Hiking is the most popular activity in the park, so we’ve compiled a list of the best hikes throughout Rocky Mountain National Park to help you plan your daily adventures. 0.3 miles. Difficulty. Be sure to check out the hike to Bear Lake and the hike to the Loch for peak fall colors. The 10 Best Hiking Trails Near Estes Park, Colorado . Glacier Creek thunders down this spectacular waterfall that ranks as one of the park's more popular hiking destinations. In fact, hikers will enjoy outstanding panoramic views along much of the route. As with most of the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, it is suggested you arrive early (before 8am) to guarantee a parking spot. More filters (1) Clear filters. Take the free Park Shuttle Bus to avoid parking hassles. Olive Ridge . Allenspark, Colorado. The Ouzel Falls Trail begins in the Wild Basin area, not far from Estes Park. Best fall color viewing closer to Fort Collins Poudre Canyon. Estes Park Koa. Best Easy Hikes. Hike to Alberta Falls. Find the right trail for any skill level. Here are five easy hikes to get you started, plus a walk in town. Best waterfall trails in Estes Park, Colorado . If you need more insider information about what to do in Estes Park and RMNP, ... Alberta Falls – The hike to Alberta Falls is still easy, but it’s 1.6 miles round trip. Experience them for yourself on the top fall hiking trails below. Mt. he trail follows the bank of the Colorado River with views of the Never Summer Mountains. The Best Fall Hikes in the Smokies: Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the best places in the country for viewing fall colors. Although the terrain becomes fairly rugged on the final leg to the summit, you'll have very little exposure to steep drop-offs. From leisurely escapes with scenic fall foliage drives and heart-warming comfort foods, to active autumn trips full of climbing new routes and summiting golden peaks. The best Rocky Mountain National Park day hikes to do from Estes Park are: 1. Where to Stay in Estes Park . The first few miles of trail pass under a thick aspen forest blazing with color. 300. Summit Hikes. Length. The views from the summit are simply epic. Favorite Family Trails. Gain 0 ft. Kawuneeche, the Arapaho word for coyote, was the name given to this gentle valley of the Upper Colorado River. From short, easy strolls around lakes, to ridgeline trails with panoramic views, to challenging but epic climbs to the tallest mountain peaks, there truly … Crowds here tend to also be thinner since the trailhead is located outside of Park bounds. Estes Park is one of the best vacation destinations in Colorado because it is the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park. The best winter hikes are easy to get to and protected from the wind, which can make the chilly air miserable. Peak-to-Peak Scenic and Historic Byway. It ends at The Loch, … "You can hike to Alberta Falls and Bear Lake from ... "The topography of the Tundra vegetation and rock formations also gives the hike a different feel than the other hikes we took while in Estes Park" "Left one car at Milner Pass and the other at the Alpine Center for shuttling at the end.The hike offered stunning alpine vistas along with a variety of wildlife, especially elk." The pathway on this hike isn’t as wide, flat, or smooth as you’ll see on the paths around the lakes. Tundra Hikes . By Region of the Park. You don’t have to hike to see fall colors in Rocky Mountain National Park. An incredible destination unto itself with its cozy vacation rentals and stellar views, Estes Park's proximity to one of the most visited parks in the country propels its status to the top. You can make it an amazing hike in 3-4 miles or as many as 10-12. Gain 79 ft. Adams Falls. Take a stroll around the lake, and gaze upon the beauty of Glacier Gorge. One of the best places to see this colorful connection between the seasons is right here in Estes Park. Fall time in Estes Park. 11 Easy Estes Park Hikes for the Whole Family. Alberta Falls. Multi-day Hikes. 1 miles. Rated 4.0 /5 based on 8 customer reviews ... Estes Park, Colorado. Loop Hikes. Elev. If you’re looking for a getaway, book a day at the spa and relax. The best hikes are also not too long (three hours max). Fortunately, there are hikes for all ages and ability levels. Rating. Wheelchair Accessible Hikes. Take a scenic drive and enjoy the best of fall from your car. Cascade Falls. Beginning at the East Inlet Trailhead by Grand Lake, hike only about a third of a mile to reach these thundering falls. Fern Lake and Cub Lake trails combine the best of fall – golden aspen and bugling elk in the meadows. Posted by Client Care on Friday, August 23rd, 2013 at 1:28pm ... Bear Lake - Estes Park, Colorado - You can access the wonderful trailheads of Bear Lake through the Rocky Mountain National Park entrance in Estes Park, which will cost $20 per vehicle. Estes Park is just ninety minutes from Denver via car. It’s a place of stunning scenic beauty that is good for the soul. Colorado's Best Fall Getaways Happen in Estes Park. Park in the picnic area parking lot and the hike to falls from here is 1.4 miles. Explore the most popular waterfall trails near Estes Park with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. I recommend the Best Western Plus Silver Saddle Inn along the main road in town. View Longs Peak, Half Mountain, and Hallet Peak looming over the undulating terrain. Estes Park is a northern Colorado town that serves as a base camp for Rocky Mountains National Park. Trail Ridge Road in Autumn. The elevation gain on this hike is 200 feet, so you will really feel like you are hiking in the mountains. The hotel comes with breakfast, which makes it convenient to fuel up before a day of hiking and outdoor adventures. Nearby Adventures. Elevation gain. Best Winter Hiking & Snowshoeing. 2. Route type. Gloria Wadzinski. This easy 2.7 mile hike passes by three named waterfalls and numerous smaller cascades and trickles. Due to the diversity of trees and its broad elevation range, leaf peepers and hikers can usually enjoy the beauty of fall colors for several weeks in the Smokies. 