It is a common misconception that there are fee-free entrances into the Park. Cheers, Julie. Where to stay near Rocky Mountain National Park, CO Address. Typically this road12,183 feet at it's highest point, remains closed from late-October to late-May. This is the hike that I recommend for today. Note: This post contains affiliate links. Estes Park The price for one way is just $55, but you can also book a round-trip shuttle for $95. Download the official NPS app before your next visit. Rocky Mountain National Park Neighborhood Guide. And once at topwhat a view.! Gorgeous alpine views can certainly be seen from this center located at 11,796' elevation! By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. If you are an avid hiker, I recommend spending five or more days in Rocky Mountain National Park. Timed Entry Permit: If you have plans to visit the park in the summer months, dont forget to reserve your permit in advance. You will really feel the effects of the altitude. The One Subscription to Fuel All Your Adventures. Trail Ridge Road is 48 miles long, connecting Estes Park to Grand Lake. Yes, I know, I said no hiking today, but I couldnt resist adding this one in. If you are an avid hiker, you are probably ready to hike some of the longer, tougher, more thrilling hikes in the park. 15 great hikes to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. Mills and Black Lake. We have visited Rocky Mountain National Park several times in the past. It is our favorite short hike in the park. Get updates on road conditions on the national park service website. There is also a shuttle bus that runs from Denver International Airport straight to Estes Park. Rocky Mountain National Park. Lake Estes | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. This is an essential hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. Get a free Colorado national park trip planner for inspiring itineraries and essential information. When the parking areas in Wild Basin are full, usually by 9am in the summer, vehicles will be turned away. Travelers favorites include #1 Trail Ridge Road, #2 Beaver Meadows Visitor Center and more. Call 970-586-1222 before you head out. I think its a good idea to have a basic plan of what you want to do while at RMNP but be flexible. On the way you'll pass the Kawuneeche Visitor Center on your right. Rocky Mountain National Park Site Pass in Colorado - Recreation.gov And bring a camera , its a beautiful park! One Day in Rocky Mountain National Park (No Hiking) - Sights Better Seen Rocky Mountain National Park is a relatively large park, with a total area of 415 square miles. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. If you only have one day in Rocky Mountain National Park, it will be a busy day. 1000 US Hwy 36, Estes Park, CO, 80517. Rocky Mountain National Park is open all year. But its only worth it if skies are clear. 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. They will ask to see your park pass and ID or offer you the opportunity to purchase one. Do we have others using the trails even in the mornings? It is close to my Rocky Mtn NP trip (going there next week tue-sat), I wanted your opinion for this following itinerary and if it is doable 1) Tuesday afternoon: I will be at RMNP around 4pm. Just wrapped up my RMNP trip, ty so much for your help with the itinerary. Chasm Lake | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. This includes the best hikes, the best experiences, how to get around, and where to stay. All entrances into Rocky Mountain National Park require entrance fees, even the ones that don't have a physical entrance to drive through. We are going to put RMNP last so we have time to get used to the altitude, because we are from the East Coast. These amazing mountains cradle the Estes Valley, providing residents and guests with incredible beauty and inspiration. With one day, I recommend going on a hike, starting at Bear Lake, and driving Trail Ridge Road (its awesome!). Sky Pond | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. Rocky Mountain National Park - Annual Pass. Save. Are you referring to the timed entry ticket? #3 Granby - Best Place to Stay near Rocky Mountain National Park for Families. Up above 10,000 feet the air is thin, the temps are much cooler, and the wind is usually . The only thing to note is that each day I started the hike between 4a-5a (especially because some parking lots like the Glacier gorge one and Longs peak one get filled up by 5a). If you do not have a reservation, you will not be allowed to enter the park. 