All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. Rocky Mountain National Park is a relatively large park, with a total area of 415 square miles. This area is home to various trails, lakes, and wildlife. Follow the three day Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary. If you are an avid hiker, you are probably ready to hike some of the longer, tougher, more thrilling hikes in the park. You can visit Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) all year, but sections of the park close once the snow begins to fall. 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. Clouds start moving in around noon with the storms occurring almost like clockwork between 1 and 3 pm. Running north to south through the park is the Continental Divide and the highest mountain peaks. Head to Grand Lake, a quaint, historic town surrounded on three sides by Rocky Mountain National Park. Looking at the trail signs on our Sky Pond guide, it looks like hiking the spur only to Loch Vale adds 1.6 miles total. If you want to stay in the park, you will be limited to campgrounds. On the western side of the park, you can explore the Colorado Rivers headwaters, look for moose and hike to the site of Lulu City, a former mining town, among many other things. This is one of the highest national parks in the USA. Trail Ridge Road winds high into the Rockies, taking visitors into the treeless tundra. Odessa and Fern Lakes. Hopefully in your case they will be quick! 970 586-1206 Park Hours:Park entrances are open 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. Phone. Alberta Falls Trail. Sky Pond | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. Do a Hike Near Bear Lake. Here are several to choose from. Shuttle Bus. While here you can enjoy quiet walks, exhilarating hikes, gorgeous sunrises and . How much is the entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. Park Access +:This permit gives you access to everything in Rocky Mountain National Park. From Glacier Gorge parking lot (get there super earlypeople are rolling into the park before 5 am if they dont have a timed entry ticket so parking lots are filling up earlier this year), hike to Mills Lake. Forest Canyon Overlook | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary, Rainbow Curve Overlook | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. Have a great time in RMNP! Cheers, Julie, Your email address will not be published. Serving the park at the entrance stations and visitor centers are a group of dedicated full time and seasonal rangers and volunteers. Note: Its a slightly shorter hike (1.7 miles) if you park at the Glacier Gorge Trailhead. Its our favorite hike in RMNP. So on Tuesday, do you think I can salvage some hiking? And for FREE checklist of the US National Parks, take a look at our article US National Parks List. From the hotel it's a 15-minute drive to Beaver Meadows Entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park, while downtown Estes Park is just a couple of miles away. Rocky Mountain National Park's 4 Neighborhoods to Stay in. 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. 3.4 miles, moderate, 2 to 3 hours. Sky Pond. Thanks for writing in!! 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? When does Trail Ridge Road close in the fall? Some visitors complain of noise and hot temperatures in the summer (there is no air conditioning). Alberta Falls: 2 miles, easy, 1 to 1.5 hours. Its a very short hike (just over a half-mile round trip), but it will literally take your breath away. This tough hike follows along the Continental Divide, starting at 10,800 feet and tops out at 12,899 feet on Mount Ida. 1. If you are not acclimated to the higher elevation, it is normal to get out of breath easily. How long does it take to drive Trail Ridge Road? The Aspire rooms are higher-end, modernly decorated rooms but many people state that they are overpriced for what you get. It also is just a few minutes from Estes Parks downtown. Do you think this is doable? It is situated on the north side of Moraine Park. Located just a couple minutes from Grand Lake, the Grand Lake Entrance is arguably the parks best-kept secret. To stay safe, start your hike early in the day so that you are finished, or at least below the tree line, by 1 pm. 5. The vast majority of these people visited the park between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Longs Peak and Timber Creek Campgrounds are easier to get reservations. It may sound counterintuitive, but if you really want to see Rocky Mountain National Park hassle-free, leave your car behind. If so, you need one for each day that you plan to visit RMNP. If you are visiting between late May and mid-October during peak hours, then you will also need to show your timed entry permit to gain entry. All entrances into Rocky Mountain National Park require entrance fees, even the ones that don't have a physical entrance to drive through. 6.2 miles, moderate, 3 to 4 hours. Only 0.6 miles round trip, this flat, easy trail circles around Bear Lake. Youll be glad you did. If you have any questions about planning your Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary, let us know in the comment section below. However, Old Fall River Road is only open during the summer months. However, I only recommend doing this if you are acclimated to the altitude, since these are strenuous hikes with big ascents. That is correct. The road is well-graded and suitable for standard cars. See five lakes in one hike. Gem Lake. Do 4 days if you canthere are a LOT of hikes to choose from here. On day two, as you are still acclimating to the altitude, I recommend one of these hikes: Deer Mountain. Also, it can snow every month of the year in Rocky Mountain National Park. But this is a strenuous hike and longer than your 8 mile cut-off. Learn more here. Download the official NPS app before your next visit. Required fields are marked *. Ah one for each day, got it Ty !! In July I will be doing Glacier NP so the hikes there should warm me up for RMNP QQ For RMNP, I noticed you mentioned the need for the extra pass (outside of America the beautiful) Are those passes setup in a way that they last 3 straight days (like how Yosemite or Glacier) or just limited to one day? Plan on being at the trailhead by 7am (or earlier) if you want to park at the trailhead itself. 