Rocky Mountain National Park Visitor's Guide



Moderate Trails

Moderate trails require some degree of physical conditioning. You should exercise regularly, and be used to the high altitude of the park before attempting one.

Andrews Glacier
Spectacular route to the Divide via Andrews Pass. Ascend via the south side.
Baker Pass
Bakerville Loveland Trail
Beaver Mountain Loop
Blue Lake
Blue Lake (Cameron Pass)
Bluebird Lake
Former reservoir, excellent wildflower displays
Boulder Brook
A beautiful babbling brook that tumbles from the tundra into the dark forest below Longs Peak.
Bridal Veil Falls
An attractive day hike to a 20' waterfall.
Cache La Poudre River
This trail ranges from "easy," to "difficult" depending on how far you feel like walking.
Cascade Falls
A wide, roaring waterfall with great picnic spots on the flat rocks. The trail passes through lodgepole pines and follows North Inlet Creek.
Chapin Pass
Climb steeply to a ridge, traverse a dense forest to beautiful views of the Chapin Creek valley and on above timberline to the western flank of Mount Chapin.
Chasm Falls
A favorite winter hike to icy waterfalls goes up Old Fall River Road when it's closed to vehicles.
Chasm Falls in the Winter
"From the West Alluvial Fan parking lot, hike 1.5 miles (2.4 km) to the junction of Endovalley Road and Old Fall River Road. Along the way, you pass the remains of cabins used by the prison laborers who built Old Fall River Road early in the century. At the road... [more]
Chasm Lake
Pass through 3 climate zones on the way to this magnificent alpine lake at the base of the east face of Longs Peak (the Diamond) - one of the most popular hikes in the park.
Coney Creek Road - Winter
Unplowed 4x4 road open to snowshoeing, cross country skiing, and snowmobiles.
Cow Creek Trail
This trail extends past the Bridal Falls turnoff to intersect the Lawn Lake trail shortly below the lake.
Cub Lake in the Winter
"The Cub Lake trail begins in the willow thickets along the Big Thompson River and continues upward through stands of pine and aspen. Hiking the trail, you pass through a varied landscape of moraines, cliffs, streams and ponds. Ice or deep snow sometimes makes the last mile difficult, and may... [more]
Deer Mountain
Deer Mountain gives a 360° view of east Rocky Mountain National Park.
Estes Cone
Hike through the forest to beautiful views from the fortress-like summit of this cone shaped peak, with a short, near vertical scramble to the top. You'll pass the remains of a log cabin and the Eugenia Mine.
Eugenia Mine
Site of a mining enterprise begun and abandoned near the turn of the century - leaving no one the richer. Explore the remains of a log cabin and look around for old equipment.
Fern Lake
A gorgeous lake with views of the Continental Divide. It is a heavily used area
Finch Lake
Great fall color hike through a variety of landscapes, including regrowth from a 1978 burn. Tranquil lake with Copeland Mountain as a backdrop.
Granite Falls
Granite Pass
On the trail to Longs Peak before reaching the Boulder Field.
Green Ridge Road - Winter
The trail (also used by snowmobiles) passes Lost, Laramie and Twin Lakes as it winds through the trees and old timber cuts. Views to the west are excellent. This trail eventually ends at the Deadman Road west of Red Feather Lakes. [http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/arnf/recreation/winter-rec/xcskisnowshoe/clrd/index.shtml]
Lake Helene
Lake Verna
The East Inlet Trail leads to Lone Pine Lake and subalpine forest before reaching the soggy ground around Lake Verna.
Lake of Glass
Perched above Timberline Falls, the route to the Lake is one of the park's better kept secrets - unmarked, inconspicuous, and at first glance, unlikely. To the right of the falls and close by, scramble up ledges to this cirque lake. Be ready for wind.
Laramie River Road - Winter
Laramie River Road, also known as County Road 103, is heavily used by snowmobiles. The road climbs the first couple miles then drops into the Laramie River Valley. [http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/arnf/recreation/winter-rec/xcskisnowshoe/clrd/index.shtml]
Lawn Lake Trail
The Lawn Lake trail climbs to a pair of beautiful alpine lakes (Lawn Lake and Crystal Lake) along the course of the Roaring River. The river shows the massive damaged caused by a dam failure in 1982 that claimed the lives of three campers. A strenuous snowshoe in... [more]
Little Yellowstone
This area has unique geological features, and resembles the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.
Loch Vale
The hike to The Loch through Loch Vale is filled with mountain scenes as you pass Alberta Falls - wildflowers, peaks, falls, glaciers, and pines.
Lone Pine Lake
Lone Pine Lake is past East Inlet meadows and Adams Falls on the East Inlet trail. The lake contains a rock island that once housed a single lodgepole pine in a crack.
Long Meadows
LuLu City
Follows a gentle grade to the site of the old 1880's gold mining camp of Lulu City. Not much remains now, but this historic area is written up in a trail booklet available at visitor centers for a nominal price. Keep an eye out for moose. Makes a... [more]
Mount Ida
North Boundary Trail
Use this trail to connect to the Lost Lake trail system.
North Fork Trail
This trail begins outside of the park, and travels through the Comanche Peak Wilderness before reaching the park boundary. The trail ends at Lost Lake. It intersects the Stormy Peaks trail and North Boundary trail along the way.... [more]
Odessa Lake
There are two approaches to Odessa Lake, another magnificent feature of the Bear Lake region: a 4.1 mile route along the Flattop trail from Bear Lake, and a 4.5 mile route from the Fern Lake trailhead. The longer route is also steeper, but you get the pleasure of seeing... [more]
Onahu Creek Loop
A quiet loop highlighted by Big Meadows.
Ouzel Lake
Lightning strike started a large fire in 1978, unique landscape
Parika Lake
Parika Lake lies outside of the park boundary and is one of the classic tundra lake hikes.
Sandbeach Lake
From Copeland Lake, this trail is a steep hike through Copeland Moraine, requiring significant effort due to the steepness of the trail. The lake itself provides a pretty end to the trail.
Sawmill Creek - Winter
This drainage offers unique skiing for most ability levels Follow the old logging road 1.5 miles into a giant clearcut. This area is good for skiing and snowshoeing only if there is adequate snow - otherwise there are logs and stumps. The trail forks here. For the more adventurous, continue... [more]
Shadow Mountain Lookout
This trail ends at the Shadow Mountain Fire Lookout, which is on the National Registry of Historic Places.
Sky Pond
Hike past Alberta Falls and The Loch to reach a cascading fall over a black granite wall - Timberline Falls. The falls are fed from the runoff of the Lake of Glass. Another .5 miles away is Sky Pond with great views of Taylor Glacier and Taylor Peak,... [more]
Specimen Mountain
This trail is short, but high and steep and offers chance glimpses of wildlife such as marmots and bighorn sheep. The trail closes early.
Spruce Lake
Hike past the Arch Rock formations, The Pool, and the cascading water of Fern Falls to reach the spur trail to Spruce Lake. The stroll to the marshy shores of Spruce Lake leads through boulders left by glaciers.
Storm Pass

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