A brief list of some of the more popular hikes outside the park follows. With several people having gone missing in the park just this year alone and with limited emergency services currently operating, it’s more important than ever to be careful, said Charley Dickey, the president of the Estes Valley Partners for Commerce. Note: this list is not comprehensive. Quite often I think about how fortunate I was to grow up near to such a beautiful place. If you want a trail that has it all, Cub Lake is a great option. This loop trail is short on the mileage, but all of the potential side hikes make the distance and difficulty of the trip extremely variable. Check out the Stanley Hotel. The lake is a great setting for a picnic. No, not the same Donner Pass that led to the historic Donner Party’s tragic demise. If you’re looking to trade in the sleeping bag for a king size bed, then take a look at our top picks for the best glamping in Colorado. The trail crosses this creek several times, so come prepared with waterproof hiking shoes or Chacos! Choose from plenty of great family hikes in Rocky Mountain National park. This hike can be completed all year long, but requires the use of snowshoes and possibly crampons in the winter months. Gem Lake is on the north side of Estes Park … Park personnel will not be able to provide hikers with assistance or guidance, and there will be little to no emergency services available to them until the shutdown is lifted. Check out more of our hiking guides featuring the most epic terrain in the Rocky Mountains: 10 Best Hikes in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Gem Lake is a short but strenuous hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. It's a great destination to bring the family and those who aren't familiar with hiking in the snow. You won’t find the Lost Dutchman’s gold, but you will get luminous views of Weaver’s Needle, Four Peaks, Battleship Mountain and Canyon Lake. This trail can receive horrible weather all year round. 1. Some homesteads were burnt down in wildfires over the years, but most remain. We suggest trying these trails out: Lily Lake: The Lily Lake Trail encircles the pristine Lily Lake for 0.8 miles with very little grade, or incline. Moose are also very abundant in this area and are known to become aggressive when they feel threatened. More popular among rock climbers than hikers, this trail is a lightly traveled local secret. Gem Lake is a great little hike with some awesome views of Estes Park. If you love mountains, this is the place for you. While it is a popular trail, you’ll likely find spaces available early-mid morning. The Gem Lake Trail is a relatively short hike that starts just outside the town of Estes Park. Be sure to pause at the bridge to look for trout. Join 80,000+ adventurers getting epic travel, camping and hiking ideas every week. Sign up for our free email to join thousands of readers getting epic travel, hiking, camping and gear ideas every week. A perfect rest day activity, or fun addition to walking around town, enjoying the Lake Estes Trail is fun for all ages and activities. This hike features sweeping fields of wildflowers in the spring. Cub Lake. Wildlife is abundant on this trail, especially the unique birds and raptors that call this section of the Rocky Mountains home. The elevation gain is just 10 feet, with the highest elevation point being 8,940 feet. After guiding several trips through the Western Slope Desert, Daniell fell in love with climbing desert towers and overnight canoe trips down the Colorado River. It gains 990 feet in elevation with the highest elevation point being 8,815 feet. He wants people to be aware of what they’re getting into when they set out to hike and the precautions they should take. Homestead Meadows is now home to many moose and elk herds that just love roaming through this tucked away alpine wonder. “A lot of people, especially tourists, think that it’s a lot more straightforward than it actually is. Seen in: Colorado, Colorado Hiking, Hike, Rockies. Short hikes, Tundra hikes – Throughout RMNP there are scenic overlooks, parks and picnic areas that have short hiking trails to walk on. If you are visiting Rocky Mountain National Park, I encourage you to explore outside the park as well! You can find her on Instagram at @aka_dmoney. After a long day of hiking, enjoy a burger (or gyro) at Boss Burgers & Gyros. I’m a Scientist and I plan on Taking a COVID Vaccine: Here’s Why. Around the lake, you’ll get views of Rocky Mountain National Park, the valleys that make up Estes Park, the infamous Stanley Hotel, and you can even catch a glimpse of the Lumpy Ridge rock formations to the north. Climb through aspen and pine to reach the beautiful views of Estes Park and the majestic peaks of RMNP. One of the most common mistakes made by hikers this time of year is not preparing for the elements. “Be familiar with where you’re going, don’t go alone and let somebody know where you’re going,” he said. “These are pretty important and that’s what a lot of people have failed to do that have got in trouble and then didn’t get rescued because nobody knew where they were at.”