Top Things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park
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The 10 Best Things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park
One of America's premier national parks, it boasts 355 miles of hiking trails.
Restaurants in Rocky Mountain National Park Campgrounds
1. Trail Ridge Road
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3,391 reviews
Reviewed By JMJR2K - Independence, United States
I’ve been driving Trail Ridge road for many years and discover something new and different each time. There are amazing views all around- High mountain lakes, hikes, bighorn sheep, elk, moose, ptarmigans, marmots, deer-you name it. While you won’t see all of the wildlife all the time, usually you’ll stop with others and get out your camera for at least one of these critters. On the weekends, everyone else has the same idea to make the drive so it’s terribly crowded. There are three entrances with the Kawanuchee side the least crowded for entry. The Alpine Visitor Center is a cool place to relax and take in the Picturesque views and there is a museum there that covers the early geological and evolutionary history of the area. As you would imagine, there is a souvenir shop with trinkets and clothing as well as a concession area with food and drinks. Just a beautiful park you won’t want to miss!
2. Emerald Lake Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 523 reviews
Reviewed By Steve5863 - Avon, United States
This 3.6 mile (5.8k) roundtrip hike from the Bear Lake Trailhead is an excellent moderate hike starting at 9,500 feet (2,896m) and climbs fairly steadily to 10,105 feet (3,080m), passing three beautiful lakes, in order, Nymph, Dream and Emerald with a few small cascades along the way and many views of mountains and a couple of good overlooks of valleys where one can see for miles. Dream Lake is the most beautiful lake of the three lake and many people decide to shorted the hike by 1.4 miles (2.3k) and avoid the last 180 feet (55m) of elevation gain but if it is within your capabilities, I would definitely recommend going the full distance. This is a very popular trail and parking at the Bear Lake Trailhead fills quickly. If you want to park at the trailhead and avoid the worst of the crowds, arrive early, by 7am or so, midweek if possible. However, if this is not possible do not miss your opportunity to hike this excellent trail; simply park at the remote lot and take the efficient shuttle bus system to the trailhead.
3. Old Fall River Road
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 502 reviews
This dramatic and scenic roadway built in 1913 followed an old Indian pathway that climbed over 3,000 feet.
Reviewed By Cardinalis
Old Fall River Road is a carefully maintained dirt road that travels along Fall River through pine forests and past mountain vistas on its way to Alpine Visitor Center at 11,796 feet. Along this one-way route there are pullouts, including Chasm Falls and the Chapin trailhead, to stretch your legs and take pictures. You can drink the scenery. And it's a wonderful break between real hiking days.
4. Bear Lake Trailhead
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 386 reviews
This easy, half-mile hike will take you past beautiful alpine lakes and forests.
Reviewed By Steve5863 - Avon, United States
Bear Lake Trailhead is the starting point for many of RMNP’s most popular hikes including the easy 0.5 mile (0.8k) loop around Bear Lake, the 3.6 mile (5.8k) roundtrip hike to Emerald Lake that also passes by Nymph and Dream Lakes, and the 2.0 mile (3.2k) roundtrip to the powerful Alberta Falls, passing through many aspen groves. Other popular hikes from this trailhead include Bierstadt Lake (4.0 miles/6.4k roundtrip), Lake Haiyaha (4.4 miles/7.1k roundtrip), the long climb up Flattop Mountain (8.8 miles/14.2k roundtrip) and Fern Lake (9.7 miles/15.6k roundtrip). The trailhead also has a booth with rangers to provide assistance and trail guides, pit toilets and a fair amount of parking; however, the trails are so popular, parking is often a challenge and one may find they need to park at the remote parking site about 3.0 miles (4.8k) away and be shuttled on a bus to the trailhead. If you would like to find parking at the trailhead and avoid the worst of the crowds arrive very early or later in the day, preferably midweek. I had no trouble finding parking midweek arriving once around 5pm and another time about 30 minutes after sunrise.
5. Alluvial Fan
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 321 reviews
Reviewed By fv1989 - Windsor, United States
RMNP just posted a press release that major trail work at the Alluvial Fan and Horseshoe Falls will require closing this area beginning on July 27 through September 24, 2020. This area will be closed on weekdays and weekends. Materials and equipment will take up most of the parking on the west side, and the east side parking lot will be closed. The west side parking area will be further limited in September due to an exclosure fence project. This is such a popular area. The planning and trail work has been ongoing and is needed to repair damage and replace trails and the bridge that were destroyed in the September 2013 flood. It is amazing to realize that such a beautiful area was created by and reshaped by devastating floods in 1982 and 2013. I still feel the area was even more beautiful before the 2013 flood. It will be interesting to see the changes when all the trail work is complete. The Google map location shown for the Alluvial Fan area on this TA listing is in the wrong place. I have reported and tried to get that corrected to no avail.
6. Alpine Visitor Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 565 reviews
Reviewed By kalyan_peri - Bridgewater, United States
While driving along the Trail Ridge Road you reach the Alpine Visitor Center at about halfway point (exact distance depends on on which direction you are driving from). We drove from Estes Park to Grand Lake and this made a great pit-stop for grabbing lunch, strolling around the visitor center and hiking up to the top! Yes, it will be very crowded during the peak summer months specifically because there are no other spots to grab food along the road. But, it is a great stop over during your day-long drive along the Trail Ridge Road After grabbing a quick lunch, there is a nice little hiking trail to the summit - called "Hike to the Top". It is a paved path with an approx elevation gain for additional 300+ feet. Please be prepared for unpredictable weather (it could suddenly very windy or it could suddenly rain) Once you get to the top, you can enjoy beautiful panoramic views of the entire area
7. Bear Lake
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,625 reviews
Reviewed By sarahmaryj - Kirkcaldy, United Kingdom
This is the place everyone goes to at this side of the park, but for good reason. It's breathtakingly beautiful. This hike is short, flat and manageable for all ages and abilities. We got fantastic photos here and took our time. There are benches and rocks to stop at. The hike was a bit short for us, so we hiked to Bierstadt lake - this was SO quiet compared to Bear Lake and goes through forest. We found out from passers by that from Bierstadt you can hike all the way back to the park and ride - this was a lovely walk with amazing mountain views at the end. We hardly passed any other people by the end, so I'd recommend this as a good way to lengthen your hike and get back to your car without going all the way back.
8. Lily Lake
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 348 reviews
Reviewed By 560dl
This lake sits in a really beautiful area just about 15 minutes outside of Estes Park Co. It's a perfect place to stretch your legs, take an easy walk or hike and to enjoy the gorgeous mountain scenery.
9. Alberta Falls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 404 reviews
Reviewed By Steve5863 - Avon, United States
At 2.0 miles (3.2k) roundtrip from the Bear Lake Trailhead or 1.6 miles (2.6k) from the Glacier Gorge Trailhead, with little elevation gain, this is a great waterfall hike within most people’s capabilities and the payoff is up close views of the powerful Alberta Falls. The forest and creeks along the trail make for a beautiful hike and the large number of aspens in autumn color made my early October timing all the better. When I hiked the trail, it rained on and off but this was not really a negative as the rain saturated the color of the aspen leaves and added to the volume of water over the falls.
10. Chapel on the Rock
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 101 reviews
Reviewed By 7gRV2020 - Texas, United States
Inspired by a biblical phrase “upon this rock I will build my church.” Stopped here on our way to Estes Park, and I highly encourage you to do the same. It’s a beautiful chapel with interesting history. It’s truly inspirational and picturesque!
