Hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park

Set in the Southern Rockies in Colorado, Rocky Mountain National Park offers visitors more than 350 miles of trails, a vast array of hiking choices for everyone from the beginning hiker to the seasoned veteran. Hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park can be inspiring as well as challenging and choosing the right trail for your hike is essential. The park boasts trails featuring spectacular views of waterfalls, scenic lakes, stunning peaks and beautiful tundra. When choosing a trail, it is important to determine the physical capabilities of each member of your hiking group and then base your trail choices on those factors.

Rocky Mountain National Park is divided by East-side Trailheads and West-side Trailheads. Trails are typically less crowded on the West-side Trailheads which are located by using the Grand Lake entrance. The Kawuneeche Visitor's Center at this entrance is open all year and is an excellent place to stop before venturing to the trailheads. The East-side Trailheads are popular due to their location and easy access from Estes Park.

At the Visitor's Center in Estes Park, visitors and hikers en route to Rocky Mountain National Park can park their car, purchase admission into the Park, acquire maps, and then board the Hiker Shuttle for a short, carefree ride into the Park. These shuttle buses are free, and operate through the summer along the upper parts of Bear Lake Road.

Popular West-Side Trailheads include:

Coyote Valley Trail: 1 mile round trip distance, handicap accessible, elevation gain of 10 feet. This trail follows the Colorado River and offers views of moose, wildflowers, and songbirds.

Adams Falls (East Inlet): .6 miles round trip distance, elevation gain of 80 feet. A very short hike close to Grand Lake, the trail continues past the falls to the lush meadows.

Cascade Falls (North Inlet Trail): 6.8 miles round trip distance, elevation gain of 300 feet. This trail offers a beautiful and basically level walk to Cascade Falls.

Lone Pine Lake (East Inlet): 11 miles round trip distance, elevation gain of 1,494 feet. This is a longer hike than Adams Falls with the trail continuing beyond to other lakes.

Timber Lake (Timber Lake Trailhead): 10.6 miles round trip distance, elevation gain of 2,060 feet. This trail not for beginners and is a strenuous hike to a stunning backcountry lake.

Shadow Mountain Lookout: 9.4 miles round trip distance, elevation gain of 1,533 feet. This trail is for the veteran hiker that leads to a historic fire lookout with outstanding views.

Popular East-Side Trailheads include:

Dream Lake (Bear Lake Trailhead): 2.2 miles round trip distance, elevation gain 425 feet. The trek to Dream Lake is a very easy short hike to a scenic backcountry lake that is a perfect spot for a picnic lunch.

Alberta Falls (Glacier Gorge Trailhead): 1.6 miles round trip distance, elevation gain 210 feet. A great beginner hike, Alberta Falls offers a picturesque backdrop for photographs.

Lily Lake: .8 miles round trip distance, handicap accessible, elevation gain 20 feet. This is a nice, level walk around the lake complete with wildflowers and waterfowl.

Eugenia Mine (Longs Peak Trailhead): 2.8 miles round trip distance, elevation gain of 508 feet. This hike to an abandoned mine site is uphill but not difficult.

Mills Lake (Glacier Gorge Trailhead): 5.6 miles round trip distance, elevation gain of 750 feet. This trail is an excellent day hike to a pretty lake surrounded by mountains.

Flattop Mountain (Bear Lake Trailhead): 9 miles round trip distance, elevation gain of 2,849 feet. A strenuous trail, the hike to Flattop Mountain is not for beginners and must be started before 5AM. Hikers should not be this peak when early afternoon storms threaten with deadly lightening strikes.

Longs Peak (Longs Peak Trailhead): 16 miles round trip distance, elevation gain of 4,855 feet. Longs Peak is a climb best suited to the veteran hiker. This is a difficult trail to the park's tallest peak. Spectacular views await the hikers that reach the top, but it is recommended to undertake this hike in mid to late summer and to get started by 3AM.

In addition to the West and East side Trailheads, there are amazing sights to see via the Trail Ridge Road Trailheads which are located along the highest continuous paved highway in America. This road is eleven miles long and tops out above the treeline at 12,183 feet above sea level. The Trail Ridge Road Trailheads are the best places to get a true feeling for the vastness of the Rocky Mountains and to marvel at the alpine tundra and its hardy plants and animals. The Trailheads begin at the Rock Cut and the Alpine Visitors Center.

It is important to remember the following tips when hike any trail in Rocky Mountain National Park:

Tip 1: No pets are allowed on park trails.

Tip 2: Always stay together as a group and leave a trip itinerary with a responsible person.

Tip 3: Leave no trace. Always do your best when hiking to preserve the park and leave it the way you found it. Dispose of waste properly and only build campfires in designated areas.

Tip 4: Respect wildlife. Mountain lions and black bears are very dangerous and should never be approached. If you do see one, stay calm, stop, back away slowly, never turn your back and run, stand tall and look large, and if attacked fight back. Hunting and weapons are prohibited in the park ad fishing requires a Colorado fishing license.

Tip 5: When traveling with small children, keep them beside you and never let them run ahead or lag behind.

Tip 6: Be aware of weather. Lightening can kill and afternoon storms in the park at the higher elevation are common. Keep an eye out for approaching storms and make sure you hike to below treeline or to your car before it hits.

Tip 7: Stay hydrated. The high altitude and dry climate will deplete your body of hydration. Carry and drink plenty of water on your hikes and do not drink any untreated stream or lake water.

Tip 8: Stay back from stream banks. The rushing park waters are great to look at but can also be very dangerous.

Tip 9: Stay on the trail. Taking shortcuts causes erosion.

Tip 10: Wear sturdy foot gear. Hikes in this environment require shoes with good, sturdy, treaded soles and ankle support. Flip-flops or sandals are never recommended.

When hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park or any other park always carry in addition to your water, extra food, rain gear, hat and sunglasses, first aid kit, topographic map and compass, flashlight, waterproof matches, pocket knife, and a whistle.

Rocky Mountain National Park is one of 380 national parks in the United States and nearly one-third of the park is alpine tundra, located at 11,400 feet above sea level or higher. These high elevations may cause some visitors to suffer altitude sickness. Visitors from lower elevations need to take a couple of days to adjust to the high altitude of the park before attempting any strenuous hikes.

Hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park can be a rewarding and awe-inspiring experience when hikers plan, prepare, and protect themselves and the magnificent park that can only be found in colorful Colorado.