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Get the inside scoop for your upcoming vacation —> this itinerary is the most detailed, epic, and easy-to-follow guide to the park!
1. The Trail Ridge Road
The Trail Ridge Road is an engineering masterpiece that will have you anxiously sitting on the edge of your seats! Get ready for a drive along the highest continuous paved highway in the United States.
What You Need to Know
The highest point along this road is at 12,183 feet above sea level, and eleven of its miles are above 11,000 feet!
The weather during your drive can change dramatically throughout the day. A little mid-August snow is not unheard of, and you can always count on afternoon thunderstorms throughout the summer.
The Trail Ridge Road has a few stomach-turning drop-offs as your car climbs higher and higher, but it’s well-maintained and not too steep! If you are interested, the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center sells a driving guide that shows points of interest along the way.
Getting Here
The Trail Ridge Road is the only continuous road through Rocky Mountain National Park, and it connects Estes Park in the east and Grand Lake in the west. The road is 48 miles long, with the highest elevation occurring between the Forest Canyon Overlook to the Alpine Visitor Center.
2. Emerald Lake
Although this trail is quite popular and overflowing with people at almost any time of day, you will be thrilled with the incredible views, jagged peaks, and beautiful lakes along your hike. Pass by the lily pad-covered Nymph Lake and the dramatic Dream Lake before reaching your final destination, the stunning Emerald Lake.
Read the detailed hiking report of this trail here.
3. Tundra Communities Trail
This tree-less alpine realm is a fragile and harsh environment, allowing only the strong and hardy plants and animals to survive. Life on the tundra is a challenge because of its high altitude, strong winds, thin soil, and bitter cold climate.
What You Need to Know
Most people have never experienced the tundra wilderness before, which makes the opportunity to hike along this trail such an incredible and eye-opening adventure! Some amazing plants and animals have adapted to live and thrive up here.
This area is busy, and you likely will not have peace and quiet, but the information along the way is informative. You’ll learn about the plants and animals that survive in the tundra and how they have adapted to such a harsh environment.
The Tundra Communities Trail is a one-mile roundtrip paved trail with interpretive signs along the way. Pets are not permitted on this trail.
If you’re looking for a tundra trail that offers more solitude and extraordinary views, I include a hidden one in this itinerary.
Getting Here
You’ll find this trail along the Trail Ridge Road. From Estes Park, take the Trail Ridge Road for approximately 15 miles to the trailhead for the Tundra Communities Trail and the Rock Cut Area. Look for the trailhead just after passing the Forest Canyon Overlook.
4. Alberta Falls
Alberta Falls is a stunning thirty-foot waterfall tucked between a lovely forest of pines and quaking aspens. Bring your whole family on this one; it’s a great trail for hikers of all ages!
What You Need to Know
This trail is great for first-timers because the waterfall is beautiful, and the trail is relatively short. Upon reaching Alberta Falls, you will only have a side view, but it is fun because you get to stand close enough to feel the spray.
The trail to Alberta Falls is 1.7 miles roundtrip, gains about 200 feet of elevation, and pets are not permitted.
Getting Here
The trail to Alberta Falls begins at the Glacier Gorge Trailhead, located along Bear Lake Road. Parking in this area fills up early, so I recommend parking at the Park & Ride across from the Glacier Basin Campground and taking the free shuttle.
5. Forest Canyon Overlook
Forest Canyon is one of the most dramatic and breathtaking views along the Trail Ridge Road! If you can’t seem to keep your eyes on the road through this section of the Park, stop at the Forest Canyon Overlook to get your fill of the gorgeous panoramic views.
What You Need to Know
This parking area is located on a curve along the road, making it a crazy place to get in and out of. If you notice some empty parking stalls at this turnout, stop while you can!
From the parking lot, a short 0.2-mile walk is required to reach the overlook, and pets are not permitted on this trail.
Getting Here
The Forest Canyon Overlook is located along the east (Estes Park) section of the Trail Ridge Road, in between the Rainbow Curve and Rock Cut Overlooks.
6. Chasm Falls
Chasm Falls is a stunning waterfall that slices right through the surrounding rocks, creating a dramatic chute for the water to follow. The hike is short, making this an easy stop to see some beautiful scenery.
What You Need to Know
Chasm Falls is located along the Old Fall River Road, which is the first road that was built into Rocky Mountain National Park. This road supports one-way traffic only (going up) and is not paved but is in great condition. You’ll thoroughly enjoy the drive along this road and the views along the way.
The Fall River Road is only open from July – September, weather permitting. This road is often forgotten, but this itinerary will help you incorporate it into your trip!
The hike to Chasm Falls is an easy 0.4 miles roundtrip, and pets are not permitted.
Getting Here
From Estes Park, take Highway 34 west. Pass the Fall River Visitor Center and Entrance Station and continue driving (following the signs for the Old Fall River Road) for four miles until the road turns to dirt. From here, it is just shy of one mile to the parking area for Chasm Falls, which will be on your left.
