This is another one of our favorite hikes. Rocky Mountain National Park is open all year. This road will lead you out of town and to the Beaver Meadows Entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. Have a great trip! Rocky Mountain National Park Is A National Treasure. Elevation of Rocky Mountain National Park. Three Day Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary, Four Day Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary, Five or More Days in Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. During the busy summer months, a free shuttle service is provided by the national park service. Get here by 7:30 am if you want a spot. Emerald lake lays below Hallett peak, Tyndall glacier, and Flattop mountain. Past the Alpine Visitor Center, you can continue on Alpine Ridge Road and go all of the way to Grand Lake, if you like. Autumn ushers in cooler days, smaller crowds, golden aspen and elk bugling. This short, strenuous hike offers sweeping views over Estes Park and out to Longs Peak and it ends at a very pretty alpine lake. If you plan to visit RMNP early in the summer, there is a good chance that you will encounter snow on some trails. I am not the hiker I used to be [did Kili in 04] so a moderate/ mildly strenuous 8 miler more my speed now. See five lakes in one hike. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. Hike one of the trails that I mentioned earlier in this itinerary, or click here to see our list of 15 great hikes to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. Rocky Mountain National Park made our list of the best national parks for kids. We have info on this post on how to do this, so make sure you get your permit for each day that you plan to be in the park. For many visitors, the winter months are their favorite time to visit RMNP. Rocky Mountain National Park is a beautiful place so we hope you have a wonderful time here. Note: You do not need a 44 for this drive. During this time, you will be able to drive through the park, with access to all of the hikes and overlooks. That means you will not be able to visit the Alpine Visitor Center, hike the Ute Trail to Tombstone Ridge, drive Old Fall River Road, or visit some of the best overlooks in the park. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. Cheers, Julie. Because the entrance is so accessible from Estes Park and open year round, it is the most popular. Stay on US 34 as it becomes Trail Ridge Road to enjoy a spectacular tour of the parks incredible landscapes. 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. Waterproof hiking shoes or boots are a great idea too, since snow is a possibility on some of these trails, all year. Where to stay near Rocky Mountain National Park, CO Timed Entry Permit System - Rocky Mountain National Park (U.S. National If you want low crowds and dont mind cold temperatures and snow, plan your visit from November through May. You will need a Park Access (Excludes Bear Lake Road Corridor) permit if you plan to hike Chasm Lake or Mount Ida. Ideally, you want a day with crystal clear skies and no chance of rain. Rocky Mountain National Park - Annual Pass. 5. We are going to put RMNP last so we have time to get used to the altitude, because we are from the East Coast. There are sixty mountain peaks over 12,000 feet and many of these top out over 13,000 feet. You wont find major grocery stores here, although you can drive 25 minutes to Granby and shop at the enormous City Market. The Information Office is open year-round: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. daily in summer; 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Mondays - Fridays and 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Saturdays - Sundays in winter. 7.6 Good 275 reviews. Order our free stunning National Park Trip Planner for Colorado filled with an inspiring itinerary, gorgeous photographs and everything you need to plan your dream vacation. ie last an hour or so and go away? Altitude sickness is rare in RMNP, unless you are hiking to peaks over 12,000 feet and are not acclimated. 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. You have a choice today: take a break from hiking and explore Rocky Mountain National Park and Estes Park, or hike another trail. 1. If you are not acclimated to the higher elevation, it is normal to get out of breath easily. In order to see and do everything we list in this itinerary, plan on visiting the park when everything is open. Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the best US national parks to go hiking. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. Map courtesy of the National Park Service. For full details on how to spend one day in Rocky Mountain National Park, read our post One Perfect Day in Rocky Mountain National Park. If you are coming from sea level, you will feel the effects of the altitude as soon as you do anything strenuous. The best entrance for Rocky Mountain National Park is Beaver Meadows Entrance or Fall River Entrance. Not sure either if we should stay in Estes park or grand lake? In fact, it is such a popular place to visit that you now need a timed entry permit to enter. 