Cheers, Julie. However, both routes cross high over the mountains and close down once winter weather arrives. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. On the west side of the park, located approximately two miles north of Grand Lake, is the Grand Lake Entrance Station. 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. If you love lakes you'll like this hike. You can get to this entrance without going through the middle of town by following highway 34 up East Wonderview Avenue. Stay on US 34 as it becomes Trail Ridge Road to enjoy a spectacular tour of the parks incredible landscapes. Accessible trails include favorites like Bear Lake and Sprague Lake, and you can also reserve an all-terrain wheelchair from Estes Park Mountain Shop (970-586-6548). Rocky Mountain National Park - Annual Pass. But more often than not, in the summer, afternoon storms will occur. this is a great place to stay when you visit Rocky Mountain National Park. 7.4 miles (12 km). If you did not do it yet, you have the option to hike the short but sweet Ute Trail to Tombstone Ridge. Travelers favorites include #1 Trail Ridge Road, #2 Beaver Meadows Visitor Center and more. Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the best US national parks to go hiking. Map courtesy of the National Park Service. Go back to the fork and then take the trail to Loch Vale. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. The Kawuneeche entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park is located 2 miles north of Grand Lake on highway 34. Most people will be acclimated by this point, which means that you can hike almost any trail in the park. The longer and harder the hike, the earlier you will have to start. Timed Entry Permit: If you have plans to visit the park in the summer months, dont forget to reserve your permit in advance. We also really liked the Ute Trail to Tombstone Ridge. Located outside Estes Park, Colorado, Rocky Mountain is a great family vacation . With that being said, you should know that crowds are the largest during the summer months, especially July and August. 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). This is the hike that I recommend for today. Start your trip off right, with a hike from the Bear Lake trailhead at the end of Bear Lake Road. Learn about each of them and find the entrance station that will best meet your needs. Put your higher hikes in the second half of your RMNP visit and you should be fine. The best time for this Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary is from Memorial Day through mid-October, when Trail Ridge Road is open. Should I spend my time on the east side or the west side of the park? Rocky Mountain National Park, located in northern Colorado, encompasses an area of 416 square miles (265,769 acres). Thats a great question! I hope you have a great time! 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. Pre-hike fuel: Near the main junction in Estes, hit up Notchtop . So on Tuesday, do you think I can salvage some hiking? How Many Days Do You Need in Rocky Mountain National Park? There is also a shuttle bus that runs from Denver International Airport straight to Estes Park. Past the Alpine Visitor Center, you can continue on Alpine Ridge Road and go all of the way to Grand Lake, if you like. Trail Ridge Road is 48 miles long, connecting Estes Park to Grand Lake. Loveland & Boulder, CO - Rocky Mountain lodging further away. This gave us enough time to hike at least one trail every day, with contingency time for bad weather. Turn around and look for the trailhead on your left. There are sixty mountain peaks over 12,000 feet and many of these top out over 13,000 feet. Plan on being at the trailhead by 7am (or earlier) if you want to park at the trailhead itself. The best Time to do scenic driving and hiking is during the summer and fall seasons. Rent kayaks, stand-up paddleboards or pedal boats and explore Grand Lake, Colorado's largest natural lake. But dont bring your RV there. I recommend hiking Longs Peak on the day with the clearest weather. Do a Hike Near Bear Lake. And for FREE checklist of the US National Parks, take a look at our article US National Parks List. Or is it pretty bad and long lasting? Rocky Mountain National Park is a special place any season, but fall brings out the best in the park. 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. more, Rocky Mountain National Park Destination Experts. This is a great warm-up for those who plan to hike Longs Peak. For hikers, its the ultimate adventure. To see fall colors and the elk mating season, plan your visit from mid-September through mid-October. If you wish detailed information to help enjoy your time in the park, stop by one of the park's visitor centers. During this time, you will be able to drive through the park, with access to all of the hikes and overlooks. Visit the Alpine Visitor Center, hike Alpine Ridge Trail, and consider driving down to Grand Lake, visiting the Holzwarth Historic Site on the way. Aspenglen, Moraine Park, and Glacier Basin are the most popular campgrounds and these get reserved well in advance. We still had some snow in a few spots at the higher elevations. We spent one wonderful week in Rocky Mountain National Park in July. Best beginner hike in Rocky Mountain National Park: Emerald Lake. Less known, but my personal favorite moderate hike in the Bear Lake Trailhead: Jewel Lake. If you are coming from sea level, you will feel the effects of the altitude as soon as you do anything strenuous. Its a very short hike (just over a half-mile round trip), but it will literally take your breath away. I love all of the information you provide and find your advice extremely helpful. If you plan to go hiking during July and August, you will have to assume that there will be a 2 pm thunderstorm. 