Click NEXT to see stops 7-12 (including the highest Visitor Center in the U.S.)!
Hi. Do i need a timed reservation to visit during thanksgiving week. Thanks
No, the reservation system ends in October.
Hey there! We will be visiting around Thanksgiving this year. We’re from Texas and this would be our first time visiting, any tips?
A lot of the park is closed during that time, so you’ll want to read through the Best Time to Visit post to get an idea of what will be open for you. Have fun!
Hello Ash
I love your website and I have used it for a few years now to plan our family vacation.
I am planning to visit in first week of October. Will the park have any fall colors at the time?
Also I bought passes, without bear lake access. Will I be missing out on a lot?
Thanks
Hey Kalyan! There will still be some lingering fall colors at that time — they usually peak around the 3rd week of September or so :) The Bear Lake area is extremely popular (and one of my favorite areas to go for fall colors), so I definitely recommend trying to get a last-minute reservation into that area if you can. Have fun!
Hello! We are planning on going in late October and would love your recommendation on a moderate hike coming from the Estes side. Anything else not to miss for approximately a 2 day stay? Thank you
I would hike to Emerald Lake :) It’s hard to know what will be available to you in late October…the Trail Ridge Road is usually partially closed by then due to snow.
My family of 5 are planning a 21 day trip that will start in RMNP in mid July. We plan on doing a hike to Mt. Ida on our 3rd day in the park via the Poudre Lake Trailhead. Have you ever hiked this trail? Do you have any insight or suggestions? Most posts say to start your hike early, what exactly does that mean? Should we be hiking by 5am or 7am? When do most parking lots fill up? Any other suggestions? Thanks, Ryan
You’ll want as early a start as you can…if it were me I’d start around 5 or 6 a.m. The reason being that you’ll almost always encounter large and dangerous thunder/lightning storms in the afternoons in this park, and you’ll want to be out of the high elevations by 1 or 2 p.m. if you can. Have fun!
Hey there,
Thank you, great post. My family are planning our first ever trip to CO in June. We are looking for information on best place to stay that is close to everything and hoping to get some fun stuff in as well. We are looking to do some hiking, bike trails, atv rides and possibly horseback riding, something for everyone. Appreciate your thoughts and input. Hoping to book early. Thank you.
Cyn
Estes Park is the main place to stay when visiting Rocky, and you’ll find a ton of activity options in that area. I’d try to stay as close to the national park as you can so that you can get parking before things get too busy!
Thanks for sharing these tips! My husband and I are going to RMNP June 1st, staying in a campground in Grand Lake. I am concerned about being able to drive the entire length of Trail Ridge Road this early. Will we be able to drive overto Estes Park and the east side of the park or is it too long for a day’s drive.
You can do it in a day, but you’ll need to start early if you want to get parking at the busy spots on the East Side. The road typically opens around Memorial Day, so hopefully it will be open when you go. Have fun!
What’s visiting RMNP in early May like? My boyfriend and I are looking to see some beautiful spots! Any suggestions? It’s our first time to Estes Park!
The Trail Ridge Road won’t quite be open by then, so you’ll want to complete activities in the Bear Lake, Wild Basin, or Horseshoe Park areas. Expect snow on the trails, and have fun!
We will be visiting RMNP at the end of March. Knowing that Trail Ridge Rd. will be closed, what other things can we do or that you recommend that we do? We plan on spending at least 2 days in Estes Park.
You’ll want to focus your time on the Bear Lake, Wild Basin, or Horseshoe Park areas of the east side. Bring or rent snowshoes!
Heading to RMNP the 3rd week in October. We have three days to explore and would like recommendations as to the can’t miss spot at this time of year for scenery and wildlife! Thanks!
I’d wait until it gets closer to decide what to do while you’re there…you’ll be there right around the time that the Trail Ridge Road typically closes for the season. If it’s closed, you’ll be mostly limited to the Bear Lake area and the nearby meadow areas. There are still some good options in those areas, but if the Trail Ridge is open you’ll have a lot more options to choose from. Stay in touch!
Do you know a really awesome spot in the Roosevelt Arapaho Forest? Maybe near Estes. And do you have a favorite spot near Golden?
I highly recommend using the Campendium website for that. They are awesome for finding campsites in specific areas!
Hey we are traveling late October, but i see the trail ridge road is closed , is that a big thing to miss or how does that affect the trip? We’ve never been there and have very little info on the place, but love all the pictures we’ Seen. Also is most likely that is snowing on that time?
Hi Milena,
There’s a good chance of snow in the Rockies at that time of year. I’d plan for cold weather! The Trail Ridge Road is definitely a highlight of the park, but if it’s closed you can stay on the Estes Park side and still enjoy the beautiful scenery near the entrances or in the Bear Lake area. Wild Basin is also a good spot to visit if you’re only able to stay on one side of the park. Enjoy your trip!
Ash
Please, what is the weather like the last week of September in the park.
