11 Easy Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park is known as one of the most beautiful national parks in the United States. Millions of people each year visit the park to experience the stunning mountain views and fun hikes. Although you can enjoy the views at various overlooks throughout the park, I highly recommend adding some trails to your itinerary!
Hiking is one of the best ways to experience everything Rocky Mountain National Park offers. And the best part? There are hikes for everyone, including easy and accessible hikes that are great for all hiking levels! Whether you want to hike to waterfalls, alpine lakes, or beautiful viewpoints, there are easy trails in Rocky Mountain National Park for everyone!
This guide has everything you need to know about the best easy hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park you should add to your bucket list.
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Tips for Hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park
Get your timed entry permit in advance. Rocky Mountain National Park has a timed entry permit system for the summer and fall. These slots fill up quickly, and I highly recommend reserving yours as soon as they are released, especially if you want to hike in the Bear Lake Corridor. The Bear Lake Corridor time slots in the summer fill up the same day they are released because it is one of the most popular areas in the park. If you do not have a timed entry slot, you can enter Bear Lake Corridor before 5 am or after 6 pm and in the other sections of Rocky Mountain National Park before 9 am or after 2 pm.
Start your day early. In the summer, Rocky Mountain National Park experiences thunderstorms in the afternoon almost every day. During the few days we were in the park, we saw a storm each day! I recommend starting your day as early as you can to avoid hiking during the afternoon and, potentially, getting caught in a thunderstorm. Starting your day earlier will allow you to enjoy the hikes with fewer crowds!
Take it slow. Many of the easy hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park are at high elevations, and if you are not acclimated, there is a chance you could get altitude sickness. I recommend taking it slow to ensure you get used to the altitude. Make sure to hike slowly and pack plenty of water and snacks.
Pack layers. The weather in Rocky Mountain National Park is unpredictable. I recommend packing layers to accommodate any weather you may run into on the trails. Even the easy hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park can have unpredictable weather, so it is crucial to have the proper gear. Snow can also linger on some trails through June, and you should research trail conditions to ensure you have the correct hiking gear. If you need to rent microspikes, plenty of stores in Estes Park have them. We rented ours from Scot’s Sporting Goods.
Wear sunscreen. Because you are at a higher elevation in the park and closer to the sun, it is easy to get a sunburn. We learned this the hard way on our first day! Make sure to apply plenty of sunscreen before heading out on your hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Expect crowds. Rocky Mountain National Park is among the most visited national parks, and each trail is likely to have crowds. There is also a high chance there will be lines at the entrance stations. If you have a midday timed entry, I recommend arriving early to give yourself plenty of time in case you have to sit in traffic entering the park. When we left the park around noon one day, the line at the entrance station was over two miles long!
Be flexible. There will likely be crowds on the trails, especially on the easy hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Allow your itinerary to be flexible since there may be times you cannot find parking at a trailhead because of the crowds.
Always remember to leave no trace. It is crucial to pack out what you pack in and leave no trash. Some spots have trash bins, so you can easily throw your trash away. If they do not have trash bins, you can throw your trash away at a nearby gas station or convenience store.
What to Pack for Hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park
Hiking Boots: If you want comfort and support on your trip, hiking boots are the go to.
Hiking Socks: Having moisture-wicking and comfortable hiking socks are just as important for exploring.
Hiking Backpack: You need something to carry all your food, clothes, and anything else you need while adventuring, so having a supportive hiking backpack is crucial.
Hydration Reservoir/Water Bottles: While hiking or just exploring, it is important to have enough water! I always pack a hydration reservoir.
Jackets: The weather is unpredictable, so I always pack a rain jacket and insulated jacket.
Ten Essentials: The Ten Essentials are crucial for hiking!
Microspikes: If you plan on winter hiking, you will need to bring microspikes.
Snowshoes: Also if you hike in the winter, you may need snowshoes.
Easy Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park
Bear Lake Trail
Length: 0.7 miles
Elevation Gain: minimal
Bear Lake Trail is one of the most popular hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park because it has stunning views without a long or strenuous hike and brings you to a beautiful alpine lake sitting at over 9,450 feet.
It is in one of the most popular areas in the park, Bear Lake Corridor, and you will quickly understand why everyone who visits wants to hike in this area. The 0.7-mile trail begins in the Bear Lake parking lot and loops around the lake while providing stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
Bear Lake is the first and easiest lake to get to in the area. If you are up for a longer trail, you can hike to Nymph Lake, Dream Lake, and Emerald Lake. The 3.8-mile hike to all four lakes is moderately strenuous but is worth it for the stunning views! If you are not up for a more strenuous hike, you can enjoy the beautiful views from Bear Lake.
Nymph Lake Trail
Length: 1 mile
Elevation: 240 feet
Nymph Lake is the second easiest lake after Bear Lake and offers incredible views of the surrounding mountains. Although Nymph is one of the smallest lakes in the area, you will be in awe of the beautiful alpine lake! The 1-mile trail brings you along the shores of the alpine lake, providing multiple viewpoints of the surrounding mountains. I recommend visiting each one because the views are incredible!
You can easily hike Bear Lake and Numph Lake together on an easy 1.7-mile trail. The trail is a great way to experience two beautiful alpine lakes without a strenuous hike. You will quickly see why this hike to both lakes is one of the best easy hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park!
Sprague Lake Loop
Length: 0.8 miles
Elevation Gain: minimal
If you are looking for an accessible trail to a beautiful lake in the Bear Lake Corridor, you are in luck! Sprague Lake is east of Bear Lake and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains. I think it rivals the beauty of Bear Lake, honestly!
