Bear Lake is located on the eastern side of Rocky Mountain National Park, in the popular Bear Lake…read moreRoad Corridor. It was absolutely beautiful, with the lake surrounded by dramatic mountain peaks and a peaceful alpine setting. We spotted adorable chipmunks and beautiful blue-feathered birds along the way, which made the experience even more memorable. The roughly half-mile walk around the lake was manageable with our baby in a stroller and was a wonderful family-friendly way to experience the park. A beautiful and easy-to-enjoy stop that I would definitely recommend when visiting Rocky Mountain National Park!

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.

So pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this overlook in Rocky Mountain. The view of the park…read morewas nice - I found the view of the park better at the Alpine Visitors Center, but what I enjoyed so much here was the wildlife. We saw so many different animals here! Marmots were definitely the highlight and the most frequent visitors. We came in mid June, and it was very windy and cold here. So consider bringing a jacket. Surprisingly larger parking lot, had no problems finding parking. A great stop if you're looking to see some local wildlife.

This a great spot to get panoramic view at over 11,000 feet. I was enjoying my drive on Trail Ridge…read moreRoad and the views from it. I tried to make a stop at every overlook. Forest Canyon Overlook is a well-known stop that gives you sweeping views of Forest Canyon, Gorge Lakes and Hayden Gorge. There are so many trees across this Valley. It was nice to sit and relax and take in the breeze while enjoying this gorgeous view. Forest Canyon Overlook is located on the delicate alpine tundra in Rocky Mountain National Park. The parking lot is decent size and has a paved asphalt trail that leads to the overlook. The park ask that you stay on the trail to protect the fragile alpine tundra plants all around. They say that it takes decades for these plants to recover. Sadly, I saw some younger folks standing in the tundra just to take some selfies. Thankfully some old guy scolded them. There is a chance that you may spot some wildlife at this overlook. I saw a few marmots running around. Trail Ridge Road is a seasonal road and is only open during the summer months.

The Medicine Bow Curve vista is just west of the Alpine Visitor Center on Trail Ridge Road. You…read moreonly need a short time to enjoy the view from this curve. Parking is just a few spots off the side of the road. I made a quick stop here after spending some time at the visitor center. You can see the Medicine Bow Mountains and the state of Wyoming in the horizon at this lookout area. If you look down in the Valley below, you can see the Cache la Poudre River. If you want to explore this area a little more, there is a short dirt trail that wraps around the mountainside heading north.

Beyond this point on the road, the elevation drops, and you head down to the town of Grand Lake…read more The drive is also lovely, with good opportunities for hiking along the way, so of course, if you have time to continue, then head on. If you're on a limited timetable, this is a great half way point to stop, giving you time to see more of the rest of the park. Take in the views down into the valley from Medicine Bow Overlook, and then turn around for a well-deserved coffee break at the Alpine visitor center.

This trail starts at the Rock Cut Overlook parking lot on Trail Ridge Road. Tundra Communities…read moreTrail is a half mile walk through a beautiful alpine tundra area that has amazing mountain views. Just keep in mind that these plants are very fragile and take years to grow back. The park ask that you stay on the paved trail as you enjoying this nature walk. Because of the high elevation, you feel like you are on top of the world. Keep an eye out for some unique rock formations next to the trail. They are called Mushroom Rocks and are composed of Gneiss and Silver Plume granite. At the end of the trail is the Toll Memorial. There is a plaque on the rocks dedicated to avid mountaineer Roger Toll. Trail Ridge Road is only open during the summer season.

Short hike through the tundra. Park and then start a slow incline up a paved trail. With the…read morealtitude, you may need to take breaks if you become a bit winded, especially if you live at sea level. Interesting to stop along the trail to learn about the geography. Loved seeing the mushroom rocks which reminded me of the landscape in Cappadocia. After a short climb, the trail becomes fairly flat. The hike to the end of the trail leads to a great view. Look for the marker at the end of the trail. Check out the scenic view across the street. If you look closely, you may see a marmot and several pikas.

If you're hiking to Emerald Lake, Nymph Lake is the first of 3 lakes you will encounter on the…read moretrail. A moderate 0.5 mile hike, Nymph Lake is nice - but comparing it to what you'll experience further along the trail, Nymph is like a "starter lake" - they keep getting grander the farther along you go. If you don't want to go farther than Nymph Lake, it's still a pretty spot to stop and enjoy. The worst part of the hike for me was that first 0.5 miles. Was still a bit rough the entire way, but it didn't compare to that beginning. Located on the Bear Lake Road, you will need separate reservations to access the road in addition to the reservations to enter the park. The trailhead of Nymph Lake is at the Glacier Gorge Trailhead at the end of Bear Lake Road. It is a large parking lot, but some of Bear Lake's best hikes are all accessible from this parking lot. If it's full, they do have a park & ride location and the shuttle will bring you into the lot. It does get hot and there is not shade throughout the trail. So make sure to bring plenty of water, a hat, some sunscreen, and (of course) some food. But don't forget to pack in and pack out! Highly recommend hiking to Nymph Lake and all the way to Emerald Lake if you can.

If you are doing the 1.8-mile hike to Emerald Lake, Nymph Lake is the first of three lakes that you…read morewill encounter on the trail. It is half a mile from the start of the trailhead. What I liked about this lake is that it had all these lily pads floating on the water. It is a pretty lake that is easy to get to. There are benches around the lake to sit and relax on. This is also a good spot for bird watching. Nymph Lake starts at the beginning of the Bear Lake Trailhead in Rocky Mountain National Park. To reach this trail, you will need to make an online timed entry reservation to access Bear Lake Road. Once you pass the entrance station, the drive is around ten miles. You can also take the free shuttle to Bear Lake if the parking lot is full.

Great Trail for Hiking, Backpacking, Fishing, and Mountain Biking…read more Pretty easy trail to follow from the trail head. Plenty of campsites for overnight Wonderful hike to Snow Lake, Thunder Pass etc. Stunning views. Highly recommended

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.

Emerald lake is one of the stars of RMNP. Its a stunning place to hike to year round, and it's…read morepretty moderate as a hike so it's accessible to most people. I personally prefer the lake in winter when it's frozen; there's something about the towering peaks covered in snow when you can walk right up to where the flat surface of the lake meets the bank. It's just stunning! It is very slipper when there's that much snow though so come prepared -- crampons/shoe chains are very helpful, and snow shoes can also be helpful. There are areas of the trail that get buried pretty deep in snow. Watch your step! Even in summer there are a lot of steps so you can slide on rocks etc. But it is a truly beautiful hike, all the time. You pass nymph and dream lake on the way out to emerald and they are also absolutely stunning - actually I prefer dream in summer when it's defrosted :)

"The trail follows a stream and an old stock trail up the gulch for about two miles before leaving…read morethe stream and passing through woods and meadows. A stock watering tank may be seen on the left just above the meadow. The upper portion of trail provides several panoramic vistas. The trail ends at Salt Cabin Road, a forest road that loops north off Crown Point Road (forest road #139). This is a multiple use trail and is a favorite of mountain bikers and horseback riders as well as hikers and backpackers. Lower Dadd Gulch trailhead accommodates approximately 15 vehicles." This trail is a 7 mile out and back with around 1482 feet of elevation gain. It is a steady climb up from the start. Most of this trail is through the trees and a lot of water crossings. The last half mile is through a burn scar. But it is very refreshing to be out and in nature and away from the city. It is a little quieter trail as its around an hour out of fort collins. Moose are frequently sighted out on this trail.