Top Things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park
Top Hotels in Rocky Mountain National Park Campgrounds
The 10 Best Things to do Good for Kids in Rocky Mountain National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park
One of America's premier national parks, it boasts 355 miles of hiking trails.
Restaurants in Rocky Mountain National Park Campgrounds
1. Ouzel Falls
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 78 reviews
Reviewed By jmpncsu - Raleigh, United States
Ouzel Falls is a really beautiful 40-foot waterfall in the Wild Basin area of the park. The hike is about 5 miles round trip and moderate. The trail crosses Ouzel Creek below the falls, but for the best views, follow the path up to the base. It's possible to climb around on the rocks to view from different angles, but be careful as the rocks are slippery. We visited on the longer Bluebird Lake hike.
2. Forest Canyon Overlook
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 56 reviews
Reviewed By Steve5863 - Avon, United States
Coming from the east, Forest Canyon Overlook is the first major overlook along Trail Ridge Road above the tree line and is probably the best overlook along the road. From the parking area, the fenced in overlook extends away from the road for a few hundred feet (100m) giving one many different views of the surrounding mountains, tree covered valleys below, and the alpine surroundings. The morning I visited in early October, I was treated to the surrealistic experience of clearing snow shower that left behind a candy coating of snow and clouds receding through the valleys below.
3. Trail Ridge Road
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3,391 reviews
Reviewed By JMJR2K - Independence, United States
I’ve been driving Trail Ridge road for many years and discover something new and different each time. There are amazing views all around- High mountain lakes, hikes, bighorn sheep, elk, moose, ptarmigans, marmots, deer-you name it. While you won’t see all of the wildlife all the time, usually you’ll stop with others and get out your camera for at least one of these critters. On the weekends, everyone else has the same idea to make the drive so it’s terribly crowded. There are three entrances with the Kawanuchee side the least crowded for entry. The Alpine Visitor Center is a cool place to relax and take in the Picturesque views and there is a museum there that covers the early geological and evolutionary history of the area. As you would imagine, there is a souvenir shop with trinkets and clothing as well as a concession area with food and drinks. Just a beautiful park you won’t want to miss!
4. Sombrero Ranch
5. Emerald Lake Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 523 reviews
Reviewed By Steve5863 - Avon, United States
This 3.6 mile (5.8k) roundtrip hike from the Bear Lake Trailhead is an excellent moderate hike starting at 9,500 feet (2,896m) and climbs fairly steadily to 10,105 feet (3,080m), passing three beautiful lakes, in order, Nymph, Dream and Emerald with a few small cascades along the way and many views of mountains and a couple of good overlooks of valleys where one can see for miles. Dream Lake is the most beautiful lake of the three lake and many people decide to shorted the hike by 1.4 miles (2.3k) and avoid the last 180 feet (55m) of elevation gain but if it is within your capabilities, I would definitely recommend going the full distance. This is a very popular trail and parking at the Bear Lake Trailhead fills quickly. If you want to park at the trailhead and avoid the worst of the crowds, arrive early, by 7am or so, midweek if possible. However, if this is not possible do not miss your opportunity to hike this excellent trail; simply park at the remote lot and take the efficient shuttle bus system to the trailhead.
6. Dream Lake
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 56 reviews
Reviewed By Steve5863 - Avon, United States
Dream Lake is the second of three lakes along the excellent Emerald Lake Trail in the Bear Lake section of the park, 1.1 miles (1.8k) from the trailhead and 0.6 miles (1.0k) beyond Nymph Lake. Dream Lake is the prettiest lake along the trail and makes the 500 foot (152m) climb at altitude worth the effort; look closely, and one will be able to see trout in the crystal clear water from the banks. While many people decide to turnaround here, if one still has the energy, continuing the 0.7 miles (1.1k) to Emerald Lake is worthwhile to see the high mountains rise abruptly from the banks of the small alpine lake.
7. Old Fall River Road
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 502 reviews
This dramatic and scenic roadway built in 1913 followed an old Indian pathway that climbed over 3,000 feet.
Reviewed By Cardinalis
Old Fall River Road is a carefully maintained dirt road that travels along Fall River through pine forests and past mountain vistas on its way to Alpine Visitor Center at 11,796 feet. Along this one-way route there are pullouts, including Chasm Falls and the Chapin trailhead, to stretch your legs and take pictures. You can drink the scenery. And it's a wonderful break between real hiking days.
8. Bear Lake Trailhead
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 386 reviews
This easy, half-mile hike will take you past beautiful alpine lakes and forests.
Reviewed By Steve5863 - Avon, United States
Bear Lake Trailhead is the starting point for many of RMNP’s most popular hikes including the easy 0.5 mile (0.8k) loop around Bear Lake, the 3.6 mile (5.8k) roundtrip hike to Emerald Lake that also passes by Nymph and Dream Lakes, and the 2.0 mile (3.2k) roundtrip to the powerful Alberta Falls, passing through many aspen groves. Other popular hikes from this trailhead include Bierstadt Lake (4.0 miles/6.4k roundtrip), Lake Haiyaha (4.4 miles/7.1k roundtrip), the long climb up Flattop Mountain (8.8 miles/14.2k roundtrip) and Fern Lake (9.7 miles/15.6k roundtrip). The trailhead also has a booth with rangers to provide assistance and trail guides, pit toilets and a fair amount of parking; however, the trails are so popular, parking is often a challenge and one may find they need to park at the remote parking site about 3.0 miles (4.8k) away and be shuttled on a bus to the trailhead. If you would like to find parking at the trailhead and avoid the worst of the crowds arrive very early or later in the day, preferably midweek. I had no trouble finding parking midweek arriving once around 5pm and another time about 30 minutes after sunrise.
9. Horseshoe Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 38 reviews
An area within the park where visitors can see many elk, especially in late October.
Reviewed By cornerstone1979 - Cecilia, United States
So many ways to see this beautiful park. Drive around it, climb a mountain to overlook it, or hike through it. Highly recommended.
10. Copeland Falls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 43 reviews
Reviewed By AmberFTraveler
As a family of 6 (4 boys ages 10, 8, 6 and 4) we highly recommend the short hike to Copeland Falls! This was our second day of hiking so we really just wanted a short hike. The drive was about 30 minutes from our Estes Park condo, but worth it! We got there a little after 8am and the parking lot had just filled, but there were several spots near the lot that the Ranger was directing us to. The hike to the falls is only about a quarter of a mile and easy for kids. Once there we had the falls to ourselves! Because most people are continuing on to the cascades (another 1.5 miles), we had 30 minutes of just exploring the area around the falls - walking on the rocks around it and taking pictures. They had so much fun! The ranger also told us a Moose and her baby had just been by before we came, but we weren't lucky enough to ever see them. Highly recommend!
