Horses and other stock are not permitted in auto campgrounds and picnic areas. Aspenglen, Moraine Park, and Glacier Basin are the most popular campgrounds and these get reserved well in advance. The views from the overlooks are stunning. You might tempted to lunch near iconic spots like Old Faithful or Canyon Village, but we recommend skipping the crowds and toting your sandwiches to the Gardner River, just three miles south of the parks north entrance. Drive to the top and your car will be higher than any other automobile on the continent. Step inside, and youll find murals by the Hopi artist Frank Kabotie. Day 2 - Start with a scenic drive from Boulder to Rocky Mountain National Park (60-90 minute drive), visit Trail Ridge Road and end with a hike on the Wild Basin trail (1-6 mile options) with plenty of chances to see wildlife. Photo Credit: Kimon Berlin (Flickr) However, there are plenty of pull-offs to allow vehicles to pass. In total, they cover about 14.5 million acres of open space. Park Access: This permit gives you access to everything in Rocky Mountain National Park except for Bear Lake Road. However, this property gets rave reviews. Black Canyon Campground. Hit the trails on horseback. NEXT: These 10 National Parks In Kenya Will Have You Book a Flight. There are lots of convenient picnic areas in the Park, along the north fork of the Big Thompson River, on the shore of Lake Estes, along the stretch of US 34 that follows the Big Thompson River, and in town along the RiverWalk. If you want low crowds and dont mind cold temperatures and snow, plan your visit from November through May. Tucked away on an especially scenic section of Fall River, the RMNP Fall River entrance is just 3 miles up the road. Snow can linger on the higher trails all of the way into July, depending on snowfall levels for that year. It is located in Northern Colorado and is about an hour outside of Denver. 9.5 miles, strenuous. When spring finally rolls around, Denverites flock to this urban oasis known as "Capitol Hill's backyard.". Hotel rooms are not permitted within Rocky Mountain National Park. Whether you're returning from an arduous hike or tugging the kids out of the car to refuel, having tables, water spigots, and bathrooms nearby can be crucial for a successful picnic. Chasm Lake. For spectacular high mountain scenery, Trail Ridge Road is hard to beat. This gave us enough time to hike at least one trail every day, with contingency time for bad weather. The drive over Trail Ridge Road alone is worthy of any mountain-lover's bucket list. Longs Peak, at 14,259 feet, is the only fourteener in the park, but for serious hikers, getting to the top of this behemoth is one of the best things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. Visitor Centers Yellowstone boasts a whopping 52 picnic areas. This hike is located next to the Alpine Visitor Center. When looking for picture-perfect lodging near in Estes Park near Rocky Mountain National Park, consider a stay at Rocky Mountain Resorts. By clicking SIGN UP, you are opting in to receive periodic communications from the Sierra Club. Located in the Never Summer Wilderness, Parika Lake offers an unusual view of Longs Peak some 20 miles away. These breathtaking forests surround Rocky Mountain National Park and offer visitors a lot to see and do. The loop walk around Bear Lake itself, less than a mile long, provides great views of jagged Hallett Peak and distant Longs Peak. Head out on a day hike and experience the wilderness of Rocky Mountain National Park. Surrounded by forest and crowned by a distant yet imposing granite wall, Lake Verna's jewel-like surface isan unparalleled scenic reward after a challenging hike. The entire hike is less than a mile in length, making it great for all ages and ability levels. Backpack into the heart of the park and sleep under the stars. The absolute best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. The 3.3-mile loop begins as a wide dirt road before headinginto the forest to become a relatively easy hiking trail running along the Tonahutu Creek and through towering aspens. Expect congestion on roads, in parking areas, and along popular trails. If you have no experience snowshoeing, consider joining a free ranger-led program. This very highly rated property offers two-bedroom apartments that can accommodate up to six people. It's closed from October through May to through traffic over the pass due to snow. If you're an early riser, this is a charming photo op at sunrise, when the first rays of dawn light up the east-facing mountains. CO 3.4 miles, moderate. In fact, the western side of the park in Grand County is noticeably quieter than the more frequently visited eastern side. Rocky Mountain National Park officially became a national park on January 26, 1915. 