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. Many of the taller peaks make up the Continental Divide, where snowmelt runs . 94 within 3 miles. 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. :) All the entrances lead to the Beautiful Rocky Mountains. Gorgeous alpine views can certainly be seen from this center located at 11,796' elevation! The Fall River entrance is 4 miles from Estes Park a wonderful little mountain town. I recommend wearing waterproof hiking shoes or boots (not running or walking shoes) so that you have good traction. Want to receive a printed insiders guide to Colorados four national parks including Rocky Mountain National Park? Black Lake and Mills Lake are often labeled as two of the prettiest lakes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Enter the number of passes you would like to purchase from the available choices below: Site passes table. Your email address will not be published. The park is reducing the time period and number of hours daily that reservations are in effect for most areas of RMNP. And you must have really been moving to catch sunrise at Chasm Lake. But more often than not, in the summer, afternoon storms will occur. On the way, you'll pass the park entry sign on your right, which is a great place to take family photos, and then the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center on your left. You can get to this entrance without going through the middle of town by following highway 34 up East Wonderview Avenue. l plan on 7 days there. This helps control crowd levels on the roads and hiking trails. Rocky Mountain high means snow, ice, and thin air - in exchange for jaw-dropping beauty. Mills Lake and Loch Vale are very nice and might be perfect for you. Once you are finished hiking, hop back into your car. All offer bookstores and much printed information to supplement the knowledgeable staff. Longs Peak, at 14,259 feet, is the only fourteener in the park. 80517. After one final short and strenuous climb you arrive at Chasm Lake. For many visitors, the winter months are their favorite time to visit RMNP. This is the highest continuous paved road in the United States. There are sixty mountain peaks over 12,000 feet and many of these top out over 13,000 feet. The scenery is beautiful, as you gradually twist and turn through the mountains to get to the Alpine Visitor Center. With its short distance and manageable elevation gain, it is a great first hike in the park, as you acclimate to the higher elevation. 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. Get updates on trail closures and park conditions on the National Park Service website. 2. 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?) 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. There are pull outs along the road for viewing but can get busy during the day so head . The Alberta Falls Trail, like many other hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, follows a creek (in this case, Glacier Creek). Rocky Mountain National Park, CO 80517. For Longs Peak, that means starting by 3 or 4 am. Nymph, Dream, Emerald, Haiyaha and Bear Lake: You can learn more about all of these hikes on our post, For full details on how to spend one day in Rocky Mountain National Park, read our post, Two Day Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. 9 miles, strenuous, 4 to 6 hours. Follow the Two Day Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary. 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. This is an essential hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. RMNP is quite popular, with about than 3 million visitors a year. The Stanley Hotel offers a wide range of rooms. I love all of the information you provide and find your advice extremely helpful. For more information about where to stay and where to eat, read our, Get updates on trail closures and park conditions on the National Park Service, Learn more about the national parks in our. 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. If you plan to visit RMNP early in the summer, there is a good chance that you will encounter snow on some trails. Three Day Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary, Four Day Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary, Five or More Days in Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. If you wish detailed information to help enjoy your time in the park, stop by one of the park's visitor centers. Note: This post contains affiliate links. To reach the Wild Basin Entrance from Estes Park, head south on CO 7. If you hike to Sky Pond, you will hike through the Loch to get there. Cheers, Julie. The Inn on Fall River & Fall River Cabins. Even for Old Fall River Road, a 44 or SUV is not necessary, as long as road conditions are good, and you can get updated info on this either on the NPS visitor center or at one of the visitor centers. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Earth Trekkers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by advertising & linking to Amazon.com. This station, which is one mile west of the park's headquarters and Beaver Meadows Visitor Center, usually receives the highest volume of visitors. Park Details. However, the road is open to Many Parks Curve, approximately 7 miles from the start of Trail Ridge Road from the east. Note: You do not need a 44 for this drive. The elevation of the lowest sections of the park range from 5,600 to 9,500 feet. It is our favorite short hike in the park. However, both routes cross high over the mountains and close down once winter weather arrives. This road will lead you out of town and to the Beaver Meadows Entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. 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. About this Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary, Ideally, plan on spending at least three days in Rocky Mountain National Park. , Tombstone Ridge | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. 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. Park at Bear Lake Trailhead. 700 feet (213 m) elevation gain. I recommend hiking Longs Peak on the day with the clearest weather. On the way you'll pass the Kawuneeche Visitor Center on your right. If you had afternoon thunderstorms on Day One, drive Trail Ridge Road in the morning. The permit is in effect from 9 am to 2 pm. So August is a safer bet if you want to hike snow-free. This is a gorgeous drive. But even with a week here, there are still a lot of hikes left on our to-do list. They said if you skip bear corridor, timed entry is only needed between 9a-3p. This entrance gives you access to Sandbeach Lake, Finch & Pear Lake, Calypso Cascades and Ouzel Falls, Thunder Lake, and Bluebird Lake. Call 970-586-1222 before you head out. 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. Learn more on the national park service website. Due to its large size and long list of noteworthy hikes, you need several days to explore Rocky Mountain National Park. This family friendly hike is a great intro to hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park. On the west side of the park is the Kawuneeche entrance, located just north of the town of Grand Lake. The Kawuneeche entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park is located 2 miles north of Grand Lake on highway 34. Park Fee: $25 per vehicle, valid for 1 day. For example, if you hike Deer Mountain at 6 am, you do not need a permit. The Continental Divide runs through the park. photo by Ladona Stork. And I think that RMNP just got its first snow storm of the fall season. best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. 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. Here are you options: The private vehicle entrance fee, good for 1 day, is $25. Plus, this is a lesser known hike, so the trail gets a lower number of hikers than other hikes on this list. Since I like to hike, I am guessing maybe 3 solid days? Lily Lake. The Continental Divide Trail to Mount Ida. This hiker shuttle take visitors to some of the most popular trails along Bear Lake Road. 2) Wed morning: Sky pond. Also, if Longs Peak is on your list, watch the weather report for your visit. 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. Length: 5.5 miles. 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). Alpine Ridge Road reaches its highest point at 12,183 feet. Rocky Mountain National Park, located in northern Colorado, encompasses an area of 416 square miles (265,769 acres). 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. Rocky Mountain Nat'l Park; Flat Tops Wilderness; Maine. Entrance tickets and fees. 1. 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. 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. Learn everything you need to know to plan the perfect day in Rocky Mountain National Park! During the summer months, afternoon thunderstorms are very common. We spent seven days in RMNP and every day we did at least one hike. This itinerary is best from Memorial Day through mid-October, when Trail Ridge Road is open. 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. Cheers, Julie. We also have a guide to the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park and how to spend one day in RMNP. The Beaver Meadows Entrance was remodeled in 2000-2001, adding another entrance lane to reduce the time spent waiting in line. Al, Thats a tricky question to answer. This is another one of our favorite hikes. Republishing this articleand/orany of its contents (text, photography, etc. This "rest of park" Timed Entry Permit Reservation period will be in effect between the hours of 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Full-Day Rocky Mountain National Park "Over The Top Tour" - RMNPhotographer. Abandon Your Car. During the busy summer months, a free shuttle service is provided by the national park service. Or is it pretty bad and long lasting? It is close to my Rocky Mtn NP trip (going there next week tue-sat), I wanted your opinion for this following itinerary and if it is doable 1) Tuesday afternoon: I will be at RMNP around 4pm. There are two options and option #1 (Bear Lake Road and the rest the park) is the best option since it gives you access to the entire park. 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). As it is, I like to hike early to avoid the crowd, Yes, leaving that early should work. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. You can also access Bear Lake Road, but it requires an additional 10 minutes of driving. Few people hike out this far so this is a great place to leave the crowds behind. 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. This is our favorite hike in RMNP. If you do not plan on visiting the Bear Lake Corridor, and you plan to enter the park before 9 am, you do not need a permit. 10. Altitude sickness is rare in RMNP, unless you are hiking to peaks over 12,000 feet and are not acclimated. 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.
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