best entrance to rocky mountain national park

Loch Lake. Mt Ida, Sky pond and Chasm lake(timed this to catch sunrise there) were epic hikes with great views. Gem Lake. However, the road is open to Many Parks Curve, approximately 7 miles from the start of Trail Ridge Road from the east. It is equipped with a sofa bed and a double bed, and there is a fireplace in both the bedroom and the warm living room. 1,400 feet (426 m)of elevation gain. This is the hike that I recommend for today. If your visit to Rocky Mountain National Park is part of a bigger road trip through Colorado, here are some articles to help you plan your trip. Price. Lily Lake. Most recently, in 2020, we spent one very busy week here, and learned a lot about this park. On the west side of the park is the Kawuneeche entrance, located just north of the town of Grand Lake. This hike starts at Bear Lake and summits Flattop Mountain before arriving at Hallett Peak. Good job on this article (that popped up in my newsfeed). great service , clean and location is in the center of town. There are sixty mountain peaks over 12,000 feet and many of these top out over 13,000 feet. 15 Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. As part of the National Park system, Zion operates under the same rules as other parks. Yay!! There are two ticket types: Park Access + and Park Access. During the winter months, cross-country skiing is also a popular activity. $35 per vehicle, valid for one week. Fall River Visitor Center features life-sized displays of a wide variety of park wildlife. 9.8 miles, strenuous, 4.5 to 6.5 hours. The Bear Lake Corridor is one of the most popular areas in Rocky Mountain National Park for first-time visitors. The stark colors of the evergreen trees and the sparkling high-mountain waters combine for picture perfect vistas. Odessa & Fern Lakes Hike. RMNP in February Dec 18, 2022. Longs Peak and Timber Creek Campgrounds are easier to get reservations. However, both routes cross high over the mountains and close down once winter weather arrives. There will also be three amazing lakes. Odessa and Fern Lakes, Mills and Black Lake, Sky Pond, and Hallett Peak can all be hiked from this trailhead. BTW I reach Denver around 12.30pm on a Tuesday in mid August, that puts me in Estes Park area at about 3:30pm (waiting for rental/lunch/traffic). I was able to snag early AM Bear lake for 3/4 days i am going to be at the park (believe it or not, i snagged it from atop Lassen peak which was the only place i got 5g !!). This gave us enough time to hike at least one trail every day, with contingency time for bad weather. Each residence is individually managed, so some are better than others. Sky Pond. This is one of the highest national parks in the USA. Difficulty: Moderate. The west side (Grand Lake side) is more about the Kawuneeche Valley and the Colorado River. Trail Ridge Road is the highest paved through road, not only in Colorado, but also in the entire US national park system. Ah one for each day, got it Ty !! COLORADO ITINERARY: With 10 days in Colorado, road trip to all four national parks (Rocky Mountain, Great Sand Dunes, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, and Mesa Verde), linking them together with some very scenic drives. Tahosa Valley Cabin is situated near the entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park, easily sleeping up to four guests. So, after Labor Day, you might have some of both (snow and crowds). Estes Park Colorado has also designated Trail Ridge Road as a scenic and historic byway. You can visit Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) all year, but sections of the park close once the snow begins to fall. The permit is in effect from 5 am to 6 pm. Black Lake looks similar to Chasm Lake, as both of these alpine lakes are surrounded by jagged mountain peaks. How crowded does Rocky Mountain National Park get? The park has gotten so popular that in 2020 a timed entry system was put into effect. The daily access to the Rocky Mountain National Park is US$ 30 per vehicle, US$ 15 per person, and US$ 25 per motorcycle. Accessible trails include favorites like Bear Lake and Sprague Lake, and you can also reserve an all-terrain wheelchair from Estes Park Mountain Shop (970-586-6548). You'll pass the popular Wild Basin Lodge just before the entrance. However, this property gets rave reviews. Tucked in the folds of the Rocky Mountains and anchored by the stunning Grand Lake, this town is lined with locally owned shops, restaurants, bed and breakfasts and hotels. Longs Peak, at 14,259 feet, is the only fourteener in the park. Park Details. Get here by 7:30 am if you want a spot. