Top Things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park
Top Hotels in Rocky Mountain National Park Campgrounds
What to do and see in Rocky Mountain National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park: The Best Things to do Good for Adrenaline Seekers
One of America's premier national parks, it boasts 355 miles of hiking trails.
Restaurants in Rocky Mountain National Park Campgrounds
1. Longs Peak
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 62 reviews
This 14,255-foot mountain located in Rocky Mountain National Park offers challenging hiking and scenic views.
2. Sky Pond
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 99 reviews
Located at the bottom of Colorado's Petit Grepon.
Reviewed By JMC5152 - Loveland, United States
Be prepared, Bring water, sunblock, extra coat, always allow uphill hikers the right of way. Tell someone where you are going.
3. Wildland Trekking
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 68 reviews
Taking a full day to hike in the mountain wonderland of Rocky Mountain National Park is something you'll never forget! Join us for a guided Colorado day hike into the high peaks of the Continental Divide! Our hiking tours will take you to the waterfalls, wildlife, wildflowers, alpine meadows, and mountain summits in this breathtaking national park. Tours include snacks, lunch, poles and guide.
4. 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!
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. The Loch Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 35 reviews
Reviewed By applecat79 - Columbus, United States
What a great hike! We used the park and ride transport to Glacier Gorge and hiked to the Loch. Several people were hiking the trail but it was not crowded like the other hikes at the Bear Lake Trailhead. It took us close to two hours to get to the lake. It was pretty much a gradual uphill hike the whole way. Not too bad but definitely a nice workout. Great views all the way. It only took us an hour to get back to the trailhead. One of the best hikes in RMNP!
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. Alluvial Fan
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 321 reviews
Reviewed By fv1989 - Windsor, United States
RMNP just posted a press release that major trail work at the Alluvial Fan and Horseshoe Falls will require closing this area beginning on July 27 through September 24, 2020. This area will be closed on weekdays and weekends. Materials and equipment will take up most of the parking on the west side, and the east side parking lot will be closed. The west side parking area will be further limited in September due to an exclosure fence project. This is such a popular area. The planning and trail work has been ongoing and is needed to repair damage and replace trails and the bridge that were destroyed in the September 2013 flood. It is amazing to realize that such a beautiful area was created by and reshaped by devastating floods in 1982 and 2013. I still feel the area was even more beautiful before the 2013 flood. It will be interesting to see the changes when all the trail work is complete. The Google map location shown for the Alluvial Fan area on this TA listing is in the wrong place. I have reported and tried to get that corrected to no avail.
9. Alpine Visitor Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 565 reviews
Reviewed By kalyan_peri - Bridgewater, United States
While driving along the Trail Ridge Road you reach the Alpine Visitor Center at about halfway point (exact distance depends on on which direction you are driving from). We drove from Estes Park to Grand Lake and this made a great pit-stop for grabbing lunch, strolling around the visitor center and hiking up to the top! Yes, it will be very crowded during the peak summer months specifically because there are no other spots to grab food along the road. But, it is a great stop over during your day-long drive along the Trail Ridge Road After grabbing a quick lunch, there is a nice little hiking trail to the summit - called "Hike to the Top". It is a paved path with an approx elevation gain for additional 300+ feet. Please be prepared for unpredictable weather (it could suddenly very windy or it could suddenly rain) Once you get to the top, you can enjoy beautiful panoramic views of the entire area
10. Flattop Mountain Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 67 reviews
Reviewed By 286shikhag
In the morning we thought that the trail is 4.7 miles, so we should be able to do it by afternoon. We saw very few people on this trail during the whole journey. 1. The trek is of average difficulty for fit & healthy people. 2. You should bring some food and energy bar and lot of water. 3. We completed our climb till the tree line in 3 hours with multiple breaks, it is just a long trek but normal difficulty. 4. Once you are above the treeline, it a different feeling. you will see the valley of mountains covered with clouds and feel the cold winds. 5. We had to cross a small patch of a relatively steep mountain which was covered with snow. that was the most difficult part for me. 6. After trekking for like an hour above tree line, the wind flow became very strong and suddenly, we started to snow fall. This was my first snow fall of life. And I was completely mesmerized by the whole experience. The wind was flowing so strongly that we decided to return back, though, we were only 300 feet below the flattop. 2 people coming back from top told us that the top was still 40 minutes away and there was Snow storm with strong winds on the top. 7. Hence, we decided to call it a day and return back. We stopped on our way back to eat the Guacamole. Supposedly with its strong smell, a Marmot came from nowhere near us and started chirping very loudly. It terrified us and we immediately put the food in our bags and moved from that place with past pace. 8. We stopped by at very places while returning while enjoying the beautiful scenes. Tips - Start early. Bring a lot of water. Hike will take 7-8 hours for average fit.Beware of marmot.
