This is a gorgeous part of Rocky Mountain National Park and definitely worth visiting. I highly…read morerecommend booking well in advance (think 2 months) for timed entry. I was a few days into the month when the timed entry opened for the dates we were visiting and I got a 12pm entry as the morning times had already been booked. Closer to the date you won't find anything until a few spots open up the night before. When we visited we did the park and ride which took us past a couple trailheads before getting to Bear Lake. The lake itself is absolutely gorgeous. The walk nearby is flat and easy to do - a good option for anyone with accessibility issues. We spent some time here before hiking up to Nymph Lake which was also a beauty. There are a few more lakes you can continue hiking toward from Bear Lake to extend your visit. Our trip around Bear Lake, up to Nymph Lake and back took around 1 and a half hour with stopping a few times along the way to admire the natural beauty. I think you could easily spend half a day here doing some of the connecting hikes. We loved our visit here and would certainly come back!

The serenity and beauty are 5 star without a doubt. The lake is probably the single most visited…read morelocation in the entire RMNP. As such, it is incredibly over-crowded and over-touristed. The parking lots to the lake are full by 7am. The Park Service runs a shuttle from Estes Park (the visitor center) which is the way to go. You still need to buy an entrance permit to the park and a $2 permit to visit the lake, but avoiding the hassle of having a car in the park is worth it. The shuttle runs on a defined schedule which is available in the visitor center. They run a tight ship so buses leave promptly. If you do the shuttle (which is free) you need to buy a 1 day untimed pass to the national park (no vehicle). For the Bear Lake pass, you need to go online (recreation.gov) for RMNP the day before you intend to travel at 7pm. Do it quickly because spaces sell out quickly. You will want to reserve a specific time to get on the bus. For example, we did the 10am bus. The shuttle bus schedule is in the visitor center. They send your pass to your email that you show to driver. The lake itself is beautiful. The lake is a 256 feet "hike" from the entrance to the lake. In other words, it is so easy and accessible that everyone does it. When I say everyone, I mean imagine half the population of Manhattan. There are so many people that it is impossible to find any peace or quiet. Some people call this escaping to nature. At the Bear Lake entrance there are other hikes that range in length. The trip to Emerald lake is 1.8 miles and also very popular so expect large crowds. Overall, it is great to be in nature but the big downside is the crowds.

This is a beautiful hike!…read more Full disclosure: Im not a hiker...not even close, but my colorado fam is always up for a good hike, and every time I end up obliging them. This 4 mile trek, with a relatively smooth and scenic terrain, is beautiful and tranquil, but oh man, I swear I almost had an asthma attack on this trail, and I don't even have asthma! The elevation alone will get the average "low lander" (as Im described by them), but its totally worth it. The sense of accomplishment, as well as the welcomed caloric burn, are great motivating factors for me, the non hiker. At the very top of kruger rock is a panoramic 360 degree view of estes park, and its absolutely breath taking and serene...so much so, we had to strike some yoga poses just capture the tranquility at the top. The trail itself is safe and easy for the non hiker, but as always, stay hydrated and take breaks when necessary. Overall, highly recommend..and you can bring the pooches!!

Thai was a beautiful hike and area. I would definitely go back. The hike was doable for people who…read morearen't overly fit, and the view was so pretty.

Nice scenic overlook from Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park. At around 12,000 feet…read moreelevation, this overlook gives you a nice view of the Never Summer Mountains and the Gore Range. The jagged peaks of the Gore Range are named for Sir St George Gore, an Irish aristocrat who went on a hunting expedition in the area in the 1850's. The Never Summer Mountains were created by volcanic activity between 29 and 24 million years ago. There is a small parking lot near the overlook that you can park at. I made a short stop here after visiting the nearby Alpine Visitor Center. The overlook can only be accessed in the summer months because Trail Ridge Road closes during the winter season.

A mile from Lava Cliffs Overlook, passing the Trail Ridge Summit, you arrive at Gore Range…read moreOverlook. Gorge Range is the highest point of the road at 12,183 feet and naturally offers dramatic snow-covered mountain views. Up ahead is the Alpine Visitor Center which makes a great stopping point if you're ready to head back. This is one of the best places to get a view of the west of the park, with spectacular views of the Gore Range mountains, which run for sixty miles. next stop--the Alpine Visitor Centre

On my trip to Rocky National Park, I spent a full day driving on Old Falls River Road and Trail…read moreRidge Road. Both were adventurous and allowed me to enjoy some incredible views. Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuous paved road in the United States. It covers 48 miles between Estes Park on the park's east side and Grand Lake on the west. It reaches its highest point at 12,183 feet elevation. At some point, you will cross the Continental Divide at Milner Pass while on the drive. I drove the full length of Trail Ridge Road on a couple of occasions during my trip to Rocky Mountain National Park. On this drive are thrilling mountain views surrounded by wildflowers and wildlife. I made sure I stopped at every viewpoint along the way. Each one offered a different view and perspective of the park. This is a long but beautiful drive. There are no gas stations on this road. Make sure you fill up before you leave in either Estes Park or in Grand Lake. There is an entrance fee to enter Rocky Mountain National Park and to drive on this road. Trail Ridge Road is seasonal and is only open during the summer season.

