The Beaver Meadows Entrance was remodeled in 2000-2001, adding another entrance lane to reduce the time spent waiting in line. If the weather was clear yesterday, and you drove Trail Ridge Road, I recommend doing another hike this morning. There will also be three amazing lakes. The Kawuneeche entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park is located 2 miles north of Grand Lake on highway 34. When Trail Ridge Road closes, there will be no access to the west side of the park, if you are staying in Estes Park. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. Longs Peak is the biggest at 14,259 ft and can be seen from nearly anywhere. Ranking of the top 16 things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. This is the hotel that inspired Stephen King to write The Shining. #3 Granby - Best Place to Stay near Rocky Mountain National Park for Families. We have visited Rocky Mountain National Park several times in the past. 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. A Quick Geography Lesson. Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most popular natural parks featuring 76 mountains each over 10 thousand feet high. 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. As one of the most popular hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, the Alberta Falls Trail is a must on any itinerary. Do you think this is doable? On the return drive, hike the Ute Trail to Tombstone Ridge. 7.4 miles (12 km). This helps control crowd levels on the roads and hiking trails. Trail Ridge Road - You can see forever! 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. Thats crazy how early parking lots fill up, too. Running north to south through the park is the Continental Divide and the highest mountain peaks.. Download the official NPS app before your next visit. Is it safe?. You will really feel the effects of the altitude. 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. Lake of Glass, seen on the hike to Sky Pond. 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. So August is a safer bet if you want to hike snow-free. Have fun in RMNP! We are going to put RMNP last so we have time to get used to the altitude, because we are from the East Coast. 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 !! All offer bookstores and much printed information to supplement the knowledgeable staff. They said if you skip bear corridor, timed entry is only needed between 9a-3p. Loch Lake. 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. Which entrance would be better. The daily access to the Rocky Mountain National Park is US$ 30 per vehicle, US$ 15 per person, and US$ 25 per motorcycle. You could plan your visit for the end of September and keep your fingers crossed that the weather cooperates. You can get to the Fall River Entrance by driving 5-10 minutes on US 34 west from Estes Park. More about Trail Ridge Road's Season. Rocky Mountain National Park, established in 1915, is a living showcase of the grandeur of the Rocky Mountains. You can get to this entrance without going through the middle of town by following highway 34 up East Wonderview Avenue. Founded in 1881, the village still embraces its original rustic architectural style . Rocky Mountain National Park made our list of the best national parks for kids. See what else made the list! It may sound counterintuitive, but if you really want to see Rocky Mountain National Park hassle-free, leave your car behind. great service , clean and location is in the center of town. I climbed 3 different volcanoes in 3days and it was lovely. You will hike past Alberta Falls, wind around lovely Mills Lake, and end at Black Lake. Gem Lake | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. You'll need to be prepared to pull over regularly to let cars pass that are coming the other way. 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. Difficulty: Moderate. 5. Morning: Hike Nymph, Dream, Emerald, and Bear Lakes from the Bear Lake Trailhead Afternoon: Trail Ridge Road (if the weather is clear), Timed Entry Ticket: Bear Lake Road Corridor + Full Park Access. Or is it pretty bad and long lasting? (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. Black Lake looks similar to Chasm Lake, as both of these alpine lakes are surrounded by jagged mountain peaks. At this elevation, its not enough to cause altitude sickness, but you will tire and get out of breath easily. Driving distance from Denver: 1-2 hours. 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. This gave us enough time to hike at least one trail every day, with contingency time for bad weather. This hike adds on Lake Haiyaha, another very pretty alpine lake. You can hike here from Glacier Gorge or Bear Lake Trailhead. Prospect Mountain is a 15-minute drive, and you can set out along Lake Estes Trail less than 10 minutes after departing the accommodation. For 48 miles, this road runs from Estes Park in the east to Grand Lake in the west. Elevation of Rocky Mountain National Park. As part of the National Park system, Zion operates under the same rules as other parks. 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 can follow this itinerary during the winter months with some modifications. 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. Location: north-central Colorado. Cheers, Julie. If so, you need one for each day that you plan to visit RMNP. The Beaver Meadows and the Kawuneeche Visitor Centers both show free park films. Note: You do not need a 44 for this drive. Known appropriately as the "Highway to the Sky," it crosses the Continental Divide at a whopping 12,183 feet. Trail Ridge Road winds high into the Rockies, taking visitors into the treeless tundra. 