Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Wild Basin

    4.0 (1 review)

    Wild Basin Photos

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Wild Basin

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    2 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Hiking 552 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Emerald Lake - Lake

    Emerald Lake

    5.0(29 reviews)
    8.5 mi

    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.

    Photos
    Emerald Lake - Friends

    Friends

    Emerald Lake - Me

    Me

    Emerald Lake - Lake

    See all

    Lake

    Bear Lake - Aster

    Bear Lake

    4.8(49 reviews)
    8.2 mi

    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!

    On our day trip to RMNP we were able to get entry time to the Bear Lake road the day before. Came…read moremid day and park was busy. The Bear lake parking area showed that it was closed but we headed in anyway just to see the sights and wow what incredible views and what a magnificent park. The parking area was busy but there were spots as early visitors were slowly streaming out. You can take the shuttle which takes you to all the other trail areas and that seemed very convenient. Great facilites and this trailhead is a great spot for a bunch of different trails we did the Alberta falls hike and then at the end walk to the bear lake which is only like 300 ft from the parking area. There are only bending machines so there is no food so come prepared. We had a great time yes the bathrooms are stinky but that's a national park for you. Trail heads are well maintained and marked and this is such a beautiful part of the park and it's too bad we only have one day.

    Photos
    Bear Lake
    Bear Lake
    Bear Lake - Bear Lake Ranger Station and Visitors Shuttle

    See all

    Bear Lake Ranger Station and Visitors Shuttle

    Wild Basin - hiking - Updated July 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...