80517. Visitors to the park can tour the property to learn more about the life of Colorado homesteaders. Rocky is a peak baggers' heaven with more than 60 mountains topping out at over 12,000 feet. The Smokies is home to many waterfalls, but sometimes trekking to a waterfall can be crowded. Picnics - Sprague Lake, Hallowell Park, Fern Lake Trail Ridge Road This road passes east to west over the top of the range at 12,000 feet above sea level. Can We Address the Climate Crisis by Degrowing? Camping Fee - $30 per night (Up to 8 people); $40 per night (9 - 15 people); $50 (16 - 25 people); $60 (26-40 people) Located 8,500 feet above sea level, the Glacier Basin Campground makes full use of its elevation to entertain you with dazzling, eye-catching views. during your visit. The Continental Divide runs north south through the park. For 48 miles, this road runs from Estes Park in the east to Grand Lake in the west. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. * The use of disposable or portable charcoal grills, wood fuel camp stoves, and gas grills is allowed for food preparation as adjuncts to fire grates provided by the park in auto campgrounds and picnic areas. This has been implemented to limit crowds at the busiest sections of the park during the peak visitation season (the summer months). Not only will you have amazing views of the Rocky Mountains, there is a good chance that you will get to see elk along the way. 2. Between the end of May through early October, you must reserve a permit to visit the park. Visitors can engage in scenic driving and discover the stunning sightings around these two forests. It is located on Estes Park's southwest side, South of Bear Lake. Access: Drive-in 1.7 miles to trailhead and park. Elevation: 7,935'. Created by Roadtrippers - March 28th 2016. By signing up, you are opting in to receive periodic communications from the Sierra Club. Picnic areas speckle the national park and vary widely in types and sizes. For an unforgettable adventure of a lifetime, these attractions in Rocky Mountain National Park are worth exploring. The Watchtower is located in Desert View, 25 miles east of Grand Canyon Village, and includes a picnic area, snack stand, visitor center, bookstore, and campground. Learn more on the National Park Service website. Be sure to check which visitor centers are open during your stay. This gives you enough time to drive Alpine Ridge Road, Old Fall River Road, and hike a few of the trails. Using the Lumpy Ridge Trailhead, take the 3.5-mile round-trip hike to Gem Lake, where the lake is formed by trapped snowmelt and rainwater that has collected in a basin that is surrounded by the large granite cliff walls that give this destination its distinctive look. On the eastern shore of Grand Lake lies the ever-popular trail toAdams Falls. Horses and other stock are not permitted in auto campgrounds and picnic areas. The Kawuneeche Valley is also the best place to look for moose in the park. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Earth Trekkers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by advertising & linking to Amazon.com. The 14-mile Mount Evans Scenic Byway leads to the 14,264-foot high summit of Mount Evans. Covering about 5.3-kilometer length, Glacier Gorge Trail takes approximately one and a half hours to complete. From nice and mellow to pure To help you plan a family-friendly winter vacation with confidence,here's a quick guide to the best family-friendly winter activities in our grand corner of For all the reasons to take a skiing or snowboarding lesson, there always seems to be twice as many reasons or rather, excuses 2022 Grand County Colorado Tourism Board. Receive small business resources and advice about entrepreneurial info, home based business, business franchises and startup opportunities for entrepreneurs. Elk on Trail Ridge Road | Best Things to Do in Rocky Mountain National Park, Alpine Ridge Visitor Center and Trail Ridge Road | Best Things to Do in Rocky Mountain National Park. The path and picnic area are wheelchair-accessible, as is the nearby backcountry campground. Approximately one-third of Rocky Mountain National Park is alpine tundra. Lake of Glass (on the hiking trail to Sky Pond) | Best Things to Do in Rocky Mountain National Park. Chimney Tops A great place for the whole family to enjoy a picnic is at the Chimney Tops picnic area. Here, open meadows and stands of willow along North Inlet Creek offer great habitat for moose, elk, deer and several species of wildflowers. Scenic Drives Nymph, Dream & Emerald Lakes. PRO TRAVEL TIP: Because of the parks high altitude, you will need to take a few days to acclimate to the altitude, if you come from a lower elevation. The area offers six fire grates, vault toilets and allows the use of portable grills. Sierra Club 2023.The Sierra Club Seal is a registered copyright, service mark, and trademark of the Sierra Club. Distance: 9.4 miles Elevation Gain: 1,683 feet