Afternoon/Evening spending it around the visitor center, or back at Estes Park 4) Fri Morning: Chasm lake. This station is .25 miles from our newest visitor center, the Fall River Visitor Center. The most popular hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. Anything to keep in mind? And once at topwhat a view.! 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. best things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. Loch Lake. When does Trail Ridge Road close in the fall? 7.6 Good 275 reviews. This is our favorite hike in RMNP. Rocky Mountain National Park Neighborhood Guide. But one afternoon, they went until dinner, off and on. 11. Snow on the trail in July (hiking to Fern and Odessa Lakes from Bear Lake). 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. 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. Once the snow begins to fall, you can still hike many of the trails that we list, but you will need snowshoes. Yes, August is a great month to hike in RMNP. It may sound counterintuitive, but if you really want to see Rocky Mountain National Park hassle-free, leave your car behind. There are two ticket types: Park Access + and Park Access. 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. Founded in 1881, the village still embraces its original rustic architectural style . Suggestions for this weekend Nov 03, 2022. But even with a week here, there are still a lot of hikes left on our to-do list. Rocky Mountain National Park Travel Guide. This hiker shuttle take visitors to some of the most popular trails along Bear Lake Road. But dont bring your RV there. All passes are available at all park entrance stations. Plus, this is a lesser known hike, so the trail gets a lower number of hikers than other hikes on this list. 10 of the Best Cities and Towns Near Rocky Mountain National Park Just wrapped up my RMNP trip, ty so much for your help with the itinerary. I recommend getting here early (ideally by 7:30 am) to make sure you get a parking space and to give yourself plenty of time today. All offer bookstores and much printed information to supplement the knowledgeable staff. Just be aware that this is also the busiest time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park. Alberta Falls: 2 miles, easy, 1 to 1.5 hours. Never been to park at all. This entrance gives you access to Sandbeach Lake, Finch & Pear Lake, Calypso Cascades and Ouzel Falls, Thunder Lake, and Bluebird Lake. Lake Haiyaha | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. These amazing mountains cradle the Estes Valley, providing residents and guests with incredible beauty and inspiration. Start your trip off right, with a hike from the Bear Lake trailhead at the end of Bear Lake Road. 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. We have visited Rocky Mountain National Park several times in the past. Learn about each of them and find the entrance station that will best meet your needs. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. The rooms within the main hotel building get mixed reviews. 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. I dont know if it is too late, but you could always try to get a permit so you dont have to start super early. How long does it take to drive Trail Ridge Road? 365. Required fields are marked *. If you get to Allenspark, you have gone too far. 1,400 feet (426 m)of elevation gain. Rocky Mountain National Park Is A National Treasure. Emerald lake lays below Hallett peak, Tyndall glacier, and Flattop mountain. With its large collection of hotels and restaurants, this is a great place to stay when you visit Rocky Mountain National Park. 10 Rocky Mountain National Park Attractions You Can't-Miss - MSN So on Tuesday, do you think I can salvage some hiking? Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary Ideas from 1 to 5 Days On day two, as you are still acclimating to the altitude, I recommend one of these hikes: Deer Mountain. Pre-hike fuel: Near the main junction in Estes, hit up Notchtop . 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. Rocky Mountain Nat'l Park; Flat Tops Wilderness; Maine. Do you think this is doable? For reference, my family will be traveling to all the Colorado national parks in late July for around two weeks. The Perfect Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary Things to Do in Rocky Mountain National Park - Tripadvisor 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. 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. Hopefully in your case they will be quick! 7.5 to 10 miles, depending on the route you choose. With that being said, you should know that crowds are the largest during the summer months, especially July and August. If you are an avid hiker, I recommend spending five or more days in Rocky Mountain National Park. Drive Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park Colorado Springs. Mills Lake and Loch Vale are very nice and might be perfect for you. Thanks so much ! Cheers, Julie. Trail Ridge Road is the highest paved through road, not only in Colorado, but also in the entire US national park system. For those with an interest in historical sites, make sure you visit the Holzwarth Historical Site and learn more about the life of Colorado homesteaders. There are four main entrance stations to Rocky Mountain National Park. You can stay in a cozy cabin with a river view or a well-decorated suite. This is an essential hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. Approaching Moraine Park, the road winds through large open meadows where the elk love to congregate. 