How Many Days Do You Need in Rocky Mountain National Park? It is the east side (Estes Park side) of RMNP that has . 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. Hiking poles can help you keep your balance in the snow. 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. The main entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park is located on highway 36 just four miles west of downtown Estes Park. Timed Entry Reservation Info for 2023 Season Dec 16, 2022. 5. 2. 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. Quantity. The best time for this Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary is from Memorial Day through mid-October, when Trail Ridge Road is open. or are there better/rewarding hikes that i can sub in instead of the above listed ones? Ranking of the top 16 things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. 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. 1. ), you can spend the mornings hiking and the afternoons relaxing in Estes Park or wherever you might be staying. Once the snow begins to fall, you can still hike many of the trails that we list, but you will need snowshoes. This hike starts at Bear Lake and summits Flattop Mountain before arriving at Hallett Peak. The Continental Divide runs through the park. The vast majority of these people visited the park between Memorial Day and Labor Day. 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. 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. This is the highest continuous paved road in the United States. 7.6 Good 275 reviews. What should you not miss in Rocky Mountain National Park? Should I spend my time on the east side or the west side of the park? Mills and Black Lake. Rocky Mountain high means snow, ice, and thin air - in exchange for jaw-dropping beauty. 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. 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. Look for that option at the intersection next to McDonald's on the east side of Estes Park. 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. Clouds start moving in around noon with the storms occurring almost like clockwork between 1 and 3 pm. 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). They said if you skip bear corridor, timed entry is only needed between 9a-3p. Learn more about the national parks in our Guide to the US National Parks. The Bear Lake Corridor is one of the most popular areas in Rocky Mountain National Park for first-time visitors. Not sure either if we should stay in Estes park or grand lake? 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). On the other side of this entrance station you enter the meadows of the Kawuneeche Valley. 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 gives you enough time to acclimate to the higher elevation (very important if you live at a low elevation) before tackling some of the higher, tougher hikes (such as Mount Ida, Hallett Peak, or Longs Peak). Difficulty: Challenging. Cheers, Julie, QQ for those noon thunderstorms, are they quick showers? Have fun in RMNP! However, this property gets rave reviews. 2) Wed morning: Sky pond. If you plan to visit RMNP early in the summer, there is a good chance that you will encounter snow on some trails. #3 Granby - Best Place to Stay near Rocky Mountain National Park for Families. Cascade Cottages & Colorado Cottages. Bear Lake: 0.6 miles, easy, 30 minutes. Rocky Mountain National Park began addressing crowding . The best way to . Is it worth going to RMNP if I only have 4 hours? The west side of RMNP is not the side of RMNP that most people want to visit. From Loveland it's 30 miles (48 km) and 45 minutes by car to get to Estes Park. The elevation of the lowest sections of the park range from 5,600 to 9,500 feet. Pass Type. Plan on being at the trailhead by 7am (or earlier) if you want to park at the trailhead itself. Many hikes top out over 9,000 feet, with some reaching up to 13,000 and 14,000 feet. 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. It is located further north than the Beaver Meadows Entrance. Youll be glad you did. 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. Visiting RMNP from Breckenridge regardless of which entrance you use is not ideal. If you plan to go hiking during July and August, you will have to assume that there will be a 2 pm thunderstorm. BLACK CANYON OF THE GUNNISON: One of the best things to do on the South Rim is to drive South Rim Drive to the overlooks of the Black Canyon. It also is just a few minutes from Estes Parks downtown. Rocky Mountain National Park operates on a timed permit entry system during the summer (May to October), and entry to the park during every season requires a $30 vehicle entrance pass. Rocky Mountain National Park Neighborhood Guide. Suggestions for this weekend Nov 03, 2022. Lake Haiyaha | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. This road is gravel and is quite narrow. Snow can linger on the trails as late as July, especially for the trails at higher elevations. This road will lead you out of town and to the Beaver Meadows Entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. To reach the Wild Basin Entrance from Estes Park, head south on CO 7. Go back to the fork and then take the trail to Loch Vale. Rocky Mountain National Park offers plenty of contrast from one season to the next. Emerald Lake. Alpine Ridge Road reaches its highest point at 12,183 feet. These amazing mountains cradle the Estes Valley, providing residents and guests with incredible beauty and inspiration. Crowds are still big in September, both to see fall colors and the elk mating season. You can drive Trail Ridge Road, visit the Alpine Visitor Center, hike to Longs Peak and to Chasm Lake, and hike Gem Lake. And I think that RMNP just got its first snow storm of the fall season. Sky Pond. What you will find is an old-fashioned charm combined with recreational opportunities like relaxing at the beach, paddle boarding, paddle boating and kayaking on Grand Lake and visiting the park. The Fall River entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park is located on highway 34 approximately 5 miles east of Estes Park. Rocky Mountain National Park is one of our nation's most spectacular national parks with 415sq. Acadia National Park; Montana / Wyoming. Snow can start to fall in September. I am not the hiker I used to be [did Kili in 04] so a moderate/ mildly strenuous 8 miler more my speed now. So if i leave Estes at 4.30a I think i should be past that entrance by 4.45a or so and can avoid having to buy the time entry correct? It may sound counterintuitive, but if you really want to see Rocky Mountain National Park hassle-free, leave your car behind. On the west side of the park is the Kawuneeche entrance, located just north of the town of Grand Lake. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. About this Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary, Ideally, plan on spending at least three days in Rocky Mountain National Park. 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. If you are an avid hiker, I recommend spending five or more days in Rocky Mountain National Park. 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. You have a choice today: take a break from hiking and explore Rocky Mountain National Park and Estes Park, or hike another trail. There are numerous pull-over areas on each side of the road for this purpose. You may experience lines that can stretch up to a mile long during the busy season. 1,400 feet (426 m)of elevation gain. Head to Grand Lake, a quaint, historic town surrounded on three sides by Rocky Mountain National Park. Note: Its a slightly shorter hike (1.7 miles) if you park at the Glacier Gorge Trailhead. If you choose to skip Sky Pond, you can combine Loch Vale and Mills Lake into one hike. Grand Lake's bustling little downtown with its charming historic boardwalk is right outside of Rocky Mountain National Park's West Entrance. When Trail Ridge Road closes, there will be no access to the west side of the park, if you are staying in Estes Park. 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. At an elevation of over 14,000 feet, guests will be in awe of the breathtaking craggy peaks and lush valleys. The job of the entrance station rangers is to welcome the visitors to the park, issue entrance passes, and answer visitor questions. 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 longer and harder the hike, the earlier you will have to start. Trail Ridge Road is the highest paved through road, not only in Colorado, but also in the entire US national park system. Running north to south through the park is the Continental Divide and the highest mountain peaks.. But even with a week here, there are still a lot of hikes left on our to-do list. Each residence is individually managed, so some are better than others. Afternoon/Evening spending it around the visitor center, or back at Estes Park 4) Fri Morning: Chasm lake. Thanks so much ! Estes Park to the Alpine Visitor Centre distance. Republishing this articleand/orany of its contents (text, photography, etc. A Park Access (Excludes Bear Lake Road Corridor) timed entry ticket is sufficient for this day. Lily Lake. Eleven miles of this road is in the alpine tundra, which is over 11,000 feet. This helps control crowd levels on the roads and hiking trails. Colorado Springs. Trailhead Location. During this time, you will be able to drive through the park, with access to all of the hikes and overlooks. 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. However, Old Fall River Road is only open during the summer months. Outside the usual water, bug spray, sunscreen, etc? The Stanley Hotel. Take a 0.4-mile detour to Lake Haiyaha for an added bonus. Elk on Trail Ridge Road | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. Ideally, plan on spending at least three days in Rocky Mountain National Park. The elevation of the lowest sections of the park range from 5,600 to 9,500 feet. For every hike that we list, you do not need an SUV or non-standard vehicle. Al, Thats a tricky question to answer. Duration. Thanks for the article I am planning to travel below hikes/places in 3rd week of june. You can get to the Fall River Entrance by driving 5-10 minutes on US 34 west from Estes Park. Important Things to Know Before You Plan Your Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary, When to Visit Rocky Mountain National Park. (970) 586-1206. Would that help mitigate some of the altitude sickness? 