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. 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?) Youll reach Trail Ridge Road a lot faster than those waiting in line at the Beaver Meadows Entrance during the summer and fall seasons. A Park Access (Excludes Bear Lake Road Corridor) timed entry ticket is sufficient for this day. For every hike that we list, you do not need an SUV or non-standard vehicle. You can also see more travel itineraries on our Travel Itineraries page and our National Park Itineraries. 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. 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. The One Subscription to Fuel All Your Adventures. Bodies of Water. Take your pick from one, two, three, and four bedroom houses that come equipped with a full kitchen. Forest Canyon Overlook | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary, Rainbow Curve Overlook | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the highest national parks in the USA. You will have to find your own way to the park from Estes Park because the shuttle only runs to the town. Spend the afternoon and evening exploring Estes Park. By 4 to 5 pm, the skies begin to clear. Rocky Mountain National Park is a special place any season, but fall brings out the best in the park. If you plan to go hiking during July and August, you will have to assume that there will be a 2 pm thunderstorm. When the parking areas in Wild Basin are full, usually by 9am in the summer, vehicles will be turned away. It is a common misconception that there are fee-free entrances into the Park. Earth Trekkers is my starting point for every hiking vacation. Do you think August is a good time to visit RMNP? The best way to . If you had afternoon thunderstorms on Day One, drive Trail Ridge Road in the morning. 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. best things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. Lily Lake. With its large collection of hotels and restaurants, this is a great place to stay when you visit Rocky Mountain National Park. 9. If you are looking for a relatively uncrowded trail with the chance to visit multiple alpine lakes, this is a nice hike to consider. Moraine Park Campground is located in Rocky Mountain National Park near the Beaver Meadows Entrance on Highway 36. 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. 80517. At the entry station you will be greeted by a ranger. 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. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. These shuttle buses connect Moraine Park and Bear Lake, with numerous stops in between. Nymph, Dream, Emerald, Haiyaha and Bear Lake: You can learn more about all of these hikes on our post, For full details on how to spend one day in Rocky Mountain National Park, read our post, Two Day Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. Less known, but my personal favorite moderate hike in the Bear Lake Trailhead: Jewel Lake. If you are an avid hiker, you are probably ready to hike some of the longer, tougher, more thrilling hikes in the park. Best Things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. This is a well-rounded, well-written, and nicely illustrated summary for newbies. This is another one of our favorite hikes. Combine two of the above hikes into one great experience. The scenery is beautiful, as you gradually twist and turn through the mountains to get to the Alpine Visitor Center. This hike starts at Bear Lake and summits Flattop Mountain before arriving at Hallett Peak. Visiting RMNP from Breckenridge regardless of which entrance you use is not ideal. 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. Rocky Mountain National Park is one of our nation's most spectacular national parks with 415sq. Ah one for each day, got it Ty !! Outside the usual water, bug spray, sunscreen, etc? The Stanley Hotel. The most popular hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. 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. On the west side of the park, located approximately two miles north of Grand Lake, is the Grand Lake Entrance Station. If you do not have a reservation, you will not be allowed to enter the park. During this time, you will be able to drive through the park, with access to all of the hikes and overlooks. Park Access: This permit gives you access to everything in Rocky Mountain National Park except for Bear Lake Road. 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. Estes Park to the Alpine Visitor Centre distance. Rocky Mountain National Park Is A National Treasure. On day two, as you are still acclimating to the altitude, I recommend one of these hikes: Deer Mountain. In the southeast corner of the park there is an entrance to the Wild Basin area. From the summit you have a great view over Moraine Park and Longs Peak. I highly recommend this particular residence. On the west side of the park is the Kawuneeche entrance, located just north of the town of Grand Lake. And bring a camera , its a beautiful park! Our website uses cookies. Plan on being at the trailhead by 7am (or earlier) if you want to park at the trailhead itself. Along the way, its a quick stop to see Chasm Falls. . 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. 970 586-1206 Yes. Learn about each of them and find the entrance station that will best meet your needs. The Aspire rooms are higher-end, modernly decorated rooms but many people state that they are overpriced for what you get. 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.