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. When the parking areas in Wild Basin are full, usually by 9am in the summer, vehicles will be turned away. If you are looking for a relatively uncrowded trail with the chance to visit multiple alpine lakes, this is a nice hike to consider. We just walked up and down the main road, and glanced at all the salt water taffy . Thats a great question! Rocky Mountain National Park, established in 1915, is a living showcase of the grandeur of the Rocky Mountains. Learn more here. Funds from RMNP passes insure the preservation of the Lily Lake area and help to maintain the parking lot, vault. Some visitors complain of noise and hot temperatures in the summer (there is no air conditioning). Forest Canyon Overlook | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary, Rainbow Curve Overlook | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. Sky Pond | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. This is the best Timed Entry Permit for visitors planning to drive over Trail Ridge Road, recreate on the west side of the park, as well as access Longs Peak, Lily Lake, East Inlet, Wild Basin, and all other outlying areas of RMNP. Private vehicle: $30, valid for 1 day / $35, valid for 7 days; Motorcycle: $25, valid for 1 day / $30, valid for 7 days; Per person (including cyclists): $15, valid for 1 day Cheers, Julie. The Loch. Text in English. This station is .25 miles from our newest visitor center, the Fall River Visitor Center. From the Alpine Visitor Center, drive Alpine Ridge Road back to Estes Park. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Crowds will begin to quiet down in October, but snow on the trails becomes a lot more likely. Shuttle Bus. You can help to move the line move more quickly by having your park pass, permit, and ID ready when you reach the entrance station. You can stay in a cozy cabin with a river view or a well-decorated suite. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. The most popular hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. Trail Type: Out-and-back. , I recommend hiking Longs Peak on the day with the clearest weather. And for FREE checklist of the US National Parks, take a look at our article US National Parks List. 9.5 miles, strenuous, 4 to 6 hours. Morning: Hike Nymph, Dream, Emerald, and Bear Lakes from the Bear Lake Trailhead Afternoon: Trail Ridge Road (if the weather is clear), Timed Entry Ticket: Bear Lake Road Corridor + Full Park Access. To reach the Wild Basin Entrance from Estes Park, head south on CO 7. Also, it can snow every month of the year in Rocky Mountain National Park. Pre-hike fuel: Near the main junction in Estes, hit up Notchtop . Gem Lake | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. Is it worth going to RMNP if I only have 4 hours? Eleven miles of this road is in the alpine tundra, which is over 11,000 feet. Go back to the fork and then take the trail to Loch Vale. Head to Grand Lake, a quaint, historic town surrounded on three sides by Rocky Mountain National Park. All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. Phone. For hikers, its the ultimate adventure. I recommend the shorter, easier hikes if you are not acclimated to the altitude, arent a big fan of hiking, and/or have more than one day in Rocky Mountain National Park. The Finch Lake trail is a great choice for those who prefer solitude as it's one of the lesser traveled trails in the Wild Basin region of RMNP. Gorgeous alpine views can certainly be seen from this center located at 11,796' elevation! Hi Julie ! This gives you enough time to drive Alpine Ridge Road, Old Fall River Road, and hike a few of the trails. Rocky Mountain National Park also offers a lot to do for those who arent big fans of hiking. Once the snow begins to fall, you can still hike many of the trails that we list, but you will need snowshoes. This is another one of our favorite hikes. One Perfect Day in Rocky Mountain National Park. For the "Park Access, Does Not Include Bear Lake Road" Timed Entry Permits, they will be in effect between the hours of 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Plan on being at the trailhead by 7am (or earlier) if you want to park at the trailhead itself. Park Fee: $25 per vehicle, valid for 1 day. Trail Ridge Road winds high into the Rockies, taking visitors into the treeless tundra. It is only staffed in the busy season and during the busiest hours of the day the line can get long. Timed Entry Ticket: You will need a Bear Lake Road Corridor + Full Park Access permit (Park Access +) if you plan to hike Sky Pond, Hallett Peak, or Mills and Black Lake. Rocky Mountain National Park was established on January 26, 1915, and has a total area of 265,795 acres (415 square miles, or 1,076 square kilometers). What are some alternate routes if Trail Ridge Road is closed? The main entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park is located on highway 36 just four miles west of downtown Estes Park. You have included all of our favorite hikes in RMNP so I think your list looks good! However, Old Fall River Road is only open during the summer months. There are four entrances into Rocky Mountain National Park, and in 2022, you will need a park pass plus a separate day-use reservation to get into the park, regardless of which entrance you take. With its short distance and manageable elevation gain, it is a great first hike in the park, as you acclimate to the higher elevation. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. What do you think about Deer Mtn, Mills Lake and Loch Vale [sp?]. If the skies stay clear, you can stay in the park and do more exploring. Thank you! photo by Ladona Stork. Altitude sickness is rare in RMNP, unless you are hiking to peaks over 12,000 feet and are not acclimated. To feel like you are really in the heart of the mountains, head to the only entrance on the parks west side, the Grand Lake Entrance. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. In June, there still could be snow at the higher elevations, and it really depends on how much snow the area gets this spring. They will ask to see your park pass and ID or offer you the opportunity to purchase one. Loveland & Boulder, CO - Rocky Mountain lodging further away. This road is gravel and is quite narrow. This road opened in 1920 at it was the first road that led into Rocky Mountain National Park. Is RMNP a good place to visit for the elderly or those with limited mobility? For 48 miles, this road runs from Estes Park in the east to Grand Lake in the west. Put your higher hikes in the second half of your RMNP visit and you should be fine. Its our favorite hike in RMNP. The Fall River entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park is located on highway 34 approximately 5 miles east of Estes Park. During the busy summer months, a free shuttle service is provided by the national park service. Note: You do not need a 44 for this drive. Colorado Springs is a great weekend trip from Denver if you are looking to explore a smaller city within an hour or two of Denver. Since you will know your exact dates, I recommend making your reservations on July 1 so you get the permits for each day you will be in RMNP. Julie Last updated: February 23, 2023 United States 61 Comments. 1. If the skies are clear, the weather forecast is favorable, and Longs Peak is on your bucket list, go for it today. I recommend getting here early (ideally by 7:30 am) to make sure you get a parking space and to give yourself plenty of time today. Emerald and Dream Lakes are great but crowded. But the real reason for doing this is for the incredible view of Sky Pond, one of the most spectacular alpine lakes in the USA. Recorded Trail Ridge Road status: (970) 586-1222. If driving Trail Ridge Road or Old Fall River Road is on the top of your list and you have limited time, you may want to enter the park via the Fall River Entrance on the parks east side. However, if Longs Peak is on your list, I recommend waiting one more day if you come from sea level. Or is it pretty bad and long lasting? You wont find major grocery stores here, although you can drive 25 minutes to Granby and shop at the enormous City Market. After the passes and permits are sorted, they will offer you a park map and a park newspaper. more, Rocky Mountain National Park Destination Experts. Combine two of the above hikes into one great experience. Yes, take a look at the Where to Stay section of this article. There are numerous pull-over areas on each side of the road for this purpose. This year's system has loosened to 75% to 85% of parking capacity. When does Trail Ridge Road close in the fall? Turn west onto Highway 84 (Wild Basin Road) and follow it for 0.4 miles to the Wild Basin entrance station. Lake of Glass, seen on the hike to Sky Pond. For reference, I was able to do Highline trail from the loop all the way to Grinnell viewpoint, Ptarmigan tunnel and Grinnell Glacier including Grinnell lake, hidden lake overlook, virginia waterfalls over 3 full days at my recently concluded Glacier NP trip. Estes Park to the Alpine Visitor Centre distance. or maybe 4? Thats crazy how early parking lots fill up, too. Turn around and look for the trailhead on your left. Grand Lake's bustling little downtown with its charming historic boardwalk is right outside of Rocky Mountain National Park's West Entrance. Stop by the Kawuneeche Visitor Center near the Grand Lake Entrance to get more information. By 4 to 5 pm, the skies begin to clear. I lucked out and it didnt rain on the 3 main days i was hiking (there was some rain on the day i came in but even that stopped around 4p and i was able to do nymph to dream to emerald and bear lake hike that evening). Do we have others using the trails even in the mornings? You can follow this itinerary during the winter months with some modifications. You need to make it through the Beaver Meadows entrance and where they check permits for the Bear Lake Corridor (I think that is the junction of Bear Lake Road and US-36 but I am not 100% about this) before 5 am. But this is a strenuous hike and longer than your 8 mile cut-off. The Fall River entrance is 4 miles from Estes Park a wonderful little mountain town. From $73.48 per night. This is a gorgeous