Rocky Mountain National Park Trails: A Complete Hiking Guide

Nov 11, 2024

Last Updated on: Nov 20, 2024

Travel Guides

It’s already fall, and the Rocky Mountain National Park Trails are adorned with the Aspen leaves’ glistening gold. Also, the dark green of the pine trees in the backdrop complements the dark red and orange of Alpine shrubs.

Hiking through the park trails is the best way to explore the beauty of the USA National Park to the fullest. Further, the hiking trails come with varying difficulty levels. Some are also great for enjoying a walk with your furry friends. 

Moreover, the trails are varied in their destinations. Some trails in the park will take you to beautiful waterfalls, and some will end at breathtaking summits and immersive lakes.

Do you also want to hike and experience the park at its best? Here is a brief overview. 

Hiking Through The Rocky Mountain National Park Trails: A Rocky Mountain National Park Guide 

Hiking Through The Rocky Mountain National Park Trails: A Rocky Mountain National Park Guide 

Rocky Mountain National Park has over 350 miles of hiking trails. Further, you will find a delightful activity in the park irrespective of your abilities. 

However, you will need proper traction devices and a Rocky Mountain National Park map to remain safe during hiking. Moreover, you will need proper footwear with a treaded sole as the routes can be snowy and slippery. 

With proper safety measures, it’s time for you to hit the waterfalls, summit, and lake trails. 

Best Rocky Mountain National Park Trails To Waterfalls

Rocky Mountain National Park is home to 31 waterfalls. Do you want to witness water cascading through rocky terrains? Hit any of the following trails in the park. 

1. Granite Falls Trail 

Granite Falls Trail 

Trail Head: Green Mountain Trailhead parking area

Trail Distance: 5.2 miles one-way

Difficulty Level: Moderate

You will pass through lush green meadows while hiking to Granite Falls Trail. However, the terrain is marshy here, and you must be careful as you explore the path. 

Further, lodgepole pine, aspen, Engelmann spruce, and subalpine fir greet you throughout the trail. The elevation gain is 1,046 feet in the trail, and you must proceed carefully. 

2. Chasm Falls Trail

Trail Head: Old Fall River Road or Winter Closure Gate

Trail Distance: 2 Miles (Round Trip)

Difficulty Level: Moderate

The Chasm Falls Trail will take you to a cascading beauty. With an elevation of just 640 feet, this trail is moderate to hike.

Further, if the hiking trail from Old Fall River Road is closed, you can take the trail from Winter Closure Gate. Then, you will have to walk or bike for 2.2 Miles. 

3. Adam Falls Trail 

Adam Falls Trail 

Trail Head: East Inlet

Trail Distance: 0.6 Miles round trip

Difficulty Level: Easy

With an elevation of just 79 feet, the Adam Falls Trail is one of the easiest ones in the park. Adam Falls is small but excels in its quaint beauty. 

If you want to be more adventurous, you can walk past the waterfall. A beautiful glacier valley will emerge before your eyes, and you will love the exuberance of wildflowers. 

4. Cascade Falls Trail

Trail Head: North Inlet

Trail Distance: 3.4 Miles one-way

Difficulty Level: Moderate to Strenuous (Expect changes in the difficulty level throughout the route)

You will love the gurgling sound of the North Inlet stream water, and as it thrashes the pure granite stone, it’s a beauty to behold. This waterfall is 100 feet tall and forms a cascade, as the name rightly suggests. 

You will meet the most adorable marmots As you continue your hike and pass through the open meadow. They are frequent to the winding river through the lodgepole pine forest. Further, you can stop here to fish river trout and brown trout. 

Best Rocky Mountain National Park Trails To Lakes

Great National Park has 156 lakes. Some of these lakes have dense trout populations. Further, areas near these lakes are great for spotting wildlife. So, let’s know about the lake hiking trails that lead us to these beautiful lakes. 

1. Bear Lake Trail

Bear Lake Trail

Trail Head: Bear Lake

Trail Distance: 0.7 Mile

Difficulty Level: Easy

With mountains of the Continental Divide in the backdrop, Bear Lake Trail is one of the best locations in the park for watching the sunset. You will love the beauty of Hallett Peak, Continental Divide, and an Alpine lake here.

Bear Lake is the epicenter of many hiking trails. You can start your hike to Alberta Falls, Flattop Mountain, Emerald Lake, and more from here. 

2. Sprague Lake Loop Trail

Trail Head:  Estes Park

Trail Distance: 0.7 Miles round trip

Difficulty Level: Easy

Sprague Lake Loop Trail is the most accessible trail in the park. Wheelchairs are allowed here. So, patients with disabilities can also explore this trail. 

You can stop at the benches and many lookouts throughout the trail to reflect on the beauty of nature. Further, you can see the mountain peaks along the Continental Divide. 

