In this post, get all of the information you need to plan your Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary. 365. The elevation of the lowest sections of the park range from 5,600 to 9,500 feet. It is located further north than the Beaver Meadows Entrance. Learn about each of them and find the entrance station that will best meet your needs. Thats crazy how early parking lots fill up, too. Yay!! This hiker shuttle take visitors to some of the most popular trails along Bear Lake Road. What is a good itinerary for a day trip to RMNP in the winter? After you drive through the entrance station you can park at the Sandbeach Lake Trailhead which is immediately on your right or continue straight ahead on Wild Basin Road for 2 miles to reach the main parking area. Thank you! And for FREE checklist of the US National Parks, take a look at our article US National Parks List. The best way to . I recommend staying at The Residences. Trailhead: Glacier Gorge (40.31053, -105.64033) Why we love it: This quiet winter hike avoids the Bear Lake throngs while still delivering the same stop-in-your-tracks alpine viewsincluding Longs Peakfor hardy snowshoers. Nymph, Dream, Emerald, Haiyaha and Bear Lake: 6.2 miles, moderate, 4 to 5 hours. Park Access: This permit gives you access to everything in Rocky Mountain National Park except for Bear Lake Road. 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. The only thing to note is that each day I started the hike between 4a-5a (especially because some parking lots like the Glacier gorge one and Longs peak one get filled up by 5a). Each daily reservation costs $2 per vehicle, which is in addition to the $25 daily entrance fee or $35 weekly fee per vehicle. Yes. Full-Day Rocky Mountain National Park "Over The Top Tour" - RMNPhotographer. From the Alpine Visitor Center, drive Alpine Ridge Road back to Estes Park. On the way you'll pass the Kawuneeche Visitor Center on your right. There are four main entrance stations to Rocky Mountain National Park. 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. , Thanks ! After the passes and permits are sorted, they will offer you a park map and a park newspaper. This hike has a little bit of everythingwaterfalls, alpine lakes, high mountain views, and fun river and stream crossings. It is the east side (Estes Park side) of RMNP that has . 9.5 miles, strenuous, 4 to 6 hours. Cascade Cottages & Colorado Cottages. Location: north-central Colorado. Its a very short hike (just over a half-mile round trip), but it will literally take your breath away. Funds from RMNP passes insure the preservation of the Lily Lake area and help to maintain the parking lot, vault. 1,400 feet (426 m)of elevation gain. All passes are available at all park entrance stations. I am travelling solo. Trail Ridge Road - You can see forever! Where to Stay Near Rocky Mountain National Park? You can hike here from Glacier Gorge or Bear Lake Trailhead. Most of this hike is over 11,000 feet, in the alpine tundra, so its best to save this hike for when you are acclimated to the altitude. Private vehicle: $30, valid for 1 day / $35, valid for 7 days; Motorcycle: $25, valid for 1 day / $30, valid for 7 days; Per person (including cyclists): $15, valid for 1 day More about Trail Ridge Road's Season. Thats awesome that you got Bear Lake permits and thats so COOL that you got them while on Lassen Peak (yes, I cant wait to visit that park). Is there anything you recommend to bring on the hikes? But this is a strenuous hike and longer than your 8 mile cut-off. Best Rocky Mountain National Park Hikes: Easy Tundra Hikes. Is it safe?. Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the highest national parks in the USA. or are there better/rewarding hikes that i can sub in instead of the above listed ones? You may experience lines that can stretch up to a mile long during the busy season. Within the boundaries of Rocky Mountain National Park, more than 100 peaks rise above 11,000 feet in altitude, including Longs Peak at 14,259 feet. When you visit Rocky Mountain National Park, you have several choices of which entry point to use. Past the Alpine Visitor Center, you can continue on Alpine Ridge Road and go all of the way to Grand Lake, if you like. This route will lead you up past the Stanley Hotel. Loveland and Boulder are two Colorado cities that are located much further away than the other options for where to stay when visiting Rocky Mountain National Park. Here are you options: The private vehicle entrance fee, good for 1 day, is $25. After the trail split, the hike gets easier and the views of Longs Peak and the alpine landscape is jaw-dropping. You'll either need to pay an entrance fee or use a National Parks Pass to enter. What do you think about Deer Mtn, Mills Lake and Loch Vale [sp?]. High in the center of the park, the Alpine Visitor Center offers displays about the most noted area of the park, the land above the trees. The Bear Lake Corridor is one of the most popular areas in Rocky Mountain National Park for first-time visitors. Black Lake looks similar to Chasm Lake, as both of these alpine lakes are surrounded by jagged mountain peaks. There are many things to do here. . 