15 Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park (With Map) - Roaming the USA Depending on the volume of traffic, some visitors with detailed questions must be directed to the visitor centers where the rangers and volunteers there can more adequately provide the needed assistance. 1000 US Hwy 36, Estes Park, CO, 80517. You will hike past Alberta Falls, wind around lovely Mills Lake, and end at Black Lake. The Mummy Mountain Range, Lumpy Ridge, and several . Ty in advance for your help as usual ! From $73.48 per night. Gorgeous alpine views can certainly be seen from this center located at 11,796' elevation! If you wish detailed information to help enjoy your time in the park, stop by one of the park's visitor centers. Hi Is there any stay offered by national park ? Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the highest national parks in the USA. If you love lakes you'll like this hike. I think your itinerary looks great. The Inn on Fall River & Fall River Cabins. Ranking of the top 16 things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. Founded in 1881, the village still embraces its original rustic architectural style . The permit system limited visitation to about 60% of parking capacity. CO For 48 miles, this road runs from Estes Park in the east to Grand Lake in the west. 2023 Best 10 Trails in Rocky Mountain National Park | AllTrails Photo: Flickr/David Wilson. Have a great time in RMNP! 700 feet (213 m) elevation gain. I hope you have an awesome time in RMNP and happy hiking! During the summer and autumn, you can expect the entrance stations to be busy for most of the day, and extra busy in the morning from 7:00am-9:30am and in the afternoon from 2:30-4:00pm. This entrance station has three entry booths which helps traffic to enter more quickly; however, this also tends to be the busiest entrance station. Best entrance to rocky mountain national park - Tripadvisor Do you think this is doable? 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. Yay!! A Park Access (Excludes Bear Lake Road Corridor) timed entry ticket is sufficient for this day. I hope you have a great time! Learn more here. I think Augusts dates open on Jul 1 but i will be at Lassen NP around then (so idk about internet coverage and the morning ones usually fly out fast). Park Access: This permit gives you access to everything in Rocky Mountain National Park except for Bear Lake Road. Typically this road12,183 feet at it's highest point, remains closed from late-October to late-May. And once at topwhat a view.! Want to receive a printed insiders guide to Colorados four national parks including Rocky Mountain National Park? The Bear Lake Corridor is one of the most popular areas in Rocky Mountain National Park for first-time visitors. This helps control crowd levels on the roads and hiking trails. 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. Reservations are made online on the recreation.gov website. Put your higher hikes in the second half of your RMNP visit and you should be fine. Phone. First-timer's guide to visit Rocky Mountain National Park Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most popular natural parks featuring 76 mountains each over 10 thousand feet high. If you are coming from Estes Park, this drive takes 30 minutes. These shuttle buses connect Moraine Park and Bear Lake, with numerous stops in between. 17 Best Things to Do in Rocky Mountain National Park (2023) This is the hike that I recommend for today. Drive one of the highest roads in the USA, spot wildlife, walk the easier trails around scenic lakes and waterfalls, and be amazed at the beauty here. Thanks for the article I am planning to travel below hikes/places in 3rd week of june. Rocky Mountain National Park Travel Guide - Earth Trekkers This is a great warm-up for those who plan to hike Longs Peak. Stop at Alpine Visitor Center, the highest visitor center in the US national parks. We were here in early July, so all of the photos on our website were taken around the first week of July. In 2021, RMNP was the fifth most visited park in the USA, receiving 4.4 million visitors. 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 . Those are the 3 that were recommended to me. The Information Office is open year-round: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. daily in summer; 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Mondays - Fridays and 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Saturdays - Sundays in winter. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Spend the rest of the day in Estes Park. You'll need to be prepared to pull over regularly to let cars pass that are coming the other way. Here are several to choose from. Quantity. Estes Park On day two, as you are still acclimating to the altitude, I recommend one of these hikes: Deer Mountain. Moraine Park Campground. Save. Its a short, easy hike in the subalpine tundra so you have 360 degree views on the entire hike. But one afternoon, they went until dinner, off and on. Youll reach Trail Ridge Road a lot faster than those waiting in line at the Beaver Meadows Entrance during the summer and fall seasons. Once you pass through the entrance booth, you have access to that area of the park (for example, if you are coming from Estes Park and enter through the Beaver Meadows entrance before 9 am, you