Longs Peak is the biggest at 14,259 ft and can be seen from nearly anywhere. 4. 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. Serving the park at the entrance stations and visitor centers are a group of dedicated full time and seasonal rangers and volunteers. While here you can enjoy quiet walks, exhilarating hikes, gorgeous sunrises and . [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. Yes, August is a great month to hike in RMNP. This road will lead you out of town and to the Beaver Meadows Entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. Keep your fingers crossed for clear afternoon skies. The permit is in effect from 9 am to 2 pm. Restaurants. Al, Thats a tricky question to answer. Take the shuttle to avoid parking hassles. This family friendly hike is a great intro to hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park. Ideally, plan on spending at least three days in Rocky Mountain National Park. What are some alternate routes if Trail Ridge Road is closed? Because the entrance is so accessible from Estes Park and open year round, it is the most popular. There are sixty mountain peaks over 12,000 feet and many of these top out over 13,000 feet. Entrance tickets and fees. 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. This short, strenuous hike offers sweeping views over Estes Park and out to Longs Peak and it ends at a very pretty alpine lake. We spent a week there in July and had a thunderstorm in the afternoon about 50% of the time, starting between 1 and 4 pm. Shuttle Bus. I recommend staying at The Residences. 80517. Alberta Falls: 2 miles, easy, 1 to 1.5 hours. 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. Cheers, Julie. Trail Type: Out-and-back. 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. The Beaver Meadows Visitor Center is the best place to get information, books, maps and backcountry permits, as well as catch the park bus. This hike starts just under 12,000 feet of elevation and it is a stair climb to the top. 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. Timed Entry Permit: If you have plans to visit the park in the summer months, dont forget to reserve your permit in advance. Park Details. Address. Do we have others using the trails even in the mornings? Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most popular natural parks featuring 76 mountains each over 10 thousand feet high. If the skies stay clear, you can stay in the park and do more exploring. Travelers favorites include #1 Trail Ridge Road, #2 Beaver Meadows Visitor Center and more. The best time for this Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary is from Memorial Day through mid-October, when Trail Ridge Road is open. 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. In our experience, they typically just last an hour or two. 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). 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. 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). 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. Otherwise you'll need to login the day before and try to obtain one of the limited entry passes with . While in Rocky Mountain National Park, please practice the seven principles of Leave No Trace: plan ahead, stay on the trails, pack out what you bring to the hiking trails, properly dispose of waste, leave areas as you found them, minimize campfire impacts, be considerate of other hikers, and do not approach or feed wildlife. RMNP is quite popular, with about than 3 million visitors a year. or maybe 4? Emerald lake lays below Hallett peak, Tyndall glacier, and Flattop mountain. But its only worth it if skies are clear. These two are the most popular entrances to the park. Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. 9 miles, strenuous, 4 to 6 hours. 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. There are many things to do here. (Learn about the different park pass options available.) You wont find major grocery stores here, although you can drive 25 minutes to Granby and shop at the enormous City Market. We have visited Rocky Mountain National Park several times in the past. I want to avoid crowds and yet have good weather ( no snow). 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. Rocky Mountain National Park Travel Forum, Best entrance to rocky mountain national park, Re: Best entrance to rocky mountain national park. You can follow this itinerary during the winter months with some modifications. Not sure either if we should stay in Estes park or grand lake? 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. The price for one way is just $55, but you can also book a round-trip shuttle for $95. great service , clean and location is in the center of town. In this Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary, many of days end by the early afternoon, because of these storms. This hike starts at Bear Lake and summits Flattop Mountain before arriving at Hallett Peak. From the summit you have a great view over Moraine Park and Longs Peak. To see fall colors and the elk mating season, plan your visit from mid-September through mid-October. Most recently, in 2020, we spent one very busy week here, and learned a lot about this park. Best nearby. Unsubscribe anytime by clicking the link at the bottom of your email. That is correct. 