What is there not to love about Colorado? This year-round destination draws in millions of travelers looking to fill their souls with adventure and inspiration. From the dramatic landscape, majestic Rocky Mountains as the backdrop, and sparkling alpine lakes to the urban excitement, streets lined with famous breweries, eclectic eateries, and sports venues, you'll find outdoor adventures galore in just about anywhere in Colorado. Colorado's mountain towns beckon skiers, snowboarders, hikers, sightseers, and all types of outdoor enthusiasts to come and soak up all the tranquility and mountain vibes. I am here for it!
There is a lot to take into consideration when planning a trip to Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP), and it can be a little overwhelming. In this post, I go over some tips, hiking suggestions, and things to do inside and outside of the park, to help you plan and get the most out of your trip to the Colorado Rockies.
Tips & Preparation:
Time Entry Permit System: Beginning May 28 through October 11, 2021, RMNP will be implementing a pilot timed entry permit reservation system to help control and manage the increase in visitations during that time. Check the official National Park Service website for details or recreation.gov directly to reserve.
Altitude: There is a reason why Denver is nicknamed the "Mile High City", with its highest point sitting at exactly one mile (5,280 ft.) above sea-level. With that being said, Rocky Mountain National Park's elevations range from 7,860 to 14,259 feet. Altitude sickness, the physical distress from difficulty adjusting to lower oxygen pressure at high altitudes, is real. It affects everyone differently. I, for one, acclimate fairly quickly and don't experience many symptoms. Keep in mind that alcohol packs more of a punch at higher elevations. Take it slow, stay hydrated and remember to listen to your body. Healthline wrote an article with the Top 7 Tips for Altitude Sickness Prevention that may help you recognize the signs and avoid such misadventure.
Best Time to Visit: Rocky Mountain National Park is beautiful year-round and is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The best time to visit is from June to September, when most of the snow has melted and hiking trails and attractions are accessible. It is also peak season, meaning more crowds. The end-of-May and end-of-September going into October are still good times to visit with less people.
It is important to note that Trail Ridge Road, a stretch of U.S. Highway 34 connecting Estes Park, CO in the east to Grand Lake, CO in the west, closes in the Winter. If you plan to visit both ends of the park, it will require a 3 hour detour around the park.
Weather: Weather can be unpredictable, especially in the mountains. I recommend checkin get weather forecast daily and have back-up plans to work around your schedule in case of bad weather. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in the summertime, so if you have a long hike planned, start as early as possible so you are back down the mountain and below the tree lines by noon. Check out American Hiking Society's lightening safety guide for information on what to do when you do encounter a thunderstorm in the mountains.
Leave No Trace: Always follow the principles of Leave No Trace when recreating. It is important that we take initiative to preserve and protect the beauty and wonder of our parks and natural spaces. While most of us don’t intend to harm our natural surroundings, we may lack the knowledge to preserve it. Familiarize yourself with these principles and together, we can enjoy our world responsibly.
Getting There:
Car The quickest and most cost-efficient way to get to RMNP is to fly into Denver International Airport (DIA) and rent a car. Having your own wheels gives you the most freedom and is the best way to get around, especially if you want to take the scenic drive across Trail Ridge Road. A one-day entrance pass per vehicle is $25, or you can opt for the seven-day pass (good for 7 consecutive days, including day of purchase) for $35. I always buy the America the Beautiful annual pass for $80 that gives me access to over 2,000 federal recreation sites, such as national parks, wildlife refuges, forests and grasslands.
Shuttle If you're on a budget, Estes Park Shuttle provides frequent shuttle services daily from DIA to Estes Park for $55 one-way per person or $95 round-trip per person. The National Park Service encourages visitors to use the park's free shuttles. There are three NPS shuttle routes, Hiker Express, Bear Lake and Moraine Park, that usually run from late-May to mid-October from about 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. To make it easier for visitors to get from their hotels in Estes Park to RMNP, Estes Park Shuttle also provides free service that connects with Hiker Express. This option has some limitations; it does not take hikers to the west side fo the park, it doesn't travel across Trail Ridge Road, there are no bike racks, and no pets are allowed (except service animals). Not only do shuttles cut down on carbon emissions, but it could save you the hassle of dealing with traffic and parking on busy days. This is a great alternative if you don't mind the limitations it presents. If you're entering the park on a shuttle, the entrance fee is $15 per person for a one-day pass and $20 per person for a seven-day pass.
Where to Stay: Keep in mind that there are two ways to get in and out of the park, Estes Park in the east and Grand Lake in the west. The western side of the park is a great escape from the crowd, as it is far less visited compared to the eastern part. On the contrary, you can find the more popular hiking trails in the east side of the park, as well as more accommodation options. There is no lodging inside the park, so it's important to plan accordingly. I recommend splitting your stay between the two sides, so you can enjoy both aspects of the park and what they have to offer. Airbnb and Vrbo are great options for rentals if you're looking for more privacy, space, and amenities, such as a kitchen for cooking. When I plan group trips with friends and/or family, I prefer renting cabins or houses for optimal comfort. Below, I will list options for hotels and lodges of different price ranges that are near both entrances into the park.
Estes Park
The Stanley Hotel ($$$) - A historic hotel with a mix of luxury and old world charm. This hotel was inspiration behind Stephen King's classic novel The Shining.