drive. Spend the afternoon and evening exploring Estes Park. This is the highest continuous paved road in the United States. Depending on the volume of traffic, some visitors with detailed questions must be directed to the visitor centers where the rangers and volunteers there can more adequately provide the needed assistance. For example, if you hike Deer Mountain at 6 am, you do not need a permit. If time permits be adventurous and try a different entrance each day! Stay on US 34 as it becomes Trail Ridge Road to enjoy a spectacular tour of the parks incredible landscapes. On the east side of the park lies the Beaver Meadows Entrance, the most direct entrance from Estes Park, Colo.,which lies right outside Rocky Mountain National Park. Moraine Park Campground is located in Rocky Mountain National Park near the Beaver Meadows Entrance on Highway 36. After the trail split, the hike gets easier and the views of Longs Peak and the alpine landscape is jaw-dropping. Would that help mitigate some of the altitude sickness? All passes are available at all park entrance stations. CO If you do not have a reservation, you will not be allowed to enter the park. This is a great hike for newbie hikers who want to summit a mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park. As one of the most popular hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, the Alberta Falls Trail is a must on any itinerary. They are also happy to answer quick questions, but you have to keep them very short as there will almost certainly be others waiting behind you. On the other side of this entrance station you enter the meadows of the Kawuneeche Valley. This station, which is one mile west of the park's headquarters and Beaver Meadows Visitor Center, usually receives the highest volume of visitors. Plus, this is a lesser known hike, so the trail gets a lower number of hikers than other hikes on this list. This is a hike that we did on our first trip to Rocky Mountain National Park a few years ago, and we retraced our steps on our latest trip en route to Sky Pond (more on that in a second). In this Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary, many of days end by the early afternoon, because of these storms. However, if you are traveling in a car, Wild Basin is a wonderful area to explore with trails that reach eight lakes and three waterfalls. What should you not miss in Rocky Mountain National Park? Here are you options: The private vehicle entrance fee, good for 1 day, is $25. 9 miles, strenuous, 4 to 6 hours. I am not the hiker I used to be [did Kili in 04] so a moderate/ mildly strenuous 8 miler more my speed now. On day two, as you are still acclimating to the altitude, I recommend one of these hikes: Deer Mountain. 1000 US Hwy 36 Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the highest national parks in the USA. this is a great place to stay when you visit Rocky Mountain National Park. Best beginner hike in Rocky Mountain National Park: Emerald Lake. Acadia National Park; Montana / Wyoming. To the north of the Beaver Meadows area, located on highway 34 approximately four miles west of Estes Park, is the Fall River Entrance Station. This "rest of park" Timed Entry Permit Reservation period will be in effect between the hours of 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bodies of Water. The hike itself is relatively easy but follows uneven terrain and rock so take caution with small children and older folks. Estes Park. Once you pass through the entrance booth, you have access to that area of the park (for example, if you are coming from Estes Park and enter through the Beaver Meadows entrance before 9 am, you do not need a permit and can tour the park, with the exception of the Bear Lake Corridor, for the rest of the day). In fact, it is such a popular place to visit that you now need a timed entry permit to enter. Snow can linger on the trails as late as July, especially for the trails at higher elevations. View from the Alpine Ridge Trail | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. Yellowstone National Park; Wind River . Dream Lake | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. Evening back at Estes park at my hotel. We are going to put RMNP last so we have time to get used to the altitude, because we are from the East Coast. We still had some snow in a few spots at the higher elevations. Best Hikes Rocky Mountain National Park. I think that puts the Mills Lake + Loch Vale hike somewhere around 7.6 miles total. Colorado Springs. Rocky Mountain National Park Travel Forum, Best entrance to rocky mountain national park, Re: Best entrance to rocky mountain national park. Your email address will not be published. It is the east side (Estes Park side) of RMNP that has . :) All the entrances lead to the Beautiful Rocky Mountains. Hike one of the trails that I mentioned earlier in this itinerary, or click here to see our list of 15 great hikes to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. Rocky Mountain National Park's 4 Neighborhoods to Stay in. Lake Haiyaha | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. This very highly rated property offers two-bedroom apartments that can accommodate up to six people. (Old Maps, 20th Century Maps, Americana, Travel, Tourism, Colorado, Rocky Mountain National Park, Granby Reservoir, Granby).Grand Lake West Entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park.Published c. 1940's, United States.Folding cartoon pictorial travel map, printed on both sides of the sheet. Acreage: 265,769. 