Very unpredictable! It can be sunny and comfortable {still a little chilly usually!} or it can snow. Rocky Mountain is GORGEOUS that time of year though :)
I just found your site and I’ve really been enjoying it as we plan for a trip to Zion and the Grand Canyon in March. We’re starting to plan for a summer 2020 trip to Rocky Mountain NP because our daughter is still fixated on Colorado from an earlier trip and I was wondering how early in the summer you think is too early?
I was planning on June to try and miss some crowds, but thought the first week of June might be a little too early and it would be better to wait until the middle of the month.
There’s a good chance of snow on the trails in June, but if you’re mostly sticking to lower elevations you’ll likely not have a problem. The Trail Ridge Road usually opens around Memorial Day weekend, but if it were me I’d probably wait until mid-June just to be sure it’s open while you’re there. Overall it’s a very nice time to be there!
Sounds great, thanks for your reply!
Good tip on the altitude. When I was up high on Trail Ridge Road, my stomach was feeling a bit off. I was conscious of the altitude but I didn’t expect that to be my first symptom, I was looking more for fatigue or dots on the edge of my vision or something like that. Sure enough, when I was descending down through 10,000 feet, my little stomach ache suddenly went away. It didn’t stop me from being up there and doing some light hiking but I’ll sure watch out for that next time I go. It was great, so there will be a next time. I want to hike a good stretch of the Ute Trail and I’d like to see Emerald Lake this time.
Yeah most people aren’t used to being up at 12,000 feet so it can definitely take a toll on the body. Glad you were ok!
From time to time, we see people visiting from out of town come in to my urgent care clinic with altitude sickness that presents with stomach pain. It doesn’t take much if you’re coming from sea level. Some of it is hiking in the mountains. Some of it is a combination of altitude and alcohol. And if it’s bad enough it doesn’t go away as soon as you’re out of the highest elevations. Staying hydrated is big protective factor that isn’t there if you’re also partaking in Colorado’s scene for microbrews.
Thank you for weighing in on that…it’s definitely appreciated!
I enjoyed your take on 12 must-see sights in Rocky Mountain National Park. There were a couple of places I have not been to (Adams Falls and Ute Trail) which I will check out. Our family started going to Rocky when I was little and continued until the year I graduated from college. Just recently,, the five of us kids went back in 2009 and with the exception of a couple of years have continued through this summer. The plan is to make it a yearly pilgrimage, taking in hikes we have not been to. Thanks for sharing…
That’s a cool tradition! You’ll never run out of things to do haha. Glad you found a few new hikes to add to your list!!
Love your post! My fiance and I are planning a honeymoon in Estes Park in October and I am so thankful for your tips and advice!
How exciting! Congratulations!
Thanks so much, this is incredibly helpful. My husband and I love hiking, but this is our first trip to do hiking with kids actually walking and not in backpacks (ages 6, 4, 2yr old in pack). Hubby and I have both loved our previous trips but for first time with kids your suggestions sound perfect!
Hi Kayme, I’m so glad you are finding the information useful. Please let me know if you have any questions about any of the points of interest!
I absolutely love your post. I am trying to get my husband into camping and this is where we are going to start. Thank you so much for all of the help in planning our first trip. I know it is going to be a good one.
Thanks Lauren! Let me know if I can help with any of your trip planning!
Did you ever make the trip, through the beautiful Rocky Mountains??
I did….all of the pictures in this post are my own from my travels through the park!
I enjoyed reading about the gorgeous area where I grew up. We lived in Grand Lake and Rocky Mountain National Park was our backyard in which we spent many hours. It is such a unique, gorgeous area. The warnings about weather change are so very important. We always said we had two seasons…winter and the 4th of July and just in case you better have your winter jacket with you on the 4th. It can snow any day of the year. Thank you for sharing your experiences, recommendations and pictures. I’m glad you enjoyed hiking about in “my yard.”
Hey Sheryl, what an amazing place to call home! We love Grand Lake…it’s actually our preferred side of the park now. That scenery is just breathtaking! Thanks for taking the time to message me — I really appreciate it!
I plan on visiting Denver in August (never been before) and this post has been an awesome tool for me to plan one of our days!!!! Great job!!! One question – when you say get an early start…just how early are we talking? ?
Hey Joy,
The Bear Lake parking area (busiest area of the park) usually fills up by 7 or 7:30 in the summer! You can park elsewhere and take a free shuttle if you can’t find a parking space, but as a general rule I always encourage people to be in the park by 7:30 for the best experience :)
Thanks for putting this post together! We are planning a trip to the Rockys in August and you gave me some terrific places to start looking into. Also, thank you for including family-friendly attractions. We have a one year old that we are taking with us and I don’t want to overdo it on this trip.
Of course, I’m happy to help! We were there last August and I would highly recommend getting as much done in the mornings as you can. Every afternoon we were pounded with huge rain/thunderstorms — standing outside at 11,000 feet in a thunderstorm isn’t a good idea :) Even if the weather looks sunny, it can shift in an instant. Let me know if I can help with anything else!