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. We stayed in a 3-bedroom house, #402, and it was perfect. Timed Entry Permit: If you have plans to visit the park in the summer months, dont forget to reserve your permit in advance. Mills and Black Lake. These amazing mountains cradle the Estes Valley, providing residents and guests with incredible beauty and inspiration. This gave us enough time to hike at least one trail every day, with contingency time for bad weather. 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. Is there anything you recommend to bring on the hikes? Note: This post contains affiliate links. 700 feet (213 m) elevation gain. Rocky Mountain National Park Travel Forum, Best entrance to rocky mountain national park, Re: Best entrance to rocky mountain national park. If you are coming from a lower elevation and plan to hike to these taller peaks, you will need to spend a few days in the park, acclimating to the higher elevation, before you tackle these hikes. There are sixty mountain peaks over 12,000 feet and many of these top out over 13,000 feet. Rocky Mountain National Park (Photo by Buddy Smith/The Points Guy) Rocky Mountain National Park basics. Alberta Falls Trail. 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. (Learn about the different park pass options available.) 11 miles of this road is located in the alpine tundra, which is above the treeline. Plenty of room, good WiFi, nice furnishings, and beautiful views from our balcony. The permit is in effect from 9 am to 2 pm. That is correct. And bring a camera , its a beautiful park! Known appropriately as the "Highway to the Sky," it crosses the Continental Divide at a whopping 12,183 feet. Learn more on the official National Park Service website. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you. Cheers, Julie. Prospect Mountain is a 15-minute drive, and you can set out along Lake Estes Trail less than 10 minutes after departing the accommodation. Ive lived down the hill and explored RMNP a lot for 44 years. Estes Park to the Alpine Visitor Centre distance. Emerald and Dream Lakes are great but crowded. If you do not have a reservation, you will not be allowed to enter the park. Chasm Lake | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. I recommend staying at The Residences. Colorado has also designated Trail Ridge Road as a scenic and historic byway. As part of the National Park system, Zion operates under the same rules as other parks. This is a hike that we did on our first trip to Rocky Mountain National Park a few years ago, and we retraced our steps on our latest trip en route to Sky Pond (more on that in a second). RMNP in February Dec 18, 2022. 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. 1000 US Hwy 36 Visit the Alpine Visitor Center, hike Alpine Ridge Trail, and consider driving down to Grand Lake, visiting the Holzwarth Historic Site on the way. This station is .25 miles north of the Kawuneeche Visitor Center near the beautiful Kawuneeche Valley. 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. Do a Hike Near Bear Lake. From Bear Lake Road, turn left onto Highway 36 and continue on Trail Ridge Road. We were here in early July, so all of the photos on our website were taken around the first week of July. ), you can spend the mornings hiking and the afternoons relaxing in Estes Park or wherever you might be staying. Good job on this article (that popped up in my newsfeed). Anything to keep in mind? On the west side of the park is the Kawuneeche entrance, located just north of the town of Grand Lake. The road is well-graded and suitable for standard cars. 4. Tahosa Valley Cabin is situated near the entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park, easily sleeping up to four guests. A 2 hour trip from either Steamboat Springs or Breckenridge will only get you to the west side entrance to RMNP. See five lakes in one hike. Estes Park sits to the east of the park. I recommend hiking Longs Peak on the day with the clearest weather. Best beginner hike in Rocky Mountain National Park: Emerald Lake. 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. Travelers favorites include #1 Trail Ridge Road, #2 Beaver Meadows Visitor Center and more. After the trail split, the hike gets easier and the views of Longs Peak and the alpine landscape is jaw-dropping. 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. Altitude sickness is rare in RMNP, unless you are hiking to peaks over 12,000 feet and are not acclimated. 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. The Kawuneeche entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park is located 2 miles north of Grand Lake on highway 34. This hike starts just under 12,000 feet of elevation and it is a stair climb to the top. Located just a couple minutes from Grand Lake, the Grand Lake Entrance is arguably the parks best-kept secret. Rocky Mountain National Park was established on January 26, 1915, and has a total area of 265,795 acres (415 square miles, or 1,076 square kilometers). Fern Lake | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. 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. 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. Is it worth going to RMNP if I only have 4 hours? Funds from RMNP passes insure the preservation of the Lily Lake area and help to maintain the parking lot, vault. I highly recommend this particular residence. 