Yes, August is a great month to hike in RMNP. Download the official NPS app before your next visit. Arrived at the park entrance before 5am which allowed us access to Bear Lake Road before the timed entry kicked in. The elevation of the lowest sections of the park range from 5,600 to 9,500 feet. Cheers, Julie, Your email address will not be published. This hike adds on Lake Haiyaha, another very pretty alpine lake. You can visit Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) all year, but sections of the park close once the snow begins to fall. Glacier Gorge parking lot and Longs Peak trailhead parking lot fill before sunrise. So you basically log on in July when they open it up for dates in August and quickly pick 2-3 dates? Or visit recreation.gov to make your reservation. You have a choice today: take a break from hiking and explore Rocky Mountain National Park and Estes Park, or hike another trail. Follow the Two Day Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary. If you are an avid hiker, you are probably ready to hike some of the longer, tougher, more thrilling hikes in the park. For a longer list, read our post about Estes Park. 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. Cheers, Julie. Drive Trail Ridge Road. The most popular hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. We just walked up and down the main road, and glanced at all the salt water taffy . I was thinking June but am guessing some of the hikes up about 10k feet would still have snow? For example, if you hike Deer Mountain at 6 am, you do not need a permit. In the southeast corner of the park there is an entrance to the Wild Basin area. So, keep your fingers crossed for clear skies! You can hike here from Glacier Gorge or Bear Lake Trailhead. With its short distance and manageable elevation gain, it is a great first hike in the park, as you acclimate to the higher elevation. 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). The park is reducing the time period and number of hours daily that reservations are in effect for most areas of RMNP. Rocky Mountain National Park is the most visited recreation area in the state, headquartered in Estes Park. If you think you can go farther, and if skies are clear, consider going all of the way to Sky Pond. You can follow this itinerary during the winter months with some modifications. Yes. Hi Is there any stay offered by national park ? Wondering if there are differences between entering park through entrances by Estes park or better to enter park through grand lake? Visiting RMNP in the spring (April or May), Rocky Mountain National Park Bed and Breakfast, Rocky Mountain National Park Vacation Rentals, Rocky Mountain National Park Vacation Packages, Things to Do in Rocky Mountain National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park Travel Guide, Browse all 3,365 Rocky Mountain National Park topics , 2 days in Rocky Mountain National Park--afraid of heights, Multi-day horse riding trail or pack trip, See All Rocky Mountain National Park Conversations. 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. Illustrated t This entrance gives you access to Sandbeach Lake, Finch & Pear Lake, Calypso Cascades and Ouzel Falls, Thunder Lake, and Bluebird Lake. See what else made the list! 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? A 2 hour trip from either Steamboat Springs or Breckenridge will only get you to the west side entrance to RMNP. 7.5 to 10 miles, depending on the route you choose. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. Clouds start moving in around noon with the storms occurring almost like clockwork between 1 and 3 pm. Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. During the busy summer months, a free shuttle service is provided by the national park service. 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 only first-come, first-served Rocky Mountain National Park campgrounds in the park, Longs Peak Campground, has 26 sites and charges $26 per night. The elevation of the lowest sections of the park range from 5,600 to 9,500 feet. When Trail Ridge Road closes, there will be no access to the west side of the park, if you are staying in Estes Park. Bear Lake: 0.6 miles, easy, 30 minutes. Many of the taller peaks make up the Continental Divide, where snowmelt runs . Afternoon/Evening Trail ridge road/Alpine ridge trial. Depending on the volume of traffic, some visitors with detailed questions must be directed to the visitor centers where the rangers and volunteers there can more adequately provide the needed assistance. If you live in Colorado and/or are planning on visiting the park more than once, you can get the Rocky Mountain National Park Annual Pass for US$ 70 per vehicle. 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. Black Lake looks similar to Chasm Lake, as both of these alpine lakes are surrounded by jagged mountain peaks. Combine two of the above hikes into one great experience. 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. Moraine Park Museum has interactive geology exhibits. Snow on the trail in July (hiking to Fern and Odessa Lakes from Bear Lake). Note: Its a slightly shorter hike (1.7 miles) if you park at the Glacier Gorge Trailhead. Visiting RMNP from Breckenridge regardless of which entrance you use is not ideal. Longs Peak, at 14,259 feet, is the only fourteener in the park. 6. Anything to keep in mind? Dont miss Forest Canyon Overlook, one of the best on the drive. Hi Julie !! . 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. You could plan your visit for the end of September and keep your fingers crossed that the weather cooperates. Typically this road12,183 feet at it's highest point, remains closed from late-October to late-May. This is one of the most popular hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. 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. 