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The park has gotten so popular that in 2020 a timed entry system was put into effect. The views from the overlooks are stunning. The Beaver Meadows and the Kawuneeche Visitor Centers both show free park films. Get inspired with tips about where to go and what to see on your national park vacation, delivered right to your inbox. Up above 10,000 feet the air is thin, the temps are much cooler, and the wind is usually . Put your higher hikes in the second half of your RMNP visit and you should be fine. Emerald and Dream Lakes are great but crowded. Located just a couple minutes from Grand Lake, the Grand Lake Entrance is arguably the parks best-kept secret. If you choose to skip Sky Pond, you can combine Loch Vale and Mills Lake into one hike. This entrance station has three entry booths which helps traffic to enter more quickly; however, this also tends to be the busiest entrance station. The elevation of the lowest sections of the park range from 5,600 to 9,500 feet. Nymph, Dream & Emerald Lakes: 3.6 miles, easy to moderate, 2 to 3 hours. Take the shuttle to avoid parking hassles. Keep your fingers crossed for clear afternoon skies. Hi Julie! or maybe 4? Rocky Mountain National Park (Photo by Buddy Smith/The Points Guy) Rocky Mountain National Park basics. Grand Lake's bustling little downtown with its charming historic boardwalk is right outside of Rocky Mountain National Park's West Entrance. Because the entrance is so accessible from Estes Park and open year round, it is the most popular. Cheers, Julie. The Wild Basin entrance is located 13.5 miles south of Estes Park just off of scenic highway 7. Lake Haiyaha | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. Fall River Visitor Center features life-sized displays of a wide variety of park wildlife. For Longs Peak, that means starting by 3 or 4 am. Odessa & Fern Lakes Hike. Your email address will not be published. However, if Longs Peak is on your list, I recommend waiting one more day if you come from sea level. 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. There is no lodging inside Rocky Mountain National Park. Best nearby. 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. RMNP is quite popular, with about than 3 million visitors a year. The Mummy Mountain Range, Lumpy Ridge, and several hiking trails sit to the north of Trail Ridge Road. From Loveland it's 30 miles (48 km) and 45 minutes by car to get to Estes Park. The best way to . Do a Hike Near Bear Lake. The job of the entrance station rangers is to welcome the visitors to the park, issue entrance passes, and answer visitor questions. For 48 miles, this road runs from Estes Park in the east to Grand Lake in the west. These two are the most popular entrances to the park. Cheers, Julie. 10.4 miles, strenuous, 6 to 8 hours. But one afternoon, they went until dinner, off and on. In the winter months, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing top the list. Gorgeous alpine views can certainly be seen from this center located at 11,796' elevation! Learn more about the national parks in our Guide to the US National Parks. Thanks for writing in!! Stop at Alpine Visitor Center, the highest visitor center in the US national parks. 15 Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. To the north of the Beaver Meadows area, located on highway 34 approximately four miles west of Estes Park, is the Fall River Entrance Station. There are sixty mountain peaks over 12,000 feet and many of these top out over 13,000 feet. 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). Crowds will begin to quiet down in October, but snow on the trails becomes a lot more likely. When does Trail Ridge Road close in the fall? Timed entry permits (separate from an entrance fee) are no longer required. The stark colors of the evergreen trees and the sparkling high-mountain waters combine for picture perfect vistas. I recommend hiking Longs Peak on the day with the clearest weather. Map courtesy of the National Park Service. If you are coming from sea level, you will feel the effects of the altitude as soon as you do anything strenuous. Learn more on the national park service website. This entrance gives you access to Sandbeach Lake, Finch & Pear Lake, Calypso Cascades and Ouzel Falls, Thunder Lake, and Bluebird Lake. This short, strenuous hike offers sweeping views over Estes Park and out to Longs Peak and it ends at a very pretty alpine lake. 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?) . 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. However, both routes cross high over the mountains and close down once winter weather arrives. The rooms within the main hotel building get mixed reviews. 10. Rocky Mountain National Park also offers a lot to do for those who arent big fans of hiking. Its our favorite hike in RMNP. We were here in early July, so all of the photos on our website were taken around the first week of July. I am travelling solo. Yes. This hike passes Cub Lake, Fern Falls, Fern Lake, Odessa Lake and Lake Helene. 