If driving Trail Ridge Road or Old Fall River Road is on the top of your list and you have limited time, you may want to enter the park via the Fall River Entrance on the parks east side. 10 Rocky Mountain National Park Attractions You Can't-Miss - MSN Rocky Mountain National Park made our list of the best national parks for kids. . While here you can enjoy quiet walks, exhilarating hikes, gorgeous sunrises and . Clicking on the photos on this page will open up a larger version. 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. View from Mount Ida | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. This road opened in 1920 at it was the first road that led into Rocky Mountain National Park. Chasm Lake | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. Things to Do in Rocky Mountain National Park - Tripadvisor Or visit recreation.gov to make your reservation. You can get to the Fall River Entrance by driving 5-10 minutes on US 34 west from Estes Park. If you are visiting between late May and mid-October during peak hours, then you will also need to show your timed entry permit to gain entry. The closest town near Rocky Mountain National Park is Estes Park, less than 5 miles from the Beaver Meadows entrance.Many popular trails are easily accessible from here, as well at the national park's Beaver Meadows Visitor Center, Fall River Visitor Center, and Moraine Park Discovery Center. Known as a "scenic wonder road of the world," it traverses 48 miles between Estes Park on the park's east side and Grand Lake on the west, taking in several not-to-be-missed sights. Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most popular natural parks featuring 76 mountains each over 10 thousand feet high. 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. Ascending only 700 feet over 3 miles, this is a great introduction to moderate hiking in the park. When is the best time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park? Take the shuttle to avoid parking hassles. You could plan your visit for the end of September and keep your fingers crossed that the weather cooperates. Estes Park to the Alpine Visitor Centre distance. Turn around and look for the trailhead on your left. 10 Best Weekend Trips From Denver - Bearfoot Theory The only first-come, first-served Rocky Mountain National Park campgrounds in the park, Longs Peak Campground, has 26 sites and charges $26 per night. Learn more on the official National Park Service website. Black Lake and Mills Lake are often labeled as two of the prettiest lakes in Rocky Mountain National Park. There are pull outs along the road for viewing but can get busy during the day so head . You'll need to be prepared to pull over regularly to let cars pass that are coming the other way. The best entrance for Rocky Mountain National Park is Beaver Meadows Entrance or Fall River Entrance. If you like scenic drives and going off-the-beaten-path, youll love this drive. 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. I climbed 3 different volcanoes in 3days and it was lovely. Rocky Mountain National Park Entrance Stations more, Rocky Mountain National Park Destination Experts. Rocky Mountain National Park is a beautiful place so we hope you have a wonderful time here. If the skies are clear, the weather forecast is favorable, and Longs Peak is on your bucket list, go for it today. On day two, as you are still acclimating to the altitude, I recommend one of these hikes: Deer Mountain. 31 Top Things to Do in Colorado - US News & World Report Pssst. When to Visit. 11 miles of this road is located in the alpine tundra, which is above the treeline. The longer and harder the hike, the earlier you will have to start. Have fun in RMNP! At an elevation of over 14,000 feet, guests will be in awe of the breathtaking craggy peaks and lush valleys. Even for Old Fall River Road, a 44 or SUV is not necessary, as long as road conditions are good, and you can get updated info on this either on the NPS visitor center or at one of the visitor centers. On the way you'll pass the Kawuneeche Visitor Center on your right. Rocky Mountain National Park is home to 2 fantastic scenic drive opportunities. Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary - Colorado.com Hi Julie! The Continental Divide Trail to Mount Ida. or are there better/rewarding hikes that i can sub in instead of the above listed ones? When does Trail Ridge Road close in the fall? Pre-hike fuel: Near the main junction in Estes, hit up Notchtop . South Saint Vrain Ave/Hwy 7. Timed Entry Permit System - Rocky Mountain National Park (U.S. National Timed entry permits (separate from an entrance fee) are no longer required. Is there any need for an SUV or non-standard vehicle to access any of the trailheads for your recommended hikes? The best Time to do scenic driving and hiking is during the summer and fall seasons. 