At this time, cross country skiing and snowshoeing are the main things to do in the 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. But this is a strenuous hike and longer than your 8 mile cut-off. 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. You'll either need to pay an entrance fee or use a National Parks Pass to enter. Learn more about the national parks in our Guide to the US National Parks. 2. On the way you'll pass the Kawuneeche Visitor Center on your right. The hike itself is relatively easy but follows uneven terrain and rock so take caution with small children and older folks. Abandon Your Car. It does get tiring, but these trails are so much fun and offer such a wide variety of views and experiences that it never gets monotonous or boring. So, after Labor Day, you might have some of both (snow and crowds). Yellowstone National Park; Wind River . This hike passes Cub Lake, Fern Falls, Fern Lake, Odessa Lake and Lake Helene. Buckle in for some altitude gain and, outside of warmer summer months, pack spikes for the hiking trail! What would be the best time to hike RMNP after labor day? It is only staffed in the busy season and during the busiest hours of the day the line can get long. These amazing mountains cradle the Estes Valley, providing residents and guests with incredible beauty and inspiration. Rocky Mountain National Park Fees. Prospect Mountain is a 15-minute drive, and you can set out along Lake Estes Trail less than 10 minutes after departing the accommodation. In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. This is the hotel that inspired Stephen King to write The Shining. Spend the rest of the day in Estes Park. If you only have one day in Rocky Mountain National Park, it will be a busy day. Cheers, Julie. Combine two of the above hikes into one great experience. Take your pick from one, two, three, and four bedroom houses that come equipped with a full kitchen. Have fun in RMNP! You will need a Bear Lake Road Corridor + Full Park Access Timed Entry Ticket (Park Access +)for this day. 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. 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. 7.5 to 10 miles, depending on the route you choose. By fv1989. You can drive Trail Ridge Road, visit the Alpine Visitor Center, hike to Longs Peak and to Chasm Lake, and hike Gem Lake. 9. Spend the afternoon and evening exploring Estes Park. Rocky Mountain National Park, CO 80517. Rocky Mountain National Park - Annual Pass. Forest Canyon Overlook | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary, Rainbow Curve Overlook | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. Not sure either if we should stay in Estes park or grand 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. Is RMNP a good place to visit for the elderly or those with limited mobility? 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. The map above displays the main entrances, campgrounds, lodging options, and locations for the best things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. , Thanks ! Moraine Park Museum has interactive geology exhibits. For Longs Peak, that means starting by 3 or 4 am. On the other side of this entrance station you enter the meadows of the Kawuneeche Valley. best things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. Put your higher hikes in the second half of your RMNP visit and you should be fine. 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. 10.4 miles, strenuous, 6 to 8 hours. After the passes and permits are sorted, they will offer you a park map and a park newspaper. 3.4 miles, moderate, 2 to 3 hours. 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. Parking at the most popular trailheads fill up extremely early in the day. Unlike other RV parks in the area, Elk Meadow has spaces for tent camping so it is more accommodating to a wider variety of camping styles. Never been to park at all. Cheers, Julie. Trail Ridge Road winds high into the Rockies, taking visitors into the treeless tundra. What are some alternate routes if Trail Ridge Road is closed? l plan on 7 days there. The Alberta Falls Trail, like many other hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, follows a creek (in this case, Glacier Creek). Itinerary Help: 1 or 1.5 days in RMNP and other CO NPs Nov 20, 2022. Rocky Mountain National Park is a relatively large park, with a total area of 415 square miles. Cheers, Julie. This road will lead you out of town and to the Beaver Meadows Entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. 9. 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. This entrance station has two booths and is generally one of the quieter entrances of the park; however, on busy days you may have a short wait. There is even a three-bedroom house that can accommodate up to nine people. Odessa and Fern Lakes. However, I only recommend doing this if you are acclimated to the altitude, since these are strenuous hikes with big ascents. To reserve a campsite at Elk Meadow Lodge & RV Park, call (970) 586-5342. So you basically log on in July when they open it up for dates in August and quickly pick 2-3 dates? 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. Nymph, Dream, Emerald & Bear Lakes: 4.2 miles, easy to moderate, 3 hours. Get updates on trail closures and park conditions on the National Park Service website. This gave us enough time to hike at least one trail every day, with contingency time for bad weather. The last stretch to Wild Basin is a narrow, gravel road that becomes one lane in places, so it is not appropriate to bring your RV. Bodies of Water. How Many Days Do You Need in Rocky Mountain National Park? Longs Peak is the highest mountain in the park, and the only fourteener in Rocky Mountain National Park. Along the way explore over 300 miles of hiking trails and incredible wildlife viewing. 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. Want to receive a printed insiders guide to Colorados four national parks including Rocky Mountain National Park? 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). You can learn more about all of these hikes on our post 15 Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Rocky Mountain Nat'l Park; Flat Tops Wilderness; Maine. Potentially one of the busiest trails at RMNP is the Emerald Lake trail. Look for that option at the intersection next to McDonald's on the east side of Estes Park. This station is .25 miles north of the Kawuneeche Visitor Center near the beautiful Kawuneeche Valley. 