11 miles of this road is located in the alpine tundra, which is above the treeline. You will really feel the effects of the altitude. $70. 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. One of the drawbacks of visiting Rocky Mountain National Park during the winter months is that Trail Ridge Road is closed. Bear Lake: 0.6 miles, easy, 30 minutes. Moraine Park Museum has interactive geology exhibits. Chasm Lake | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. Prospect Mountain is a 15-minute drive, and you can set out along Lake Estes Trail less than 10 minutes after departing the accommodation. 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. Fall River Visitor Center features life-sized displays of a wide variety of park wildlife. One Perfect Day in Rocky Mountain National Park. 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. If you hike to Sky Pond, you will hike through the Loch to get there. Never been to park at all. Pssst. I was thinking June but am guessing some of the hikes up about 10k feet would still have snow? All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. This is the highest continuous paved road in the United States. For a longer list, read our post about Estes Park. For five days or more, follow our four day itinerary and for each additional day that you have, add on another hike. This is the hotel that inspired Stephen King to write The Shining. Three Day Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary, Four Day Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary, Five or More Days in Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. Inside the park, the Rocky Mountain Conservancy offers year-round seminars, guided fly-fishing, naturalist tours, hiking and photography classes. The road is well-graded and suitable for standard cars. 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. 3. Call 970-586-1222 before you head out. 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. This is a great hike for newbie hikers who want to summit a mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park. On the other side of this entrance station you enter the meadows of the Kawuneeche Valley. Which entrance would be better. Arrived at the park entrance before 5am which allowed us access to Bear Lake Road before the timed entry kicked in. Text in English. These are the only official entry stations into the 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 For example, if you hike Deer Mountain at 6 am, you do not need a permit. 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. When Trail Ridge Road closes, there will be no access to the west side of the park, if you are staying in Estes 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. Some visitors complain of noise and hot temperatures in the summer (there is no air conditioning). To reach the Wild Basin Entrance from Estes Park, head south on CO 7. Its time for an amazing scenic drive in RMNP. With one day, I recommend going on a hike, starting at Bear Lake, and driving Trail Ridge Road (its awesome!). At the entry station you will be greeted by a ranger. ), you can spend the mornings hiking and the afternoons relaxing in Estes Park or wherever you might be staying. (970) 586-1206. You spend very little time below the tree line, so the views are incredible for most of the hike. 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). By fv1989. This route will lead you up past the Stanley Hotel. 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. If you get to Allenspark, you have gone too far. 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. 1-Day Pass - Automobile - $25. The longer and harder the hike, the earlier you will have to start. :) All the entrances lead to the Beautiful Rocky Mountains. 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. Plus, this is a lesser known hike, so the trail gets a lower number of hikers than other hikes on this list. Trail Ridge Road is the highest paved through road, not only in Colorado, but also in the entire US national park system. To reserve a campsite at Elk Meadow Lodge & RV Park, call (970) 586-5342. The west side (Grand Lake side) is more about the Kawuneeche Valley and the Colorado River. Cheers, Julie. 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. This includes the best hikes, the best experiences, how to get around, and where to stay. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. As one of the most popular hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, the Alberta Falls Trail is a must on any itinerary. CO Plenty of room, good WiFi, nice furnishings, and beautiful views from our balcony. There is no lodging inside Rocky Mountain National Park. If you plan to hike Sky Pond, Mills Lake, or Black Lake later in this itinerary, you will pass Alberta Falls, so there is no need to hike to it today. Simply follow highway 36 through downtown Estes Park. Flattop Mountain to Hallett Peak. I love all of the information you provide and find your advice extremely helpful. You can get to the Fall River Entrance by driving 5-10 minutes on US 34 west from Estes Park. 2. Earth Trekkers is my starting point for every hiking vacation. Longs Peak, at 14,259 feet, is the only fourteener in the park. Yellowstone National Park; Wind River . Yes. The Stanley Hotel offers a wide range of rooms. 