do not need a permit and can tour the park, with the exception of the Bear Lake Corridor, for the rest of the day). With towering mountain peaks, alpine lakes and waterfalls, and the opportunity to hike along the Continental Divide, this park offers world-class hiking experiences. View from the Alpine Ridge Trail | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. The Kawuneeche entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park is located 2 miles north of Grand Lake on highway 34. If you have five or more days in Rocky Mountain National Park (lucky you! Length: 5.2 miles round-trip. 800-715-HIKE (4453) (9-4:30 Every Day) Top Rated On . The map above displays the main entrances, campgrounds, lodging options, and locations for the best things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. You have included all of our favorite hikes in RMNP so I think your list looks good! It is equipped with a sofa bed and a double bed, and there is a fireplace in both the bedroom and the warm living room. Sky Pond | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. Nymph, Dream & Emerald Lakes: 3.6 miles, easy to moderate, 2 to 3 hours. One Perfect Day in Rocky Mountain National Park - Earth Trekkers If time permits be adventurous and try a different entrance each day! For hikers, its the ultimate adventure. Tahosa Valley Cabin (from USD 275) Show all photos. We have visited Rocky Mountain National Park several times in the past. 9.8 miles, strenuous, 4.5 to 6.5 hours. How To Plan A Perfect Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary The One Subscription to Fuel All Your Adventures. 2. For your afternoon activities, just keep your fingers crossed that you wont have afternoon thunderstorms on those days. In this post, get all of the information you need to plan your Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary. After the passes and permits are sorted, they will offer you a park map and a park newspaper. If so, you need one for each day that you plan to visit RMNP. After the trail split, the hike gets easier and the views of Longs Peak and the alpine landscape is jaw-dropping. Rocky Mountain National Park. 11 miles of this road is located in the alpine tundra, which is above the treeline. #3 Granby - Best Place to Stay near Rocky Mountain National Park for Families. Along the way, its a quick stop to see Chasm Falls. Summer (generally Memorial Day to Labor Day) is peak visitor season for good reason trails are snow-free, the park's wildlife is active, and the wildflowers are in full bloom. If you had afternoon thunderstorms on Day One, drive Trail Ridge Road in the morning. 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. 4. 1. Get answers to your questions about Rocky Mountain Do's and Don'ts When Visiting Rocky Mountain National Park, Timed Entry FAQ's and Explaining the Bear Lake Corridor. The 7 Estes-Area Entrances into Rocky Mountain National Park In this Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary, many of days end by the early afternoon, because of these storms. That is correct. 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 !!). Known as a "scenic wonder road of the world," it traverses 48 miles between Estes Park on the park's east side and Grand Lake on the west, taking in several not-to-be-missed sights. This gave us enough time to hike at least one trail every day, with contingency time for bad weather. Estes Park. Here are you options: The private vehicle entrance fee, good for 1 day, is $25. It is about 2 hours to get to the western entrance and 2 3/4 hours to get to the eastern entrance, taking the least scenic routes in both cases and hoping for no significant delays for the Twin Tunnels construction near Idaho Springs. Cheers, Julie. Hotels in Rocky Mountain National Park, USA - save 15% with the best deals RMNP is quite popular, with about than 3 million visitors a year. Park Hours:Park entrances are open 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. Potentially one of the busiest trails at RMNP is the Emerald Lake trail. Start your trip off right, with a hike from the Bear Lake trailhead at the end of Bear Lake Road. 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, All material copyright by Morning Light Photography, Inc. All rights reserved. Miles of trails: More than 355 miles along about 160 trails. This station is .25 miles from our newest visitor center, the Fall River Visitor Center. USA TRAVEL INSPIRATION:For more great ideas on where to go in the United States, check out our article Best USA Road Trips, which has 18 sample itineraries for your next big adventure. Lily Lake. The stark colors of the evergreen trees and the sparkling high-mountain waters combine for picture perfect vistas. Travelers favorites include #1 Trail Ridge Road, #2 Beaver Meadows Visitor Center and more. It is a common misconception that there are fee-free entrances into the Park. Bear Lake Road runs into the heart of the park. You can get to this entrance without going through the middle of town by following highway 34 up East Wonderview Avenue. Is it worth going to RMNP if I only have 4 hours? In the southeast corner of the park there is an entrance to the Wild Basin area. Some visitors complain of noise and hot temperatures in the summer (there is no air conditioning). You need to make it through the Beaver Meadows entrance and where they check permits for the Bear Lake Corridor (I think that is the junction of Bear Lake Road and US-36 but I am not 100% about this) before 5 am. Not bad for a town of 400 residents, all of whom seem . Acreage: 265,769. In 2021, Rocky Mountain National Park was the 5th most visited national park in the United States, with 4.4 million visitors. Difficulty: Challenging. Best Rocky Mountain National Park Campgrounds 2022 Is there anything you recommend to bring on the hikes? 