Find out what to do, what to see, tours to join and more! We also really liked the Ute Trail to Tombstone Ridge. 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. 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 !! The elevation of the lowest sections of the park range from 5,600 to 9,500 feet. Rocky Mountain National Park Is A National Treasure. On day two, as you are still acclimating to the altitude, I recommend one of these hikes: Deer Mountain. 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. Estes Park sits to the east of the park. Hike one of the trails that I mentioned earlier in this itinerary, or click here to see our list of 15 great hikes to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. Youll reach Trail Ridge Road a lot faster than those waiting in line at the Beaver Meadows Entrance during the summer and fall seasons. Youre itinerary is great, thanks for this! You will need a Park Access (Excludes Bear Lake Road Corridor) permit if you plan to hike Chasm Lake or Mount Ida. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you. If the weather was clear yesterday, and you drove Trail Ridge Road, I recommend doing another hike this morning. Prospect Mountain is a 15-minute drive, and you can set out along Lake Estes Trail less than 10 minutes after departing the accommodation. Bear Lake Road runs into the heart of the park. The map above displays the main entrances, campgrounds, lodging options, and locations for the best things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. Ascending only 700 feet over 3 miles, this is a great introduction to moderate hiking in the park. I think that puts the Mills Lake + Loch Vale hike somewhere around 7.6 miles total. Rocky Mountain National Park Travel Guide. Park Access +:This permit gives you access to everything in Rocky Mountain National Park. 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. Cheers, Julie. Yes, August is a great month to hike in RMNP. Combine two of the above hikes into one great experience. Emerald lake lays below Hallett peak, Tyndall glacier, and Flattop mountain. Most recently, in 2020, we spent one very busy week here, and learned a lot about this park. Cheers, Julie. The Beaver Meadows Entrance was remodeled . Rocky Mountain National Park made our list of the best national parks for kids. Fall River Visitor Center features life-sized displays of a wide variety of park wildlife. Keep your fingers crossed for clear afternoon skies. , Tombstone Ridge | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. The most popular hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. Cheers, Julie. 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. Visit the Alpine Visitor Center, hike Alpine Ridge Trail, and consider driving down to Grand Lake, visiting the Holzwarth Historic Site on the way. . Hiking poles can help you keep your balance in the snow. 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. Up above 10,000 feet the air is thin, the temps are much cooler, and the wind is usually . 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. 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. After the trail split, the hike gets easier and the views of Longs Peak and the alpine landscape is jaw-dropping. I am travelling solo. 11. Al, Thats a tricky question to answer. Just be aware that this is also the busiest time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park. 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 did not do it yet, you have the option to hike the short but sweet Ute Trail to Tombstone Ridge. With its large collection of hotels and restaurants, this is a great place to stay when you visit Rocky Mountain National Park. You have included all of our favorite hikes in RMNP so I think your list looks good! On the other side of this entrance station you enter the meadows of the Kawuneeche Valley. The rooms within the main hotel building get mixed reviews. Emerald and Dream Lakes are great but crowded. Rocky Mountain National Park Neighborhood Guide. This hiker shuttle take visitors to some of the most popular trails along Bear Lake Road. There is even a three-bedroom house that can accommodate up to nine people. See what else made the list! 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. Spend the afternoon and evening exploring Estes Park. Rent kayaks, stand-up paddleboards or pedal boats and explore Grand Lake, Colorado's largest natural lake. In the southeast corner of the park there is an entrance to the Wild Basin area. If you are looking for a relatively uncrowded trail with the chance to visit multiple alpine lakes, this is a nice hike to consider. Mt Ida, Sky pond and Chasm lake(timed this to catch sunrise there) were epic hikes with great views. This entrance station gives you access to the Aspenglen Campground, Horseshoe Park, Old Fall River Road, and Trail Ridge Road. Enter the number of passes you would like to purchase from the available choices below: Site passes table. or are there better/rewarding hikes that i can sub in instead of the above listed ones? One of the drawbacks of visiting Rocky Mountain National Park during the winter months is that Trail Ridge Road is closed. 9.8 miles, strenuous, 4.5 to 6.5 hours. Bodies of Water. Thank you! With towering mountain peaks, alpine lakes and waterfalls, and the opportunity to hike along the Continental Divide, this park offers world-class hiking experiences. Be aware that you'll need to make a left turn at the stoplights onto Moraine Avenue. 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. Driving distance from Denver: 1-2 hours. 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. Loch Lake. So on Tuesday, do you think I can salvage some hiking? In this Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary, many of days end by the early afternoon, because of these storms. Glacier Gorge parking lot and Longs Peak trailhead parking lot fill before sunrise. The park is reducing the time period and number of hours daily that reservations are in effect for most areas of RMNP. Forest Canyon Overlook | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary, Rainbow Curve Overlook | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. With its short distance and manageable elevation gain, it is a great first hike in the park, as you acclimate to the higher elevation. Odessa and Fern Lakes. About this Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary, Ideally, plan on spending at least three days in Rocky Mountain National Park. This entrance station has three entry booths which helps traffic to enter more quickly; however, this also tends to be the busiest entrance station. 