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). Get a free Colorado national park trip planner for inspiring itineraries and essential information. Many of the taller peaks make up the Continental Divide, where snowmelt runs . 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. 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. Rocky Mountain National Park is home to 2 fantastic scenic drive opportunities. 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. . Hi Julie! What should you not miss in Rocky Mountain National Park? The job of the entrance station rangers is to welcome the visitors to the park, issue entrance passes, and answer visitor questions. 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. Elevation Gain: 1,100 ft. If you plan to visit multiple national parks, consider purchasing the America the Beautiful Pass ($80 and valid for all of the national parks for one year). I highly recommend this particular residence. Best entrance to rocky mountain national park - Tripadvisor If you are looking for a relatively uncrowded trail with the chance to visit multiple alpine lakes, this is a nice hike to consider. The Beaver Meadows Visitor Center is the best place to get information, books, maps and backcountry permits, as well as catch the park bus. 6 Things to Do on the East Edge of Rocky Mountain National Park Note: Its a slightly shorter hike (1.7 miles) if you park at the Glacier Gorge Trailhead. Thank you! Here are you options: The private vehicle entrance fee, good for 1 day, is $25. In our experience, they typically just last an hour or two. Or is it pretty bad and long lasting? Afternoon/Evening free to do whatever 5) Sat Morning: Prepare to drive back to the airport for afternoons flight. There are a million different ways to put together a Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary, and how you choose to do so really depends on your interests, the time of year you plan to visit the park, and the weather. Put your higher hikes in the second half of your RMNP visit and you should be fine. Up above 10,000 feet the air is thin, the temps are much cooler, and the wind is usually . View from the Alpine Ridge Trail | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. Odessa and Fern Lakes. Autumn ushers in cooler days, smaller crowds, golden aspen and elk bugling. See five lakes in one hike. The Beaver Meadows Entrance was remodeled in 2000-2001, adding another entrance lane to reduce the time spent waiting in line. Grand Lake sits to the southwest of RMNP and it is another place you can consider staying, but it will be a longer drive to most sites in the park. The daily access to the Rocky Mountain National Park is US$ 30 per vehicle, US$ 15 per person, and US$ 25 per motorcycle. 15 Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Get inspired with tips about where to go and what to see on your national park vacation, delivered right to your inbox. Lake of Glass, seen on the hike to Sky Pond. 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. Rocky Mountain National Park Site Pass in Colorado - Recreation.gov For every hike that we list, you do not need an SUV or non-standard vehicle. Rocky Mountain National Park - Annual Pass. There are numerous pull-over areas on each side of the road for this purpose. With numerous hotels and restaurants, and a great location near the heart of Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park is a great place to stay. Yay!! this is a great place to stay when you visit Rocky Mountain National Park. 9 miles, strenuous, 4 to 6 hours. Have fun in RMNP! Rocky Mountain National Park fall guide: Best aspen, elk viewing and All entrances into Rocky Mountain National Park require entrance fees, even the ones that don't have a physical entrance to drive through. 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. Is RMNP a good place to visit for the elderly or those with limited mobility? $70. Head to Grand Lake, a quaint, historic town surrounded on three sides by Rocky Mountain National Park. Rocky Mountain National Park's 4 Neighborhoods to Stay in. Most of this hike is over 11,000 feet, in the alpine tundra, so its best to save this hike for when you are acclimated to the altitude. The best way to . This is the hotel that inspired Stephen King to write The Shining. 2. Rocky Mountain National Park Granby West Entrance c. 1940's tourist Aspenglen, Moraine Park, and Glacier Basin are the most popular campgrounds and these get reserved well in advance. 17 Best Things to Do in Rocky Mountain National Park (2023) There is also a shuttle bus that runs from Denver International Airport straight to Estes Park. Go back to the fork and then take the trail to Loch Vale. 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. 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 !!). 1000 US Hwy 36, Estes Park, CO, 80517. As part of the National Park system, Zion operates under the same rules as other parks. If you have any questions about planning your Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary, let us know in the comment section below. You will need a Park Access (Excludes Bear Lake Road Corridor) permit if you plan to hike Chasm Lake or Mount Ida. You can follow this itinerary during the winter months with some modifications. The Continental Divide runs through the park. The best entrance for Rocky Mountain National Park is Beaver Meadows Entrance or Fall River Entrance. Park Hours:Park entrances are open 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. In order to see and do everything we list in this itinerary, plan on visiting the park when everything is open. We spent one wonderful week in Rocky Mountain National Park in July. Once you are finished hiking, hop back into your car. Nymph, Dream, Emerald, Haiyaha and Bear Lake: 6.2 miles, moderate, 4 to 5 hours. 