Moreover, Sprague Lake is an amazing destination for spotting wildlife. 

3. Mills Lake Trail

Mills Lake Trail

Trail Head: Glacier Gorge

Trail Distance – 5 Miles round trip

Difficulty Level: Moderate to Strenuous 

With a 700-foot elevation, the Mills Lake trail will take you through a gorge carved by glaciers, streambeds, and waterfalls. 

The beautiful Mills Lake gets its name from Enos Mills, the founder of the Rocky Mountain National Park. Further, if you want to continue your hiking pursuit, you can walk to Black Lake, and that will be an additional 1.7-mile hike. 

4. Gem Lake Trail

Trail Head: Lumpy Ridge Trailhead

Trail Distance: 3.4 Miles round trip

Difficulty Level: Moderate to Strenuous 

The expansive field of granite domes houses the Gem Lake. It is indeed a hidden gem and one of the biggest attractions in the area, along with Lumpy Ridge. 

Gem Lake is shallow, and it has water of melted snow and rainfall. 

5. Dream Lake Trail

Dream Lake Trail

Trail Head: Bear Lake

Trail Distance: 2.2 miles round trip

Difficulty Level: Moderate to Strenuous 

You must go for a steady ascent from Bear Lake to reach Dream Lake. The trail comes with an elevation change of 830 feet. Don’t miss the following highlights of this hiking route. 

  • Nymph Lake
  • Aspen Groves
  • Ponderosa Pine

The Nymph Lake looks most beautiful in summer, with pond lilies in full bloom. Further, you can use Dream Lake as the base and trek to the amazing Emerald Lake or Lake Haiyaha. 

Best Rocky Mountain National Park Trails To Summits

Despite the elevation gain of around 1000-3000 feet, the hiking trails to summits are very popular among visitors. The wonderful vistas from the mountain tops make the effort worth it. 

1. Deer Mountain Trail

Trail Head: Deer Ridge Jct

Trail Distance: 3.1 miles one-way

Difficulty Level: Moderate to Strenuous 

The Deer Mountain comes with an elevation of 10,006 feet. Further, as you hike and reach the summit, you will enjoy the most beautiful view of Upper Beaver Meadows, Longs Peak, Estes Park, and Moraine Park.

Be careful about the weather forecast before you start your journey on the trail. 

2. Flattop Mountain Trail

Flattop Mountain Trail

Trail Head: Bear Lake Trailhead

Trail Distance: 8.8 miles round trip 

Difficulty Level: Moderate to Strenuous 

The trail from Bear Lake is the best way to reach Flattop Mountain, and this route is one of the trickiest ones in the park. However, if you cannot access the trail from Bear Lake, you can try the route to Flattop via Tonahutu Trail.

Further, as you reach the Flattop Mountain summit, you will enjoy the beauty of Hallet Peak, Dream Lake, and Tyndall Glacier. 

3. Chasm Lake And Longs Peak Trail

Chasm Lake And Longs Peak Trail

Trail Head: Old Fall River Road or Winter Closure Gate

Trail Distance: 4.2 miles one-way

Difficulty Level: Strenuous 

Chasm Lake, just beneath the Longs Peak, offers a spectacular view. You will come across Tundra meadows and Alpine tundra through the trail. Further, animals like pikas and marmots are common here. 

As you reach the Chasm Junction and find an outhouse, you can hike along a wall to see Columbine Falls and Peacock Pool Gorge.

After this point, the terrain becomes rocky, and you will need cairns to reach Cirque, the lake’s location. 

Mistakes You Must Avoid When Hiking Through Trails Of Rocky Mountain National Park

Making a rushed trip to the Rocky Mountain National Park is the biggest mistake you can make. You can face severe issues like dehydration and acute mountain sickness here if you don’t allow your body to acclimatize or work on your physical and mental endurance.

So, carry enough water or hydrating solutions and start your training under proper guidance at least one month before your Rocky Mountain hike. 

Further, don’t think that you will always make it to the trails in your usual track pants or leggings. You have to wear hiking clothes as on many days, you will have no escape from the afternoon rain. 

Rocky Mountains National Park At A Glance 

Rocky Mountains National Park

Location: Colorado, USA

Established: 26 January 1915

Highest Point: Longs Peak

Area: 415 Square Miles

How to Reach: Take a drive or shuttle from the Denver International Airport. 

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Meet Sibashree Bhattacharya, a travel enthusiast who has a decade-long experience in transcending virtual barriers with her words! Her deep love for travel is apparent from her travel escapades to the mountain, often taking her readers on a journey, her words acting as Portkey! Fun fact: Sibashree loves to dive deep into the history of the places she is about to visit, making her travels even more wholesome. If you were wondering how her articles are not short of time travel, this answers it!

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