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. Just a mile from the park's west entrance, Grand Lake, Colo., offers incredible family friendly activities from paddle boating and nature walks to world-class theater productions. The various view points along trail ridge road were worth the stop overs as well (especially Forest canyon overlook and the small hike behind Alpine visitor center) Thanks again !! 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. Between the end of May through early October, you must reserve a permit to visit the park. But one afternoon, they went until dinner, off and on. 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. 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. So, keep your fingers crossed for clear skies! Many of the taller peaks make up the Continental Divide, where snowmelt runs . But the real reason for doing this is for the incredible view of Sky Pond, one of the most spectacular alpine lakes in the USA. If you are looking for a relatively uncrowded trail with the chance to visit multiple alpine lakes, this is a nice hike to consider. In the southeast corner of the park there is an entrance to the Wild Basin area. Or visit recreation.gov to make your reservation. [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 one of the highest national parks in the USA. Answer (1 of 2): All of them them! #2 Grand Lake - Where to Stay in Rocky Mountain National Park for Couples. 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 . Restaurants. Sky Pond | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. So, climb those stairs, catch your breath if you need to, and enjoy the awesome views from the top. Park Fee: $25 per vehicle, valid for 1 day. The closest town near Rocky Mountain National Park is Estes Park, less than 5 miles from the Beaver Meadows entrance.Many popular trails are easily accessible from here, as well at the national park's Beaver Meadows Visitor Center, Fall River Visitor Center, and Moraine Park Discovery Center. Rocky Mountain National Park offers plenty of contrast from one season to the next. Cheers, Julie, Thanks Julie, Also seems like the bear lake corridor timed entry begins at 5a. There are two ticket types: Park Access + and Park Access. 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. Nymph, Dream, Emerald & Bear Lakes: 4.2 miles, easy to moderate, 3 hours. 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. For reference, I was able to do Highline trail from the loop all the way to Grinnell viewpoint, Ptarmigan tunnel and Grinnell Glacier including Grinnell lake, hidden lake overlook, virginia waterfalls over 3 full days at my recently concluded Glacier NP trip. If you only have one day in Rocky Mountain National Park, it will be a busy day. Prospect Mountain is a 15-minute drive, and you can set out along Lake Estes Trail less than 10 minutes after departing the accommodation. Bear Lake: 0.6 miles, easy, 30 minutes. To feel like you are really in the heart of the mountains, head to the only entrance on the parks west side, the Grand Lake Entrance. Stop by the Kawuneeche Visitor Center near the Grand Lake Entrance to get more information. The map above displays the main entrances, campgrounds, lodging options, and locations for the best things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. Trail Ridge Road, the highest paved continuous road in the United States, cuts through the park from the east to the west. By 4 to 5 pm, the skies begin to clear. We still had some snow in a few spots at the higher elevations. Shuttle Bus. If you are an avid hiker, I recommend spending five or more days in Rocky Mountain National Park. You are now standing at 12,718 feet, with 360 views, which makes this one of the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. What are some alternate routes if Trail Ridge Road is closed? These two are the most popular entrances to the park. #1 Estes Park - Overall Best Place to Stay in Rocky Mountain National Park. You can get to this entrance without going through the middle of town by following highway 34 up East Wonderview Avenue. . Difficulty: Challenging. Odessa & Fern Lakes Hike. And I think that RMNP just got its first snow storm of the fall season. The Fall River entrance is 4 miles from Estes Park a wonderful little mountain town. Its time for an amazing scenic drive in RMNP. When is the best time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park? 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. Learn more on the national park service website. All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. So, after Labor Day, you might have some of both (snow and crowds). But it is a great entrance for those traveling the Peak-to-Peak from Nederland who dont want to join the crowds entering in Estes Park. The road is well-graded and suitable for standard cars. For now, the forecast does call for afternoon thunderstorms from what i can see on weather.com, It depends. From here, hike the Alpine Ridge Trail. 7.4 miles (12 km). I recommend getting here early (ideally by 7:30 am) to make sure you get a parking space and to give yourself plenty of time today. The hike itself is relatively easy but follows uneven terrain and rock so take caution with small children and older folks. 