Escape to the nature wonderland of Winter Park, Colorado, where breathtaking views and thrilling outdoor activities await. Nestled in the Rocky Mountains, Winter Park isn’t just a winter destination; it’s an all-season getaway with hiking trails, mountain biking, and fishing in the summer.
With alpine lakes, countless waterfalls, and towering mountain peaks, Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the best places to get a dose of the area’s most pristine outdoor terrain. A hiker’s paradise, this national park is hallowed ground for outdoors people. Easy hikes offer spectacular vistas, and challenging routes take you to parts of the park only ever seen by few.
This is your guide to the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park!
1. ALBERTA FALLS
- Distance: 1.6 miles
- Elevation Gain: 226 ft.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Trail Map: alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/alberta-falls-trail
Like most of the fan-favorite hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, Alberta Falls starts at the Glacier Gorge trailhead and makes its way along a picturesque creek and through an aspen forest (Did someone say fall hike?) before reaching the iconic Alberta Falls.
The short distance and impressive 30-foot waterfall make this trail one of the busiest trails in the park, so make sure to get here early to score a spot in the parking lot!
2. ALPINE RIDGE TRAIL
- Distance: 0.6 miles
- Elevation Gain: 130 ft.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Trail Map: alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/alpine-ridge-trail
A trip to Rocky Mountain isn’t complete without a visit to the Alpine Visitor Center, and while you are standing at the highest drivable point in the park (12,183 feet), you’ll feel drawn to the Alpine Ridge Trail. This excellent hike gets you up close and personal with the magical yet fragile alpine tundra. Stay on the trail to protect the resources as you take in the breathtaking panoramic views of Rocky Mountain National Park.
3. UPPER BEAVER MEADOW LOOP
- Distance: 1.1 miles
- Elevation Gain: 111 ft.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Trail Map: alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/upper-beaver-meadows-trail
This easy hike is a great choice for people looking to beat the crowds. Enjoy a relaxing stroll through a ponderosa pine forest, and take the time to embrace your senses. Listen to the sounds of the birds as you breathe in the welcoming smell of the trees and marvel at the wide-sweeping views of Moraine Park. If you are lucky, you may even catch a glimpse of the elk herd often found grazing in the area!
4. NYMPH, DREAM, AND EMERALD LAKES
- Distance: 3.8 miles
- Elevation Gain: 738 ft.
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Trail Map: alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/bear-lake-trail-and-emerald-lake
If you are looking for a rewarding lake hike, then look no further than this iconic trio of lakes. Starting at the Bear Lake trailhead, you will make your way to Bear Lake before heading to Nymph Lake, Dream Lake, and Emerald Lake (in that order). If you feel adventurous, add the Lake Haiyaha Trail to make this 5.8 miles roundtrip.
The beauty of this lake hike is that you can hike as much or as little as you want, and you will still be rewarded with incredible views of the fairytale forest, a variety of water features, and even Hallett Peak, Flattop Mountain, and Longs Peak out in the distance! This also makes for a great wildflower hike come springtime.
5. GEM LAKE
- Distance: 3.2 miles
- Elevation Gain: 987 ft.
- Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
- Trail Map: alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/gem-lake-trail
Much like its name, Gem Lake is a hidden gem amongst popular hikes within Rocky Mountain National Park. This moderate hike offers a great effort to reward ratio, and the lack of crowds is just icing on the cake. Hike through a pine forest for a short period before ascending a rocky outcropping known as Lumpy Ridge.
From here on, you will be rewarded with consistent panoramic views of the neighboring mountains and the charming Estes Park down below. Even before you get to the serene view of Gem Lake, your uphill journey will feel worthwhile.
6. UTE TRAIL
- Distance: 3.8 miles
- Elevation Gain: 459 ft.
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Trail Map: alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/ute-trail-tombstone-ridge
If you fell in love with the alpine tundra on the Alpine Ridge Trail but wished there was a place to enjoy it without all the crowds, the Ute Trail to Tombstone Ridge is the hike for you. However, this very popular hike only manages to stay uncrowded because of its minimal parking lot, so make sure to get here early if you even want a chance of getting a spot.
The Ute Trail starts rewarding you with spectacular mountain views the moment your feet hit the dirt. Hike for 10 minutes or two hours and leave with a smile on your face and a camera roll filled with unmatched pictures of Longs Peak.
7. MILLS LAKE
- Distance: 5.2 miles
- Elevation Gain: 826 ft.
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Trail Map: alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/mills-lake-via-glacier-gorge-trail
When you see that a trail starts from the Glacier Gorge Trailhead, you know that it will be one of the most scenic hikes in Rocky Mountain. However, this also means that you need to be at the Mills Lake Trailhead parking lot before dawn during the peak season to get a spot.
Say hello to the iconic Alberta Falls and bask in the pockets of solitude on your journey up to picturesque Mills Lake. Early morning visits offer a high payout with still water that perfectly reflects the nearby mountains so that 5 AM wake-up call is worth the effort!
