Located on the East Inlet Trail, this hike through the montane ecosystem leads to a small, scenic waterfall. In the spring and early summer, enjoy a variety of wildflowers in the meadow and along the trail.
Bear Lake is seen in winter and spring. This lake and the surrounding trail is typically covered with snow from late October through late May. Be prepared for snow and ice on the trail. Traction devices and waterproof boots are advised.
Cross-country skiing can be an enjoyable way to experience the winter season at Rocky. There is typically enough snow for skiing beginning in December through late March. Visit the west side of the park and enjoy a variety of cross-country skiing terrain.
Enjoy the winter wonderland that Rocky has to offer from late October to early June. When there is hard-packed snow and ice on the trails, don't forget to use traction devices!
Snowshoeing
The Cub Lake Trail offers scenic views of Moraine Park and nearby mountains. It is a great trail for viewing wildlife.
3-5 Hours
Junior Ranger Headquarters at Hidden Valley will open for the season beginning on Saturday, May 18. Hidden Valley is on the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park along Trail Ridge Road, approximately 8 miles from the Fall River and Beaver Meadows entrances to the park.
Lily Lake Loop is a 0.8 mile loop trail with excellent views of Lily Lake and nearby mountain peaks.
Wildlife Viewing Tips
Learn About Winter Driving in Rocky Mountain National Park
Glacier Creek thunders down this spectacular waterfall.
Take a step back in time at the Holzwarth Historic Site, the spot where the Never Summer Ranch, Holzwarth Trout Lodge, and family homestead was operated by the Holzwarth family for multiple generations from the 1910s to the 1970's. The Holzwarth Historic Site is located on the West Side of Rocky Mountain National Park eight miles (12.8 km) from Kawuneeche Visitor Center.
Feel like you're on top of the world! Take a hike on the Tundra Communities Trail and experience sweeping mountain views and the beauty of the alpine tundra ecosystem.
From Bear Lake Trailhead, pass by Nymph Lake, Dream Lake, and steadily climb in elevation to scenic Emerald Lake.
3-4 Hours
Enjoy scenic views and wildlife viewing opportunities while driving on Trail Ridge Road. This is a 48 mile scenic drive that connects the communities of Estes Park and Grand Lake. Cresting at an elevation of 12,183 feet above sea level, Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuous paved road in the United States.
2-2 Hours
Built between 1913 and 1920, a drive up Old Fall River Road is an incredible 9.4-mile scenic drive. This unpaved road begins next to Endovalley Picnic Area and ends at the summit of Fall River Pass and in the parking area for Alpine Visitor Center. At Alpine Visitor Center, use Trail Ridge Road to return to the east side of RMNP.
At an elevation of 10,006 feet, the summit of Deer Mountain offers scenic views of Longs Peak, Upper Beaver Meadows, Moraine Park and Estes Park.
3-5 Hours
Located at an elevation of 10,343 feet, at Sandbeach Lake enjoy scenic views of the lake with Mount Meeker towering above to the north. Copeland Mountain can also be seen in the distance.
4-6 Hours
This lake is a hidden gem in the Bear Lake Corridor of the park! This lake sits atop a forested moraine, a ridge composed of material left behind thousands of years ago by receding glaciers.
3-5 Hours
Hike to the top of Flattop Mountain and the Continental Divide! With over 2,000 feet of elevation gain, this is one of the most difficult trails in Rocky Mountain National Park.
3-6 Hours
Fishing
A major construction project is underway on a new and improved entrance station at the Fall River Entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. The Fall River Entrance is one of two major entrance stations on the east side of the park and is located on U.S. Highway 34, just inside the park boundary.
Sprague Lake Loop meanders around Sprague Lake. There are plenty of benches and lookouts over the lake to stop, reflect, and enjoy the view.
This hike ends at a crystal clear alpine lake named after a founder of the national park, Enos Mills.
From Bear Lake, hike to Lake Haiyaha and see incredible views of the Glacier Basin area.
Gem Lake is a hidden gem tucked away in the vast field of granite domes that comprise the Lumpy Ridge area. Without an inlet or outlet stream, Gem Lake is a shallow pond filled in strictly by trapped snowmelt and rainfall.
From the Bear Lake Trailhead, Dream Lake is a steady climb through aspen groves and ponderosa pine.
Copeland falls is the most easily accessible waterfall in the Wild Basin area. From the Wild Basin trailhead, visitors will stroll along the St. Vrain river as it winds through the spectacular Wild Basin towards Upper and Lower Copeland Falls.
During the months of September and October, elk herds are gathering in lower elevation areas for fall mating season. This time is also known as the elk rut! Bull elk can be very aggressive as they protect the cows and young in their herd.
The hike to Ypsilon Lake features unique terrain in Rocky Mountain National Park.
This trail runs along the Big Thompson River, you will find plenty of shade as well as blooming wildflowers throughout spring and summer.
A well sought-after destination, The Loch is one of three spectacular lakes comprising the scenic Loch Vale.
The hike from Bear Lake Trailhead to Odessa Lake offers hikers a gateway to the diverse scenery of Rocky Mountain National Park.
On this trail, hikers will pass along the lush, marshy Big Meadow, and through forests of lodgepole pine, quaking aspen, subalpine fir, and Engelmann spruce on their way to the falls.
This trail passes along the lush, marshy Big Meadow, and through forests of lodgepole pine, quaking aspen, subalpine fir, and Engelmann spruce.
Beginning in the alpine tundra with chances to see pikas and marmots.
Chasm Lake offers spectacular views of granite walls and water just below the famous Long’s Peak, the highest peak in the park.
2-4 Hours
Enjoy the cascading falls of Chasm Falls.
Enjoy the sights and sounds of the North Inlet stream water tumbling down 100 feet of pure granite.
Hike along the eastern shore of Shadow Mountain Lake. In summer, this trail provides an opportunity to find wildlife and cool breezes coming off the water. In the Autumn, visitors can enjoy beautiful, fall colors.
Visitors that are able to make the climb can enjoy beautiful vistas of the Never Summer Mountains, high peaks in the park, and may see the plains of Wyoming on a clear day.
The Coyote Valley trail is a wide, wheelchair and stroller accessible trail. It is perfect for anyone looking for amazing views of the Kawuneeche Valley or to see the mighty Colorado River.
From the Fern Lake Trailhead, the hike to Fern Lake is around 9 miles round-trip with 1,453 feet of elevation gain. Given the length and terrain, this hike is best suited for moderately experienced hikers.
Rocky Mountain National Park has many wonderful picnic areas to choose from on both the east and west sides of the park.
Listen to the gentle flow of the North Saint Vrain Creek along the trail to Ouzel Falls.