Difficulty: moderate Estimated Time: 4.75 hours Ouzel Lake boasts scenic alpine views and makes for an unforgettable picnic spot. 4. In this post, learn about the best things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park with tips on how to have the best experience. Twin Sisters. Sign up for email updates on nature, environmental politics, living well, and doing good. Where can you find easy access to 600 miles of mountain biking trails just 90 minutes from Denver? We spent one wonderful week in Rocky Mountain National Park in July. The peak was named in honor of Stephen Harriman Long, an explorer, and features one Mills Glacier, the one surviving glacier situated just above Lake Chasm at the Eastern Faces base. Explore the lakes. This area also offers 30 fire grates, allows portable grills and has vault toilets. Park Hours: Park entrances are open 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. Elk, moose, black bear and even bobcats call this quiet valley home (the first two are frequently spotted, the latter two make their presence known with tracks on the trail). There's over 300 miles of them, dotted with wildflowers and offering thrilling alpine scenery. If you plan to do a lot of hiking and drive Trail Ridge Road, plan on visiting Rocky Mountain National Park between Memorial Day and mid-October. Work up an appetite by strolling the half-mile loop around the 13-acre lake, which offers stunning views of several mountains in the Continental Divide, including Hallett Peak. Sprague Lake(27 tables) - located along Bear Lake Road. 4 miles, easy to moderate. is hard to beat. 5 miles one way, roughly 2,500 feet in elevation gain. From a picnic table atBeaver Meadows Visitor Centerto large-scale, outdoor cafeteria-like settings, you can find just the right atmosphere and convenience you seek. Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. Of all the waterfalls found in Rocky Mountain National Park, Alberta Falls is the most accessible and famous one. Arch Rock Campground. #1 in Rocky Mountain National Park Address: Highway 34 Free, Sightseeing TYPE 2 hours to Half Day TIME TO SPEND Horace Albright, director of the National Park Service between 1929 and 1933,. The Aspire rooms are higher-end, modernly decorated rooms but many people state that they are overpriced for what you get. You do not need a 44, standard vehicles will do fine on this road. Access: Easy hiking. As one of the most popular hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, the Alberta Falls Trail is a must on any itinerary. West-side picnic areas also are available at the Colorado River, the Beaver Ponds, Coyote Valley and additional locations. A post shared by Great Smoky Mountains NP (@greatsmokynps) on Sep 20, 2016 at 4:16pm PDT, Cades Cove, Great Smoky Mountain National Park. It is a must-go destination if one is exploring Rocky Mountain, National Park. Here is a map of the best things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. Located inside Rocky Mountain National Park, Nymph Lake is a beautiful water body surrounded by stunning mountain views. The leading independent voice for aviation news and insight. Hit the trails on horseback. The Timber Creek Overlook Trail is just a half-mile long, and gains only 100 feet of elevation, but it offers expansive views of the formations, particularly of Shuntavi Butte, pictured here. The Desert Watchtower rests on the south rim of the Grand Canyon, at an elevation of 7,500 feet. This area is steeped in history of some of the Smokies' original inhabitants and was even the site of a CCC camp. The strenuous part of the Rocky Mountain National Park safari starts here. Its 10 miles long and tops out at almost 13,000 feet, so its a tough hike, but the views are incredible. Meander to Zions less crowded northern end to discover Koloba network of burnt orange, 2,000-foot box canyons. With so many incredible locations I'll go over the best places to elope in Rocky Mountain National Park and go over some logistics and tips! Access in the winter is by foot only. Be sure to check which visitor centers are open during your stay. West Side of Yellowstone: Gibbon Meadows, Gibbon Falls area. Important: Trail Ridge Road is typically open from Memorial Day through mid-October. If you want to stay in the park, you will be limited to campgrounds. The entire hike is 0.6 miles long, making it great for all ages and ability levels. COLORADO ITINERARY: With 10 days in Colorado, road trip to all four national parks (Rocky Mountain, Great Sand Dunes, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, and Mesa Verde), linking them together with some very scenic drives. With its network of hiking trails, Rocky Mountain National Park is a great summer and fall destination. You can stay in a cozy cabin with a river view or a well-decorated suite. 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