Want to take things up a notch? Add the Black Lake Trail to your adventure to keep the good times rolling. This addition makes the hike 9.7 miles roundtrip.
8. TWIN SISTERS
- Distance: 7.4 miles
- Elevation Gain: 2,493 ft.
- Difficulty: Challenging
- Trail Map: alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/twin-sisters-peak-trail
If unrivaled views of Longs Peak, minimal crowds, and a calf-burning workout are what you are after, then you may want to add Twin Sisters to your must-hike list. Most of this hike is tucked away amongst the trees, but the last stretch above the tree line makes it all worth it. Panoramic views of Rocky Mountain National Park and the iconic Longs Peak will stay with you for the remainder of the ascent and fuel you to keep going.
Once you reach the saddle between the two peaks, you can decide which sister peak to ascend first. With the minimal difference in elevation between both climbs and one peak technically located within the Roosevelt National Forest, it is worth it to ascend both, even if it’s just for bragging rights.
9. FERN LAKE
- Distance: 9.5 miles
- Elevation Gain: 1,388 ft.
- Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
- Trail Map: alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/colorado/flat-top-mountain-and-fern-lake-trail
Love the idea of hiking the Nymph, Dream, and Emerald Lake Trio but got scared off by the crowds? Fern Lake is the next best thing! This low-traffic hike also starts at the Bear Lake Trailhead but takes a different route to reach its final destination. Along the way, you will be treated to Lake Helene and Odessa Lake views, each with its rugged rock formations to create that picture-perfect backdrop!
This trail may be harder than its more popular sister hike, but it pays off with incredible lake views and moments to enjoy them all to yourself.
10. SKY POND
- Distance: 8.6 miles
- Elevation Gain: 1,771 ft.
- Difficulty: Challenging
- Trail Map: alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/sky-pond-via-glacier-gorge-trail
A list of the best hikes in Rocky Mountain wouldn’t be reputable without recognizing the undeniable fan favorite, Sky Pond Trail. This is easily one of the most popular hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park if not all of Colorado. Wake up before the sun to get a spot in the small Glacier Gorge parking lot or park at the Bear Lake Trailhead (adds 0.4 miles roundtrip). Just don’t sleep in too late because even the Bear Lake parking lot tends to fill up by 9 AM.
Picturesque sections of dense forest, fun creek crossings, incredible mountain views, and a lake have been rightfully labeled as the most scenic lake in the park. It doesn’t get much better than that!
Can’t get enough of the stunning views? Tack on the Loch and Timberline Falls to make it a 9.9-mile loop, or consider looking into a backpacking trip.
11. MT IDA
- Distance: 9.4 miles
- Elevation Gain: 2,414 ft.
- Difficulty: Challenging
- Trail Map: alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/mount-ida-trail
Not only is Mt. Ida one of the most breathtaking hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, but it is also part of the famous Continental Divide Trail! Talk about a double success story! Your knees may be weak after this challenging trek, but it’ll be an accomplishment that you’ll brag about for years to come, especially since your camera roll will be flooded with a thousand pictures of the spectacular views!
Remember that while this above-tree line hike makes for some awesome views from start to finish, its consistent exposure means that it should NOT be attempted during inclement weather.
12. LONGS PEAK
- Distance: 13.3 miles
- Elevation Gain: 4,934 ft.
- Difficulty: Extremely Challenging
- Trail Map: alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/the-keyhole-and-longs-peak-trail
With views of this dramatic flattop mountain following you all around the park and the allure of climbing one of Colorado’s most famous high points, Longs Peak is a bucket list item for many. It is important to note that this is not your average mountain hike. Nearly all routes to the top of Longs Peak are technical, except the Keyhole Route. While this is the most popular route up to Longs Peak, it is still difficult.
Be sure to get to the Longs Peak Trailhead long before dawn to ensure an early ascent and marvel at the panoramic views come sunrise as you walk along the tundra. Intense switchbacks will be rewarded with wide-sweeping views of the park and the chance to see wildlife like marmots and mountain goats.
Once you get to the top of Longs Peak, take a moment to appreciate your accomplishment and enjoy a view of the Rocky Mountain region, unlike anything you have ever seen before. Just make sure to start heading down before the mid-afternoon thunderstorms!
WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Check Trail Conditions
Make sure to check the trail conditions before your trip because many trails stay snow-covered until the summer months.
Time Entry
Rocky Mountain National Park requires a timed-entry reservation between 9 AM and 2 PM. There are two timed-entry options. One is for Trail Ridge Road, and the other is for the very popular Bear Lake Road. Check here for more information.
A ROCKY MOUNTAIN ADVENTURE
Your next great adventure is just a few hours from Denver and tucked between the gateway towns of Estes Park and Grand Lake. Rocky Mountain National Park is filled with incredible scenery, day hikes for all experience levels, and wildlife sightings galore. So, what are you waiting for?
Book your stay in Winter Park to beat the crowds and stay connected to nature even after you step out of the park!