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. The best entrance for Rocky Mountain National Park is Beaver Meadows Entrance or Fall River Entrance. Timed Entry Ticket: You will need a Bear Lake Road Corridor + Full Park Access permit (Park Access +) if you plan to hike Sky Pond, Hallett Peak, or Mills and Black Lake. You're going to want to start early, because parking fills up fast. View from the Alpine Ridge Trail | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. Not bad for a town of 400 residents, all of whom seem . [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. The Inn on Fall River & Fall River Cabins. With its short distance and manageable elevation gain, it is a great first hike in the park, as you acclimate to the higher elevation. 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 stay in a cozy cabin with a river view or a well-decorated suite. The permit is in effect from 5 am to 6 pm. Important Things to Know Before You Plan Your Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary, When to Visit Rocky Mountain National Park. Bear Lake: 0.6 miles, easy, 30 minutes. 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. How much is the entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. This tough hike follows along the Continental Divide, starting at 10,800 feet and tops out at 12,899 feet on Mount Ida. If you are an avid hiker, I recommend spending five or more days in Rocky Mountain National Park. (Learn about the different park pass options available.) Trailhead Location. This short, strenuous hike offers sweeping views over Estes Park and out to Longs Peak and it ends at a very pretty alpine lake. 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. This is a great hike for newbie hikers who want to summit a mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park. This hike starts at Bear Lake and summits Flattop Mountain before arriving at Hallett Peak. 10 miles, moderate, 5 to 7 hours. Complete Rocky Mountain National Park Winter Guide. On the way, you'll pass the park entry sign on your right, which is a great place to take family photos, and then the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center on your left. It is the east side (Estes Park side) of RMNP that has . Between the end of May through early October, you must reserve a permit to visit the park. 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? Thunderstorms dont happen every single day, but it is something that you need to plan for. Cheers, Julie. This road opened in 1920 at it was the first road that led into Rocky Mountain National Park. Bear Lake with Longs Peak and the Keyboard of the Winds in the background. Rocky Mountain National Park also offers a lot to do for those who arent big fans of hiking. In fact, it is such a popular place to visit that you now need a timed entry permit to enter. If you are an avid hiker, you are probably ready to hike some of the longer, tougher, more thrilling hikes in the park. 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. COLORADO ITINERARY: With 10 days in Colorado, road trip to all four national parks (Rocky Mountain, Great Sand Dunes, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, and Mesa Verde), linking them together with some very scenic drives. This is an essential hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. You can follow this itinerary during the winter months with some modifications. During the winter months, cross-country skiing is also a popular activity. 9 miles, strenuous, 4 to 6 hours. Itinerary Help: 1 or 1.5 days in RMNP and other CO NPs Nov 20, 2022. Head to Grand Lake, a quaint, historic town surrounded on three sides by Rocky Mountain National Park. There will also be three amazing lakes. 80517. It is located at 9,500 feet in a pine forest. This entrance gives you access to Sandbeach Lake, Finch & Pear Lake, Calypso Cascades and Ouzel Falls, Thunder Lake, and Bluebird Lake. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. Length: 5.2 miles round-trip. Flattop Mountain to Hallett Peak. The main entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park is located on highway 36 just four miles west of downtown Estes Park. Restaurants. Park Details. 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). Ranking of the top 16 things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. Visiting RMNP from Breckenridge regardless of which entrance you use is not ideal. How crowded does Rocky Mountain National Park get? Show more. As one of the most popular hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, the Alberta Falls Trail is a must on any itinerary. Approaching Moraine Park, the road winds through large open meadows where the elk love to congregate. Cascade Cottages & Colorado Cottages. . And you wouldn't be disappointed at any choice. CO The parking lot at the end of Bear Lake Road is large but from here, you have access to numerous popular trails in RMNP, so it also fills fast. To visit Rocky Mountain National Park from May 26 to October 22, 2023, you will need to reserve a permit in advance. These amazing mountains cradle the Estes Valley, providing residents and guests with incredible beauty and inspiration. Equally enjoyable on foot or from your car, there are four separate ecosystems: montane, subalpine, alpine tundra, and riparian. An hours drive from Boulder and two hours from Denver, the lively Estes Park is the closest town to the park on the east side of the park. On the way you'll pass the Kawuneeche Visitor Center on your right. 