10. Funds from RMNP passes insure the preservation of the Lily Lake area and help to maintain the parking lot, vault. However, this property gets rave reviews. It is the east side (Estes Park side) of RMNP that has . Grand Lake's bustling little downtown with its charming historic boardwalk is right outside of Rocky Mountain National Park's West Entrance. Whats the Best Season to Visit Rocky Mountain National Park. The Alberta Falls Trail, like many other hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, follows a creek (in this case, Glacier Creek). How long does it take to drive Trail Ridge Road? Length: 5.2 miles round-trip. Rocky Mountain National Park began addressing crowding . Look for that option at the intersection next to McDonald's on the east side of Estes Park. Along the way explore over 300 miles of hiking trails and incredible wildlife viewing. Black Lake looks similar to Chasm Lake, as both of these alpine lakes are surrounded by jagged mountain peaks. There is even a three-bedroom house that can accommodate up to nine people. Park Details. Cheers, Julie. Hiking poles can help you keep your balance in the snow. When the parking areas in Wild Basin are full, usually by 9am in the summer, vehicles will be turned away. During the summer months, afternoon thunderstorms are very common. If you are coming from a lower elevation and plan to hike to these taller peaks, you will need to spend a few days in the park, acclimating to the higher elevation, before you tackle these hikes. I am travelling solo. Also, if Longs Peak is on your list, watch the weather report for your visit. You can stay in a cozy cabin with a river view or a well-decorated suite. If you choose to skip Sky Pond, you can combine Loch Vale and Mills Lake into one hike. They said if you skip bear corridor, timed entry is only needed between 9a-3p. Typically this road12,183 feet at it's highest point, remains closed from late-October to late-May. Drive one of the highest roads in the USA, spot wildlife, walk the easier trails around scenic lakes and waterfalls, and be amazed at the beauty here. Between the end of May through early October, you must reserve a permit to visit the park. 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. Autumn ushers in cooler days, smaller crowds, golden aspen and elk bugling. Difficulty: Challenging. This is a hike that we did on our first trip to Rocky Mountain National Park a few years ago, and we retraced our steps on our latest trip en route to Sky Pond (more on that in a second). Rocky Mountain National Park is the most visited recreation area in the state, headquartered in Estes Park. On the other side of this entrance station you enter the meadows of the Kawuneeche Valley. Nymph, Dream, Emerald, Haiyaha and Bear Lake: 6.2 miles, moderate, 4 to 5 hours. Park Fee: $25 per vehicle, valid for 1 day. Address. You will reach Loch Vale before the final climb to Sky Pond. this is a great place to stay when you visit Rocky Mountain National Park. Rocky Mountain National Park: Glacier Gorge Snowshoe Hike Longs Peak is the biggest at 14,259 ft and can be seen from nearly anywhere. Get updates on trail closures and park conditions on the National Park Service website. It is only staffed in the busy season and during the busiest hours of the day the line can get long. Arrived at the park entrance before 5am which allowed us access to Bear Lake Road before the timed entry kicked in. , Thanks ! Thunderstorms dont happen every single day, but it is something that you need to plan for. 15 great hikes to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. Yes, August is a great month to hike in RMNP. (970) 586-1206. The Inn on Fall River & Fall River Cabins. or maybe 4? Acadia National Park; Montana / Wyoming. Full-Day Rocky Mountain National Park "Over The Top Tour" - RMNPhotographer. This hike passes Cub Lake, Fern Falls, Fern Lake, Odessa Lake and Lake Helene. Order our free stunning National Park Trip Planner for Colorado filled with an inspiring itinerary, gorgeous photographs and everything you need to plan your dream vacation. You can either hike to Fern Lakes and Odessa Lake as a point-to-point hike, starting at Bear Lake and ending at Moraine Park (or vice versa). 700 feet (213 m) elevation gain. In fact, it is such a popular place to visit that you now need a timed entry permit to enter. On the way you'll pass the Kawuneeche Visitor Center on your right. 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. If you are an avid hiker, you are probably ready to hike some of the longer, tougher, more thrilling hikes in the park. During the busy summer months, a free shuttle service is provided by the national park service. The Finch Lake trail is a great choice for those who prefer solitude as it's one of the lesser traveled trails in the Wild Basin region of RMNP. Youll be glad you did. The Loch. Be aware that you'll need to make a left turn at the stoplights onto Moraine Avenue. In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. 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. The west side (Grand Lake side) is more about the Kawuneeche Valley and the Colorado River. Phone. Park Access: This permit gives you access to everything in Rocky Mountain National Park except for Bear Lake Road. Here are you options: The private vehicle entrance fee, good for 1 day, is $25. Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuous paved road in the United States. We spent seven days in RMNP and every day we did at least one hike. This hike adds on Lake Haiyaha, another very pretty alpine lake. They can linger into September, when fall colors continue to attract visitors and hikers. 17 Best Things to Do in Rocky Mountain National Park (2023) High in the center of the park, the Alpine Visitor Center offers displays about the most noted area of the park, the land above the trees. On the west side of the park, located approximately two miles north of Grand Lake, is the Grand Lake Entrance Station. Thanks so much ! Ive lived down the hill and explored RMNP a lot for 44 years. This is a must-do in Rocky Mountain National Park. What would be the best time to hike RMNP after labor day? Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. I am so glad you had great weather and a great trip! Republishing this articleand/orany of its contents (text, photography, etc. 6 Things to Do on the East Edge of Rocky Mountain National Park