. Instead, it travels through the Roosevelt National Forest. Photo: Brendan Bombaci. Winter brings deep snows to Rocky Mountain National Park west of the Continental Divide, but the lighter snowfall on the east (Estes Park) side of the park often leaves low elevation trails open for hiking. This trailhead is free to park and enter, but it is just a small pull-off on Highway 7 so parking can be limited. A pass is needed for accessing any of the trails in the park and dogs are not allowed. Allowing you to find yourself some complete mountain solitude on this trail. “A lot of people will just roll out with just jeans and tennis shoes, and they’re not properly equipped,” he said. This trail is in Roosevelt National Forest, so it is open year-round and is a popular winter trail here if you have micro-spikes or something similar. If you're seeking trails that explore deeper into the backcountry of the park, check out our list of the Top 10 Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park . Alberta Falls Alberta Falls in Estes Park, CO. Photo: Bert Cash Alberta Falls is reached by a short, 0.8 mile hike on a gentle, easy trail in Rocky Mountain National Park.This spectacular waterfall on Glacier Creek is one of the most popular hiking spots in the park. This infamous hotel is said to have inspired Stephen King’s “The Shining,” and is one of the top places to visit during your stay in Estes Park. And as always, please practice Leave No Trace Principles while on the trails of this beautiful Colorado mountain town! Sprague Lake is a 13-acre lake named after Abner Sprague, an early resident of the Estes Park area who ran a game lodge on the this property which is now part of Rocky Mountain National Park. The hike gains 1,180 feet in elevation with the highest point being 9,786 feet. When the road is closed to traffic, hiking … You can learn more about our editorial and affiliate policy, 10 Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, Boulder Canyon Trail: Where the Water Meets the Desert, Camping in Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests & Thunder Basin National Grassland, High Seas & Summit Breeze: 10 Best Hikes in Big Sur, California, 10 Best Glamping Resorts in Colorado for Epic Outdoor Adventures, 10 Best Cabin Rentals in Estes Park, Colorado. It has since been mostly restored, but the trail can be difficult to find at times, especially in snow. J Day’s Appliance... Tyler is the Trail-Gazette's managing editor. – Lily Lake: This easy, 0.8-mile hike is located at the Lily Lake Trailhead near Estes Park. The homesteads are well marked with information plaques, and you will see markers to other homesteads down shorter trails. You can even fish around Lake Estes! Not only have wildfires damaged homesteads in this area, but the trail was also taken out in 2013 by flooding and was reopened in 2017. – Bridal Veil Falls: This 6.2 mile round trip trail is located at the Cow Creek Trailhead near the Northeast corner of Rocky Mountain National Park. The hike offers outstanding views of Lily Mountain, Estes Cone, as well as Mt. Boulder Brook to Granite Pass to Storm Pass, past the Estes Cone. This is one of the easier lake hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. The Rocky Mountain Conservancy sells very limited food items in the park visitor centers and bottled water at Bear Lake and Park & Ride during summer and fall. The Walker and Griffith homesteads and cabins will be the first that you come to; you can go further and find the Irvin homestead and sawmill, Laycock, Hill, and Boren Homesteads. With mountain views, a pristine lake, wildflowers, and wildlife we’re not ... Lily Mountain. Flattop Mountain and Hallett Peak. Both Dickey and Protsnan said that there should never be any shame in asking someone who is more experienced for help and advice. Lumpy Ridge is a massive granite rock outcropping just to the north of Estes Park. Some that I recommend are Hidden Valley, Alluvial Fan, Moraine Park, and the Tundra Trails near the Alpine Visitor Center at the top of Trail Ridge Road. Nate Protsnan, an employee at the Estes Park Mountain Shop, said that this is one of the main mistakes hikers make, especially tourists who aren’t familiar with the area. Northeast of Estes Park, Crosier Mountain, near the town of Glen Haven, offers four trailheads with access to the forest: Garden Gate, Rainbow, North Fork, and Bulwark. Roundtrip, the hike to Calypso Cascades is 3.6 miles. Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com. Meeker and Longs Peak, the two highest peaks in Rocky Mountain National Park. Estes Park is packed with its own epic trails and peaks. Estes Park hikes for kids. Best traveled between May and October, the Donner Pass Trail is a lightly trafficked out-and-back trail. Lumpy Ridge – Twin Owls Loop. Why you should go: Hike up to one of the most accessible alpine lakes in the Estes Park area! Enjoy the pleasantries, because after these meadows, you’ll be heading straight up a few steep sections through a forested mountain up to Kruger Rock.The view at the top will absolutely be worth the haul. These burgers are the instant fix to any long, hard day on the trail. This gain brings you high into the Rockies and provides vast 360-degree views of Rocky Mountain National Park, Big Thompson Canyon, the Cache La Poudre Canyon, and the meadows below. Lily Lake has a short, mellow trail that loops around the lake. Parking for this trail can be tricky. Lion Gulch Trail A.K.A. If you have hiked in the northern Colorado area before, you’ve probably been warned about frequent afternoon thunderstorms during the summer months. Here’s our list of the top hikes in RMNP if you’re just looking for in-park options. Since the trail is lightly traveled, it isn’t the most obvious in some areas. Another important precaution that can save lives: don’t be afraid to turn around. Turn on to Lumpy Ridge Road and park in the lot. Some parts of the trail are icy right now, but with a little caution, it’s an easy trail to navigate even without microspikes. Views at the top will make for great sunrise/sunset hikes, and the wildflowers during the spring and summer months are certainly a sight to see. If the trailhead isn’t super well-traveled this time of year, it’s not as easy to follow the trail, so route finding and that kind of thing is a whole different animal this time of year.”. 1. Lily Mountain Trail. The weather could be really nice and sunny in town, but a couple thousand feet in elevation change could make for blizzard conditions. – Lily Mountain: This is a moderate, four-mile round trip hike located just south of Estes Park along Colo. 7. If you are hiking through a canyon or in a pass that blocks your surrounding view, it is very easy to get caught in a very serious situation. Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com. It was breathtaking.”. More in the need of a classic cocktail? Located just outside Rocky Mountain National Park in the Roosevelt National Forest, Lily Mountain is one of the few dog-friendly hikes in the area and is included on RMNP trail maps. Restaurants and grocery stores can be found in the local communities of Grand Lake and Estes Park. Chasm Lake is a 9.5-mile hike with over 2,500 feet of elevation gain. It's no surprise that Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most popular parks in the country. With Rocky Mountain National Park still operating at limited capacity since the partial government shutdown began last week, hikers are advised to use extreme caution if they choose to head into the park due to the limited services that are available to them. She has had the privilege of working for Colorado’s most experienced climbing guide service as an Office & Marketing Manager and an Outdoor Climbing Guide. GET BREAKING NEWS IN YOUR BROWSER. Bierstadt Lake offers amazing alpine lake views and abundant chances to see wildlife up close without venturing too far. The ambiance and wildlife are just as spectacular if you aren't huffing and puffing up a steep mountainside, after all. Why you should go: Earn these epic views and summit the rightfully named Lookout Mountain! Nymph Lake. It provides spectacular views of Longs Peak and the Estes Park valley. Why you should go: Go back in time as you hike up through pristine alpine country to the remains of 8 homesteads that date back to 1889. These experiences are best for hiking trails in Estes Park: Hiking Adventure in Rocky Mountain National Park from Denver; Private Hiking Tour to Rocky Mountain National Park from Denver and Boulder Why you should go: What better way to find some solitude than in a place called Hermit Park? Not only do you get to visit a pretty lake but you also get sweeping views of Estes Park with Longs Peak in