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. From the Alpine Visitor Center, drive Alpine Ridge Road back to Estes Park. The road is well-graded and suitable for standard cars. 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. 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. If you love lakes you'll like this hike. Finch Lake is a 4.5 mile hike through pines, aspen glades, and wildflower laden meadows to a sub-alpine lake where the forest surrounds its shores. Moraine Park Campground. 9.8 miles, strenuous, 4.5 to 6.5 hours. BLACK CANYON OF THE GUNNISON: One of the best things to do on the South Rim is to drive South Rim Drive to the overlooks of the Black Canyon. How to Make the Most of One Day in Rocky Mountain National Park All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. ie last an hour or so and go away? However, if you are traveling in a car, Wild Basin is a wonderful area to explore with trails that reach eight lakes and three waterfalls. Follow the Two Day Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary. Simply follow highway 36 through downtown Estes Park. 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. Chasm Lake | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. On the east side of the park lies the Beaver Meadows Entrance, the most direct entrance from Estes Park, Colo.,which lies right outside Rocky Mountain National Park. The park is quieter and with the snow, it is a winter wonderland. Visiting RMNP from Breckenridge regardless of which entrance you use is not ideal. The Aspire rooms are higher-end, modernly decorated rooms but many people state that they are overpriced for what you get. So if i leave Estes at 4.30a I think i should be past that entrance by 4.45a or so and can avoid having to buy the time entry correct? 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 . About this Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary, Ideally, plan on spending at least three days in Rocky Mountain National Park. Rocky Mountain National Park, CO 80517. Are you referring to the timed entry ticket? For five days or more, follow our four day itinerary and for each additional day that you have, add on another hike. 4 Entrances to Rocky Mountain National Park - Which is best? 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. The One Subscription to Fuel All Your Adventures. If the weather was clear yesterday, and you drove Trail Ridge Road, I recommend doing another hike this morning. We are going to put RMNP last so we have time to get used to the altitude, because we are from the East Coast. 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). 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. If you are coming from sea level, you will feel the effects of the altitude as soon as you do anything strenuous. Rocky Mountain National Park is a relatively large park, with a total area of 415 square miles. Pass Type. We stayed in a 3-bedroom house, #402, and it was perfect. 10.4 miles, strenuous, 6 to 8 hours. Odessa & Fern Lakes Hike. Best Hikes Rocky Mountain National Park. How much is the entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. 15 great hikes to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. And bring a headlampyoull be hiking before the sun comes up. Rocky Mountain National Park is a special place any season, but fall brings out the best in the park. When to Visit. 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? 18 EPIC Rocky Mountain National Park Hikes (Helpful Guide + Photos) Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the highest national parks in the USA. The best places to have your questions answered is at one of the park visitor centers. Pssst. #1 Estes Park - Overall Best Place to Stay in Rocky Mountain National Park. If you like scenic drives and going off-the-beaten-path, youll love this drive. These are the only official entry stations into the park. Snow can start to fall in September. You will need a Bear Lake Road Corridor + Full Park Access Timed Entry Ticket (Park Access +)for this day. For reference, I was able to do Highline trail from the loop all the way to Grinnell viewpoint, Ptarmigan tunnel and Grinnell Glacier including Grinnell lake, hidden lake overlook, virginia waterfalls over 3 full days at my recently concluded Glacier NP trip. Best Things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. If you had afternoon thunderstorms on Day One, drive Trail Ridge Road in the morning. This is the hike that I recommend for today. Bear Lake with Longs Peak and the Keyboard of the Winds in the background. Typically this road12,183 feet at it's highest point, remains closed from late-October to late-May. Where to Stay in Rocky Mountain National Park (2023 - The Broke Backpacker By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Mount Ida. The best time for this Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary is from Memorial Day through mid-October, when Trail Ridge Road is open. This is one of the most popular hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Gem Lake. Also, if Longs Peak is on your list, watch the weather report for your visit. Best Rocky Mountain National Park Hikes: Easy Tundra Hikes. Moraine Park Museum has interactive geology exhibits. , Tombstone Ridge | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. 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. 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. Rocky Mountain National Park Entrance Stations