If you do not plan on visiting the Bear Lake Corridor, and you plan to enter the park before 9 am, you do not need a permit. Difficulty: Moderate. Snow on the trail in July (hiking to Fern and Odessa Lakes from Bear Lake). You will reach Loch Vale before the final climb to Sky Pond. In summer 2022, timed-entry reservations are required between May 27 and October 10, 2022, and are in addition to your entrance fee. You can also see more travel itineraries on our Travel Itineraries page and our National Park Itineraries. A beginner's guide to visiting Rocky Mountain National Park ie last an hour or so and go away? This entrance station has only one entry booth. One Day in Rocky Mountain National Park (No Hiking) - Sights Better Seen Mills Lake and Loch Vale are very nice and might be perfect for you. . 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 could plan your visit for the end of September and keep your fingers crossed that the weather cooperates. (Learn about the different park pass options available.) 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. Where to stay near Rocky Mountain National Park, CO Lily Lake. 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). Chasm Lake. Important Things to Know Before You Plan Your Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary, When to Visit Rocky Mountain National Park. How Many Days Do You Need in Rocky Mountain National Park? The Fall River entrance also has three entry booths and can sometimes be a faster way to enter the park when it is busy. First-timer's guide to visit Rocky Mountain National Park or are there better/rewarding hikes that i can sub in instead of the above listed ones? Whats the Best Season to Visit Rocky Mountain National Park. 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. Shuttle Bus. Call 970-586-1222 before you head out. BEST OF ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK: For a list of top experiences, read our article Best Things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. You will hike past Alberta Falls, wind around lovely Mills Lake, and end at Black Lake. Length: 5.2 miles round-trip. Mills Lake | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. Thanks for the article I am planning to travel below hikes/places in 3rd week of june. Rocky Mountain National Park | Estes Park Wildlife & Activities Driving distance from Denver: 1-2 hours. Rocky Mountain National Park is a relatively large park, with a total area of 415 square miles. A Park Access (Excludes Bear Lake Road Corridor) timed entry ticket is sufficient for this day. Answer (1 of 2): All of them them! Rocky Mountain National Park also offers a lot to do for those who arent big fans of hiking. They can linger into September, when fall colors continue to attract visitors and hikers. If you are planning your Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary, this is a great place to start. The Alberta Falls Trail, like many other hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, follows a creek (in this case, Glacier Creek). RMNP in February Dec 18, 2022. 11 miles of this road is located in the alpine tundra, which is above the treeline. Do you think this is doable? Running north to south through the park is the Continental Divide and the highest mountain peaks.. 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. Located outside Estes Park, Colorado, Rocky Mountain is a great family vacation . 1-Day Pass - Automobile - $25. Parking lot sizes vary. Is there any need for an SUV or non-standard vehicle to access any of the trailheads for your recommended hikes? From $73.48 per night. For reference, my family will be traveling to all the Colorado national parks in late July for around two weeks. 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. This hike starts just under 12,000 feet of elevation and it is a stair climb to the top. 700 feet (213 m) elevation gain. This historic hotel is one of the top places to stay in Estes Park. Where to Stay in Rocky Mountain National Park (2023 - The Broke Backpacker 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. 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. Many of the taller peaks make up the Continental Divide, where snowmelt runs . Its proximity to the charming town of Grand Lake make it even more alluring. It is our favorite short hike in the park. After one final short and strenuous climb you arrive at Chasm Lake. ), you can spend the mornings hiking and the afternoons relaxing in Estes Park or wherever you might be staying. This is our favorite hike in RMNP. Prospect Mountain is a 15-minute drive, and you can set out along Lake Estes Trail less than 10 minutes after departing the accommodation. Wild Basin Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park 1,400 feet (426 m)of elevation gain. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. Learn more on the official National Park Service website. 10 Best Things to Do in Rocky Mountain National Park See what else made the list! Yes, August is a great month to hike in RMNP. There are many things to do here. Alpine Ridge Road reaches its highest point at 12,183 feet. Old Fall River Road | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. 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). On the way you'll pass the Kawuneeche Visitor Center on your right. Park at Bear Lake Trailhead. 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. Recorded Trail Ridge Road status: (970) 586-1222. If the weather was clear yesterday, and you drove Trail Ridge Road, I recommend doing another hike this morning. Alternatively, continue straight ahead and you'll find yourself on the dramatic Trail Ridge Road which leads over the Continental Divide to the west side of the park and Grand Lake. Cheers, Julie. Cheers, Julie, Your email address will not be published. Difficulty: Challenging. 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. Download the official NPS app before your next visit. If you have any questions about planning your Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary, let us know in the comment section below. Most people will be acclimated by this point, which means that you can hike almost any trail in the park. Rocky Mountain National Park. 7.4 miles (12 km). For 48 miles, this road runs from Estes Park in the east to Grand Lake in the west. The best way to . 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. This very highly rated property offers two-bedroom apartments that can accommodate up to six people. 