970 586-1206 This route will lead you up past the Stanley Hotel. Travelers favorites include #1 Trail Ridge Road, #2 Beaver Meadows Visitor Center and more. Location: north-central Colorado. You can also access Bear Lake Road, but it requires an additional 10 minutes of driving. If you are an avid hiker, your itinerary will look something like this: Day 1: Nymph, Dream & Emerald Lakes plus Trail Ridge Road and the Alpine Ridge Trail Day 2: Deer Mountain in the morning, Estes Park in the afternoon/evening Day 3: Sky Pond Day 4: Continental Divide Trail to Mount Ida Day 5: Longs Peak Day 6: Rest day from hiking (Old Fall River Road and activities in Estes Park) Day 7: Chasm Lake. Get updates on road conditions on the national park service website. The park is reducing the time period and number of hours daily that reservations are in effect for most areas of RMNP. Mills and Black Lake. Sky Pond. Anything to keep in mind? We were here in early July, so all of the photos on our website were taken around the first week of July. The only first-come, first-served Rocky Mountain National Park campgrounds in the park, Longs Peak Campground, has 26 sites and charges $26 per night. 365. Yes, August is a great month to hike in RMNP. Reservations are made online on the recreation.gov website. All offer bookstores and much printed information to supplement the knowledgeable staff. If you are coming from sea level, you will feel the effects of the altitude as soon as you do anything strenuous. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. It includes Bear Lake Road and the hikes that start here (Bear Lake, Emerald and Dream Lakes, Alberta Falls, Sky Pond, Hallett Peak, and Sprague Lake). And bring a camera , its a beautiful park! Rocky Mountain National Park is a special place any season, but fall brings out the best in the park. I recommend wearing waterproof hiking shoes or boots (not running or walking shoes) so that you have good traction. Cheers, Julie. Buckle in for some altitude gain and, outside of warmer summer months, pack spikes for the hiking trail! Thats awesome that you got Bear Lake permits and thats so COOL that you got them while on Lassen Peak (yes, I cant wait to visit that park). Nymph, Dream, Emerald & Bear Lakes: 4.2 miles, easy to moderate, 3 hours. We spent seven days in RMNP and every day we did at least one hike. In the southeast corner of the park there is an entrance to the Wild Basin area. Cheers, Julie, QQ for those noon thunderstorms, are they quick showers? Driving distance from Denver: 1-2 hours. Known as a "scenic wonder road of the world," it traverses 48 miles between Estes Park on the park's east side and Grand Lake on the west, taking in several not-to-be-missed sights. The Continental Divide Trail connects some of the tallest peaks, such as Mount Ida, Flattop Mountain, Hallett Peak, Isolation Peak, and many more. best things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. Afternoon/Evening Trail ridge road/Alpine ridge trial. I am there all day Wed,Thur and Fri (in mid August), On that Tuesday afternoon, you might be able to go hiking, depending on the thunderstorm situation. Most people will be acclimated by this point, which means that you can hike almost any trail in the park. Cheers, Julie. On the east side of the park, located on highway 36 and 3.5 miles west of Estes Park, is the Beaver Meadows Entrance Station. Many of the taller peaks make up the Continental Divide, where snowmelt runs . At this elevation, its not enough to cause altitude sickness, but you will tire and get out of breath easily. Required fields are marked *. You will hike past Alberta Falls, wind around lovely Mills Lake, and end at Black Lake. Hiking poles are a good idea for some of the tougher hikes (Sky Pond, Chasm Lake) if you have knee issues or if there is snow on the trail. Inside the park, the Rocky Mountain Conservancy offers year-round seminars, guided fly-fishing, naturalist tours, hiking and photography classes. It is our favorite short hike in the park. High in the center of the park, the Alpine Visitor Center offers displays about the most noted area of the park, the land above the trees. For five days or more, follow our four day itinerary and for each additional day that you have, add on another hike. You are now standing at 12,718 feet, with 360 views, which makes this one of the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Past