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. Get inspired with tips about where to go and what to see on your national park vacation, delivered right to your inbox. Spend the afternoon and evening exploring Estes Park. The park is quieter and with the snow, it is a winter wonderland. Rocky Mountain National Park is home to 2 fantastic scenic drive opportunities. Eleven miles of this road is in the alpine tundra, which is over 11,000 feet. If you wish detailed information to help enjoy your time in the park, stop by one of the park's visitor centers. Snow can linger on the trails as late as July, especially for the trails at higher elevations. Black Lake looks similar to Chasm Lake, as both of these alpine lakes are surrounded by jagged mountain peaks. The elevation of the lowest sections of the park range from 5,600 to 9,500 feet. COLORADO ITINERARY: With 10 days in Colorado, road trip to all four national parks (Rocky Mountain, Great Sand Dunes, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, and Mesa Verde), linking them together with some very scenic drives. To ensure everyone gets a chance to experience the park during this . This is a great warm-up for those who plan to hike Longs Peak. #3 Granby - Best Place to Stay near Rocky Mountain National Park for Families. Not bad for a town of 400 residents, all of whom seem . This entrance is right next to the intersection with Bear Lake Road providing you with easy access to this area of the park. Rocky Mountain National Park began addressing crowding . 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. It is located just outside of Estes Park, on the south side, an excellent location for driving into the park. The views from the overlooks are stunning. This entrance station has three entry booths which helps traffic to enter more quickly; however, this also tends to be the busiest entrance station. You can learn more about all of these hikes on our post 15 Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. This itinerary is best from Memorial Day through mid-October, when Trail Ridge Road is open. There are sixty mountain peaks over 12,000 feet and many of these top out over 13,000 feet. Rocky Mountain National Park's 4 Neighborhoods to Stay in. The Fall River entrance is 4 miles from Estes Park a wonderful little mountain town. 9.5 miles, strenuous, 4 to 6 hours. Shuttle Bus. You can either hike to Fern Lakes and Odessa Lake as a point-to-point hike, starting at Bear Lake and ending at Moraine Park (or vice versa). 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. Enter the number of passes you would like to purchase from the available choices below: Site passes table. Note: Its a slightly shorter hike (1.7 miles) if you park at the Glacier Gorge Trailhead. I was thinking June but am guessing some of the hikes up about 10k feet would still have snow? If you choose to skip Sky Pond, you can combine Loch Vale and Mills Lake into one hike. On the other side of this entrance station you enter the meadows of the Kawuneeche Valley. Arrived at the park entrance before 5am which allowed us access to Bear Lake Road before the timed entry kicked in. Cheers, Julie. Plus, this is a lesser known hike, so the trail gets a lower number of hikers than other hikes on this list. This hike adds on Lake Haiyaha, another very pretty alpine lake. Pssst. They are also happy to answer quick questions, but you have to keep them very short as there will almost certainly be others waiting behind you. Clicking on the photos on this page will open up a larger version. The Inn on Fall River & Fall River Cabins. Serving the park at the entrance stations and visitor centers are a group of dedicated full time and seasonal rangers and volunteers. The Park's 415 square miles encompass a variety of alpine terrain, with at least 60 mountains exceeding 12,000 ft. For five days or more, follow our four day itinerary and for each additional day that you have, add on another hike. Along the way, there is a good chance that you will spot bighorn sheep and elk. The only first-come, first-served Rocky Mountain National Park campgrounds in the park, Longs Peak Campground, has 26 sites and charges $26 per night. . From here, you can park at the trailheads and hike some of the best trails in RMNP, like Emerald and Dream Lakes, Alberta Falls, Sky Pond, Mills Lake, and Hallett Peak. [The vibe of Estes Park is very wild west mountain-like] [We passed at least 4 Saltwater Taffy shops on our way up the main street] [The Historic Park Theater] Estes Park is definitely worth checking out if you go through the Beaver Meadows entrance like we did. Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most popular natural parks featuring 76 mountains each over 10 thousand feet high. Trail Ridge Road is 48 miles long, connecting Estes Park to Grand Lake. Potentially one of the busiest trails at RMNP is the Emerald Lake trail. If you are an avid hiker, you are probably ready to hike some of the longer, tougher, more thrilling hikes in the park. For Longs Peak, that means starting by 3 or 4 am. This is a well-rounded, well-written, and nicely illustrated summary for newbies. Unsubscribe anytime by clicking the link at the bottom of your email. The best time for this Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary is from Memorial Day through mid-October, when Trail Ridge Road is open. Elevation of Rocky Mountain National Park. This family friendly hike is a great intro to hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park. The daily access to the Rocky Mountain National Park is US$ 30 per vehicle, US$ 15 per person, and US$ 25 per motorcycle. The best time for this Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary is from Memorial Day through mid-October, when Trail Ridge Road is open. 10 miles, moderate, 5 to 7 hours. Due to its large size and long list of noteworthy hikes, you need several days to explore Rocky Mountain National Park. Nymph, Dream, Emerald & Bear Lakes: 4.2 miles, easy to moderate, 3 hours. 