Trail Ridge Road runs through the heart of Rocky Mountain National Park. It starts at the Estes…read morePark, CO entrance and goes for 47 miles ending in the charming town of Grand Lake, CO. And vice versa, you can begin your Rocky Mountain NP adventure in Grand Lake and head northeast towards Estes Park, but Estes Park is the most popular area that a majority of visitors start from. Rocky Mountain National Park offers plenty of hiking opportunities but when not getting out on the trails, then you're driving this Trail Ridge Road. It can be accomplished in two hours without making stops, but you have to exit the car and appreciate the sceneries. I'll just rundown some roadside stops and vista points along the road starting in Estes Park... - Many Parks Curve - stroll along a boardwalk for distant views of the Rocky Mountain landscape. It's an okay setting, but nothing that may take your breathe away from my POV. And...maybe you need 10 minutes here to admire the sights but I don't believe they're memorable. - Rainbow Curve - alright well, I'll guess I'll be biased on this one because along the way it briefly rained and when I pulled into the parking lot, there was a stunning looking rainbow set in the backdrop that poetically fit the name of this stop. Usually, me (Seth) doesn't get lucky with rainbow views but I was fortunate and captured some terrific panoramic perspectives. I was grateful, lol, but I wouldn't expect there to be many rainbow backdrops at... Rainbow Curve, lol. - Forest Canyon Overlook - at this point on the drive (for the end of June), be prepared for very cold temperatures. It had to be 40 - 45 degrees and I immediately bundled up in a winter jacket while still wearing shorts, lol. It's a quick walk to the overlook in really windy and brisk conditions. I couldn't wait to return to the car, lol. But, the views here showcased a desolate tundra landscape with alpine mountains hovering beside the skyline. - Lava Cliffs Overlook - a lot of the cliffs still had snow covering them so there really weren't dramatic vantage points at this stop. Plus, the wind was howling so hard, I sprinted back to the car! - Gore Range Overlook - the Gore Range Mountains were just too far off in the distance to really admire any quality sightseeing. You could skip this stop. - Alpine Visitor Center - a MUST STOP. This is the summit of Rocky Mountain NP. The Visitor Center and Trail Ridge Store stand at 11,796 feet above sea level. But....while here, I think it's imperative to hike ALPINE RIDGE TRAIL, or otherwise known according to the trailhead sign as "Huffers Hill". Alpine Ridge Trail goes up a staircase for maybe half a mile to the official top of it all at 12,005 feet above sea level. You can take a photo with the 12,005 foot sign, but it's nothing special and not nearly as colorful a sign as the one high atop Pikes Peak. On the return steps back down to the VC and Trail Ridge Store, you get some photogenic views of not just the parking lot and confirming how high up you are, but also just the general vast remoteness of Rocky Mountain NP. The park is impressive on a wide range scale, but for me, I was thinking about getting into Utah to witness more colorful surroundings. You can grab a hot chocolate inside the store and souvenirs. Plus, it's a chance to briefly relax and catch your oxygen considering how thin the air is up there. - Medicine Bow Curve - short stop with more brownish looking tundra and Medicine Bow Mountain set far off in the distance. - Continental Divide - cool looking sign that's worthy of grabbing a picture. It says..."the Great Divide separates drainage to the Atlantic Ocean from the Pacific Ocean. It traverses America from Alaska almost to Cape Horn". While here, be on the lookout for a gang of elk that according to other visitors I spoke with, regularly graze beside the lake here at the Continental Divide. And yet, I happened to spot a moose walking along the banks. Viewing a moose was a nice way to conclude the drive. Finally, ending the journey in the pioneer town of Grand Lake, CO, I grabbed some comforting barbecue at the Sagebrush BBQ & Grill. Overall, the Trail Ridge Road drive cutting through the center of Rocky Mountain National Park was eventful at times, but had many lulls in between. I found my thoughts wandering at times. I really wanted wow factor moments but felt too much like I was going through the motions of completing the drive for the sake of it. I know Rocky Mountain NP gets high praise from visitors, but I never connected on a deeper level. Regardless of my sobering tone, just being out among nature will always be a winning formula for me.

With the mandatory timed entry to Bear Lake Road, we got lucky to secure a time to explore this…read morearea of Rocky Mountain National Park. This was our first stop on our hike heading into the forrest and it was an easy climb. These falls are loud and proud plus incredibly pretty. The falls thunder down Glacier Creek due to the heavy snowmelt. It's definitely a favorite spot for many people as it's only 1.6 miles so it's easy to access. Remember to pace yourself due to the altitude. I witnessed lots of huffing and puffing from people having to stop and catch their breath. We stayed long enough to take some pics and watch the falls and then moved on. Plenty of seating all around the falls for everyone. It's great short hike for those that just want to feel like they are "out there". Views are truly epic as is the entire park. Parking earlier in the day can be challenging. I recomment arriving very early or come later in the afternoon to secure a spot. Remember to pack in, pack out and LEAVE NO TRACE.