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. Trail Type: Out-and-back. This year's system has loosened to 75% to 85% of parking capacity. You can drive Trail Ridge Road, visit the Alpine Visitor Center, hike to Longs Peak and to Chasm Lake, and hike Gem Lake. Colorado has also designated Trail Ridge Road as a scenic and historic byway. Get updates on road conditions on the national park service website. 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. 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. Explore the exhibits at the highest elevation visitor center in the National Park Service. Sky Pond | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. Elk on Trail Ridge Road | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. In our experience, they typically just last an hour or two. Complete Rocky Mountain National Park Winter Guide. Park Details. From Loveland it's 30 miles (48 km) and 45 minutes by car to get to Estes Park. Cheers, Julie, Thanks Julie, Also seems like the bear lake corridor timed entry begins at 5a. Here are you options: The private vehicle entrance fee, good for 1 day, is $25. Its our favorite hike in RMNP. 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. Best Things to Do in Great Sand Dunes National Park, One Perfect Day in Rocky Mountain National Park, 10 Best Things to Do in Rocky Mountain National Park, 15 Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, Complete Guide to the Twin Sisters Peak Trail, RMNP. 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). Entrance tickets and fees. Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the best US national parks to go hiking. Afternoon/Evening Trail ridge road/Alpine ridge trial. Spend the rest of the day in Estes Park. 6.2 miles, moderate, 3 to 4 hours. I think your itinerary looks great. This entrance station has only one entry booth. This entrance gives you access to Sandbeach Lake, Finch & Pear Lake, Calypso Cascades and Ouzel Falls, Thunder Lake, and Bluebird Lake. It is equipped with a sofa bed and a double bed, and there is a fireplace in both the bedroom and the warm living room. [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. Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. For more information about where to stay and where to eat, read our Guide to Estes Park. Cheers, Julie. Rocky Mountain National Park. #3 Granby - Best Place to Stay near Rocky Mountain National Park for Families. #2 Grand Lake - Where to Stay in Rocky Mountain National Park for Couples. The permit system limited visitation to about 60% of parking capacity. Rocky Mountain National Park also offers a lot to do for those who arent big fans of hiking. This is an essential hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. 9 miles, strenuous, 4 to 6 hours. 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. #1 Estes Park - Overall Best Place to Stay in Rocky Mountain National Park. Miles of trails: More than 355 miles along about 160 trails. In June, there still could be snow at the higher elevations, and it really depends on how much snow the area gets this spring. However, if Longs Peak is on your list, I recommend waiting one more day if you come from sea level. Its a short, easy hike in the subalpine tundra so you have 360 degree views on the entire hike. These amazing mountains cradle the Estes Valley, providing residents and guests with incredible beauty and inspiration. So August is a safer bet if you want to hike snow-free. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. On the return drive, hike the Ute Trail to Tombstone Ridge. But its only worth it if skies are clear. Estes Park to the Alpine Visitor Centre distance. 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. When does Trail Ridge Road close in the fall? 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. Go back to the fork and then take the trail to Loch Vale. If you wish detailed information to help enjoy your time in the park, stop by one of the park's visitor centers. You will reach Loch Vale before the final climb to Sky Pond. Sometimes, when the permits open up, you just have to grab them, no matter where you are in the world (we got our Narrows permit for Zion while rock climbing Svolvaergeita in Norway ). 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. The Continental Divide Trail to Mount Ida. (970) 586-1206. 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. Ah one for each day, got it Ty !! 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. RMNP is quite popular, with about than 3 million visitors a year. 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. Get inspired with tips about where to go and what to see on your national park vacation, delivered right to your inbox. You can visit Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) all year, but sections of the park close once the snow begins to fall. This is the highest continuous paved road in the United States. If you are an avid hiker, plan on spending at least three to five days in Rocky Mountain National Park. Required fields are marked *. It is situated on the north side of Moraine Park. 1. From the summit you have a great view over Moraine Park and Longs Peak. Pre-hike fuel: Near the main junction in Estes, hit up Notchtop . Here are several to choose from. The Loch. There are two ticket types: Park Access + and Park Access. The Fall River entrance also has three entry booths and can sometimes be a faster way to enter the park when it is busy. If you want low crowds and dont mind cold temperatures and snow, plan your visit from November through May. The main entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park is located on highway 36 just four miles west of downtown Estes Park. 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. Follow the three day Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary. Dream Lake | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. If time permits be adventurous and try a different entrance each day! Do a Hike Near Bear Lake. Simply follow highway 36 through downtown Estes Park. Or is it pretty bad and long lasting? This gives you enough time to acclimate to the higher elevation (very important if you live at a low elevation) before tackling some of the higher, tougher hikes (such as Mount Ida, Hallett Peak, or Longs Peak).
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