Rocky Mountain National Park Trails: A Complete Hiking Guide

Nov 11, 2024

Last Updated on: Aug 25, 2025

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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What To Do In Columbus Ohio This Weekend | A Brief Ohio Travel Guide

BY  Sibashree Dec 11, 2024

As someone in her early thirties and a big foodie, Columbus Ohio has always been the biggest draw for me.  Now, you may be curious about the connection between my age and the city. The city is a bustling hub of college-goers. So, whenever I visit here, I relive the days I have just left behind. So, if you ask me “what to do in Columbus Ohio,” it’s like soaking in nostalgia for me.  Again, the foodie in me cannot avoid the allure of the North Market or Budd Dairy Food Hall. These are some of the biggest hotspots for gastronomic delight in the city.  Furthermore, the Worthington Farmers Market, with 100s of food vendors from Columbus, is a gem in the food tourism landscape of the city. It is, in fact, the best of the best on the “10 USA Today Readers’ Choice 2024” list. However, the things to do in Columbus Ohio are beyond exploring the food landscape. 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Things To Do In Rocky Mountains National Park

BY  Nabamita Aug 4, 2022

“Things to do in rocky mountains.” As you are searching about this particular thing, I am assuming that you might be planning your next holiday in the Rocky mountains. We never want to ruin our vacations or trips and that is why we always search on Google and gather as much knowledge as we can. From the best seasons, to where to stay, you should know everything. But as you are particularly searching for the fun things you can do in the Rocky mountains, here we are with the solution. With majestic landscapes, with rough terrains on one side and alpine forests and lakes on the other side. The Rocky Mountains National Park is a heaven for scenic beauty, wildlife, and mesmerizing waterfalls and lakes. Fun Facts About The Rocky Mountain National Park: It was on 26th January 1915, when the Rocky Mountain National Park was first established. For about 415 square miles, the park encompasses. Just a short drive from Denver, Colorado, the national park is one of the most parks in the US. Here are a few things to do in Rocky Mountains. About 4.5 million people visited in 2016 for a “World-class recreation” opportunity. This ranged from biking, hiking, fishing, camping, mountaineering, and horseback riding. The Rocky Mountain National Park is the highest park in the Country at an elevation of about 7,860 ft to 14,259 ft. The Rocky Mountains are more than just rough terrain; it has an alpine tundra ecosystem along with a montane ecosystem. These ecosystems have the widest variety of wildlife and plant diversity. The trail ridge road of the park offers an awe-struck vision even before it was travel worthy. It was called the “scenic wonder road of the world.” Most of the park is designated to be a part of the wilderness. There are about 250,00 acres of about designated wilderness according to Congress 2009. The Rocky Mountains have an extensive collection of museums. These museums collect the artifacts of the forest that defines the park and its history. 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But this one, in particular, located along the trail ridge road, is just beautiful. The overlook is about 11,716 ft high, looking the Long s Peak, Hayden Gorge, Gorge Lakes, and Stones Peak. 3. Go Hiking What can be better than hiking along the beautiful trails of the Rocky Mountains? There are a number of trails throughout the Rocky Mountains, and you can go on to any, depending on your expertise. Hiking is the most popular and one of the best things to do in Rocky Mountains, Colorado. Here are some of the best trails along the RMNP are: Alpine Ridge Trail for a short hike to a viewpoint of the mountains. It is an easy hike for beginners. Gem Lake trail is a moderate-level hike. It gives a wonderful view of the alpine lake. Ute Trail to Tombstone Ridge is an easy to moderate level hike. It is among the more popular hikes among hikers. 