Get a free Colorado national park trip planner for inspiring itineraries and essential information. I recommend staying at The Residences. Best entrance to RMNP - - Rocky Mountain National Park Forum 7.4 miles (12 km). Lake Estes | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. Whats the Best Season to Visit Rocky Mountain National Park. Take your pick from one, two, three, and four bedroom houses that come equipped with a full kitchen. Look for that option at the intersection next to McDonald's on the east side of Estes Park. Entrance Stations and Visitor Centers - Rocky Mountain National Park (U 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. With towering mountain peaks, alpine lakes and waterfalls, and the opportunity to hike along the Continental Divide, this park offers world-class hiking experiences. If you do not have a reservation, you will not be allowed to enter the park. Answer (1 of 2): All of them them! Here are six tips on what to do in Estes Park during your Rocky Mountain National Park vacation. But this is a strenuous hike and longer than your 8 mile cut-off. How likely is someone to get altitude sickness at RMNP? 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. The Loch. But the real reason for doing this is for the incredible view of Sky Pond, one of the most spectacular alpine lakes in the USA. You will have to find your own way to the park from Estes Park because the shuttle only runs to the town. Past the Alpine Visitor Center, you can continue on Alpine Ridge Road and go all of the way to Grand Lake, if you like. At this time, cross country skiing and snowshoeing are the main things to do in the park. BLACK CANYON OF THE GUNNISON: One of the best things to do on the South Rim is to drive South Rim Drive to the overlooks of the Black Canyon. This hike starts just under 12,000 feet of elevation and it is a stair climb to the top. Timed Entry Permit System - Rocky Mountain National Park (U.S. National this is a great place to stay when you visit Rocky Mountain National Park. I dont know if it is too late, but you could always try to get a permit so you dont have to start super early. These amazing mountains cradle the Estes Valley, providing residents and guests with incredible beauty and inspiration. For a longer list, read our post about Estes Park. The Inn on Fall River & Fall River Cabins. You may experience lines that can stretch up to a mile long during the busy season. Here are several to choose from. Cheers, Julie, Your email address will not be published. This hike passes Cub Lake, Fern Falls, Fern Lake, Odessa Lake and Lake Helene. Would that help mitigate some of the altitude sickness? As it is, I like to hike early to avoid the crowd, Yes, leaving that early should work. I climbed 3 different volcanoes in 3days and it was lovely. 11 miles of this road is located in the alpine tundra, which is above the treeline. Yes. While in Rocky Mountain National Park, please practice the seven principles of Leave No Trace: plan ahead, stay on the trails, pack out what you bring to the hiking trails, properly dispose of waste, leave areas as you found them, minimize campfire impacts, be considerate of other hikers, and do not approach or feed wildlife. It is only staffed in the busy season and during the busiest hours of the day the line can get long. We have visited Rocky Mountain National Park several times in the past. Rocky Mountain National Park is a beautiful place so we hope you have a wonderful time here. It is about 2 hours to get to the western entrance and 2 3/4 hours to get to the eastern entrance, taking the least scenic routes in both cases and hoping for no significant delays for the Twin Tunnels construction near Idaho Springs. Odessa & Fern Lakes Hike. This route will lead you up past the Stanley Hotel. With one day, I recommend going on a hike, starting at Bear Lake, and driving Trail Ridge Road (its awesome!). Old Fall River Road | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. What would be the best time to hike RMNP after labor day? There are many things to do here. Grand Lake, Colorado at Rocky Mountain National Park Running north to south through the park is the Continental Divide and the highest mountain peaks.. Julie Last updated: February 23, 2023 United States 61 Comments. Buckle in for some altitude gain and, outside of warmer summer months, pack spikes for the hiking trail! Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the highest national parks in the USA. This is a great warm-up for those who plan to hike Longs Peak. Cheers, Julie. This tough hike follows along the Continental Divide, starting at 10,800 feet and tops out at 12,899 feet on Mount Ida. There will also be three amazing lakes. How to Make the Most of One Day in Rocky Mountain National Park or are there better/rewarding hikes that i can sub in instead of the above listed ones? Acadia National Park; Montana / Wyoming. All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. Full-Day Rocky Mountain National Park "Over The Top Tour" - RMNPhotographer. This station is .25 miles from our newest visitor center, the Fall River Visitor Center. Most people will be acclimated by this point, which means that you can hike almost any trail in the park. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. To ensure everyone gets a chance to experience the park during this . This easy hike offers spectacular views of Rocky Mountain National Park and it is great for all ages and ability levels. There is even a three-bedroom house that can accommodate up to nine people. 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. Gem Lake | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. On day two, as you are still acclimating to the altitude, I recommend one of these hikes: Deer Mountain. Up above 10,000 feet the air is thin, the temps are much cooler, and the wind is usually . Never been to park at all. Sky Pond. 9 Adventures in Grand County near Rocky Mountain National Park You wont find major grocery stores here, although you can drive 25 minutes to Granby and shop at the enormous City Market. You can also access Bear Lake Road, but it requires an additional 10 minutes of driving. They will ask to see your park pass and ID or offer you the opportunity to purchase one. The Bear Lake Corridor is one of the most popular areas in Rocky Mountain National Park for first-time visitors. Only 0.6 miles round trip, this flat, easy trail circles around Bear Lake. Learn everything you need to know to plan the perfect day in Rocky Mountain National Park! Rocky Mountain National Park was established on January 26, 1915, and has a total area of 265,795 acres (415 square miles, or 1,076 square kilometers). If the skies are clear, the weather forecast is favorable, and Longs Peak is on your bucket list, go for it today. 9 miles, strenuous, 4 to 6 hours. The hike itself is relatively easy but follows uneven terrain and rock so take caution with small children and older folks. Cheers, Julie. 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. A 2 hour trip from either Steamboat Springs or Breckenridge will only get you to the west side entrance to RMNP. For five days or more, follow our four day itinerary and for each additional day that you have, add on another hike. 10 Best Weekend Trips From Denver - Bearfoot Theory There are four entrances into Rocky Mountain National Park, and in 2022, you will need a park pass plus a separate day-use reservation to get into the park, regardless of which entrance you take. Take a tour of the historic Stanley Hotel, ride the Aerial Tramway to the peak of Prospect Mountain, go shopping, walk the Riverwalk, visit Lake Estes, play mini-golf, or visit a winery or brewery. Learn more here. It may sound counterintuitive, but if you really want to see Rocky Mountain National Park hassle-free, leave your car behind. But one afternoon, they went until dinner, off and on. We just walked up and down the main road, and glanced at all the salt water taffy . I think Augusts dates open on Jul 1 but i will be at Lassen NP around then (so idk about internet coverage and the morning ones usually fly out fast). With numerous hotels and restaurants, and a great location near the heart of Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park is a great place to stay. Earth Trekkers is my starting point for every hiking vacation. The main entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park is located on highway 36 just four miles west of downtown Estes Park. A Park Access (Excludes Bear Lake Road Corridor) timed entry ticket is sufficient for this day. While here you can enjoy quiet walks, exhilarating hikes, gorgeous sunrises and . So, after Labor Day, you might have some of both (snow and crowds). 94 within 3 miles. Duration. In this Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary, many of days end by the early afternoon, because of these storms. Closest Airport to Rocky Mountain National Park - Hello Hiker best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. If you have any questions about planning your Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary, let us know in the comment section below. Some visitors complain of noise and hot temperatures in the summer (there is no air conditioning). Cheers, Julie. It is located further north than the Beaver Meadows Entrance. On the east side of the park lies the Beaver Meadows Entrance, the most direct entrance from Estes Park, Colo.,which lies right outside Rocky Mountain National Park. Rocky Mountain National Park (Photo by Buddy Smith/The Points Guy) Rocky Mountain National Park basics. 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 fall guide: Best aspen, elk viewing and