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). Founded in 1881, the village still embraces its original rustic architectural style . Hopefully in your case they will be quick! Never been to park at all. Pssst. Get inspired with tips about where to go and what to see on your national park vacation, delivered right to your inbox. The Loch. So August is a safer bet if you want to hike snow-free. The scenery is beautiful, as you gradually twist and turn through the mountains to get to the Alpine Visitor Center. You'll need to be prepared to pull over regularly to let cars pass that are coming the other way. Rocky Mountains National Park June 2023 Dec 05, 2022. Lake Haiyaha | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. 9. And if you hike fast, you should have no problem getting to all 3 lakes on Tuesday afternoon. We spent seven days in RMNP and every day we did at least one hike. Those are the 3 that were recommended to me. Tucked in the folds of the Rocky Mountains and anchored by the stunning Grand Lake, this town is lined with locally owned shops, restaurants, bed and breakfasts and hotels. So, climb those stairs, catch your breath if you need to, and enjoy the awesome views from the top. This is the hotel that inspired Stephen King to write The Shining. Autumn ushers in cooler days, smaller crowds, golden aspen and elk bugling. While here you can enjoy quiet walks, exhilarating hikes, gorgeous sunrises and . best things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. If you had afternoon thunderstorms on Day One, drive Trail Ridge Road in the morning. You'll either need to pay an entrance fee or use a National Parks Pass to enter. 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. 94 within 3 miles. If the weather was clear yesterday, and you drove Trail Ridge Road, I recommend doing another hike this morning. This is one of the highest national parks in the USA. Trail Ridge Road - You can see forever! 1. And I think that RMNP just got its first snow storm of the fall season. Anything to keep in mind? Most recently, in 2020, we spent one very busy week here, and learned a lot about this park. This is our favorite hike in RMNP. I recommend wearing waterproof hiking shoes or boots (not running or walking shoes) so that you have good traction. With its large collection of hotels and restaurants, this is a great place to stay when you visit Rocky Mountain National Park. The pilot Timed Entry Permit System will be extended through October 22, 2023. Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the highest national parks in the USA. In the southeast corner of the park there is an entrance to the Wild Basin area. 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. Acreage: 265,769. Since you will know your exact dates, I recommend making your reservations on July 1 so you get the permits for each day you will be in RMNP. For reference, my family will be traveling to all the Colorado national parks in late July for around two weeks. Republishing this articleand/orany of its contents (text, photography, etc. Which entrance would be better. 5. Are current Colorado fires affecting or near RMNP? In our experience, they typically just last an hour or two. On the other side of this entrance station you enter the meadows of the Kawuneeche Valley. Good to know: Emerald Lake, Lake Haiyaha, Black Lake, Sky Pond, Flattop Mountain, and Fern Lake are some of the trails that start at or near Bear Lake. Photo: Flickr/David Wilson. This road will lead you out of town and to the Beaver Meadows Entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. Prospect Mountain is a 15-minute drive, and you can set out along Lake Estes Trail less than 10 minutes after departing the accommodation. Hi Julie! Arrived at the park entrance before 5am which allowed us access to Bear Lake Road before the timed entry kicked in. Spend the afternoon and evening exploring Estes Park. Emerald lake lays below Hallett peak, Tyndall glacier, and Flattop mountain. Information? Cheers, Julie, Your email address will not be published. The Continental Divide Trail connects some of the tallest peaks, such as Mount Ida, Flattop Mountain, Hallett Peak, Isolation Peak, and many more. 800-715-HIKE (4453) (9-4:30 Every Day) Top Rated On . So you basically log on in July when they open it up for dates in August and quickly pick 2-3 dates? Yes, I know, I said no hiking today, but I couldnt resist adding this one in. At this elevation, its not enough to cause altitude sickness, but you will tire and get out of breath easily. Grand Lake sits to the southwest of RMNP and it is another place you can consider staying, but it will be a longer drive to most sites in the park. From $73.48 per night. More about Trail Ridge Road's Season. 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 !! On day two, as you are still acclimating to the altitude, I recommend one of these hikes: Deer Mountain. I was able to snag early AM Bear lake for 3/4 days i am going to be at the park (believe it or not, i snagged it from atop Lassen peak which was the only place i got 5g !!). You can also see more travel itineraries on our Travel Itineraries page and our National Park Itineraries. Evening at the hotel 3) Thur Morning: Mt Ida. 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. 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. Mount Ida. Few people hike out this far so this is a great place to leave the crowds behind. 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. Yes, take a look at the Where to Stay section of this article. 3.4 miles, moderate, 2 to 3 hours. 9.5 miles, strenuous, 4 to 6 hours. This "rest of park" Timed Entry Permit Reservation period will be in effect between the hours of 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is located further north than the Beaver Meadows Entrance. 