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. Prospect Mountain is a 15-minute drive, and you can set out along Lake Estes Trail less than 10 minutes after departing the accommodation. For a longer list, read our post about Estes Park. I was thinking June but am guessing some of the hikes up about 10k feet would still have snow? About this Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary, Ideally, plan on spending at least three days in Rocky Mountain National Park. Park Fee: $25 per vehicle, valid for 1 day. We also really liked the Ute Trail to Tombstone Ridge. Text in English. 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. 7.4 miles (12 km). Earth Trekkers is my starting point for every hiking vacation. I am so glad you had great weather and a great trip! Look for that option at the intersection next to McDonald's on the east side of Estes Park. Explore the exhibits at the highest elevation visitor center in the National Park Service. Also, if Longs Peak is on your list, watch the weather report for your visit. Note: This post contains affiliate links. 10 Rocky Mountain National Park Attractions You Can't-Miss - MSN Watch the weather, enjoy the time you spend in the park, and you might find you want to hike more, or less, than you expected to. From here, hike the Alpine Ridge Trail. BTW I reach Denver around 12.30pm on a Tuesday in mid August, that puts me in Estes Park area at about 3:30pm (waiting for rental/lunch/traffic). Hopefully in your case they will be quick! . Youll be glad you did. Cheers, Julie. At this time, cross country skiing and snowshoeing are the main things to do in the park. This is the hotel that inspired Stephen King to write The Shining. It may sound counterintuitive, but if you really want to see Rocky Mountain National Park hassle-free, leave your car behind. For every hike that we list, you do not need an SUV or non-standard vehicle. You're going to want to start early, because parking fills up fast. Emerald Lake | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. , Tombstone Ridge | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. The parking lot at the end of Bear Lake Road is large but from here, you have access to numerous popular trails in RMNP, so it also fills fast. Kawuneeche Entrance. Best entrance to RMNP - - Rocky Mountain National Park Forum 15 Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. There are four entrances into Rocky Mountain National Park, and in 2022, you will need a park pass plus a separate day-use reservation to get into the park, regardless of which entrance you take. 31 Top Things to Do in Colorado - US News & World Report 16 Best Things To Do in Rocky Mountain National Park Lake of Glass, seen on the hike to Sky Pond. Answer (1 of 2): All of them them! This year's system has loosened to 75% to 85% of parking capacity. The rooms within the main hotel building get mixed reviews. However, this property gets rave reviews. Rocky Mountain National Park timed entry system frustrates visitors [The vibe of Estes Park is very wild west mountain-like] [We passed at least 4 Saltwater Taffy shops on our way up the main street] [The Historic Park Theater] Estes Park is definitely worth checking out if you go through the Beaver Meadows entrance like we did. This is our favorite hike in RMNP. Grand Lake, Colorado at Rocky Mountain National Park This route will lead you up past the Stanley Hotel. To ensure everyone gets a chance to experience the park during this . Cheers, Julie, QQ for those noon thunderstorms, are they quick showers? Whats the Best Season to Visit Rocky Mountain National Park. Running north to south through the park is the Continental Divide and the highest mountain peaks. Youre itinerary is great, thanks for this! This hike starts at Bear Lake and summits Flattop Mountain before arriving at Hallett Peak. We just walked up and down the main road, and glanced at all the salt water taffy . Illustrated t This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. When the parking areas in Wild Basin are full, usually by 9am in the summer, vehicles will be turned away. Snow can linger on the trails as late as July, especially for the trails at higher elevations. This has been implemented to limit crowds at the busiest sections of the park during the peak visitation season (the summer months). This is the highest continuous paved road in the United States. Call 970-586-1222 before you head out. In summer 2022, timed-entry reservations are required between May 27 and October 10, 2022, and are in addition to your entrance fee. It is only staffed in the busy season and during the busiest hours of the day the line can get long.