How to Find Trails in Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park, just outside Estes Park, Colorado has 355 miles of hiking trails. You can climb mountains, hike above the tree line in alpine meadows, walk along lakes and rivers or enjoy handicapped accessible trails. There is backcountry hiking as well, if you are so inclined. Hiking can be difficult--8500' up in the air, but is well worth your shortness of breath to see breathtaking scenery. Let's find trails just for your capabilities.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Hiking shoes
• Hiking Sticks
• Trail Maps
• Daypack for food and water

Easy trails

1. Enjoy Bear Lake Nature Trail, a .6 mile loop at an altitude of 9675'. Find it at the end of Bear Lake Road and see a beautiful subalpine lake.
2. Walk easily on the Moraine Park Nature Trail a quarter mile long at 8000'. Identify local plants and animals. If you can, find a Ranger led walk, held daily, and learn about the park as well.
3. Have fun hiking the Never Summer Ranch trail. It's a mile long at 9000'. You will see landscape and cabins of early 20th century homesteading.
4. Take this Sprague Lake Nature Trail a half mile around Sprague Lake at 8710' altitude. This is a level trail great for hikers with disabilities.
5. See Alberta Falls. Start at Glacier Gorge Junction and walk .6 miles to the spectacular Glacier Creek Waterfall

Lake Trails

6. Take a deep breath and hike Cub Lake Trail. This is a moderate 2.3 mile hike to Cub Lake. Walk this in the fall and see the woods ablaze with color.
7. See a recovering fire charred forest while hiking the Wild Basin Trail. At six miles long, this is a strenuous hike ending at Ouzel Falls and Ouzel Lake.
8. Take East Inlet Trail for a strenuous 5.5 mile hike past Adams Falls, Lone Pine Lake and wonderful scenery. This trail is on the west side of the park

Summit Hikes

9. Climb moderately difficult Deer Ridge Junction Trail for three miles to 10,013' altitude. Plan a picnic at the top. This is a favorite and could be crowded.
10. Walk the moderately difficult Trail Ridge Road path at 12,466' for a half mile. This trail is between Forest Canyon Overlook and Rock Cut. This half mile seems much longer at 12,466 feet in the air.
11. Climb to Twin Sisters peaks. This is a 3.7 mile moderately difficult hike to 11,428'. The scenery is unequaled.
12. Climb Mount Richtofen for 7.2 very strenuous miles to the summit at 12,940'. This peak is in the remote and exciting Never Summer Mountains.

Tips & Warnings

• Drink plenty of water. The air is dry in the park, so beware of dehydration.
• Eat before hiking to avoid altitude sickness.
• • Avoid actions that interfere with bear movement or foraging activities.
• • Wildlife is everywhere in the park. After all, they were there first. Know that you may encounter bears or mountain lions, so know what to do.
• • Do not corner an animal. Allow them plenty of space and an escape route.
• • If you encounter a mountain lion, do not run. Cats like to chase. Face the cat and fight back.
• • Always watch children carefully when hiking.
• • Be aware of altitude sickness. Even if you have been in the mountains before, do not arrive and start any strenuous activity until you have been in the park for a day or two.