is about a 30-minute drive south of Estes Park on the parks east side, most of the parks visitors never even see the Wild Basin area. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. Many of the taller peaks make up the Continental Divide, where snowmelt runs . After the trail split, the hike gets easier and the views of Longs Peak and the alpine landscape is jaw-dropping. Whats the Best Season to Visit Rocky Mountain National Park. Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the highest national parks in the USA.

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