the distance. – Gem Lake: This moderate, 3.5-mile round trip hike begins at the Lumpy Ridge Trailhead along Devils Gulch Road. Turn on to Lumpy Ridge Road and park in the lot. With its spellbinding coastal views and funky bohemian history, it’s impossible not to be charmed by the woodsy quirks and forested mountains of Big Sur. The mountain will always be there, and if the trail is questionable, it’s OK to turn around and try again another time. Explore an adventure playground full of 14ers, alpine lakes, and over 300 miles of trails. The trail gains 1,000 feet in elevation with the highest point of the hike being 8,860 feet. “Any entry to the park during this period of federal government shutdown is at the visitor’s sole risk,” said Rocky Mountain National Park Public Information Officer Kyle Patterson in a statement following the shutdown. The Estes Park Visitor Center is also right along this pathway, so take some time to stop in! Emerald Lake Hike Rocky Mountain National Park. R off US34 on MacGregor Ave. 3.5 mi. Ouzel Falls in Rocky Mountain National Park, near Allenspark, Colorado, on May 25, 2018. Black Bears are prominent in this area and are known to even take a stroll through town. Rocky Mountain National Park is just an hour drive from boulder and an hour and a half from Denver. Special OP/Ed - What exactly is the 25th Amendment to the United States Constitution. 11 Easy Estes Park Hikes for the Whole Family. There is a trailhead named Miller Creek/Fork Trailhead that is where this trail begins; but currently, you can’t park at this trailhead unless you have a resident pass. This trail is quite shady and great for hot summer days. This itinerary is, at its base, an epic circuit hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. With the risk of going missing or getting injured while hiking in the park being marginally increased with the lack of emergency services operating right now, those that do choose to enter the park are encouraged to take the above precautions into account. Why you should go: Experience true solitude and adventure on this all-encompassing loop that takes you through Rocky Mountain National Park’s untouched northeast corner. But be prepared, this trail gets fairly steep towards the end. I did a lot of hiking on the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park. Cow Creek trailhead is near the historic McGraw Ranch, at the end of McGraw Ranch Road, which can be found north of Estes Park off Devils Gulch Road (Limited parking). Some of these trails will add another mile or so onto your hike, but this hike is more of an adventure anyway so why not? The hike follows a creek through Lion Gulch then ascends and brings you up to Homestead Meadows. Now do keep in mind that the trailhead to this beginner hike is about 13 miles from Estes Park at the southeast corner of the park at the Wild Basin Trailhead. Kruger Rock Trail is an out-and-back trail that is very popular among locals. I spent this last summer working in the Colorado. Hiking safety and popular trails outside RMNP, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Trail Ridge Road Closes To Through Travel For The Season, Some help is on the way for small businesses, View from the top of the Estes Cone in Rocky Mountain National Park — VIDEO, Inside Arts: Local author James Kaiser combines writing and photography. CLICK HERE TO TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS. Gem Lake is a great little hike with some awesome views of Estes Park. A map and compass is highly recommended on this trail. The Twin Owls Loop gives you ad complete tour of this Northeast corner of Rocky Mountain National Park. Get started on your adventure by trekking on these fantastic, family-friendly hiking trails in Estes Park, Colorado. A pass is needed for accessing any of the trails in the park and dogs are not allowed. Hike up through thick forest, listen to trickling waterfalls, then walk through high alpine meadows until you find yourself at the famous Walker and Griffith homesteads. Here are the best waterfalls near RMNP and Estes Park, CO, in no particular order:. The Bulwark Ridge and Indian Trails will take you to Miller Fork Trail which will then take you to Donner Pass. Kruger Rock Trail. Know your limits and the equipment you have. While it is always important to check the weather before you leave for a hike, unfortunately weather forecasts don’t mean a whole lot in Colorado. Gem Lake: A Great Hike Outside RMNP - See 124 traveler reviews, 179 candid photos, and great deals for Rocky Mountain National Park, CO, at Tripadvisor. 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