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. Old Fall River Road | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. The larger portion of the park sits to the south of Trail Ridge Road. Follow the three day Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary. WorldMark Estes Park. 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. The Beaver Meadows Visitor Center is the best place to get information, books, maps and backcountry permits, as well as catch the park bus. 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. And bring a camera , its a beautiful park! This has been implemented to limit crowds at the busiest sections of the park during the peak visitation season (the summer months). The west side (Grand Lake side) is more about the Kawuneeche Valley and the Colorado River. Rocky Mountain National Park Fees. 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. If you are an avid hiker, dont miss the Gunnison Route, a trail that takes you from the rim to the Gunnison River. Park Hours:Park entrances are open 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. It includes Bear Lake Road and the hikes that start here (Bear Lake, Emerald and Dream Lakes, Alberta Falls, Sky Pond, Hallett Peak, and Sprague Lake). Is RMNP a good place to visit for the elderly or those with limited mobility? 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. This historic hotel is one of the top places to stay in Estes Park. Is there anything you recommend to bring on the hikes? All offer bookstores and much printed information to supplement the knowledgeable staff. You wont find major grocery stores here, although you can drive 25 minutes to Granby and shop at the enormous City Market. 7.4 miles (12 km). Yes, August is a great month to hike in RMNP. 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 There are many things to do here. Full-Day Rocky Mountain National Park "Over The Top Tour" - RMNPhotographer. Timed Entry Permit: If you have plans to visit the park in the summer months, dont forget to reserve your permit in advance. I highly recommend this particular residence. And for FREE checklist of the US National Parks, take a look at our article US National Parks List. So August is a safer bet if you want to hike snow-free. . Best nearby. As it is, I like to hike early to avoid the crowd, Yes, leaving that early should work. To the north of the Beaver Meadows area, located on highway 34 approximately four miles west of Estes Park, is the Fall River Entrance Station. 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 !! If you get to Allenspark, you have gone too far. Elevation Gain: 1,100 ft. Best Things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. The Continental Divide Trail to Mount Ida. Park at Bear Lake Trailhead. Abandon Your Car. You are now standing at 12,718 feet, with 360 views, which makes this one of the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Cheers, Julie. Among its special features are beautiful mountain vistas (114 named peaks above 10,000', with Longs Peak at 14,259'), and thousands of varieties of wild plants and animals. When is the best time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park? This includes the best hikes, the best experiences, how to get around, and where to stay. Along the way, there is a good chance that you will spot bighorn sheep and elk. 7.5 to 10 miles, depending on the route you choose. Longs Peak, at 14,259 feet, is the only fourteener in the park. Show more. Stay on US 34 as it becomes Trail Ridge Road to enjoy a spectacular tour of the parks incredible landscapes. Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the highest national parks in the USA. Rocky Mountain National Park is a special place any season, but fall brings out the best in the park. Less known, but my personal favorite moderate hike in the Bear Lake Trailhead: Jewel Lake. Learn everything you need to know to plan the perfect day in Rocky Mountain National Park! Finch Lake is a 4.5 mile hike through pines, aspen glades, and wildflower laden meadows to a sub-alpine lake where the forest surrounds its shores. Julie Last updated: February 23, 2023 United States 61 Comments. BEST OF ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK: For a list of top experiences, read our article Best Things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. Park Details. I want to avoid crowds and yet have good weather ( no snow). 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. Acreage: 265,769. 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. Flattop Mountain to Hallett Peak. Prospect Mountain is a 15-minute drive, and you can set out along Lake Estes Trail less than 10 minutes after departing the accommodation. Cheers, Julie. From here, hike the Alpine Ridge Trail. Required fields are marked *. You have included all of our favorite hikes in RMNP so I think your list looks good! 