Best Hikes Near Estes Park, Colorado
Estes Park is the eastern gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, the most-visited national park in Colorado.
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.
Crosier Mountain Trail
Steep climb to a forested summit between Estes Park and the plains. The summit has views back to Longs Peak and the Mummy Range. Quiet alternative to RMNP destinations.
Andrews Glacier Trail
From Glacier Gorge Trailhead, climbs past Loch Vale and up into Andrews Tarn beneath Andrews Glacier — one of the few true glaciers remaining in RMNP. The final stretch is on talus and snow even in midsummer.
Hiking in Estes Park: what to know
Almost every notable Estes Park hike is inside Rocky Mountain National Park. The Bear Lake corridor (Emerald Lake, Bear Lake, Dream Lake, Nymph Lake) is the headline destination and the most crowded. Glacier Gorge Trailhead (Mills Lake, Loch Vale, Sky Pond) is the second most popular. Fern Lake and Cub Lake Trailheads in Moraine Park are the less-crowded RMNP options.
The park now requires timed-entry reservations from late May through mid-October ($2 per vehicle, booked via recreation.gov). Day-of permits are sometimes available but plan 1-2 weeks ahead for weekends. The Bear Lake corridor specifically requires an additional Bear Lake permit if entering between 5 AM and 6 PM.
Bear Lake Trailhead is the start for Emerald Lake (3.2 miles round trip, easy), Dream Lake (2.0 miles, easy), Lake Haiyaha (4.4 miles, moderate), and many longer routes. Park at Bear Lake or take the free Hiker Shuttle from the Park & Ride lot during peak season.
For longer days, Sky Pond from Glacier Gorge Trailhead (8.5 miles round trip, 1,700 feet of gain) is one of the best hikes in RMNP. The route passes Alberta Falls, climbs to The Loch, scrambles up Timberline Falls, and tops out at Sky Pond beneath the Sharkstooth.
Longs Peak (the only 14er in RMNP) is a serious objective. The 15-mile, 5,100-foot Keyhole Route involves class 3 scrambling and significant exposure. Read our Longs Peak detail page before committing.
Trail Ridge Road (the highest paved through-road in North America) accesses the alpine tundra ecosystem with the Alpine Ridge Trail and other short alpine hikes. The road is closed late October through May.
Winter in RMNP shifts the hiking calendar: Bear Lake stays accessible (snowshoeing or microspikes), most other trails are snow-covered, and Trail Ridge closes.
14ers Near Estes Park
One Colorado 14er has its trailhead near Estes Park.
Browse all 58 Colorado 14ers →