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. From Bear Lake Road, turn left onto Highway 36 and continue on Trail Ridge Road. Most of this hike is over 11,000 feet, in the alpine tundra, so its best to save this hike for when you are acclimated to the altitude. Colorado Springs. Which entrance would be better. It also is just a few minutes from Estes Parks downtown. An hours drive from Boulder and two hours from Denver, the lively Estes Park is the closest town to the park on the east side of the park. However, I only recommend doing this if you are acclimated to the altitude, since these are strenuous hikes with big ascents. Gorgeous alpine views can certainly be seen from this center located at 11,796' elevation! I hope you have an awesome time in RMNP and happy hiking! #2 Grand Lake - Where to Stay in Rocky Mountain National Park for Couples. Not sure either if we should stay in Estes park or grand lake? Text in English. The best time for this Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary is from Memorial Day through mid-October, when Trail Ridge Road is open. miles of dramatic beauty, high rugged mountains, sparkling lakes, 350 miles of hiking trails, and abundant wildlife. 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 get to Allenspark, you have gone too far. A Quick Geography Lesson. Mills Lake and Loch Vale are very nice and might be perfect for you. 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. If the weather was clear yesterday, and you drove Trail Ridge Road, I recommend doing another hike this morning. Sometimes, when the permits open up, you just have to grab them, no matter where you are in the world (we got our Narrows permit for Zion while rock climbing Svolvaergeita in Norway ). The Aspire rooms are higher-end, modernly decorated rooms but many people state that they are overpriced for what you get. 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. There are pull outs along the road for viewing but can get busy during the day so head . You're going to want to start early, because parking fills up fast. How likely is someone to get altitude sickness at RMNP? These shuttle buses connect Moraine Park and Bear Lake, with numerous stops in between. Thank you! Longs Peak is the biggest at 14,259 ft and can be seen from nearly anywhere. They will ask to see your park pass and ID or offer you the opportunity to purchase one. I want to avoid crowds and yet have good weather ( no snow). Go back to the fork and then take the trail to Loch Vale. To feel like you are really in the heart of the mountains, head to the only entrance on the parks west side, the Grand Lake Entrance. For Longs Peak, that means starting by 3 or 4 am. From the summit you have a great view over Moraine Park and Longs Peak. Tahosa Valley Cabin (from USD 275) Show all photos. The main entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park is located on highway 36 just four miles west of downtown Estes Park. 1000 US Hwy 36 Stay on US 34 as it becomes Trail Ridge Road to enjoy a spectacular tour of the parks incredible landscapes. But more often than not, in the summer, afternoon storms will occur. Each daily reservation costs $2 per vehicle, which is in addition to the $25 daily entrance fee or $35 weekly fee per vehicle. This road is gravel and is quite narrow. 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. It is located further north than the Beaver Meadows Entrance. BEST OF ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK: For a list of top experiences, read our article Best Things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. 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 Beaver Meadows Visitor Center is the best place to get information, books, maps and backcountry permits, as well as catch the park bus. Located just a couple minutes from Grand Lake, the Grand Lake Entrance is arguably the parks best-kept secret. Cheers, Julie, QQ for those noon thunderstorms, are they quick showers? The park has gotten so popular that in 2020 a timed entry system was put into effect. This easy hike offers spectacular views of Rocky Mountain National Park and it is great for all ages and ability levels. Entrance tickets and fees. Answer (1 of 2): All of them them! I love all of the information you provide and find your advice extremely helpful. 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. These amazing mountains cradle the Estes Valley, providing residents and guests with incredible beauty and inspiration. 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. Known appropriately as the "Highway to the Sky," it crosses the Continental Divide at a whopping 12,183 feet. What are some alternate routes if Trail Ridge Road is closed? If you are coming from Estes Park, this drive takes 30 minutes. 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. 6.2 miles, moderate, 3 to 4 hours. 10.4 miles, strenuous, 6 to 8 hours. Do you think August is a good time to visit RMNP? I am not the hiker I used to be [did Kili in 04] so a moderate/ mildly strenuous 8 miler more my speed now. On the west side of the park is the Kawuneeche entrance, located just north of the town of Grand Lake. We also really liked the Ute Trail to Tombstone Ridge. Past the Alpine Visitor Center, you can continue on Alpine Ridge Road and go all of the way to Grand Lake, if you like. If you are an avid hiker, dont miss the Gunnison Route, a trail that takes you from the rim to the Gunnison River. There are many things to do here. After the passes and permits are sorted, they will offer you a park map and a park newspaper. Moraine Park Campground. Within the boundaries of Rocky Mountain National Park, more than 100 peaks rise above 11,000 feet in altitude, including Longs Peak at 14,259 feet. Known as a "scenic wonder road of the world," it traverses 48 miles between Estes Park on the park's east side and Grand Lake on the west, taking in several not-to-be-missed sights.
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