Cheers, Julie. Estes Park to the Alpine Visitor Centre distance. If the skies are clear, the weather forecast is favorable, and Longs Peak is on your bucket list, go for it today. Hike to one of the most popular waterfalls in RMNP. These national parks require reservations in 2023 BEST OF ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK: For a list of top experiences, read our article Best Things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. These shuttle buses connect Moraine Park and Bear Lake, with numerous stops in between. Longs Peak, at 14,259 feet, is the only fourteener in the park. Hiking poles are a good idea for some of the tougher hikes (Sky Pond, Chasm Lake) if you have knee issues or if there is snow on the trail. Keep your fingers crossed for clear afternoon skies. Gem Lake. For more information about where to stay and where to eat, read our Guide to Estes Park. In our experience, they typically just last an hour or two. There are sixty mountain peaks over 12,000 feet and many of these top out over 13,000 feet. 2. The park has gotten so popular that in 2020 a timed entry system was put into effect. You can also hike to Fern Lake out-and-back from either Bear Lake or Moraine Park. 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. But dont bring your RV there. In a normal year, Rocky Mountain National Park attracts well over 4 million visitors to its 415 square miles that are home to 147 lakes, dozens of different mammals (bear, moose and bighorn sheep among them), 355 miles of hiking trails and the Continental Divide. If you did not do it yet, you have the option to hike the short but sweet Ute Trail to Tombstone Ridge. Mills Lake and Loch Vale are very nice and might be perfect for you. Because the entrance is so accessible from Estes Park and open year round, it is the most popular. If you have five or more days in Rocky Mountain National Park (lucky you! I am not the hiker I used to be [did Kili in 04] so a moderate/ mildly strenuous 8 miler more my speed now. You will need a Park Access (Excludes Bear Lake Road Corridor) permit if you plan to hike Chasm Lake or Mount Ida. You can visit Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) all year, but sections of the park close once the snow begins to fall. 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). If you are an avid hiker, I recommend spending five or more days in Rocky Mountain National Park. Rocky Mountain National Park Neighborhood Guide. Get here by 7:30 am if you want a spot. The west side (Grand Lake side) is more about the Kawuneeche Valley and the Colorado River. A Quick Geography Lesson. You'll either need to pay an entrance fee or use a National Parks Pass to enter. Located outside Estes Park, Colorado, Rocky Mountain is a great family vacation . 11 miles of this road is located in the alpine tundra, which is above the treeline. Deer mountain Alpine ridge trail Trail ridge drive Ute trail to tomb bridge Alberta falls Nymph, dream and emerald lake Haiyaha Bear lake Sprague lake loop sheep lakes lily lake loop chasm falls Gem lake Mills lake, Rocky Mountain is very safe for a solo traveler and yes, in the mornings, there will be people on these trails. 15 Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park (With Map) - Roaming the USA (Old Maps, 20th Century Maps, Americana, Travel, Tourism, Colorado, Rocky Mountain National Park, Granby Reservoir, Granby).Grand Lake West Entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park.Published c. 1940's, United States.Folding cartoon pictorial travel map, printed on both sides of the sheet. Closest Airport to Rocky Mountain National Park - Hello Hiker I highly recommend this particular residence. With towering mountain peaks, alpine lakes and waterfalls, and the opportunity to hike along the Continental Divide, this park offers world-class hiking experiences. This entrance station has only one entry booth. So if i am staying at Estes, thats a 10-15mins drive to the Beavers meadow entrance (where I am assuming they check for the timed entry thing?) The pilot Timed Entry Permit System will be extended through October 22, 2023. We spent a week there in July and had a thunderstorm in the afternoon about 50% of the time, starting between 1 and 4 pm. But more often than not, in the summer, afternoon storms will occur. Where to Stay in Rocky Mountain National Park (2023 - The Broke Backpacker Timed Entry Ticket: Park Access (excludes Bear Lake Road Corridor) is sufficient unless you choose to hike to Fern and Odessa Lakes. 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. I lucked out and it didnt rain on the 3 main days i was hiking (there was some rain on the day i came in but even that stopped around 4p and i was able to do nymph to dream to emerald and bear lake hike that evening). Once you are finished hiking, hop back into your car. 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. How likely is someone to get altitude sickness at RMNP? Can you Drive through Rocky Mountain National Park? These two are the most popular entrances to the park. Difficulty: Moderate. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Eleven miles of this road is in the alpine tundra, which is over 11,000 feet. Cheers, Julie. If you are an avid hiker, your itinerary will look something like this: Day 1: Nymph, Dream & Emerald Lakes plus Trail Ridge Road and the Alpine Ridge Trail Day 2: Deer Mountain in the morning, Estes Park in the afternoon/evening Day 3: Sky Pond Day 4: Continental Divide Trail to Mount Ida Day 5: Longs Peak Day 6: Rest day from hiking (Old Fall River Road and activities in Estes Park) Day 7: Chasm Lake. This property is located west of Estes Park on Fall River Road, so you will have a longer drive to get into the heart of the park. For many visitors, the winter months are their favorite time to visit RMNP. Visit the Alpine Visitor Center, hike Alpine Ridge Trail, and consider driving down to Grand Lake, visiting the Holzwarth Historic Site on the way. 9.8 miles, strenuous, 4.5 to 6.5 hours. Is RMNP a good place to visit for the elderly or those with limited mobility? This year's system has loosened to 75% to 85% of parking capacity. If you plan to hike Sky Pond, Mills Lake, or Black Lake later in this itinerary, you will pass Alberta Falls, so there is no need to hike to it today. You'll need to be prepared to pull over regularly to let cars pass that are coming the other way. 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. Rocky Mountain National Park timed entry system frustrates visitors The One Subscription to Fuel All Your Adventures. 8 Unbelievable Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park - Wheatless Wanderlust Wild Basin Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park 10. The elevation of the lowest sections of the park range from 5,600 to 9,500 feet. Hi Julie !! Learn more about the national parks in our Guide to the US National Parks. 9 miles, strenuous, 4 to 6 hours. I was thinking June but am guessing some of the hikes up about 10k feet would still have snow? For every hike that we list, you do not need an SUV or non-standard vehicle. Its a very short hike (just over a half-mile round trip), but it will literally take your breath away. Sky Pond | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. Al, Thats a tricky question to answer. Its proximity to the charming town of Grand Lake make it even more alluring. 80517. Since I like to hike, I am guessing maybe 3 solid days? The Kawuneeche entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park is located 2 miles north of Grand Lake on highway 34. Trail Type: Out-and-back. However, Old Fall River Road is only open during the summer months. Best beginner hike in Rocky Mountain National Park: Emerald Lake. 15 great hikes to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. Located just a couple minutes from Grand Lake, the Grand Lake Entrance is arguably the parks best-kept secret. Many of the taller peaks make up the Continental Divide, where snowmelt runs . If so, you need one for each day that you plan to visit RMNP. Timed Entry Ticket: You will need a Bear Lake Road Corridor + Full Park Access permit (Park Access +) if you plan to hike Sky Pond, Hallett Peak, or Mills and Black Lake. Are you referring to the timed entry ticket? Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park for families Follow the Two Day Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary. Pass Type. The rooms within the main hotel building get mixed reviews. Wondering if there are differences between entering park through entrances by Estes park or better to enter park through grand lake? This station, which is one mile west of the park's headquarters and Beaver Meadows Visitor Center, usually receives the highest volume of visitors. Arrived at the park entrance before 5am which allowed us access to Bear Lake Road before the timed entry kicked in. As part of the National Park system, Zion operates under the same rules as other parks. There are numerous pull-over areas on each side of the road for this purpose. The Kawuneeche entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park is located 2 miles north of Grand Lake on highway 34. 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. On our first attempt it was cloudy and we could barely see the lake and we couldnt see the spires of rock around the lake at all. Rocky Mountain National Park is open all year. There are many things to do here. Ty in advance for your help as usual ! Alternatively, continue straight ahead and you'll find yourself on the dramatic Trail Ridge Road which leads over the Continental Divide to the west side of the park and Grand Lake. On the east side of the park, located on highway 36 and 3.5 miles west of Estes Park, is the Beaver Meadows Entrance Station. Rocky Mountain National Park Timed Entry - Recreation.gov There will also be three amazing lakes. Lily Lake offers an easy and flat 0.8-mile loop trail around the lake, making it one of the top things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park with kids. Sky Pond. WorldMark Estes Park. And bring a headlampyoull be hiking before the sun comes up. Pre-hike fuel: Near the main junction in Estes, hit up Notchtop . Never been to park at all. This has been implemented to limit crowds at the busiest sections of the park during the peak visitation season (the summer months). This road is gravel and is quite narrow. Waterproof hiking shoes or boots are a great idea too, since snow is a possibility on some of these trails, all year. Rocky Mountain National Park is one of our nation's most spectacular national parks with 415sq. #1 Estes Park - Overall Best Place to Stay in Rocky Mountain National Park. This is another one of our favorite hikes. Rocky Mountain National Park offers plenty of contrast from one season to the next.