Bear Lake Trail

Bear Lake is the lake at the end of Bear Lake Road and the hub of Rocky Mountain National Park's most popular trailhead, and the loop around it is the park's easiest walk: 0.8 mile, mostly flat, half of it paved, with Hallett Peak and Longs Peak reflected in the water. It is the trail for anyone who wants to be at 9,500 feet for an hour without climbing.

From the trailhead, the loop circles the lake in either direction. The east side is paved and level and suits wheelchairs and strollers; the west side is packed gravel with a few rock steps and short rises. Numbered posts around the loop match a nature guide sold at the trailhead kiosk. The view of Hallett Peak across the water is from the east shore, and Longs Peak shows from the north side.

The Emerald Lake, Flattop Mountain, and Bierstadt Lake trails all leave from the loop, so it is also where every longer hike in the corridor begins. The lake itself is closed to swimming and wading.

Bear Lake trailhead is at the end of Bear Lake Road, 9.2 miles from Trail Ridge Road near the Beaver Meadows entrance. From late May through mid-October a Timed Entry plus Bear Lake Road reservation is required to enter the corridor between 5 AM and 6 PM, in addition to the park entrance fee, both from Recreation.gov. The lot is often full by 9 AM year-round and earlier in summer; the free shuttle from the Park and Ride on Bear Lake Road runs every 10 to 15 minutes and is the reliable way in. Toilets and a ranger kiosk at the trailhead.

No dogs anywhere on park trails. The east side is the most accessible trail on this site: paved, level, and fine for wheelchairs and strollers. The lake sits at 9,475 feet; walk slowly if you have just driven up from Denver. Chipmunks and Steller's jays work the shoreline for handouts and should not get any. Emerald Lake is the natural next step, 1.8 miles farther, and the Bear Lake trailhead guide explains the shuttle and the permits.