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. On the way you'll pass the Kawuneeche Visitor Center on your right. Rocky Mountain National Park, established in 1915, is a living showcase of the grandeur of the Rocky Mountains. But one afternoon, they went until dinner, off and on. You will hike past Alberta Falls, wind around lovely Mills Lake, and end at Black Lake. Visiting RMNP from Breckenridge regardless of which entrance you use is not ideal. In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. We spent seven days in RMNP and every day we did at least one hike. 365. However, if Longs Peak is on your list, I recommend waiting one more day if you come from sea level. Complete Rocky Mountain National Park Winter Guide. Or visit recreation.gov to make your reservation. This is the hotel that inspired Stephen King to write The Shining. 6. Between the end of May through early October, you must reserve a permit to visit the park. The Stanley Hotel offers a wide range of rooms. CO The Continental Divide Trail connects some of the tallest peaks, such as Mount Ida, Flattop Mountain, Hallett Peak, Isolation Peak, and many more. This is the best Timed Entry Permit for visitors planning to drive over Trail Ridge Road, recreate on the west side of the park, as well as access Longs Peak, Lily Lake, East Inlet, Wild Basin, and all other outlying areas of RMNP. Itinerary Help: 1 or 1.5 days in RMNP and other CO NPs Nov 20, 2022. :) All the entrances lead to the Beautiful Rocky Mountains. Park at Bear Lake Trailhead. Quantity. I climbed 3 different volcanoes in 3days and it was lovely. Should I spend my time on the east side or the west side of the park? 10. 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? Elk on Trail Ridge Road | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. The job of the entrance station rangers is to welcome the visitors to the park, issue entrance passes, and answer visitor questions. But this is a strenuous hike and longer than your 8 mile cut-off. In 2021, RMNP was the fifth most visited park in the USA, receiving 4.4 million visitors. After the passes and permits are sorted, they will offer you a park map and a park newspaper. Thanks for writing in!! Answer (1 of 2): All of them them! During this time, you will be able to drive through the park, with access to all of the hikes and overlooks. Hike to one of the most popular waterfalls in RMNP. They said if you skip bear corridor, timed entry is only needed between 9a-3p. In June, there still could be snow at the higher elevations, and it really depends on how much snow the area gets this spring. Illustrated t This station is .25 miles from our newest visitor center, the Fall River Visitor Center. In the winter months, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing top the list. Two of them, Beaver Meadows and Fall River, are just west of the town of Estes Park. Rocky Mountain National Park is a beautiful place so we hope you have a wonderful time here. Length: 5.5 miles. Ranking of the top 16 things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. These two are the most popular entrances to the park. Best Things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. You can drive Trail Ridge Road, visit the Alpine Visitor Center, hike to Longs Peak and to Chasm Lake, and hike Gem Lake. I am travelling solo. Rocky Mountain National Park Travel Guide. In this Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary, many of days end by the early afternoon, because of these storms. Lily Lake. 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. At the entry station you will be greeted by a ranger. Hiking poles can help you keep your balance in the snow. 7.5 to 10 miles, depending on the route you choose. 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. To reserve a campsite at Elk Meadow Lodge & RV Park, call (970) 586-5342. MESA VERDE: Learn about the best things to do and how to plan your visit in our Guide to Mesa Verde National Park. This is one of the highest national parks in the USA. Best Day Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Rocky Mountain National Park is a special place any season, but fall brings out the best in the park. With that being said, you should know that crowds are the largest during the summer months, especially July and August. If the weather was clear yesterday, and you drove Trail Ridge Road, I recommend doing another hike this morning. 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). When the parking areas in Wild Basin are full, usually by 9am in the summer, vehicles will be turned away. If you are looking for a relatively uncrowded trail with the chance to visit multiple alpine lakes, this is a nice hike to consider. This "rest of park" Timed Entry Permit Reservation period will be in effect between the hours of 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. ie last an hour or so and go away? If you only have one day in Rocky Mountain National Park, it will be a busy day. If you are coming from Estes Park, this drive takes 30 minutes. I recommend wearing waterproof hiking shoes or boots (not running or walking shoes) so that you have good traction. What are some alternate routes if Trail Ridge Road is closed? Otherwise you'll need to login the day before and try to obtain one of the limited entry passes with . The Continental Divide Trail to Mount Ida. I recommend the shorter, easier hikes if you are not acclimated to the altitude, arent a big fan of hiking, and/or have more than one day in Rocky Mountain National Park. Most recently, in 2020, we spent one very busy week here, and learned a lot about this park. 3.1 miles (5 km). If time permits be adventurous and try a different entrance each day! This route will lead you up past the Stanley Hotel. Longs Peak is the highest mountain in the park, and the only fourteener in Rocky Mountain National Park. I am so glad you had great weather and a great trip! Get updates on road conditions on the national park service website. 