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). However, if Longs Peak is on your list, I recommend waiting one more day if you come from sea level. You have a choice today: take a break from hiking and explore Rocky Mountain National Park and Estes Park, or hike another trail. This entrance station has three entry booths which helps traffic to enter more quickly; however, this also tends to be the busiest entrance station. Should I spend my time on the east side or the west side of the park? Hi Julie! This is another one of our favorite hikes. One Perfect Day in Rocky Mountain National Park. A Quick Geography Lesson. If you are coming from Estes Park, this drive takes 30 minutes. Clicking on the photos on this page will open up a larger version. If you like scenic drives and going off-the-beaten-path, youll love this drive. How much is the entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. You can follow this itinerary during the winter months with some modifications. Spend the rest of the day in Estes Park. Trail Ridge Road is 48 miles long, connecting Estes Park to Grand Lake. Afternoon/Evening free to do whatever 5) Sat Morning: Prepare to drive back to the airport for afternoons flight. If you are coming from sea level, you will feel the effects of the altitude as soon as you do anything strenuous. It is a common misconception that there are fee-free entrances into the Park. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. Pssst. You will need a Park Access (Excludes Bear Lake Road Corridor) permit if you plan to hike Chasm Lake or Mount Ida. Ranking of the top 16 things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. Estes Park sits to the east of the park. Loch Lake. 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. Approaching Moraine Park, the road winds through large open meadows where the elk love to congregate. Because the Wild Basin Entrance is about a 30-minute drive south of Estes Park on the parks east side, most of the parks visitors never even see the Wild Basin area. 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. It also is just a few minutes from Estes Parks downtown. Sky Pond. This hike is much different than many other hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Youll be glad you did. However, I only recommend doing this if you are acclimated to the altitude, since these are strenuous hikes with big ascents. For example, if you hike Deer Mountain at 6 am, you do not need a permit. 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. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you. Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the highest national parks in the USA. For every hike that we list, you do not need an SUV or non-standard vehicle. This has been implemented to limit crowds at the busiest sections of the park during the peak visitation season (the summer months). 970 586-1206 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. See what else made the list! I highly recommend this particular residence. If the skies are clear, the weather forecast is favorable, and Longs Peak is on your bucket list, go for it today. On the way you'll pass the Kawuneeche Visitor Center on your right. Here you'll have access to Holzwarth Historic Site, the Coyote Valley Trail, the Colorado River Trail, Green Mountain, and Onahu Trail as well as Trail Ridge Road. From Loveland it's 30 miles (48 km) and 45 minutes by car to get to Estes Park. And you must have really been moving to catch sunrise at Chasm Lake. Gem Lake. Colorado has also designated Trail Ridge Road as a scenic and historic byway. This is one of the most popular hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. or maybe 4? Cheers, Julie. 1000 US Hwy 36, Estes Park, CO, 80517. 2) Wed morning: Sky pond. Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the best US national parks to go hiking. Old Fall River Road is an 11-mile long gravel road that runs one-way from Horseshoe Park (near Estes Park) and ends at the Alpine Visitor Center. Evening back at Estes park at my hotel. The job of the entrance station rangers is to welcome the visitors to the park, issue entrance passes, and answer visitor questions. In the summer months, the best things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park are hiking, driving Trail Ridge Road, taking a stroll around Bear Lake, driving Old Fall River Road, and mountaineering. Yes, take a look at the Where to Stay section of this article. This is a gorgeous drive. 3.4 miles, moderate, 2 to 3 hours. If you wish detailed information to help enjoy your time in the park, stop by one of the park's visitor centers. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. This is our favorite hike in RMNP. You can help to move the line move more quickly by having your park pass, permit, and ID ready when you reach the entrance station. Note: This post contains affiliate links. We have visited Rocky Mountain National Park several times in the past. Whats the Best Season to Visit Rocky Mountain National Park. This is a great warm-up for those who plan to hike Longs Peak.
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