4. Bear Lake Another one that you can add in your “things to do in rocky mountains- list” is Bear lake. Bear lake is among the most popular shorter hike, but it's worth it. The hike is about 0.6 miles long, with a beautiful view of the lake surrounded by trees. A walk around the lake is just beautiful for your body and soul. 5. Alberta Falls There are beautiful falls all around the RMNP where you can have a relaxing afternoon and a quaint picnic. One such fall is the Alberta falls; with a beautiful scenic beauty amidst nature, you can really enjoy your time here. The hike to the falls is about 1.7 miles hike which is not too strenuous and quite easy. But I should point out that you have to walk uphill from the Glacier Gorge to reach the falls. 6. Moraine Park If you love the aesthetic of sitting on a blanket and having a beautiful picnic in the open, then Moraine Park is the best place for you. It is one of the best things to do in rocky mountains. Here, you can gaze upon the wonderful wildlife grazing in the valley, like Elks and deers. And most of the mountain trails start from the park here. 7. Holzwarth Historic Site In 1917, immigrants from Germany, John Holzworth, along with his family, built a cabin here. Gradually over the years, they built several cabins for guests. In 1974, their property was bought by The Nature Conservancy, and since then, it has become an integral part of the park. The site became a popular tourist spot for visitors to learn about the life of the Colorado homesteaders. 8. Go Mountaineering For years now, rock climbing and mountaineering have been popular adventure sports in the Rocky Mountain National Park. Numerous mountain peaks over the height of 12,000 ft have intrigued a lot of avid rock climbers from all around the world. Different types of climbing experiences, from vertical climbs, to multi-day and even easy climbs, are all available here. Even during the winter months, for experienced climbers, ice climbing is also an option.  Mountaineering is among the most popular things to do in Rocky Mountains. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Though most of the things to do in rocky mountains are listed above. To help you with further queries, here are some questions that people often ask. 1. How Many Days Do You Need To See Rocky Mountain National Park? Ideally, it would take about three days to travel and explore the whole of Rocky Mountain National Park. Within that time, you can visit all the attractions of the place. 2. Is It Worth Driving Through Rocky Mountain National Park? The ride through the Rocky Mountain National Park is beautiful and gives a wonderful view of the park. 3. How Scary Is Trail Ridge Road?  Since it is a mountain trail road, you can imagine the height of the road. So if you have a phobia of heights, then take caution in advance. However, the mountain road is less scary than most Colorado mountain roads. Wrapping Up! It is a reason why Rocky Mountain Nature Park is popular among tourists from all over the world. There are lots of things to do in rocky mountains that you can expereince. The beautiful valley road, with scenic parks and wildlife with lakes and waterfalls are really mesmerizing. Altogether these things are what make the mountain a highly popular attraction among tourists. Read Also : 10 Best Things to Do in Prague 10 Best Things to Do in Phoenix(Arizona) 10 Best Things to Do in Barcelona (Spain)