15 great hikes to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. You could plan your visit for the end of September and keep your fingers crossed that the weather cooperates. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. During the winter months, cross-country skiing is also a popular activity. Recorded Trail Ridge Road status: (970) 586-1222. 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. The best Time to do scenic driving and hiking is during the summer and fall seasons. Best Things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. Get updates on road conditions on the national park service website. We spent a week there in July and had a thunderstorm in the afternoon about 50% of the time, starting between 1 and 4 pm. This hike has a little bit of everythingwaterfalls, alpine lakes, high mountain views, and fun river and stream crossings. Most recently, in 2020, we spent one very busy week here, and learned a lot about this park. Forest Canyon Overlook | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary, Rainbow Curve Overlook | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. High in the center of the park, the Alpine Visitor Center offers displays about the most noted area of the park, the land above the trees. The Stanley Hotel offers a wide range of rooms. I love all of the information you provide and find your advice extremely helpful. With its large collection of hotels and restaurants, this is a great place to stay when you visit Rocky Mountain National Park. MESA VERDE: Learn about the best things to do and how to plan your visit in our Guide to Mesa Verde National Park. 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. Rocky Mountain National Park, located in northern Colorado, encompasses an area of 416 square miles (265,769 acres). Illustrated t You may experience lines that can stretch up to a mile long during the busy season. Deer mountain Alpine ridge trail Trail ridge drive Ute trail to tomb bridge Alberta falls Nymph, dream and emerald lake Haiyaha Bear lake Sprague lake loop sheep lakes lily lake loop chasm falls Gem lake Mills lake, Rocky Mountain is very safe for a solo traveler and yes, in the mornings, there will be people on these trails. With that being said, you should know that crowds are the largest during the summer months, especially July and August. Just be aware that this is also the busiest time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park. With its short distance and manageable elevation gain, it is a great first hike in the park, as you acclimate to the higher elevation. During the summer months, afternoon thunderstorms are very common. Find out what to do, what to see, tours to join and more! We stayed in a 3-bedroom house, #402, and it was perfect. In this Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary, many of days end by the early afternoon, because of these storms. Afternoon/Evening Trail ridge road/Alpine ridge trial. 1,400 feet (426 m)of elevation gain. $35 per vehicle, valid for one week. Park Details. The west side (Grand Lake side) is more about the Kawuneeche Valley and the Colorado River. Its a short, easy hike in the subalpine tundra so you have 360 degree views on the entire hike. If the skies stay clear, you can stay in the park and do more exploring. 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. 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. This easy hike offers spectacular views of Rocky Mountain National Park and it is great for all ages and ability levels. If you plan to hike Sky Pond, Mills Lake, or Black Lake later in this itinerary, you will pass Alberta Falls, so there is no need to hike to it today. Or is it pretty bad and long lasting? When is the best time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park? You will have to find your own way to the park from Estes Park because the shuttle only runs to the town. All entrances into Rocky Mountain National Park require entrance fees, even the ones that don't have a physical entrance to drive through. There is even a three-bedroom house that can accommodate up to nine people. The west side of RMNP is not the side of RMNP that most people want to visit. There are sixty mountain peaks over 12,000 feet and many of these top out over 13,000 feet. Each daily reservation costs $2 per vehicle, which is in addition to the $25 daily entrance fee or $35 weekly fee per vehicle. Afternoon/Evening free to do whatever 5) Sat Morning: Prepare to drive back to the airport for afternoons flight. Timed Entry Permit: If you have plans to visit the park in the summer months, dont forget to reserve your permit in advance. 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. Funds from RMNP passes insure the preservation of the Lily Lake area and help to maintain the parking lot, vault. It is the east side (Estes Park side) of RMNP that has . This is one of the highest national parks in the USA. You wont find major grocery stores here, although you can drive 25 minutes to Granby and shop at the enormous City Market. Few people hike out this far so this is a great place to leave the crowds behind. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. The best entrance for Rocky Mountain National Park is Beaver Meadows Entrance or Fall River Entrance. 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. Loveland & Boulder, CO - Rocky Mountain lodging further away. Length: 5.2 miles round-trip. You will really feel the effects of the altitude. Stay on US 34 as it becomes Trail Ridge Road to enjoy a spectacular tour of the parks incredible landscapes. These shuttle buses connect Moraine Park and Bear Lake, with numerous stops in between. Quantity. Eleven miles of this road is in the alpine tundra, which is over 11,000 feet. One of the drawbacks of visiting Rocky Mountain National Park during the winter months is that Trail Ridge Road is closed. 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. On the west side of the park is the Kawuneeche entrance, located just north of the town of Grand Lake. 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. The Finch Lake trail is a great choice for those who prefer solitude as it's one of the lesser traveled trails in the Wild Basin region of RMNP. miles of dramatic beauty, high rugged mountains, sparkling lakes, 350 miles of hiking trails, and abundant wildlife. Rocky Mountain high means snow, ice, and thin air - in exchange for jaw-dropping beauty. Ascending only 700 feet over 3 miles, this is a great introduction to moderate hiking in the park. Visit the Rockies and experience mountain climbing, hiking, camping, fishing, and breathtaking views of jagged peaks, glaciers, and high-mountain lakes. 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. Want to receive a printed insiders guide to Colorados four national parks including Rocky Mountain National Park? Stop by the Kawuneeche Visitor Center near the Grand Lake Entrance to get more information. Evening back at Estes park at my hotel. 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. On the way you'll pass the Kawuneeche Visitor Center on your right. 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. Each residence is individually managed, so some are better than others. 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). What do you think about Deer Mtn, Mills Lake and Loch Vale [sp?]. 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. 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). This station is .25 miles from our newest visitor center, the Fall River Visitor Center. You will reach Loch Vale before the final climb to Sky Pond. There will be people. The vast majority of these people visited the park between Memorial Day and Labor Day. 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. 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). Difficulty: Challenging. We just walked up and down the main road, and glanced at all the salt water taffy . 7.4 miles (12 km). 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. Lily Lake. Length: 5.5 miles. And you wouldn't be disappointed at any choice. Trail Type: Out-and-back. Park at Bear Lake Trailhead. I think its a good idea to have a basic plan of what you want to do while at RMNP but be flexible. 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. You can learn more about all of these hikes on our post 15 Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Timed Entry Ticket: Park Access (excludes Bear Lake Road Corridor) is sufficient unless you choose to hike to Fern and Odessa Lakes. Three Day Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary, Four Day Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary, Five or More Days in Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. 94 within 3 miles. Rocky Mountain National Park made our list of the best national parks for kids. This gives you enough time to drive Alpine Ridge Road, Old Fall River Road, and hike a few of the trails. The best places to have your questions answered is at one of the park visitor centers. Miles of trails: More than 355 miles along about 160 trails. Gem Lake | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. And bring a camera , its a beautiful park! 11. This route will lead you up past the Stanley Hotel. Mills Lake and Loch Vale are very nice and might be perfect for you. 7.6 Good 275 reviews. After one final short and strenuous climb you arrive at Chasm Lake. There are numerous pull-over areas on each side of the road for this purpose. Learn everything you need to know to plan the perfect day in Rocky Mountain National Park! Travelers favorites include #1 Trail Ridge Road, #2 Beaver Meadows Visitor Center and more. I definitely recommend Lassen NP if you havent been there. The main entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park is located on highway 36 just four miles west of downtown Estes Park. [The vibe of Estes Park is very wild west mountain-like] [We passed at least 4 Saltwater Taffy shops on our way up the main street] [The Historic Park Theater] Estes Park is definitely worth checking out if you go through the Beaver Meadows entrance like we did.