Hiking in the Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park packs more alpine lakes, glacier-carved valleys, and above-treeline trail into a day's reach of Estes Park than anywhere else in Colorado, which is why it also needs the most planning.
9 trail guides in the Rocky Mountain National Park
Emerald Lake Trail
A stunning alpine lake hike that passes Nymph Lake and Dream Lake before reaching the spectacular Emerald Lake. Perfect introduction to Rocky Mountain National Park's high country.
Chasm Lake
A challenging hike to a pristine alpine lake beneath the dramatic east face of Longs Peak. The lake sits in a spectacular cirque surrounded by towering granite walls.
Bear Lake Trail
An accessible paved loop around one of Rocky Mountain National Park's most popular lakes with stunning mountain reflections and wildlife viewing.
Lily Lake Trail
A flat, accessible boardwalk loop around a scenic lake with views of Longs Peak and the Continental Divide. Perfect for all abilities.
Sprague Lake Trail
A wheelchair-accessible trail to a pristine alpine lake with stunning reflections of the Continental Divide peaks and Hallett Peak.
Fern Lake Trail
A longer alternative to the crowded Bear Lake corridor. The trail follows the Big Thompson River through Moraine Park, passes The Pool and Fern Falls, and climbs to subalpine Fern Lake. Quieter than Emerald Lake even in peak season.
Cub Lake Trail
An easy hike through Moraine Park's meadows and aspen groves to Cub Lake, a small lily-pad-covered lake surrounded by pines. Wildflowers in July, fall colors mid-September, and one of the most beginner-friendly RMNP trails outside the Bear Lake area.
Bierstadt Lake Trail
Short but steep switchbacks climb to Bierstadt Lake, a quiet forested lake with classic reflection views of Longs Peak and the Continental Divide. The lake is busier in winter for snowshoers than in summer.
Mills Lake Trail
Starts at Glacier Gorge Trailhead and climbs past Alberta Falls into the dramatic Glacier Gorge to Mills Lake, with direct views up to the Keyboard of the Winds and Longs Peak. The trailhead is also the start for Loch Vale and Sky Pond on longer days.
Hiking the Rocky Mountain National Park: what to know
From late May through mid-October the park runs a timed-entry reservation system on top of the entrance fee. There are two permit types. The Bear Lake Road permit covers Bear Lake, Emerald Lake, Mills Lake, Sprague Lake, Bierstadt Lake, and the Fern and Cub Lake trailheads in Moraine Park, and it is required to enter that corridor from 5 AM to 6 PM, so there is no early-morning way around it. The permit for the rest of the park, including Lily Lake, Longs Peak, and Lumpy Ridge, is required only from 9 AM to 2 PM; enter before 9 or after 2 without one. In 2026 the Bear Lake Road permit runs May 22 through October 18 and the rest-of-park permit May 22 through October 12. Reservations release on Recreation.gov a month ahead, with a smaller batch the evening before.
Bear Lake parking fills early even with permits, so use the free shuttle from the Park and Ride on Bear Lake Road. The Longs Peak trailhead, which serves Chasm Lake and the Keyhole Route, is outside the corridor and fills overnight in summer because climbers start at 2 or 3 AM.
The easy loops around Bear Lake, Sprague Lake, and Lily Lake are flat, paved or packed, and good for anyone. Emerald Lake, Mills Lake, and Cub Lake are the moderate classics. Chasm Lake is a full day with an exposed final ledge. Everything starts above 8,000 feet, and the lakes sit near 10,000, so drink more than you think you need and turn around when clouds stack up over the Divide, usually by early afternoon in summer.
Dogs are not allowed on any park trail. Elk are everywhere in September and October during the rut; give them room. Trail Ridge Road closes to through traffic from mid-October until late May, and the Bear Lake trails turn into snowshoe routes for the winter. The Bear Lake trailhead guide and the best hikes in RMNP roundup cover the details.