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Crime and Caution: Navigating the Dark Side of California’s Cities

BY  Abdul Aziz Dec 23, 2023

A tour of Los Angeles will include a walk through a large, palm tree-lined cemetery. Tributes to Hollywood's dark past can be found lurking among the city's soiled streets, well-kept lawns, and dusty canyons. These include long-abandoned mansions and the famous Hollywood sign. The City by the Bay, San Francisco, is a tourist haven. San Francisco attracts nearly 15 million tourists a year with attractions like Fisherman's Wharf, Alcatraz tours, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Haight Ashbury. But this new American city is not without its dark side. It has a history of kidnapping, fraud, terrorism, assassinations, and serial killings. Here is a short dissection of the most dangerous cities in California. We are also including a few of the most well-known crimes committed in various parts of the state. Most Dangerous Cities In California The list below comprises the incorporated municipalities of California with some of the highest crime rates. These cities have a population of 50,000 at best. Here are the most dangerous cities in California: Stockton San Bernardino Oakland Compton Richmond Lancaster Vallejo Modesto Victorville Huntington Park Criminal History Of California America is a land of dreams for the biggest chunk of the global population. California is a hub of technological and social zenith. No one expects it to hold out on dark secrets and scandals. According to the FBI, the most dangerous cities in California have a lot of twisted history. Here are some of them. The Assassinations of Harvey Milk and George Muscone, San Francisco City Hall The newly appointed class of city supervisors in 1978 was the most diverse in the history of San Francisco. Dan White, a staunch conservative and former police officer and firefighter, and Harvey Milk, the freshmen supervisor and gay activist, were the two men in this class. Even though Milk and White had different political and lifestyle philosophies, they developed a cordial working relationship. But this relationship quickly turned deadly and hostile. With ten extra bullets and a.38 caliber handgun, Dan White entered City Hall on November 27, 1978, intending to confront Mayor Muscone face-to-face. Muscone shot him after he once more rejected to be reinstated. When White realized how much Harvey Milk had contributed to the incident, he went to his office and brutally murdered Milk. On that day, Dan White admitted to the crimes. The strategy employed by White's defense team during the trial was nearly as well-known as the crimes done. The "Twinkie defense" contended that White's extreme sugar and carbohydrate intake before the crime caused his mental instability. The narrative concludes where it started: after receiving his sentence, White went back to San Francisco and committed suicide. The Kidnapping of Patty Hearst, Hibernia Bank The Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA) kidnapped 19-year-old Patty Hearst from her family's condo on February 4, 1974. Patty is the great-granddaughter of business tycoon George Hearst and the granddaughter of publishing mogul William Randolph Hearst. She and multiple other SLA members later pilfered a Hibernia Bank branch. Patty, brandishing an M-1 carbine, declared her membership in the SLA. A single innocent person lost their life, and the SLA fled with more than $10,000. Although Patty and her friends managed to get away, the FBI quickly found them. In 1976, Hearst went on trial. Attorneys for Patty contended that she developed Stockholm syndrome—a psychological reaction in which she started to feel sorry for her captors—out of fear for her life. Despite being found guilty, President Carter commuted her sentence in 1979. President Clinton fully pardoned Patty Hearst in 2001. 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The Asian gang task force of the San Francisco police department was established because of the massacre. The Imperial Palace is still operational and offers delicious dim sum. USS Hornet A moored aircraft carrier at the Alameda Naval Base is among the world's most haunted ships—not a pirate ship sailing the high seas. Commencing in 1943, the eighth USS Hornet engaged in numerous combat missions throughout the Pacific. Over 300 people died on board during her 27 years of active duty, many of them from suicide. Although the ship is not in operation at the moment, both the crew and guests have paranormal stories about things moving, doors opening on their own, toilets flushing, and even spectral sailors prowling the decks. The Zodiac Killer The San Francisco area was the scene of one of the most well-known unsolved crimes in history. This crime scene single-handedly made every corner of the state dangerous. About 40 miles northeast of the city, on Lake Herman Road in Benicia, California, the infamous killing spree started. David Faraday and Betty Lou Jensen, two high school students, were discovered dead next to their parked car on December 20, 1968. No witnesses were present. Darlene Ferrin and Michael Mageau were shot dead by an unidentified assailant in Vallejo, California, on July 4, 1969. Mageau lived, but Ferrin perished from her wounds. From a pay phone, the gunman called the police, boasting about his crime with pride. Three local newspapers received letters in their offices on August 1, 1969. The Zodiac Killer would become well-known for his trademark symbol, which was signed by all of the letters, which came from the same source, and all claimed to be the murderer. The murderer insisted on having his letters made public. That year on September 27, two more people came under attack. Zodiac moved his murderous rampage from Napa into the City of San Francisco on October 11, 1969. And Zodiac pulled over his taxi driver at the Presidio Heights intersection of Cherry and Washington Streets. Zodiac eluded capture by the police even inside the city. Zodiac persisted in his letter-writing campaign to the San Francisco media for almost ten years. There were many boasts and threats in each letter, but not all of them came to pass. He said he had killed seventeen people in one of his final letters. This killer's identity is still a mystery, and the crime is still unsolved. Wrapping Up The Hollywood sign, which once read Hollywoodland, is where aspiring starlet Peg Entwistle leaped to her death in 1932. (It's said that her ghost roams the trails in nearby Griffith Park.) Los Angeles feels somber, maybe because so many people come here with high hopes, and the city is hesitant to welcome every new face. 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