No trip to Rocky Mountain National Park would be complete without a hike to the stunning Emerald Lake! Tucked deep into the mountains and situated perfectly in the shadow of peaks, this trail provides the perfect alpine experience in just a few short hours. Hikers of all abilities will appreciate the spectacular trees, waterfalls, lakes, and mountain views that emerge around every turn in the trail.
Planning a trip to Rocky Mountain National Park? Be sure to check out this list of 12 Things You Can’t Miss!
Although this trail is quite popular and littered with people at almost any time of day, you’ll be thrilled with the incredible views, craggy peaks, and beautiful lakes along this hike. There is just something so awe-inspiring about a pristine alpine lake nestled high in the mountains, and this trail has three! Pass by the lily pad-covered Nymph Lake and the dramatic Dream Lake before reaching your destination, the stunning Emerald Lake.
What You Need to Know
This trail is a steady climb to all three lakes, with outstanding views of Long’s Peak (a Colorado 14er), Hallett Peak, and Flattop Mountain. Each lake is about a half-mile apart along a well-worn trail.
Pets are not permitted on this trail.
The Emerald Lake Trail weaves in and out of beautiful pine forests full of perfectly shaped Christmas trees with streams and rivers along the way. The beginning section of your hike is primarily in the trees, with occasional mountain views peeking through.
You may be surprised to find that the trail is paved (although the pavement is not well-kept). The trail turns to dirt as you near Nymph Lake and stays dirt for the rest of the hike. You will approach the gorgeous lily pad-covered Nymph Lake from the south, blending in with the surrounding greenery.
From Nymph Lake, the trail climbs out of the pine forest and onto the mountainside, providing sweeping views of the phenomenal Rocky Mountains. I love this section of the hike! Get your camera out and take time to breathe in the crisp mountain air while snapping photos of the incredibly photogenic Longs Peak, standing majestic at 14,259 feet.
Continuing up and around the mountainside, your view shifts to the recognizable crags in the distance. From here, it is just a few short steps to lake number two, the beautiful Dream Lake.
You may see a charming golden mantle ground squirrel searching for food near the lake. These squirrels are often mistaken for chipmunks because of their similar stripes, but chipmunks are smaller and have stripes across their faces as well as on their back. This little guy was a little too comfortable around us, so please remember not to feed the wildlife in an effort to help them thrive on their own.
Your first glimpse of Dream Lake will take your breath away! The crystal clear water surrounded by incredibly dramatic alpine peaks creates an atmosphere full of audible oohs and ahhs.
The steepest part of the trail is the section between Dream Lake and Emerald Lake as you climb deeper into the Tyndall Gorge. Get ready for some stair-stepping!
Take a small detour to the waterfall that connects Dream and Emerald Lake. You may see some lovely yellow wildflowers in bloom.
The spectacular Emerald Lake sits at the base of those recognizable crags, Hallett Peak (12,713 feet) and Flattop Mountain (12,324 feet), and is fed by a large waterfall supplied by the Tyndall Glacier. The sheer majesty of these peaks cannot be properly captured by a camera!
This hike is a must-do for any Rocky Mountain National Park vacation. The trail to Emerald Lake is 3.3 miles roundtrip. The total elevation gain for this hike is about 900 feet, with the elevation at Emerald Lake just over 10,000 feet above sea level. Due to the elevation gain and the altitude {which makes it harder to breathe}, I would consider this trail to be moderate in difficulty.
Getting Here
From Estes Park, drive west on Highway 36 to the Beaver Meadows Entrance Station. After paying the entrance fee at the station, take a left onto the Bear Lake Road. The trail to Emerald Lake begins at the Bear Lake Trailhead, located at the end of the road.
Happy trails!
More Rocky Mountain Trip Planning Information
Rocky Mountain Itinerary — a detailed hour-by-hour sightseeing schedule.
How to Get to Rocky Mountain — the best airports and roads in the area.
How Many Days Should I Spend in Rocky? — itinerary ideas.
The Best Time to Visit — what to expect during each month of the year.
Weather, Hours, and Closures — important weather info and common closures.
Where Should I Stay? — the best options in and around the park.
All About Camping — learn about the park’s campgrounds and how to get a site.
12 Things You Can’t Miss on Your First Visit to Rocky — the top 12 spots.
The Best Easy Hikes — the perfect trails for kids, wheelchairs, and beginners.
Best Things to Do — activities for every type of adventurer.
The Ultimate Rocky Mountain Trip Planning Guide — everything you need to know.
Hi,
My family plans to drive from Denver to RMNP at the end of October/early November for one day. I am not sure where to find the itinerary on this website appropriate for this time and duration. I was thinking of driving along the Trail Ridge Road. When you say it can be closed in the second half of October, exactly which part of it will be closed? And is it still worth drive through till where it will be closed? We probably want to spend about 2 hours at Bear Lake. Is there anywhere else still worth going to at that time? Thanks.
You can still usually get to the Bear Lake area and drive up to Many Parks Curve on the Trail Ridge Road. You’ll find a month-by-month breakdown of what to expect in the park in this article: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/the-best-time-to-visit-rocky-mountain-national-park/ If the weather holds, there should definitely be enough for you to do!