the Alpine Visitor Center, you can continue on Alpine Ridge Road and go all of the way to Grand Lake, if you like. Timed entry permits (separate from an entrance fee) are no longer required. Looking at the trail signs on our Sky Pond guide, it looks like hiking the spur only to Loch Vale adds 1.6 miles total. Not sure either if we should stay in Estes park or grand lake? Hiking poles can help you keep your balance in the snow. Rocky Mountain National Park is a relatively large park, with a total area of 415 square miles. How likely is someone to get altitude sickness at RMNP? Information? The Stanley Hotel offers a wide range of rooms. Thanks for writing in!! Learn about each of them and find the entrance station that will best meet your needs. 3. Cheers, Julie. Take a 0.4-mile detour to Lake Haiyaha for an added bonus. There are two options and option #1 (Bear Lake Road and the rest the park) is the best option since it gives you access to the entire park. Located outside Estes Park, Colorado, Rocky Mountain is a great family vacation . Within the boundaries of Rocky Mountain National Park, more than 100 peaks rise above 11,000 feet in altitude, including Longs Peak at 14,259 feet. If you want to see some of the best lakes such as Bear Lake, Glacier Gorge, or Sprague Lake, then you should go to the Beaver Meadows entrance. Trailhead: Glacier Gorge (40.31053, -105.64033) Why we love it: This quiet winter hike avoids the Bear Lake throngs while still delivering the same stop-in-your-tracks alpine viewsincluding Longs Peakfor hardy snowshoers. These two are the most popular entrances to the park. With one day, I recommend going on a hike, starting at Bear Lake, and driving Trail Ridge Road (its awesome!). Visiting RMNP in the spring (April or May), Rocky Mountain National Park Bed and Breakfast, Rocky Mountain National Park Vacation Rentals, Rocky Mountain National Park Vacation Packages, Things to Do in Rocky Mountain National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park Travel Guide, Browse all 3,365 Rocky Mountain National Park topics , 2 days in Rocky Mountain National Park--afraid of heights, Multi-day horse riding trail or pack trip, See All Rocky Mountain National Park Conversations. The only thing to note is that each day I started the hike between 4a-5a (especially because some parking lots like the Glacier gorge one and Longs peak one get filled up by 5a). And once at topwhat a view.! There are many things to do here. There are a million different ways to put together a Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary, and how you choose to do so really depends on your interests, the time of year you plan to visit the park, and the weather. Ty in advance for your help as usual ! These are the only official entry stations into the park. There are pull outs along the road for viewing but can get busy during the day so head . Rocky Mountain National Park is a relatively large park, with a total area of 415 square miles. l plan on 7 days there. Timed Entry Reservation Info for 2023 Season Dec 16, 2022. Lake Estes | Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary. Site by, Learn about the different park pass options available, Temporary Closures In Lumpy Ridge And Loch Vale Areas Begin February 15 to Protect Nesting Raptors, Winter Adventures in Rocky Mountain National Park, RMNP continues pilot timed entry permit reservations from May 26 through Oct 22, Winter Pile Burning Operations On Both Sides Of Park. Finch Lake Hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) is one of the most popular attractions in Colorado, drawing 4.5 million annual visitors to its 415 square miles of mountain beauty. (Learn about the different park pass options available.) Best nearby. 4. Most of this hike is over 11,000 feet, in the alpine tundra, so its best to save this hike for when you are acclimated to the altitude. Only 0.6 miles round trip, this flat, easy trail circles around Bear Lake. Trail Ridge Road, the highest paved continuous road in the United States, cuts through the park from the east to the west. Youre itinerary is great, thanks for this! Alberta Falls Trail. This gives you enough time to acclimate to the higher elevation (very important if you live at a low elevation) before tackling some of the higher, tougher hikes (such as Mount Ida, Hallett Peak, or Longs Peak). Which entrance would be better. More about Trail Ridge Road's Season. I recommend staying at The Residences. This entrance station has two booths and is generally one of the quieter entrances of the park; however, on busy days you may have a short wait. Mills Lake and Loch Vale are very nice and might be perfect for you. Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuous paved road in the United States. Travel to Aspen and Rock Mountain During thanksgiving Nov 08, 2022. Those are the 3 that were recommended to me. 6.2 miles, moderate, 3 to 4 hours. It also is just a few minutes from Estes Parks downtown.