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? 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. You'll either need to pay an entrance fee or use a National Parks Pass to enter. Emerald and Dream Lakes are great but crowded. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. Photo: Flickr/David Wilson. Miles of trails: More than 355 miles along about 160 trails. Founded in 1881, the village still embraces its original rustic architectural style . Nymph, Dream & Emerald Lakes: 3.6 miles, easy to moderate, 2 to 3 hours. Cheers, Julie. In order to see and do everything we list in this itinerary, plan on visiting the park when everything is open. :) All the entrances lead to the Beautiful Rocky Mountains. Map courtesy of the National Park Service. Those are the 3 that were recommended to me. Evening at the hotel 3) Thur Morning: Mt Ida. l plan on 7 days there. or maybe 4? Dream Lake | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. From $73.48 per night. Ty in advance for your help as usual ! 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. Start your trip off right, with a hike from the Bear Lake trailhead at the end of Bear Lake Road. This road will lead you all the way up to the Alpine Visitor Center and across the Continental Divide to Grand Lake. Also, if Longs Peak is on your list, watch the weather report for your visit. 15 great hikes to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. This road opened in 1920 at it was the first road that led into Rocky Mountain National 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. Also, it can snow every month of the year in Rocky Mountain National Park. The park has gotten so popular that in 2020 a timed entry system was put into effect. 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). 6. Thunderstorms dont happen every single day, but it is something that you need to plan for. You can hike here from Glacier Gorge or Bear Lake Trailhead. This is a well-rounded, well-written, and nicely illustrated summary for newbies. Longs Peak Campground on the East Side. The Fall River entrance is 4 miles from Estes Park a wonderful little mountain town. The Kawuneeche entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park is located 2 miles north of Grand Lake on highway 34. However, if Longs Peak is on your list, I recommend waiting one more day if you come from sea level. Trail Ridge Road, the highest paved continuous road in the United States, cuts through the park from the east to the west. How much is the entrance 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. Moraine Park Campground is located in Rocky Mountain National Park near the Beaver Meadows Entrance on Highway 36. Park Access +:This permit gives you access to everything in Rocky Mountain National Park. Sky Pond | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. Bear Lake Road runs into the heart of the park. Funds from RMNP passes insure the preservation of the Lily Lake area and help to maintain the parking lot, vault. Deer Mountain is nice because the views at the top, but we thought that the trail to get there was a little bit boring, at least compared to the other hikes we did in RMNP. Longs Peak is the highest mountain in the park, and the only fourteener in Rocky Mountain National Park. The rooms within the main hotel building get mixed reviews. After the passes and permits are sorted, they will offer you a park map and a park newspaper. Trail Ridge Road - You can see forever! Location: north-central Colorado. 10. Cheers, Julie. Be aware that you'll need to make a left turn at the stoplights onto Moraine Avenue. Timed entry permits (separate from an entrance fee) are no longer required. One of the drawbacks of visiting Rocky Mountain National Park during the winter months is that Trail Ridge Road is closed. #2 Grand Lake - Where to Stay in Rocky Mountain National Park for Couples. 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. 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. 10.4 miles, strenuous, 6 to 8 hours. For many visitors, the winter months are their favorite time to visit RMNP. View from the Alpine Ridge Trail | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. We still had some snow in a few spots at the higher elevations. I think that puts the Mills Lake + Loch Vale hike somewhere around 7.6 miles total. Want to receive a printed insiders guide to Colorados four national parks including Rocky Mountain National Park? Many of the taller peaks make up the Continental Divide, where snowmelt runs . Hike to one of the most popular waterfalls in RMNP. If your visit to Rocky Mountain National Park is part of a bigger road trip through Colorado, here are some articles to help you plan your trip. You can learn more about all of these hikes on our post 15 Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. 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.
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