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). . Rocky Mountain National Park. Kawuneeche Entrance. After the trail split, the hike gets easier and the views of Longs Peak and the alpine landscape is jaw-dropping. Price. The Stanley Hotel. Altitude sickness is rare in RMNP, unless you are hiking to peaks over 12,000 feet and are not acclimated. Odessa & Fern Lakes Hike. Do 4 days if you canthere are a LOT of hikes to choose from here. 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. This is another one of our favorite 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. If you think you can go farther, and if skies are clear, consider going all of the way to Sky Pond. Funds from RMNP passes insure the preservation of the Lily Lake area and help to maintain the parking lot, vault. or maybe 4? Due to its large size and long list of noteworthy hikes, you need several days to explore Rocky Mountain National Park. Rocky Mountain National Park is home to 2 fantastic scenic drive opportunities. This gives you enough time to drive Alpine Ridge Road, Old Fall River Road, and hike a few of the trails. Chasm Lake. Would that help mitigate some of the altitude sickness? If so, you need one for each day that you plan to visit RMNP. If time permits be adventurous and try a different entrance each day! Note: This post contains affiliate links. You have included all of our favorite hikes in RMNP so I think your list looks good! The Beaver Meadows Entrance was remodeled . ), you can spend the mornings hiking and the afternoons relaxing in Estes Park or wherever you might be staying. Chasm Lake | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. This station is .25 miles from our newest visitor center, the Fall River Visitor Center. $70. From Glacier Gorge parking lot (get there super earlypeople are rolling into the park before 5 am if they dont have a timed entry ticket so parking lots are filling up earlier this year), hike to Mills Lake. If you live in Colorado and/or are planning on visiting the park more than once, you can get the Rocky Mountain National Park Annual Pass for US$ 70 per vehicle. , Deer Mountain is nice because the views at the top, but we thought that the trail to get there was a little bit boring, at least compared to the other hikes we did in RMNP. Difficulty: Challenging. Shuttle Bus. Nymph, Dream, Emerald, Haiyaha and Bear Lake: You can learn more about all of these hikes on our post, For full details on how to spend one day in Rocky Mountain National Park, read our post, Two Day Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. Rocky Mountain National Park's 4 Neighborhoods to Stay in. There are many things to do here. It's like a tour of amazing mountain lakes. 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. A Quick Geography Lesson. This station, which is one mile west of the park's headquarters and Beaver Meadows Visitor Center, usually receives the highest volume of visitors. 10.4 miles, strenuous, 6 to 8 hours. Crowds will begin to quiet down in October, but snow on the trails becomes a lot more likely. You can learn more about all of these hikes on our post 15 Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. The Mummy Mountain Range, Lumpy Ridge, and several . This is the best Timed Entry Permit for visitors planning to drive over Trail Ridge Road, recreate on the west side of the park, as well as access Longs Peak, Lily Lake, East Inlet, Wild Basin, and all other outlying areas of RMNP. For many visitors, the winter months are their favorite time to visit RMNP. Gem Lake. This area is home to various trails, lakes, and wildlife. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. Rocky Mountain National Park, established in 1915, is a living showcase of the grandeur of the Rocky Mountains. Looking at the trail signs on our Sky Pond guide, it looks like hiking the spur only to Loch Vale adds 1.6 miles total. By 4 to 5 pm, the skies begin to clear. About this Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary, Ideally, plan on spending at least three days in Rocky Mountain National Park. Dont miss Forest Canyon Overlook, one of the best on the drive. Rocky Mountain National Park Colorado From May 25 through Oct. 22, you'll need what Rocky Mountain National Park calls a timed entry permit , aka a reservation, depending on what time of day . I recommend staying at The Residences. Sky Pond. The road is well-graded and suitable for standard cars. As part of the National Park system, Zion operates under the same rules as other parks. Parking at the most popular trailheads fill up extremely early in the day. I am travelling solo. photo by Ladona Stork. This entrance is right next to the intersection with Bear Lake Road providing you with easy access to this area of the park. All offer bookstores and much printed information to supplement the knowledgeable staff. They can linger into September, when fall colors continue to attract visitors and hikers. This entrance station has only one entry booth. This station is .25 miles north of the Kawuneeche Visitor Center near the beautiful Kawuneeche Valley. Illustrated t 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. Estes Park 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. You will need a Bear Lake Road Corridor + Full Park Access Timed Entry Ticket (Park Access +)for this day. Is it worth going to RMNP if I only have 4 hours? Its proximity to the charming town of Grand Lake make it even more alluring. There are a lot of hikes that start at the Bear Lake Trailhead. 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?
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best entrance to rocky mountain national park