Top Things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park
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What to do and see in Rocky Mountain National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park: The Best Nature & Parks
One of America's premier national parks, it boasts 355 miles of hiking trails.
Restaurants in Rocky Mountain National Park Campgrounds
1. Longs Peak
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 62 reviews
This 14,255-foot mountain located in Rocky Mountain National Park offers challenging hiking and scenic views.
2. Sky Pond
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 99 reviews
Located at the bottom of Colorado's Petit Grepon.
Reviewed By JMC5152 - Loveland, United States
Be prepared, Bring water, sunblock, extra coat, always allow uphill hikers the right of way. Tell someone where you are going.
3. Ouzel Falls
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 78 reviews
Reviewed By jmpncsu - Raleigh, United States
Ouzel Falls is a really beautiful 40-foot waterfall in the Wild Basin area of the park. The hike is about 5 miles round trip and moderate. The trail crosses Ouzel Creek below the falls, but for the best views, follow the path up to the base. It's possible to climb around on the rocks to view from different angles, but be careful as the rocks are slippery. We visited on the longer Bluebird Lake hike.
4. 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.
5. Lake Haiyaha
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 34 reviews
Reviewed By TravelingSoccerLoon - Saint Paul, United States
Added a hike to Lake Haiyaha on the return from Emerald lake and it was well worth the extra effort. The trail from Bear Lake Trailhead to Emerald Lake is quite popular. It was nice to veer off on the trail to Lake Haiyaha which is much less traveled, The views of the Bear Lake area and Morraine Valley are quite spectacular as you make the tough ascent to the lake. When arriving at the lake , getting a good view is challenging as it requires scaling up the rocks surrounding the lake. Although I found this quite fun, it may create a challenge for some.
6. The Loch Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 35 reviews
Reviewed By applecat79 - Columbus, United States
What a great hike! We used the park and ride transport to Glacier Gorge and hiked to the Loch. Several people were hiking the trail but it was not crowded like the other hikes at the Bear Lake Trailhead. It took us close to two hours to get to the lake. It was pretty much a gradual uphill hike the whole way. Not too bad but definitely a nice workout. Great views all the way. It only took us an hour to get back to the trailhead. One of the best hikes in RMNP!
7. Mills Lake
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 44 reviews
Reviewed By johnvR2768NI - Westminster, United States
One of my favorite hikes. You first go by a very gorgeous waterfall, then continue up into a great canyon with amazing views. The actual lake is gorgeous with nice views of Long's Peak. If you continue on, theirs some excellent smaller lakes that can be less crowded. The trail will become popular later in the day, also, the parking lot can be full by 7am. Take the free shuttle or hike down from Bear lake.
8. Glacier Gorge Junction Trailhead
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By cornerstone1979 - Cecilia, United States
Great place to park if Bear Lake parking lot is full. You can hike to Alberta Falls and Bear Lake from here relatively easily. My recommendation is to look at and understand the trail system before you go. There are great hikes from Glacier Gorge. Highly Recommended!!!
9. Dream Lake
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 56 reviews
Reviewed By Steve5863 - Avon, United States
Dream Lake is the second of three lakes along the excellent Emerald Lake Trail in the Bear Lake section of the park, 1.1 miles (1.8k) from the trailhead and 0.6 miles (1.0k) beyond Nymph Lake. Dream Lake is the prettiest lake along the trail and makes the 500 foot (152m) climb at altitude worth the effort; look closely, and one will be able to see trout in the crystal clear water from the banks. While many people decide to turnaround here, if one still has the energy, continuing the 0.7 miles (1.1k) to Emerald Lake is worthwhile to see the high mountains rise abruptly from the banks of the small alpine lake.
10. 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.