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. Park Access +:This permit gives you access to everything in Rocky Mountain National Park. Colorado Springs. 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. In order to see and do everything we list in this itinerary, plan on visiting the park when everything is open. Information? Park Hours:Park entrances are open 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. Crowds are still big in September, both to see fall colors and the elk mating season. It is only staffed in the busy season and during the busiest hours of the day the line can get long. 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. This is a gorgeous drive. I lucked out and it didnt rain on the 3 main days i was hiking (there was some rain on the day i came in but even that stopped around 4p and i was able to do nymph to dream to emerald and bear lake hike that evening). If you are planning your Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary, this is a great place to start. (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. And bring a camera , its a beautiful park! Best Hikes Rocky Mountain National Park. Entrance Sign to Rocky Mountain National Park Photo: Depositphotos. 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. Autumn ushers in cooler days, smaller crowds, golden aspen and elk bugling. This is our favorite hike in RMNP. 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 . 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. Have fun in RMNP! Parking lot sizes vary. 970 586-1206 The best way to . The rooms within the main hotel building get mixed reviews. This entrance gives you access to Sandbeach Lake, Finch & Pear Lake, Calypso Cascades and Ouzel Falls, Thunder Lake, and Bluebird Lake. And for FREE checklist of the US National Parks, take a look at our article US National Parks List. This entrance station has only one entry booth. If you plan to go hiking during July and August, you will have to assume that there will be a 2 pm thunderstorm. From here, hike the Alpine Ridge Trail. Explore the exhibits at the highest elevation visitor center in the National Park Service. 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. Due to its large size and long list of noteworthy hikes, you need several days to explore Rocky Mountain National Park. Thanks for writing in!! Mt Ida, Sky pond and Chasm lake(timed this to catch sunrise there) were epic hikes with great views. The best entrance for Rocky Mountain National Park is Beaver Meadows Entrance or Fall River Entrance. This road is gravel and is quite narrow. Sky Pond. Emerald and Dream Lakes are great but crowded. Turn west onto Highway 84 (Wild Basin Road) and follow it for 0.4 miles to the Wild Basin entrance station. Itinerary Help: 1 or 1.5 days in RMNP and other CO NPs Nov 20, 2022. The west side of RMNP is not the side of RMNP that most people want to visit. Parking at the most popular trailheads fill up extremely early in the day. 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. Learn more here. Emerald Lake. Full-Day Rocky Mountain National Park "Over The Top Tour" - RMNPhotographer. 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. Hike to one of the most popular waterfalls in RMNP. But this is a strenuous hike and longer than your 8 mile cut-off. If you want low crowds and dont mind cold temperatures and snow, plan your visit from November through May. If you are not acclimated to the higher elevation, it is normal to get out of breath easily. Trail Ridge Road is 48 miles long, connecting Estes Park to Grand Lake. Thats crazy how early parking lots fill up, too. 9. It's like a tour of amazing mountain lakes. 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. Do you think August is a good time to visit RMNP? After the passes and permits are sorted, they will offer you a park map and a park newspaper. 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. There are a lot of hikes that start at the Bear Lake Trailhead. In June, there still could be snow at the higher elevations, and it really depends on how much snow the area gets this spring. Is there anything you recommend to bring on the hikes? 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). They will ask to see your park pass and ID or offer you the opportunity to purchase one. Miles of trails: More than 355 miles along about 160 trails. Timed Entry Reservation Info for 2023 Season Dec 16, 2022. This hike passes Cub Lake, Fern Falls, Fern Lake, Odessa Lake and Lake Helene. This has been implemented to limit crowds at the busiest sections of the park during the peak visitation season (the summer months). On the east side of the park, located on highway 36 and 3.5 miles west of Estes Park, is the Beaver Meadows Entrance Station. For every hike that we list, you do not need an SUV or non-standard vehicle. The job of the entrance station rangers is to welcome the visitors to the park, issue entrance passes, and answer visitor questions. For reference, we live in Maryland, visited RMNP as our first Colorado park last summer, hiked to Emerald Lake and Fern Lake on our first day here, and had no issues whatsoever. Alpine Ridge Road reaches its highest point at 12,183 feet. 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. Elevation of Rocky Mountain National Park. Thank you! There are pull outs along the road for viewing but can get busy during the day so head .