Hi – we are camping at Timber Creek but do not have Access+ passes…can we drive / hike to Beaver Lake area once staying in the park?
Camping at Timber Creek doesn’t give you access to the Bear Lake area, so you’ll need to either reserve Park Access + to get in there, or you’ll need to enter the Bear Lake area before 5 a.m. or after 6 p.m. Have fun!
Would this be a good hike with young kids (11, 7 & 6) that have done a decent amount of smaller hikes?
Yes! I love taking my young kids on this hike.
Thank you so much for this post! A friend and I are coming to Denver for a long weekend in early May from Pennsylvania and plan on spending a few hours hiking RMNP. We are coming from just above sea level (around 400-500ft above) and we’re considering the trail to Emerald Lake. We are staying overnight in Denver, and will be spending the first day driving and walking around, hopefully to get used to the altitude a bit. Do you think we will be bothered by the altitude change on this particular hike? I’m a bit of a hypochondriac and worry about these things, but would rather be prepared with alternate routes if necessary! We are also novice hikers, but from what I’ve read, this route seems to be pretty doable for people of our skill level. Any input on our chances of avoiding altitude sickness? Tips for alternate trails if we’re worried about the elevation gain? Thank you so much!!
This is a great trail for novice hikers! It’s likely you’ll still feel the altitude (most people do) — the key is to take it slow, drink lots of water, and be sure you eat as you go to replenish your body. If you start feeling dizzy, nauseous, etc. then you’ll just need to turn around and get yourself down to a lower elevation. Most trails in Rocky are high altitude, so go easy on yourself and have fun!
Would I be able to hike this trail the first week of April without snow shoes? How much snow do you think there will be?
Thanks!
You’re at 10,000 feet above sea level, so the trail should be quite snowy still! Sometimes it gets hard-packed and snowshoes aren’t necessarily needed, but you’ll definitely want to plan on winter conditions.
I am traveling to RMNP for the first time this weekend. Are these trails safe to do this late in October? Will everything be snow covered?
You’ll want to check the current conditions in the park here: https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/conditions.htm Things can change quickly this time of year!
hi, Can you please let me know if it is safe enough to start the hike to Emerald at 5:30AM to catch sunrise at Dream lake for Labor day weekend?
Do you think we will have any company? Humans or Wildlife :p
Thanks
You’ll probably have company on the trail at that time…humans and wildlife :)
RMNP is a treasure grove of wonderful hikes… for those that are well conditioned the hike from the Flatop mountain trailhead to Odessa gorge and down past Fern Lake and finally fern falls is is a good one. You can catch the shuttle back to the flatop mountain trail head but br surd to check the time table.
So many good options! Thanks for your input!
I am taking my 3 older teenagers to this area June 9, is the fishing allowed along this trail ? If so is it worth toting our poles? Thanks for sharing your beautiful pics and knowledge!
I’m not a fisherwoman so I’m not sure how good the fishing is in that area. I’d ask the rangers when you get to the park :) Have fun!
How long does it take to hike the Emerald Trail? Would 2 hours be sufficient for the hike and sightseeing/pictures along the way?
For most hikers, yes! The stretch from Dream Lake to Emerald Lake is the most difficult and may add time as you work your way uphill. Enjoy!
Great page! My husband and I are going to RMNP for the first time and we are planning on doing the Emerald Lake hike! We have never done this type of hike before but from what I read it’s pretty easy? Could we make it in tennis shoes or should we get hiking boots??
Hiking shoes would be better, but tennis shoes will be fine :) Have fun!
Pretty cool. I was out at Rocky Mountain NP last September but only had an afternoon to be there, which isn’t much. I just drove the Trail Ridge Road and stopped at all the overlooks. Pretty cool but I want to do some hiking this time. I want to hike Emerald Lake and see how I feel doing that. I’m looking at mid-June to come out because my wife has a conference and is taking my daughter, so I’ve got a week on my own.
I’d also like to try hiking some of the Ute trail if the road is open. I want to be a little careful because I live at 4000 feet. I was OK last time at 12,000 feet but I could feel the altitude. I was slightly weak in the knees and my stomach was a little off (didn’t realize until later that that can be a symptom of altitude sickness). From what I saw on Google Earth, the stretch of Ute Trail that I’m looking at is about 1.25 miles each way and an elevation gain of a couple hundred feet. I want it to be downhill back to the car.
This hike is a great one for getting out on the trail without it being too strenuous! After a day or two in the park, you’d probably be fine hiking the Ute Trail. That elevation is just crazy…but if you’re aware of what you’re body is trying to tell you it’s worth attempting. Have fun!
Great! You need to go over to Great Basin Nat’l Park, it’s right at the Utah/Nevada border by Baker, NV. I went there last June, it was fantastic! I didn’t do the Wheeler Peak hike to 13,000 feet but I did the glacier hike up to 11,200 feet (parking lot is right at 10,000 feet). Great place and the stars are incredible at night.
I’ve been, but I need to go back! That’s a park that deserves more time for sure!!