0.6 mile. Exploring the incredible fall colors in Colorado can take on so many different attitudes. Share. From cities east of the Rockies-Loveland, Fort Collins, Greeley, Longmont, Boulder and Denver, there are no mountain passes to cross and highways that serve the area are well maintained. Our favorite hikes include everything from family-friendly trails to challenging summit attempts, offering a scenic feast of high-altitude lakes, waterfalls, and of course, spectacular views of the Rocky Mountains. This small first-come, first-serve campground is open only in summer, which happens to be the best season for Rocky Mountain National Park hikes anyway. Hike Above Black Lake to an Alpine Paradise. More Estes Park Activities. Top Fall Color Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. 16,015 Reviews. Best Fall Hiking in Colorado . Glacier Gorge trails from Alberta Falls and beyond are favorites with fall hikers. Snowy hikes tend to be much less crowded than in the summer and the views are just as spectacular, in a different way. Estes Park is about more than just the nearby wilderness to explore. Lake Hikes. Whether you live in Estes Park year-round or you just came for a breath of fresh mountain air, there’s a good chance you’ll find yourself on a trail at some point during your stay. About 20 miles south from the town of Estes Park, just off of Highway 7, the Longs Peak campground has quick access to the Longs Peak Trailhead, meaning intense thru-hikers can wake up and roll out on one of the park’s many famous long hikes. Bull Elk in Rocky Mountain National Park The Best Fall Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Alpine lakes, waterfalls, views of the peaks and more await in this region. Take time to stop, reflect, and enjoy the beauty that you’ll be surrounded with. Estes Park is situated on the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park which contains incredible views of the Rocky Mountains, and over 350 miles of hiking trails. Fall of 2019. The hike through forested country ends with a scenic respite beside this tumbling waterfall on the park's west side. Photo by Jack Barker Hiking Areas + The Best Hikes. find gorgeous views on your choice of easy routes with little to no incline, moderate trails extending 3.4 - 4.5 miles, or challenging routes recommended for experienced hikers only. The hotel is close to everything in Estes Park, as well as about 3 miles from the entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park. 210. RMNP can be best divided into several different drainages. As one of the best waterfall hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, Chasm Falls is a waterfall that drops 25 feet crashing through a narrow granite gorge. One of the best things about Estes Park is that it’s easy to get there — no matter the season. One of the most spectacular fall-time hikes, leave from the Twin Sisters Trailhead on CO-7 just outside the park's boundary and roughly 6 miles from Estes Park. Glacier Gorge Jct. North Inlet. To really experience it you have to head out on foot. Directions. Glacier Gorge – this easy access, stunning area is one of the most popular areas for day hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park. The Loch Vale Trail – The Loch Vale Trail is a short distance (roundtrip 5.7 miles), but moderately challenging elevation hike (ending at 10,190 feet). As one of the most accessible waterfalls in the park, the hike begins at the Endo Valley Picnic Area, right off Fall River Road. Elev. Those who park along the road will be ticketed by rangers. Best Hikes for Solitude. Ouzel Falls at the end of a 2.7 mile hike on the Wild Basin Trail. The Glacier Gorge trailhead parking lot is quite small and fills early in the day. Colorado Highway 14 is closed from Rustic to Gould, negating the best aspen viewing found in the upper Poudre Canyon. The Glacier Gorge and Bear Lake area is the place to be in fall. Hike length: 3.5 miles out-and-back The Bear Lake Road corridor, and the Bear Lake parking area in general, is the most popular place in Rocky Mountain National Park, according to park officials. Rocky Mountain National Park is best seen from a hiking trail. Bear Lake provides phenomenal views of aspen, making it one of the best hikes to try during the fall months. Coyote Valley. The Wild Basin Park Entrance Station is 12.5 miles south of Estes Park on Highway 7. And above all, they are all amazingly beautiful. 3.5 miles. Whether it’s you and your loved one or you drop the kids off for a ski lesson while you get pampered, there’s a handful of spas in the area with treatments ranging from facials to full-body mud immersion. Find the best Rocky Mountain National Park trails for summer and fall hikes. Aspen and willow trees are beginning to change, with brilliant autumn hues of red, gold, and orange accenting the mountainsides. Look for moose (especially during the early morning and early evening hours), songbirds and wildflowers. Fall is in full swing in Winter Park, Colorado Unfiltered. That time of year when the air is crisp, sounds of elk bugling fill the valley floor, and the trees become vibrant paintbrushes, coloring the landscapes around us. Adams Falls (Easy) These falls are located on the less-visited west side of the park, making it a more secluded hike. Rocky Mountain National Park is a hiker’s park! Winter Hikes. Ida: Hands down this is the best hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. Enter RMNP at the Wild Basin Entrance. Keep an eye out for a small sign because this remote entrance is easy to miss. For that reason, it’s expected that the best time to view the fall color change in Estes Park this year will align perfectly with the acclaimed Elk Fest, which takes place on Sept. 28 and 29. Waterfall Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. 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