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. Is it safe?. , Duration. Deer Mountain is nice because the views at the top, but we thought that the trail to get there was a little bit boring, at least compared to the other hikes we did in RMNP. 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. You can also access Bear Lake Road, but it requires an additional 10 minutes of driving. If you end at RMNP, you should not have any issues with altitude sickness, unless you hike Longs Peak on your first day here (but even that would be highly unlikely). Learn about each of them and find the entrance station that will best meet your needs. Reservations are made online on the recreation.gov website. The Inn on Fall River & Fall River Cabins. Cheers, Julie. The pilot Timed Entry Permit System will be extended through October 22, 2023. You will have to find your own way to the park from Estes Park because the shuttle only runs to the town. 1000 US Hwy 36, Estes Park, CO, 80517. Ascending only 700 feet over 3 miles, this is a great introduction to moderate hiking in the park. There are pull outs along the road for viewing but can get busy during the day so head . If time permits be adventurous and try a different entrance each day! For reference, my family will be traveling to all the Colorado national parks in late July for around two weeks. Just wrapped up my RMNP trip, ty so much for your help with the itinerary. Complete Rocky Mountain National Park Winter Guide. Summer (generally Memorial Day to Labor Day) is peak visitor season for good reason trails are snow-free, the park's wildlife is active, and the wildflowers are in full bloom. Look for that option at the intersection next to McDonald's on the east side of Estes Park. Most recently, in 2020, we spent one very busy week here, and learned a lot about this park. This road is gravel and is quite narrow. Required fields are marked *. Best Day Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Entrance tickets and fees. These shuttle buses connect Moraine Park and Bear Lake, with numerous stops in between. The Beaver Meadows Visitor Center is the best place to get information, books, maps and backcountry permits, as well as catch the park bus. This gave us enough time to hike at least one trail every day, with contingency time for bad weather. Rocky Mountain National Park Travel Guide - Earth Trekkers 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. The Perfect Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary Longs Peak is the biggest at 14,259 ft and can be seen from nearly anywhere. South Saint Vrain Ave/Hwy 7. The Continental Divide Trail to Mount Ida. This tough hike follows along the Continental Divide, starting at 10,800 feet and tops out at 12,899 feet on Mount Ida. You could plan your visit for the end of September and keep your fingers crossed that the weather cooperates. Crowds are still big in September, both to see fall colors and the elk mating season. The park is quieter and with the snow, it is a winter wonderland. In a normal year, Rocky Mountain National Park attracts well over 4 million visitors to its 415 square miles that are home to 147 lakes, dozens of different mammals (bear, moose and bighorn sheep among them), 355 miles of hiking trails and the Continental Divide. If the weather was clear yesterday, and you drove Trail Ridge Road, I recommend doing another hike this morning. Estes 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. Alberta Falls: 2 miles, easy, 1 to 1.5 hours. If you are coming from sea level, you will feel the effects of the altitude as soon as you do anything strenuous. To visit Rocky Mountain National Park from May 26 to October 22, 2023, you will need to reserve a permit in advance. Learn more on the national park service website. I think that puts the Mills Lake + Loch Vale hike somewhere around 7.6 miles total. Get updates on trail closures and park conditions on the National Park Service website. This entrance station has two booths and is generally one of the quieter entrances of the park; however, on busy days you may have a short wait. [The vibe of Estes Park is very wild west mountain-like] [We passed at least 4 Saltwater Taffy shops on our way up the main street] [The Historic Park Theater] Estes Park is definitely worth checking out if you go through the Beaver Meadows entrance like we did. Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary Ideas from 1 to 5 Days Get inspired with tips about where to go and what to see on your national park vacation, delivered right to your inbox. These two are the most popular entrances to the park. If you are an avid hiker, dont miss the Gunnison Route, a trail that takes you from the rim to the Gunnison River. Estes Park. Many of the taller peaks make up the Continental Divide, where snowmelt runs . Tucked in the folds of the Rocky Mountains and anchored by the stunning Grand Lake, this town is lined with locally owned shops, restaurants, bed and breakfasts and hotels. Rocky Mountain National Park, CO 80517. From here, hike the Alpine Ridge Trail. To see fall colors and the elk mating season, plan your visit from mid-September through mid-October. 800-715-HIKE (4453) (9-4:30 Every Day) Top Rated On . Is there anything you recommend to bring on the hikes? Rocky Mountain National Park fall guide: Best aspen, elk viewing and This road will lead you out of town and to the Beaver Meadows Entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. We spent a week there in July and had a thunderstorm in the afternoon about 50% of the time, starting between 1 and 4 pm. This itinerary is best from Memorial Day through mid-October, when Trail Ridge Road is open. There is even a three-bedroom house that can accommodate up to nine people. At this time, cross country skiing and snowshoeing are the main things to do in the park. Mills and Black Lake. Afternoon/Evening free to do whatever 5) Sat Morning: Prepare to drive back to the airport for afternoons flight. The Continental Divide runs through the park. There are sixty mountain peaks over 12,000 feet and many of these top out over 13,000 feet. That is correct. Rocky Mountain National Park Travel Guide - Parks & Trips If you are planning your Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary, this is a great place to start. Our website uses cookies. Rocky Mountain National Park - Annual Pass. Along the way explore over 300 miles of hiking trails and incredible wildlife viewing. 