Estes Park Resort ($$$) - Where laid-back meets luxury, this waterfront resort features a marina and full spa.
Murphy's Resort ($$) - This resort features a heated pool, outdoor lawn games, bikes, and pavilions and gazebos with grills. It is perfect for families with children.
StoneBrook Resort ($$) - A great romantic choice for traveling couples or those looking for a quieter stay. The adults-only property has standalone cabins and riverside cottages featuring private outdoor hot tubs right by the water. Cottages and suites also feature kitchens and fireplaces.
Quality Inn ($) - This clean and tidy hotel features an outdoor pool and fitness center. They also offer free hot breakfasts. A great place for those on a budget but still want the comfort of a bed rather than camping out.
Grand Lake/Granby
Grand Lake Lodge ($$$)- located just outside the west entrance of RMNP;
Gateway Inn ($$) - This lodge offers a magnificent view of Grand Lake. Spacious rooms and suites with hand-made log furniture gives a touch of rustic elegance amidst your mountain retreat. There is also a lounge with a bar that leads out to a deck with fire pits and mountain views.
Itinerary Ideas
**Keep in mind that these are just ideas that are meant to help you plan your own itinerary. Hiking trails are suggestions and you can turn around anytime you feel too tired or unable to continue.
Trails & Scenic Stops:
Bear Lake Trailhead (easy/moderate) - Leave early in the morning to park in the Bear Lake Trailhead, as the lot fills up pretty quick, especially during the summer. Here, you will be able to hit many of RMNP's biggest attractions. A 7.6 mile loop that starts at Bear Lake Trailhead and ends at Glacier Gorge Trailhead takes you to see 4 beautiful alpine lakes (Nymph Lake, Dream Lake, Emerald Lake, Lake Haiyaha) and a cascade (Alberta Falls). Dream Lake is a great spot for seeing the sunrise over picturesque features like Flattop Mountain and Hallett Peak. It is definitely worth the early wake-up call.
If 7.6 miles is too long, you can always do an out-and-back hike to Emerald Lake (3.6mi roundtrip) or Lake Haiyaha (5.8mi roundtrip) and skip the loop to see Alberta Falls. Getting to Lake Haiyaha will require you to climb over rocks and boulders to reach the lake. As a result, this lake has fewer crowds and you'll be able to enjoy breathtaking views of this serene turquoise lake surrounded by ancient pines and mountains.
Sky Pond Trail (strenuous) - Park in the Glacier Gorge Junction Trailhead lot. If it is full, you will be to park in Park and Ride and take the shuttle toward Bear Lake to get to the trailhead. This 9.5 mile hike takes anywhere from 4 to 6 hours to complete and has a little bit of everything. From waterfalls to alpine lakes to fun river and stream crossings, this fun trail has much to offer. To reach Sky Pond, you will have to climb and scramble over Timberline Falls, which can be quite slippery and dangerous in the winter. Along the trail, you'll pass by picturesque lakes, such as The Loch (Loch Vale) and Lake of Glass.
Gem Lake (moderate) - Beginning in Lumpy Ridge Trailhead, this 3.4 mile out and back trail leads to a beautiful alpine lake with views over Estes Park and Longs Peak. At roughly 1.4 miles, you'll reach an interesting rock formation, Paul Bunyan's boot.
Trail Ridge Road - Take a gorgeous drive down Trail Ridge Road. If the weather is nice, this would be a good activity for your first day as your body acclimates, adjusts to the high altitude. The alpine tundra, which is over 11,000 feet, covers eleven miles of this scenic road. Along the way, there are many stopping points and overlooks, such as Rainbow Curve and Forest Canyon Overlooks, that are worth seeing.
Alpine Visitor Center - Sitting at 11,796 feet, Alpine Visitor Center is the highest visitor center in National Park System. From here, the short (0.5mi roundtrip) Alpine Ridge Trail that ascends to a phenomenal view. You may get out of breath easily if you have not yet acclimated to the elevation yet.
Things to do outside of RMNP:
Boating Day - A relaxing day on a boat with mountain views is the perfect activity to add to your itinerary if you need to break up your hiking days. Highland Marina is one of the more reasonably priced marinas along Lake Granby. They have new 2019 pontoon boats that accommodate up to 10 people. You can rent one all day (8am-5pm) for $350. If you don't have an entire day for boating, they offer 2-hour ($140) and 4-hour ($220) rentals as well.
Snowmobiling & Off-Roading - Located in both Grand Lake and Winter Park, Grand Adventures offers snowmobiling and off-road vehicle adventures. There is always something regardless of what season you decide to visit. Some are guided tours and some are unguided. You can check out the rates for snowmobiling and ATVs and book your next epic adventure in the backcountry.
Whitewater Rafting - What better way to take in the grandeur of the Colorado River than to go whitewater rafting?! Rapid Transit Rafting is the only rafting company that provides transportation from Estes Park to the river. They offer a Upper Colorado River full-day trip, where it carves through deep canyons with incredible views of the Rocky Mountains. For those who don't have an entire tire to be on the waters, they also have the Cache la Poudre River half-day trip available most mornings and afternoons. The river is faster flowing earlier in the season.
So these are my tips and itinerary suggestions for Rocky Mountain National Park. There is something for every type of traveler, so use these ideas to help you plan your next trip to the beautiful Colorado Rockies. I hope you have the best time out there!! ☺
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