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. MESA VERDE: Learn about the best things to do and how to plan your visit in our Guide to Mesa Verde National Park. Elk on Trail Ridge Road | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. Text in English. Old Fall River Road is an 11-mile long gravel road that runs one-way from Horseshoe Park (near Estes Park) and ends at the Alpine Visitor Center. One Perfect Day in Rocky Mountain National Park - Earth Trekkers Timed Entry Reservation Info for 2023 Season Dec 16, 2022. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. 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. Between the end of May through early October, you must reserve a permit to visit the park. Our website uses cookies. During the summer and autumn, you can expect the entrance stations to be busy for most of the day, and extra busy in the morning from 7:00am-9:30am and in the afternoon from 2:30-4:00pm. The Stanley Hotel. Yes, take a look at the Where to Stay section of this article. Estes Park sits to the east of the park. You will need a Park Access (Excludes Bear Lake Road Corridor) permit if you plan to hike Chasm Lake or Mount Ida. 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. In this Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary, many of days end by the early afternoon, because of these storms. Visit the Rockies and experience mountain climbing, hiking, camping, fishing, and breathtaking views of jagged peaks, glaciers, and high-mountain lakes. Once the snow begins to fall, you can still hike many of the trails that we list, but you will need snowshoes. Earth Trekkers is my starting point for every hiking vacation. 6 Things to Do on the East Edge of Rocky Mountain National Park RMNP East or West Entrance? - Rocky Mountain National Park Forum or are there better/rewarding hikes that i can sub in instead of the above listed ones? All passes are available at all park entrance stations. Visit the Alpine Visitor Center, hike Alpine Ridge Trail, and consider driving down to Grand Lake, visiting the Holzwarth Historic Site on the way. Evening back at Estes park at my hotel. This route will lead you up past the Stanley Hotel. This is our favorite hike in RMNP. Recorded Trail Ridge Road status: (970) 586-1222. Take a 0.4-mile detour to Lake Haiyaha for an added bonus. Best Day Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Length: 5.5 miles. The Continental Divide Trail to Mount Ida. Located just a couple minutes from Grand Lake, the Grand Lake Entrance is arguably the parks best-kept secret. The Park's 415 square miles encompass a variety of alpine terrain, with at least 60 mountains exceeding 12,000 ft. The parking lot at the end of Bear Lake Road is large but from here, you have access to numerous popular trails in RMNP, so it also fills fast. 9.8 miles, strenuous, 4.5 to 6.5 hours. Spend the rest of the day in Estes Park. For reference, I was able to do Highline trail from the loop all the way to Grinnell viewpoint, Ptarmigan tunnel and Grinnell Glacier including Grinnell lake, hidden lake overlook, virginia waterfalls over 3 full days at my recently concluded Glacier NP trip. During the summer months, afternoon thunderstorms are very common. 1. 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. How To Plan A Perfect Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary The permit system limited visitation to about 60% of parking capacity. Turn west onto Highway 84 (Wild Basin Road) and follow it for 0.4 miles to the Wild Basin entrance station. This is a great warm-up for those who plan to hike Longs Peak. 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. This station is .25 miles north of the Kawuneeche Visitor Center near the beautiful Kawuneeche Valley. 1. Timed Entry Ticket: You will need a Bear Lake Road Corridor + Full Park Access permit (Park Access +) if you plan to hike Sky Pond, Hallett Peak, or Mills and Black Lake. The longer and harder the hike, the earlier you will have to start. Thats a great question! 10. On the return drive, hike the Ute Trail to Tombstone Ridge. This is the best Timed Entry Permit for visitors planning to drive over Trail Ridge Road, recreate on the west side of the park, as well as access Longs Peak, Lily Lake, East Inlet, Wild Basin, and all other outlying areas of RMNP. There are a lot of hikes that start at the Bear Lake Trailhead. Founded in 1881, the village still embraces its original rustic architectural style . If you had afternoon thunderstorms on Day One, drive Trail Ridge Road in the morning. In summer 2022, timed-entry reservations are required between May 27 and October 10, 2022, and are in addition to your entrance fee. 