Sprague Lake Trail

Sprague Lake is the small lake on Bear Lake Road with the wide, level path around it, 0.7 mile of packed gravel and boardwalk with the Continental Divide, Hallett Peak, and Flattop Mountain reflected in the water on a still morning. It is fully wheelchair accessible, has the park's only accessible backcountry campsite, and is the easiest place in Rocky Mountain National Park to see the big peaks from the water.

From the lot, the loop circles the lake on a packed surface with benches and fishing platforms, no grade to speak of, and the peaks in view from the east and south shores. The best reflection is from the east side in the first hour after sunrise before the wind picks up. The loop takes 20 minutes to walk and an hour to sit through.

The Sprague Lake trailhead also serves the trail to Bierstadt Lake and the Glacier Basin campground connector for anyone wanting more; most people do the loop and move on to Bear Lake.

Sprague Lake is on Bear Lake Road, 5.5 miles from the Beaver Meadows entrance, with a paved lot and a shuttle stop. The lot fills by mid-morning in summer; the shuttle from the Park and Ride runs every 10 to 15 minutes. The Bear Lake corridor timed-entry permit and the park entrance fee apply. Toilets and picnic tables at the lot.

No dogs anywhere on park trails. The loop is the most accessible trail in the park: packed, level, and built for wheelchairs and strollers, with an accessible fishing platform. The lake is fished for trout with a Colorado license. The lake sits at 8,710 feet. Estes Park is 15 minutes away. Bear Lake and Emerald Lake are 3 miles farther up the road, and the Bear Lake trailhead guide covers the shuttle.