1000 US Hwy 36, Estes Park, CO, 80517. The Mummy Mountain Range, Lumpy Ridge, and several hiking trails sit to the north of Trail Ridge Road. Best Places to See Elk in Rocky Mountain National Park After the passes and permits are sorted, they will offer you a park map and a park newspaper. To visit Rocky Mountain National Park from May 26 to October 22, 2023, you will need to reserve a permit in advance. Best Time to Visit Rocky Mountain National Park At this elevation, its not enough to cause altitude sickness, but you will tire and get out of breath easily. You can hike here from Glacier Gorge or Bear Lake Trailhead. A Quick Geography Lesson. 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. If you are an avid hiker, you are probably ready to hike some of the longer, tougher, more thrilling hikes in the park. Black Lake looks similar to Chasm Lake, as both of these alpine lakes are surrounded by jagged mountain peaks. Ideally, you want a day with crystal clear skies and no chance of rain. But one afternoon, they went until dinner, off and on. We were here in early July, so all of the photos on our website were taken around the first week of July. Along the way, its a quick stop to see Chasm Falls. Moraine Park Museum has interactive geology exhibits. The Inn on Fall River & Fall River Cabins. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The One Subscription to Fuel All Your Adventures. Are current Colorado fires affecting or near RMNP? Thunderstorms dont happen every single day, but it is something that you need to plan for. 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. Is there anything you recommend to bring on the hikes? 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. Rocky Mountain National Park Neighborhood Guide. One Perfect Day in Rocky Mountain National Park - Earth Trekkers Bear Lake Road runs into the heart of the park. You're going to want to start early, because parking fills up fast. There are sixty mountain peaks over 12,000 feet and many of these top out over 13,000 feet. When to Visit. Moraine Park Campground is located in Rocky Mountain National Park near the Beaver Meadows Entrance on Highway 36. 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?) Its a very short hike (just over a half-mile round trip), but it will literally take your breath away. This is a must-do in Rocky Mountain National Park. 10 miles, moderate, 5 to 7 hours. For hikers, its the ultimate adventure. This is the hike that I recommend for today. Nymph, Dream & Emerald Lakes: 3.6 miles, easy to moderate, 2 to 3 hours. Sky Pond | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. Thats a great question! Park Access: This permit gives you access to everything in Rocky Mountain National Park except for Bear Lake Road. I want to avoid crowds and yet have good weather ( no snow). Rocky Mountain National Park Fees. We also have a guide to the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park and how to spend one day in RMNP. 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. How To Plan A Perfect Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary Rocky Mountain National Park Is A National Treasure. Estes Park to the Alpine Visitor Centre distance. The scenery is beautiful, as you gradually twist and turn through the mountains to get to the Alpine Visitor Center. But even with a week here, there are still a lot of hikes left on our to-do list. One week was perfect for us. When does Trail Ridge Road close in the fall? Show more. Is RMNP a good place to visit for the elderly or those with limited mobility? Black Lake and Mills Lake are often labeled as two of the prettiest lakes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Do you think I can do Nymph, dream and emerald lakes (or at least 2 out of those 3?). Eleven miles of this road is in the alpine tundra, which is over 11,000 feet. We still had some snow in a few spots at the higher elevations. You can get to the Fall River Entrance by driving 5-10 minutes on US 34 west from Estes Park. Turn west onto Highway 84 (Wild Basin Road) and follow it for 0.4 miles to the Wild Basin entrance station. 15 Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park (With Map) - Roaming the USA From the Alpine Visitor Center, drive Alpine Ridge Road back to Estes Park. Many hikes top out over 9,000 feet, with some reaching up to 13,000 and 14,000 feet. Save. Trail Ridge Road is the highest paved through road, not only in Colorado, but also in the entire US national park system. Have fun in RMNP! This year's system has loosened to 75% to 85% of parking capacity. Past the Alpine Visitor Center, you can continue on Alpine Ridge Road and go all of the way to Grand Lake, if you like. 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. As one of the most popular hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, the Alberta Falls Trail is a must on any itinerary. You may experience lines that can stretch up to a mile long during the busy season. Cascade Cottages & Colorado Cottages. Best Things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. Learn about each of them and find the entrance station that will best meet your needs. Rocky Mountain National Park's 4 Neighborhoods to Stay in. That is correct. 9 miles, strenuous, 4 to 6 hours. Gorgeous alpine views can certainly be seen from this center located at 11,796' elevation! I climbed 3 different volcanoes in 3days and it was lovely. 3. Best Hikes Rocky Mountain National Park. In the southeast corner of the park there is an entrance to the Wild Basin area. 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. Emerald Lake. 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. 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. If you like scenic drives and going off-the-beaten-path, youll love this drive. Hi Julie ! 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. Old Fall River Road is an 11-mile long gravel road that runs one-way from Horseshoe Park (near Estes Park) and ends at the Alpine Visitor Center. The only first-come, first-served Rocky Mountain National Park campgrounds in the park, Longs Peak Campground, has 26 sites and charges $26 per night. When Trail Ridge Road closes, there will be no access to the west side of the park, if you are staying in Estes Park. Moraine Park Campground. Stop by the Kawuneeche Visitor Center near the Grand Lake Entrance to get more information. Do you think August is a good time to visit RMNP? Your email address will not be published. But its only worth it if skies are clear. Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park for families 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. These amazing mountains cradle the Estes Valley, providing residents and guests with incredible beauty and inspiration. The Aspire rooms are higher-end, modernly decorated rooms but many people state that they are overpriced for what you get. Anything to keep in mind? The longer and harder the hike, the earlier you will have to start. Two of them, Beaver Meadows and Fall River, are just west of the town of Estes Park. The Kawuneeche entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park is located 2 miles north of Grand Lake on highway 34. What do you think about Deer Mtn, Mills Lake and Loch Vale [sp?]. 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. 9.5 miles, strenuous, 4 to 6 hours. The Ultimate Guide to Rocky Mountain National Park - AARP Rocky Mountain National Park - Annual Pass. photo by Ladona Stork. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. Rocky Mountain National Park (Photo by Buddy Smith/The Points Guy) Rocky Mountain National Park basics. 15 Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Rocky Mountain National Park - Estes Park-Grand Lake If you get to Allenspark, you have gone too far. From here, hike the Alpine Ridge Trail. I am travelling solo. If you end at RMNP, you should not have any issues with altitude sickness, unless you hike Longs Peak on your first day here (but even that would be highly unlikely). Lily Lake. Ideally, plan on spending at least three days in Rocky Mountain National Park. Turn around and look for the trailhead on your left. Typically this road12,183 feet at it's highest point, remains closed from late-October to late-May. The road is well-graded and suitable for standard cars. You are now standing at 12,718 feet, with 360 views, which makes this one of the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Want to receive a printed insiders guide to Colorados four national parks including Rocky Mountain National Park? Thats crazy how early parking lots fill up, too. Longs Peak is the biggest at 14,259 ft and can be seen from nearly anywhere. 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. Length: 5.5 miles. This itinerary is best from Memorial Day through mid-October, when Trail Ridge Road is open. However, the road is open to Many Parks Curve, approximately 7 miles from the start of Trail Ridge Road from the east. If you did not do it yet, you have the option to hike the short but sweet Ute Trail to Tombstone Ridge. This station, which is one mile west of the park's headquarters and Beaver Meadows Visitor Center, usually receives the highest volume of visitors. Learn more here. It is located just outside of Estes Park, on the south side, an excellent location for driving into the park. 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). That means you will not be able to visit the Alpine Visitor Center, hike the Ute Trail to Tombstone Ridge, drive Old Fall River Road, or visit some of the best overlooks in the park. Learn everything you need to know to plan the perfect day in Rocky Mountain National Park! RMNP is quite popular, with about than 3 million visitors a year. You have a choice today: take a break from hiking and explore Rocky Mountain National Park and Estes Park, or hike another trail. Pass Type. I think that puts the Mills Lake + Loch Vale hike somewhere around 7.6 miles total. 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? 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. Would that help mitigate some of the altitude sickness? How to Make the Most of One Day in Rocky Mountain National Park Reservations are made online on the recreation.gov website. The best time for this Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary is from Memorial Day through mid-October, when Trail Ridge Road is open. Rocky Mountain National Park is open all year. Best entrance to RMNP - - Rocky Mountain National Park Forum Lake of Glass, seen on the hike to Sky Pond. 10 Rocky Mountain National Park Attractions You Can't-Miss - MSN This entrance is right next to the intersection with Bear Lake Road providing you with easy access to this area of the park. At the entry station you will be greeted by a ranger. Snow can start to fall in September. This road will lead you out of town and to the Beaver Meadows Entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. This is the highest continuous paved road in the United States. The Mummy Mountain Range, Lumpy Ridge, and several . This station, which is one mile west of the park's headquarters and Beaver Meadows Visitor Center, usually receives the highest volume of visitors. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. With its large collection of hotels and restaurants, this is a great place to stay when you visit Rocky Mountain National Park. RMNP East or West Entrance? - Rocky Mountain National Park Forum Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) is one of the most popular attractions in Colorado, drawing 4.5 million annual visitors to its 415 square miles of mountain beauty. Our website uses cookies. Sky Pond. If you hike to Sky Pond, you will hike through the Loch to get there. 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. 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. If you had afternoon thunderstorms on Day One, drive Trail Ridge Road in the morning. Approaching Moraine Park, the road winds through large open meadows where the elk love to congregate. Are you referring to the timed entry ticket? For every hike that we list, you do not need an SUV or non-standard vehicle. But dont bring your RV there. You'll need to be prepared to pull over regularly to let cars pass that are coming the other way. Gem Lake | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. Rocky Mountain National Park fall guide: Best aspen, elk viewing and The park is quieter and with the snow, it is a winter wonderland. 6.2 miles, moderate, 3 to 4 hours. Rocky Mountain National Park Timed Entry - Recreation.gov Price. 3.4 miles, moderate, 2 to 3 hours. 11. Rocky Mountain National Park is a relatively large park, with a total area of 415 square miles. This gives you enough time to drive Alpine Ridge Road, Old Fall River Road, and hike a few of the trails. This hike passes Cub Lake, Fern Falls, Fern Lake, Odessa Lake and Lake Helene. About this Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary, Ideally, plan on spending at least three days in Rocky Mountain National Park.