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. This road opened in 1920 at it was the first road that led into Rocky Mountain National Park. The permit is in effect from 5 am to 6 pm. ie last an hour or so and go away? 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. This property is located west of Estes Park on Fall River Road, so you will have a longer drive to get into the heart of the park. Aspenglen, Moraine Park, and Glacier Basin are the most popular campgrounds and these get reserved well in advance. Ascending only 700 feet over 3 miles, this is a great introduction to moderate hiking in the park. In July I will be doing Glacier NP so the hikes there should warm me up for RMNP QQ For RMNP, I noticed you mentioned the need for the extra pass (outside of America the beautiful) Are those passes setup in a way that they last 3 straight days (like how Yosemite or Glacier) or just limited to one day? Gem Lake | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. Rocky Mountain National Park, established in 1915, is a living showcase of the grandeur of the Rocky Mountains. , 1,400 feet (426 m)of elevation gain. Moraine Park Campground. To reserve a campsite at Elk Meadow Lodge & RV Park, call (970) 586-5342. Rocky Mountain high means snow, ice, and thin air - in exchange for jaw-dropping beauty. Not sure either if we should stay in Estes park or grand lake? 10 of the Best Cities and Towns Near Rocky Mountain National Park 6.2 miles, moderate, 3 to 4 hours. I highly recommend this particular residence. Rocky Mountain National Park Granby West Entrance c. 1940's tourist These are the only official entry stations into the park. 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. The Kawuneeche entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park is located 2 miles north of Grand Lake on highway 34. You can either hike to Fern Lakes and Odessa Lake as a point-to-point hike, starting at Bear Lake and ending at Moraine Park (or vice versa). The job of the entrance station rangers is to welcome the visitors to the park, issue entrance passes, and answer visitor questions. Duration. Trail Type: Out-and-back. BEST OF ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK: For a list of top experiences, read our article Best Things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. Have fun in RMNP! Running north to south through the park is the Continental Divide and the highest mountain peaks.. 2023 Best 10 Trails in Rocky Mountain National Park | AllTrails The most popular hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. Few people hike out this far so this is a great place to leave the crowds behind. Itinerary Help: 1 or 1.5 days in RMNP and other CO NPs Nov 20, 2022. Hiking poles can help you keep your balance in the snow. best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. The Alberta Falls Trail, like many other hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, follows a creek (in this case, Glacier Creek). If you plan to do a lot of hiking and drive Trail Ridge Road, plan on visiting Rocky Mountain National Park between Memorial Day and mid-October. This year's system has loosened to 75% to 85% of parking capacity. The vast majority of these people visited the park between Memorial Day and Labor Day. 800-715-HIKE (4453) (9-4:30 Every Day) Top Rated On . ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. Running north to south through the park is the Continental Divide and the highest mountain peaks. Yes, August is a great month to hike in RMNP. If you love lakes you'll like this hike. It's like a tour of amazing mountain lakes. Hopefully in your case they will be quick! You'll either need to pay an entrance fee or use a National Parks Pass to enter. Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuous paved road in the United States. 