Easy Trails

Easy trails are generally short and relatively level. They should be accessible to nearly everyone.

Adams Falls

The most popular walk in the Grand Lakes region - a short and easy stroll thru aspen and lodgepole pine forest, passing beautiful out-croppings of grey-black rock and river scenery. Watch for an early morning rainbow shining through the falls spray.

Alberta Falls

Delightful! See for yourself - Here's a video.

Balanced Rock

Bear Lake Loop

An easy walk around a high-mountain lake with peak views. Tucked into the spruce/fir forest at the base of Hallett Peak and Flattop Mountain, this 0.6-mile loop is one of Rocky's most famous trails .Unlike other trails listed as accessible by the Park, Bear Lake is not... [more]

Bierstadt Lake

A level walk through forest, with Continental Divide views.

Big Meadows

The Onahu, Tonahutu, and Green Mountain trails intersect to form a circle route with a few steep sections of short duration. Big Meadows is a sea of grasses and wild flowers rimmed by hills.

Black Canyon Trail

This trail intersects the Cow Creek Trail, and forms part of the Gem lake loop.

Calypso Cascades

Named for the beautiful Calypso orchid that grows along its banks and on the trail to Ouzel Falls. Pass Copeland Falls at .3 mile and superb river scenery.

Cameron Connection

This trail connects the Cameron Pass parking area with the Zimmerman Lake parking area. From Cameron pass, ski or snowshoe from the northeast corner of the parking area following the blue diamonds. From the Zimmerman Lake parking area, carefully cross Highway 14 near the eastern parking lot entrance to find... [more]

Coyote Valley

Kawuneeche, the Arapaho word for coyote, was the name given to this gentle valley of the Upper Colorado River. he trail follows the bank of the Colorado River with views of the Never Summer Mountains. Look for moose (especially during the early morning and early evening hours), songbirds and wildflowers.... [more]

Cub Lake

A favorite hike offering river scenery, flowery meadows, stands of pine and aspen, and a serenely beautiful lake backed by mountains. Joins the Fern Lake trail at The Pool.

Dream Lake

In the winter this is a good snowshoe tour to one of the most photographed lakes in the park

Emerald Lake

Most popular destination in Bear Lake area. Start early!

Fern Falls

Steep Falls among a jumble of downed timber provides a refreshing mist in the summer heat.

Forest Canyon Pass

Near the top of the Old Ute Trail that once linked villages across the Continental Divide. Tundra hike.

Gem Lake

"The shallow waters of Gem Lake are cradled high among the rounded granite domes of Lumpy Ridge. Untouched by glaciation, this outcrop of 1.8 billion-year-old granite has been sculpted by wind and chemical erosion into a backbone-like ridge. Signs of these erosional forces--pillars, potholes, and balanced rocks--appear midway along the... [more]

Jewel Lake

Trail takes you past Alberta Falls and follows Glacier Creek. Small lake with a marshy grass shore, divided from Mills Lake by beaver dams.... [more]

Joe Wright - Winter

Easy figure-eight trail around Joe Wright Reservoir.

Lake Estes

Lake Estes in the town of Estes Park is ringed by a lovely, wide, paved path that meanders through a bird sanctuary, beside a golf course, along the Big Thompson River and Fish Creek, through the lakeside picnic area and along the lakeshore. Wonderful for strolling, biking, dog walking, birding,... [more]

Lake Hiayaha

Haiyaha (Indian word for "big rocks") surround this lake's shore along with ancient twisted and picturesque pine trees in rock crevices. Climb over the rocks, explore the shoreline and nearby pools.

Lake Irene

The Lake Irene area allows visitors access to a close-in picnic and scenic recreation area as they traverse Trail Ridge Road. There's a trail to an overlook past Lake Irene, eight picnic sites (three are accessible for people with disabilities) and a weather station that reports the temperature.... [more]

Lily Lake

Lily Lake offers splendid views of Longs Peak and Mount Meeker amid rocky outcrops. A level packed gravel trail encircles the lake featuring educational exhibits. Accessible trail and fishing pier. Strollers permitted.Enos Mills, the "father of Rocky Mountain National Park," enjoyed walking to Lily Lake from his nearby cabin. Check... [more]

Lily Mountain

Great trek for first time climbers and youth. Steady altitude gain and wide path. NFS trail with the last 100 feet to the summit a scramble up a granite ravine to a panoramic view.

Michigan Ditch - Winter

This trail is great for beginners as well as providing beautiful scenery. The trail starts on Routt National Forest and crosses into Colorado State Forest State Park. Follow the ditch road as far as you wish, but at the 3 mile mark you will be faced with a... [more]

Mill Creek Basin

The Mill Creek Basin trail follows Mill Creek to a brush and wildflower filled meadow where you can often see hawks hunting. You'll see lodgepole pines and aspens along the banks and views of beaver works.

Mills Lake

This trail offers dramatic views of Glacier Gorge from the lake shore.

Nymph Lake

A beautiful yellow lily named Nymphaea polysepala makes its home on the deep blue waters of Nymph Lake. Breathtaking views of Longs Peak and Hallett Peak.

Ouzel Falls

Pass some superb river scenery leading up to Calypso Cascades, then a dramatic surprise - a burned area from 1978 on the way to the falls. Get a close in view of the falls by scrambling up the left bank to a grassy spot facing the falls.

Sprague Lake

Abner Sprague homesteaded in this area more than a century ago and created a trout pond by damming a stream. Sprague also undoubtedly appreciated the breathtaking views of the Continental Divide, which are best seen from this half-mile-long trail at the far end of the lake..An accessible backcountry camping site... [more]

Sun Valley Trail - Winter

An easy ski or snowshoe loop through woods and open meadows. Be sure to look for orange trail markers at trail junctions.

The Loch

The hike to the Loch is filled with mountain scenes as you pass Alberta Falls and the Glacier Knobs, then travels alongside and above Icy Brook. It's one of the most popular destinations in the park and well worth spending the day and exploring, while soaking in the... [more]

The Pool

A large pool, surrounded by steep rock walls, in the Big Thompson River.

The Pool in the Winter

"The Pool is a turbulent water pocket formed below the confluences of Spruce and Fern Creeks with the Big Thompson River. The winter route is along a gravel road, which soon narrows to a trail at the Fern Lake Trailhead. While hiking this relatively flat trail along the Big Thompson... [more]

Tombstone Ridge

An easy tundra walk with stunning views.

Upper Beaver Meadows in the Winter

"Upper Beaver Meadows offers two hiking routes--the road which winds along the north side of Beaver Creek for two miles (3.2 km) and a trail that leaves the dirt road on the left, just inside the barricade. The trail crosses the stream and runs along the south side of the... [more]

Valley Trail

Easy loop through the Kawuneechee Valley.

West Creek Falls

Windy Gulch Cascades

Enjoy the rushing water of Windy Gulch Creek as it cascades to the valley below. This is a stop on the Old Ute Trail from Trail Ridge to Beaver Meadows.

Explore!

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