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. To visit Rocky Mountain National Park from May 26 to October 22, 2023, you will need to reserve a permit in advance. Each daily reservation costs $2 per vehicle, which is in addition to the $25 daily entrance fee or $35 weekly fee per vehicle. Sky Pond | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. It is a common misconception that there are fee-free entrances into the Park. This is a well-rounded, well-written, and nicely illustrated summary for newbies. Yes, take a look at the Where to Stay section of this article. You will have to find your own way to the park from Estes Park because the shuttle only runs to the town. We spent one wonderful week in Rocky Mountain National Park in July. best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. When to Visit. With its large collection of hotels and restaurants, this is a great place to stay when you visit Rocky Mountain National Park. Since I like to hike, I am guessing maybe 3 solid days? WorldMark Estes Park. The Kawuneeche entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park is located 2 miles north of Grand Lake on highway 34. For hikers, its the ultimate adventure. There will also be three amazing lakes. 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. Ah one for each day, got it Ty !! 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 larger portion of the park sits to the south of Trail Ridge Road. 80517. Get here by 7:30 am if you want a spot. For those with an interest in historical sites, make sure you visit the Holzwarth Historical Site and learn more about the life of Colorado homesteaders. 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). Also, it can snow every month of the year in Rocky Mountain National Park. I climbed 3 different volcanoes in 3days and it was lovely. Park Access: This permit gives you access to everything in Rocky Mountain National Park except for Bear Lake Road. #3 Granby - Best Place to Stay near Rocky Mountain National Park for Families. But one afternoon, they went until dinner, off and on. Evening back at Estes park at my hotel. Gorgeous alpine views can certainly be seen from this center located at 11,796' elevation! This easy hike offers spectacular views of Rocky Mountain National Park and it is great for all ages and ability levels. The stark colors of the evergreen trees and the sparkling high-mountain waters combine for picture perfect vistas. 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. The best way to . Is there any need for an SUV or non-standard vehicle to access any of the trailheads for your recommended hikes? This entrance station has two booths and is generally one of the quieter entrances of the park; however, on busy days you may have a short wait. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. . 15 great hikes to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. If you are looking for a relatively uncrowded trail with the chance to visit multiple alpine lakes, this is a nice hike to consider. For more information about where to stay and where to eat, read our Guide to Estes Park. (Old Maps, 20th Century Maps, Americana, Travel, Tourism, Colorado, Rocky Mountain National Park, Granby Reservoir, Granby).Grand Lake West Entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park.Published c. 1940's, United States.Folding cartoon pictorial travel map, printed on both sides of the sheet. 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). 2. You will really feel the effects of the altitude. Rocky Mountain National Park is a special place any season, but fall brings out the best in the park. Trailhead Location. Learn more here. 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. Plan on being at the trailhead by 7am (or earlier) if you want to park at the trailhead itself. Between the end of May through early October, you must reserve a permit to visit the park. Kawuneeche Entrance. View from Mount Ida | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. The pilot Timed Entry Permit System will be extended through October 22, 2023. When the parking areas in Wild Basin are full, usually by 9am in the summer, vehicles will be turned away. The best time for this Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary is from Memorial Day through mid-October, when Trail Ridge Road is open. On day two, as you are still acclimating to the altitude, I recommend one of these hikes: Deer Mountain. Cheers, Julie. Afternoon/Evening spending it around the visitor center, or back at Estes Park 4) Fri Morning: Chasm lake. To see fall colors and the elk mating season, plan your visit from mid-September through mid-October. Here are you options: The private vehicle entrance fee, good for 1 day, is $25. Yes, August is a great month to hike in RMNP. The park is much less crowded at this time, but Trail Ridge Road is not open and many, if not all, of the hiking trails can be snow covered. this is a great place to stay when you visit Rocky Mountain National Park. Note: You do not need a 44 for this drive. I am travelling solo. Cheers, Julie, Your email address will not be published. This road is gravel and is quite narrow. 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. Youre itinerary is great, thanks for this! Dont miss Forest Canyon Overlook, one of the best on the drive. Many hikes top out over 9,000 feet, with some reaching up to 13,000 and 14,000 feet. Founded in 1881, the village still embraces its original rustic architectural style . Julie Last updated: February 23, 2023 United States 61 Comments. 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. 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 Alpine Ridge Road reaches its highest point at 12,183 feet. Be aware that you'll need to make a left turn at the stoplights onto Moraine Avenue. If you are an avid hiker, you are probably ready to hike some of the longer, tougher, more thrilling hikes in the park. From Bear Lake Road, turn left onto Highway 36 and continue on Trail Ridge Road. It may sound counterintuitive, but if you really want to see Rocky Mountain National Park hassle-free, leave your car behind. How likely is someone to get altitude sickness at RMNP? Address. 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 !!). Sky Pond. Emerald lake lays below Hallett peak, Tyndall glacier, and Flattop mountain. And if you hike fast, you should have no problem getting to all 3 lakes on Tuesday afternoon. I definitely recommend Lassen NP if you havent been there.