The 0.8-mile trail loops around Sprague Lake, and some of the best views are at the back of the lake. You will often see people fishing here and occasionally see small weddings on the pier. Sprague Lake is one of my favorite easy hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, and I know you will fall in love with it quickly!
Alberta Falls Trail
Length: 1.6 miles
Elevation: 230 feet
Not all trails in the Bear Lake Corridor lead to lakes! If you want to hike to a waterfall, Alberta Falls Trail is for you. The 1.6-mile trail begins at the Glacier Gorge parking lot and travels through a beautiful forest before leading you to the 30-foot Alberta Falls. The falls are in a beautiful gorge and will quickly become one of your favorite waterfalls in the park!
You can hike to the bottom of the falls or a bit further to the top and enjoy beautiful views overlooking the area. If you visit in spring or early summer, you can see Alberta Falls in all its glory since it will have heavy water flow from the recent snowmelt. You will not be disappointed with this beautiful hike!
Lily Lake Trail
Length: 0.8 miles
Elevation Gain: minimal
If you are looking for a beautiful lake with fewer crowds, look no further! Lily Lake is south of Estes Park and a lesser-known lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. Although it is visited less than other lakes in the park, it does not lack beautiful views! And the best part? The 0.8-mile trail is easy and perfect for the entire family! It is a great hike to escape the crowds while enjoying beautiful views of the surrounding mountains.
Toll Memorial Trail
Length: 1.1 miles
Elevation Gain: 150 feet
Toll Memorial Trail is one of my favorite hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park because the views are gorgeous! The 1.1-mile trail begins near the Rock Cut on one of the highest points in the park and travels along an easy-to-follow path with stunning 360-degree views. There is a short spur to cool rock formations that look like mushrooms that I recommend visiting, too.
At the end of the hike, the trail climbs a short and steep rock formation that provides some of my favorite views in the park! The Toll Memorial sits on top of the rocks and points out the surrounding mountains, which is really cool! The Toll Memorial Trail is one of the best ways to experience 360-degree views of Rocky Mountain National Park without a strenuous hike. You will quickly fall in love with this easy hike!
Marmot Point Trail
Length: 0.8 miles
Elevation Gain: 330 feet
Marmot Point Trail is a stunning hike off Old Fall River Road in Rocky Mountain National Park. Old Fall River Road is a beautiful scenic drive connecting Estes Park and the Alpine Visitor Center that opens in July, and Marmot Point Trail is one of my favorite trails off it.
The 0.8-mile trail is short but gains elevation quickly towards the top viewpoint, but the effort is worth it for the stunning 360-degree views of Rocky Mountain National Park! And the best part? It is a lesser-known hike, and you will not have to share the trail with as many people as others in the park. Marmot Point Trail will quickly become one of your favorite easy hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park!
Alluvial Fan Trail
Length: 0.7 miles
Elevation: minimal
Another one of the best hikes off Old Fall River Road is Alluvial Fan Trail. This 0.7-mile trail is at the beginning of Old Fall River Road near Estes Park and brings you to a beautiful waterfall. The waterfall is best seen in the early summer after the snow melts and the water is high.
If you are up for a late afternoon adventure, I recommend hiking Alluvial Fan Trail later in the day because there will be fewer crowds and a great chance to see wildlife! We saw moose and elk along the meadows on Old Fall River Road near the trailhead, which is always a fun experience!
Alpine Ridge Trail
Length: 0.6 miles
Elevation Gain: 150 feet
Alpine Ridge Trail is an iconic hike in Rocky Mountain National Park because it starts at the highest visitor center in the United States, Alpine Visitor Center. The 0.6-mile trail might seem intimidating when you see it from the parking lot, but it is not as bad as it looks.
The first section of the trail gains most of the elevation and flattens out as you reach the top. And let me tell you, the effort is worth it for the gorgeous 360-degree views! And the best part? If you are hungry, you can stop at the cafe in the parking lot to grab a bite to eat and reward yourself
Medicine Bow Trail
Length: 0.7 miles
Elevation: 100 feet
Medicine Bow Curve is one of the most beautiful viewpoints along Trail Ridge Road, offering breathtaking views overlooking the mountains. Although you can enjoy the views from the parking area, I recommend hiking the 0.7-mile trail to a viewpoint.
The Medicine Bow Trail is easy to follow from the parking area and follows along the side of the mountain to a stunning view looking northeast into the park! The Medicine Bow Trail is also a lesser-known hike, allowing you to enjoy the views with fewer crowds.
Adams Falls Trail
Length: 0.8 miles
Elevation: 100 feet
Not all of the best easy hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park are near Estes Park! A forgotten part of the park is near Grand Lake, which has beautiful views and fun hiking trails. And Adams Falls Trail is one of the best hikes in the area!
The 0.8-mile trail begins on the east side of Grand Lake and follows an easy path to a beautiful 55-foot waterfall. If you visit in spring or early summer, the waterfall will be gushing from the recent snowmelt. It is a great easy hike on the western side of Rocky Mountain National Park!
If you want to add easy hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park to your bucket list, this guide is the perfect place to find beautiful trails! It has everything you need to know about the best easy hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Hey, I’m Nichole!
I am the creator behind Nichole the Nomad, the home of my explorations around the world, mountain hikes, and beautiful pictures taken along the way. I have a deep passion for capturing the world in a beautiful light and sharing my experiences.
I created this blog to share my travels, show how beautiful the world is, provide tips and tricks for traveling, and encourage you to explore. Whether you want to travel across the world or explore what’s in your backyard, I hope this blog inspires you to get outside and find your adventure!
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