16 Best Things To Do in Rocky Mountain National Park From the hotel it's a 15-minute drive to Beaver Meadows Entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park, while downtown Estes Park is just a couple of miles away. The daily access to the Rocky Mountain National Park is US$ 30 per vehicle, US$ 15 per person, and US$ 25 per motorcycle. If you plan to hike Sky Pond, Mills Lake, or Black Lake later in this itinerary, you will pass Alberta Falls, so there is no need to hike to it today. The Aspire rooms are higher-end, modernly decorated rooms but many people state that they are overpriced for what you get. This includes the best hikes, the best experiences, how to get around, and where to stay. Fall River Visitor Center features life-sized displays of a wide variety of park wildlife. The best Time to do scenic driving and hiking is during the summer and fall seasons. Longs Peak and Timber Creek Campgrounds are easier to get reservations. You can visit Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) all year, but sections of the park close once the snow begins to fall. Rocky Mountain National Park (Estes Park) - All You Need to Know BEFORE On the return drive, hike the Ute Trail to Tombstone Ridge. 1000 US Hwy 36 We have info on this post on how to do this, so make sure you get your permit for each day that you plan to be in the park. Rocky Mountain National Park is a relatively large park, with a total area of 415 square miles. The job of the entrance station rangers is to welcome the visitors to the park, issue entrance passes, and answer visitor questions. Important Things to Know Before You Plan Your Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary, When to Visit Rocky Mountain National Park. Nymph, Dream, Emerald & Bear Lakes: 4.2 miles, easy to moderate, 3 hours. Stop at Alpine Visitor Center, the highest visitor center in the US national parks. 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. Serving the park at the entrance stations and visitor centers are a group of dedicated full time and seasonal rangers and volunteers. Difficulty: Challenging. Follow the Two Day Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary. On day two, as you are still acclimating to the altitude, I recommend one of these hikes: Deer Mountain. 10 Best Things to Do in Rocky Mountain National Park For now, the forecast does call for afternoon thunderstorms from what i can see on weather.com, It depends. Most of this hike is over 11,000 feet, in the alpine tundra, so its best to save this hike for when you are acclimated to the altitude. 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. Rocky Mountain National Park Entrance Stations Address. But even with a week here, there are still a lot of hikes left on our to-do list. This has been implemented to limit crowds at the busiest sections of the park during the peak visitation season (the summer months). . Have a great trip! If you wish detailed information to help enjoy your time in the park, stop by one of the park's visitor centers. Do you think this is doable? But one afternoon, they went until dinner, off and on. For more information about where to stay and where to eat, read our Guide to Estes Park. This is an essential hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. And if you hike fast, you should have no problem getting to all 3 lakes on Tuesday afternoon. What would be the best time to hike RMNP after labor day? 3.1 miles (5 km). The road is well-graded and suitable for standard cars. Colorado Springs is a great weekend trip from Denver if you are looking to explore a smaller city within an hour or two of Denver. This is one of the highest national parks in the USA. Acadia National Park; Montana / Wyoming. Eleven miles of this road is in the alpine tundra, which is over 11,000 feet. You will reach Loch Vale before the final climb to Sky Pond. In the winter months, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing top the list. 7.6 Good 275 reviews. Cheers, Julie. Lily Lake. This entrance station has two booths and is generally one of the quieter entrances of the park; however, on busy days you may have a short wait. Rocky Mountain National Park began addressing crowding . There are two ticket types: Park Access + and Park Access. You have included all of our favorite hikes in RMNP so I think your list looks good! 15 Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Grand Lake sits to the southwest of RMNP and it is another place you can consider staying, but it will be a longer drive to most sites in the park. On the west side of the park, located approximately two miles north of Grand Lake, is the Grand Lake Entrance Station. , Tombstone Ridge | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. It is only staffed in the busy season and during the busiest hours of the day the line can get long. Site by, Learn about the different park pass options available, Temporary Closures In Lumpy Ridge And Loch Vale Areas Begin February 15 to Protect Nesting Raptors, Winter Adventures in Rocky Mountain National Park, RMNP continues pilot timed entry permit reservations from May 26 through Oct 22, Winter Pile Burning Operations On Both Sides Of Park. Trail Ridge Road - You can see forever! Driving distance from Denver: 1-2 hours. This is another one of our favorite hikes. There is also a shuttle bus that runs from Denver International Airport straight to Estes Park. You will need a Bear Lake Road Corridor + Full Park Access Timed Entry Ticket (Park Access +)for this day. This is the hotel that inspired Stephen King to write The Shining. The park is much less crowded at this time, but Trail Ridge Road is not open and many, if not all, of the hiking trails can be snow covered. 700 feet (213 m) elevation gain. Show more. We have visited Rocky Mountain National Park several times in the past. In fact, it is such a popular place to visit that you now need a timed entry permit to enter. Trailhead Location. At this elevation, its not enough to cause altitude sickness, but you will tire and get out of breath easily. Rocky Mountain National Park (Photo by Buddy Smith/The Points Guy) Rocky Mountain National Park basics. How to Make the Most of One Day in Rocky Mountain National Park One Perfect Day in Rocky Mountain National Park - Earth Trekkers Thunderstorms dont happen every single day, but it is something that you need to plan for. About this Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary, Ideally, plan on spending at least three days in Rocky Mountain National Park. 10 Rocky Mountain National Park Attractions You Can't-Miss - MSN Loch Lake. How long does it take to drive Trail Ridge Road? 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).