365. Plus, this is a lesser known hike, so the trail gets a lower number of hikers than other hikes on this list. In July, we hiked through a snowstorm on the way back from Sky Pond. Trailhead: Glacier Gorge (40.31053, -105.64033) Why we love it: This quiet winter hike avoids the Bear Lake throngs while still delivering the same stop-in-your-tracks alpine viewsincluding Longs Peakfor hardy snowshoers. So, climb those stairs, catch your breath if you need to, and enjoy the awesome views from the top. This is a gorgeous drive. Best Things to Do in Great Sand Dunes National Park, One Perfect Day in Rocky Mountain National Park, 10 Best Things to Do in Rocky Mountain National Park, 15 Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, Complete Guide to the Twin Sisters Peak Trail, RMNP. If your visit to Rocky Mountain National Park is part of a bigger road trip through Colorado, here are some articles to help you plan your trip. You may experience lines that can stretch up to a mile long during the busy season. If you plan to go hiking during July and August, you will have to assume that there will be a 2 pm thunderstorm. I am so glad you had great weather and a great trip! Longs Peak Campground on the East Side. Thank you! If you are coming from sea level, you will feel the effects of the altitude as soon as you do anything strenuous. 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). This is one of the highest national parks in the USA. We spent one wonderful week in Rocky Mountain National Park in July. Moraine Park Campground is located in Rocky Mountain National Park near the Beaver Meadows Entrance on Highway 36. Since the timed slots are only 2hrs long, if i end up not doing any hikes on the bear lake corridor and i plan on being inside the park around 6a I can get away w/o having to get any timed entries right? Visiting Rocky Mountain National Park in the Winter 15+ Best Hikes In Rocky Mountain National Park - Hiking Daily Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary Ideas from 1 to 5 Days For now, the forecast does call for afternoon thunderstorms from what i can see on weather.com, It depends. The best entrance for Rocky Mountain National Park is Beaver Meadows Entrance or Fall River Entrance. If you are an avid hiker, I recommend spending five or more days in Rocky Mountain National Park. Nymph, Dream & Emerald Lakes: 3.6 miles, easy to moderate, 2 to 3 hours. Driving distance from Denver: 1-2 hours. The Best Campgrounds Near Rocky Mountain National Park However, the road is open to Many Parks Curve, approximately 7 miles from the start of Trail Ridge Road from the east. By fv1989. Timed entry permits (separate from an entrance fee) are no longer required. 10 Rocky Mountain National Park Attractions You Can't-Miss - MSN Get updates on trail closures and park conditions on the National Park Service website. Learn more about the national parks in our Guide to the US National Parks. Along the way explore over 300 miles of hiking trails and incredible wildlife viewing. When to Visit. There are two options and option #1 (Bear Lake Road and the rest the park) is the best option since it gives you access to the entire park. If you are an avid hiker, dont miss the Gunnison Route, a trail that takes you from the rim to the Gunnison River. The 7 Estes-Area Entrances into Rocky Mountain National Park Longs Peak, at 14,259 feet, is the only fourteener in the park. Chasm Lake. If you have no desire to fill each day with a hike, your itinerary will look something like this: Day 1: Nymph, Dream & Emerald Lakes plus Trail Ridge Road and the Alpine Ridge Trail Day 2: Gem Lake in the morning, Estes Park in the afternoon Day 3: Sky Pond Day 4: Old Fall River Road and Estes Park Day 5: Mills and Black Lakes Day 6: More activities in Estes Park Day 7: Deer Mountain. The best Time to do scenic driving and hiking is during the summer and fall seasons. It does get tiring, but these trails are so much fun and offer such a wide variety of views and experiences that it never gets monotonous or boring. Bear Lake Road runs into the heart of the park. All offer bookstores and much printed information to supplement the knowledgeable staff. The Beaver Meadows Entrance was remodeled in 2000-2001, adding another entrance lane to reduce the time spent waiting in line. 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. Acadia National Park; Montana / Wyoming. The park has gotten so popular that in 2020 a timed entry system was put into effect. Among its special features are beautiful mountain vistas (114 named peaks above 10,000', with Longs Peak at 14,259'), and thousands of varieties of wild plants and animals. Best Rocky Mountain National Park Hikes: Easy Tundra Hikes. 80517. Park Hours:Park entrances are open 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. Which entrance would be better. For Longs Peak, that means starting by 3 or 4 am. You have a choice today: take a break from hiking and explore Rocky Mountain National Park and Estes Park, or hike another trail. Located outside Estes Park, Colorado, Rocky Mountain is a great family vacation . What is a good itinerary for a day trip to RMNP in the winter? 10 Best Things to Do in Rocky Mountain National Park