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 park is reducing the time period and number of hours daily that reservations are in effect for most areas of RMNP. Cheers, Julie. Miles of trails: More than 355 miles along about 160 trails. Flattop Mountain to Hallett Peak. This historic hotel is one of the top places to stay in Estes Park. Longs Peak is the biggest at 14,259 ft and can be seen from nearly anywhere. Do we have others using the trails even in the mornings? Once the snow begins to fall, you can still hike many of the trails that we list, but you will need snowshoes. All passes are available at all park entrance stations. And for FREE checklist of the US National Parks, take a look at our article US National Parks List. 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. Bear Lake: 0.6 miles, easy, 30 minutes. This road will lead you all the way up to the Alpine Visitor Center and across the Continental Divide to Grand Lake. Are current Colorado fires affecting or near RMNP? The west side (Grand Lake side) is more about the Kawuneeche Valley and the Colorado River. This road opened in 1920 at it was the first road that led into Rocky Mountain National Park. Best nearby. You can hike here from Glacier Gorge or Bear Lake Trailhead. Rocky Mountain high means snow, ice, and thin air - in exchange for jaw-dropping beauty. 9. Stop at Alpine Visitor Center, the highest visitor center in the US national parks. One Perfect Day in Rocky Mountain National Park. For a longer list, read our post about Estes Park. Also, if Longs Peak is on your list, watch the weather report for your visit. If you want to stay in the park, you will be limited to campgrounds. However, both routes cross high over the mountains and close down once winter weather arrives. Once you are finished hiking, hop back into your car. Along the way, its a quick stop to see Chasm Falls. Ah one for each day, got it Ty !! If you are an avid hiker, dont miss the Gunnison Route, a trail that takes you from the rim to the Gunnison River. 9.8 miles, strenuous, 4.5 to 6.5 hours. You can visit Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) all year, but sections of the park close once the snow begins to fall. On the west side of the park, located approximately two miles north of Grand Lake, is the Grand Lake Entrance Station. Al, Thats a tricky question to answer. Follow the three day Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary. On the way you'll pass the Kawuneeche Visitor Center on your right. Photo: Flickr/David Wilson. However, this property gets rave reviews. Youll reach Trail Ridge Road a lot faster than those waiting in line at the Beaver Meadows Entrance during the summer and fall seasons. Bear Lake with Longs Peak and the Keyboard of the Winds in the background. This entrance station gives you access to the Aspenglen Campground, Horseshoe Park, Old Fall River Road, and Trail Ridge Road. Get a free Colorado national park trip planner for inspiring itineraries and essential information. Show more. So, keep your fingers crossed for clear skies! Cheers, Julie. Difficulty: Challenging. Timed Entry Reservation Info for 2023 Season Dec 16, 2022. To visit Rocky Mountain National Park from May 26 to October 22, 2023, you will need to reserve a permit in advance. This road is gravel and is quite narrow. 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. Learn everything you need to know to plan the perfect day in Rocky Mountain National Park! As it is, I like to hike early to avoid the crowd, Yes, leaving that early should work. Youre itinerary is great, thanks for this! I think your itinerary looks great. The permit is in effect from 5 am to 6 pm. More about Trail Ridge Road's Season. Aspenglen, Moraine Park, and Glacier Basin are the most popular campgrounds and these get reserved well in advance. Moraine Park Campground is located in Rocky Mountain National Park near the Beaver Meadows Entrance on Highway 36. Take a tour of the historic Stanley Hotel, ride the Aerial Tramway to the peak of Prospect Mountain, go shopping, walk the Riverwalk, visit Lake Estes, play mini-golf, or visit a winery or brewery. If you are coming from sea level, you will feel the effects of the altitude as soon as you do anything strenuous. more, Rocky Mountain National Park Destination Experts. 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. $35 per vehicle, valid for one week. South Saint Vrain Ave/Hwy 7. 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. ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK: For a full list of our Rocky Mountain National Park articles, plus important planning tips, check out our Rocky Mountain National Park Travel Guide. This is another one of our favorite hikes. 5. View from the Alpine Ridge Trail | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. Cheers, Julie, Your email address will not be published. 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.

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