We picked this hike on our 1 day visit to RMNP and it was a great choice. It's a short 2 mile…read moreround trip from the Bear Lake parking area. This was our first time in park and we came in late May so did not expect all the snow and the slush on the trail so that was really awesome. Lots of elevation change as you climb up and down the trail and several small bridges that traverse all the small mountain springs. We saw a few blooming flowers, blue jays,chipmunks, and we spotted a baby rainbow trout hiding in a little pool in one of the springs. Incredible views of the Rocky Mountains and one you get to the falls it's a nice place to take a nice relaxing break in the many rock formations. Great hike.

Our goal was to hike to Emerald Lake, and let me tell you... It was 100% worth it. On this 3.6 mile…read moreroundtrip hike, you'll also encounter Nymph Lake and Dream Lake. While they're both beautiful in their own right, neither one of them compare to the sheer beauty of Emerald Lake with the snowy mountains as a backdrop. As I said, it is a moderate hike. We started around 930am - would've been nicer to start earlier, but it still beat the full heat of the noon sun. There will be intermittent shade, but make sure you bring a hat, sunscreen, and plenty of water. We visited in mid June. Once we neared Dream Lake, we started encountering snow on the ground. I used hiking sandals, and I was able to do it in those - just be careful. That being said, with the amount of snow that was on the trail to Lake Haiyaha was completely un-doable in my shoes. Once you reach Emerald Lake, find a place to sit and just take it all in. I could've sat there all afternoon, just being at peace with nature. Absolutely gorgeous. To get to Emerald Lake, you'll need access to Bear Lake Road. Just be aware that Bear Lake Road requires a reservation SEPARATE from the reservation to the national park. There's a big lot at the trailhead, but it gets filled up. They do have a park & ride a few miles away with plenty of shuttles ready to bring you in. If you're able to make the hike, hiking to Emerald Lake is wonderful. The hike itself is gorgeous, and the final lake is beautiful. Plan it in your schedule, and you will not be disappointed.

After spending a part of my morning at Bear Lake, I decided to do this hike to Emerald Lake the…read moresecond part of the day. This hike starts at the beginning of the Bear Lake trailhead and is 1.8 miles one way (3.6 miles RT). I would say that it is a moderate hike that has some elevation climb to it. You will pass both Nymph Lake and Dream Lake along way. The views along the way are spectacular. Emerald Lake is nestled in between some mountains at an elevation of 10,111 feet. You can see Hallett Peak and the jagged spires of Flattop Mountain across this iconic alpine lake. In between the two mountains is the Tyndall Gorge. There were some small ripples in the water caused but a slight wind. Several people that hiked here jumped in and swam in the water. I ended up relaxing on a large rock and eating my lunch while enjoying the view. Emerald Lake starts at the beginning of the Bear Lake Trailhead in Rocky Mountain National Park. To reach this trail, you must drive ten miles on Bear Lake Road after entering through the Beaver Meadows Entrance. There is a separate timed entry reservation that is required to access Bear Lake Road. If you are unable to find parking at the Bear Lake Trailhead, there is a free shuttle that you can ride to the trailhead.

Super simple and quick hike with the dogs. Loved being able to hike, with the dogs. Views were…read moreincredible and there was really cool spot at the top to chill. Absolutely recommended for quick beautiful pupper hikes!

8.12.2025 I arrived at 7am on the dot to hike gem lake. I'm so thankful that I arrived early to…read moreavoid the crowds, and when I arrived to the lake I had the place to myself, the water was like glass and the sun was still not high in the sky which provided the most beautiful reflections off the lake which made for some wonderful photos. In all I enjoyed this hike very much, everything about it was very enjoyable. On the hike down I encountered a lot of people headed up at the 8 o'clock hour. So I feel I timed my hike perfectly.

Gem Lake Trail is a relatively short hike at 3.4 miles round trip. The parking lot allows for…read moreplenty of parking. This hike has a 830 feet elevation gain meaning that the 1.7 miles up the trail has a steady incline. The 1.7 miles down is all downhill. Once you reach the top, you will see Gem Lake. The last bit leading up to Gem Lake is a little steeper than the rest of the trail. Gem Lake is a rather small lake, although beautiful. There is also a bathroom near the top, although can't comment on the restroom since I didn't use it. The views are gorgeous. We went around 2:30pm and there is always a chance of showers around that time in June. I would recommend going earlier in the day if possible to capture the reflection in the lake more and to avoid possibly getting rained on. Highly recommend this trail.