Colorado Backpacking Trails - RMNP
Backpacking Trails in Rocky Mountain National Park
Here's a list of the best backpacking trails for shorter backpacking trips in Rocky Mountain National Park. See Multi-Day Hikes for longer trips, and Backcountry for wilderness backpacking.
The hike to Timber Lake travels through dense forest and crosses several creeks, and uses the flank of Jackstraw Mountain. The rugged terrain of the lake hides the summit of Mount Ida. 5 backcountry sites along the Timber 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 the winter. 5 backcountry sites along the trail before the Lake.
Pass the famous Arch Rock formations, The Pool, and the cascading water of Fern Falls. A gorgeous lake with views of the Continental Divide (Little Matterhorn and Notchtop Mountain). It is a heavily used area. 2 backcountry sites near the Lake, and 2 closer to the trailhead. Read more on Fern Lake Trail.
Great fall color hike through a variety of landscapes, including regrowth from a 1978 burn. Tranquil lake with Copeland Mountain as a backdrop. 2 backcountry sites.
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. 6 backcountry sites.
Lightning strike started a large fire in 1978, unique landscape 1 backcountry site.
Great base area for exploring stunning scenery. 3 backcountry sites.
Southern-most trailhead along Hwy 7. Joins Finch Lake trails. Parking area is too small for horse trailers - park on the east side of the road.
Near the top of Trail Ridge Road (Hwy 34) at the Alpine Visitor Center. Trailheads are located on the East side of Trail Ridge Road, across from the Visitor Center, and from the parking lot.
At the end of Bear Lake Road, 9.5 miles from the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center. During summer Bear Lake Road Construction, Shuttle Bus is highly recommended. Although the parking lot at the trailhead is large, it fills up early in the day during summer. Elevation: 9.475 ft.
Along Bear Lake Road after Sprague Lake, across from the Storm Pass trailhead.
About 6.5 miles north(east) of the Grand Lake entrance on Highway 34.
Near the top of Old Fall River Road. About 6.5 miles from Endovalley on the right side (open only in summer, limited parking). Access to 2 backcountry sites.
On the west side of Trail Ridge Road across from the Timber Lake Trailhead, about 9.6 mi north (east) of Grand Lake Entrance Station. Hwy 34 closes here in winter. Access to 9 backcountry sites.
Cow Creek trailhead is near the historic McGraw Ranch, at the end of McGraw Ranch Road, which can be found north of Estes Park off Devils Gulch Road (Limited parking). R off US34 on MacGregor Ave. 3.5 mi. then L on McGraw Ranch Rd. 2.5 mi. to end. Access to 12 backcountry sites along the northern boundary of the Park, and 2 closer in along the Cow Creek trail.
South of Bowen/Baker and north of Onahu Creek trailheads on Hwy 34, about 5.6 mi. north(east) of the Grand Lake Entrance Station.
From Bear Lake Road, turn R toward Moraine Park Campground; after .7 mi. turn L and follow signs to Cub Lake Trailhead . Access to 1 backcountry site.
From Park Headquarters at Beaver Meadows, drive 4.5 miles on Highway 36 to roadside parking on the R at the Deer Ridge Trailhead, just before Junction with Highway 34.
Located at the east end of Grand Lake. From Highway 34, head east on 278 towards Grand Lake for .3 mile, bearing left at all forks until you reach the East Inlet trailhead parking lot. Access to 8 backcountry sites.
Follow Highway 66 past the YMCA about 1 mi. to its end at East Portal. Park in the small day use parking area about 100 yds before the road ends. Access to 3 backcountry sites. Easy turn-around for horse trailers, with space for 1-2 trailers.
West of Grand Lake, L onto CO 66. After 1 mi., L into the campground. Drive toward the lake and turn right into the next campground and park at the Shadow Mountain Dam.
From Bear Lake Road, turn right toward Moraine Park Campground, then left after .7 mi. to the end of the road at Fern Lake parking. Access to 6 backcountry sites.
About 1,000 feet east of the bridge that crosses North St. Vrain Creek to Wild Basin Ranger Station. Wild Basin is about 12.5 miles south of Estes Park on Highway 7. Access to 5 backcountry sites.
Less than 1 mile before Bear Lake along Bear Lake Road. SMALL parking lot. Shuttle bus is highly recommended in summer. Access to 2 backcountry sites.
Located on the west side of the park on US 34, 2.8 mi. north (east) of the Grand Lake Entrance Station. Northern access to the Continental Divide trail loop through the Park,
R at Hollowell Park turn-off, about 3.5 miles south on Bear Lake Road. Shuttle Bus recommended. Access to 2 backcountry sites. Parking is challenging for horse trailers.
Located on the west side of the park on US 34, Kawuneeche Visitor Center.
Join the Lake Estes trail and the Downtown Riverwalk trail from behind the Visitor Center on Big Thompson Avenue.
About .5 mile north of Highway 34 past the Endovalley picnic area along Old Fall River Road. Access to 5 backcountry sites.
Six miles south of the town of Estes Park on Highway 7, past Mary's Lake.
At Longs Peak Ranger Station, 7.5 miles south of Estes Park on Highway 7. Access to 4 backcountry sites.
Drive north from downtown Estes Park on MacGregor Avenue. Cross Hwy. 34 bypass and continue on MacGregor Avenue past MacGregor Ranch to the trailhead parking lot on the left. Access to 4 backcountry sites along Black Canyon trail. Designated horse trailer parking spot for 2 trailers with easy pull-around.
On Trail Ridge Road at the Continental Divide west of the Alpine Visitor Center and 16 mi. east of the Grand Lake Entrance Station.
Drive east from Highway 34 on 278 towards Grand Lake, bearing left at the forks until you reach the parking lot. Trailhead at E. end of parking lot. Tonahutu accesses 4 backcountry sites before the Green Mountain trail; North Inlet and southern part of Continental Divide trail loop through the Park accesses 13 backcountry sites.
Located on the west side of the park on US 34, .5 mile north(east) of the Green Mountain trailhead. Access to 3 backcountry sites.
At the Continental Divide coming up Trail Ridge Road from Estes Park, before the Alpine Visitor Center.
12.5 mi. south of Estes Park on Highway 7, R at Wild Basin Road. Immediately to the R of the Ranger Station Kiosk. Access to 5 backcountry sites.
On the south side of Bear Lake Road. Shuttle Bus recommended.
After Sprague Lake, on the south side of Bear Lake Road across from Bierstadt Lake trailhead. Access to 2 backcountry sites along the Boulder Brook trail.
Grand Lake (west side) of the Park. Trailhead is located on the east side of Hwy 34 across from the Colorado River trailhead. Access to 4 backcountry sites.
Same as North Inlet Trailhead.
Across Highway 7 from Lily Lake.
From the Beaver Meadows entrance, pass Bear Lake Road and continue along Hwy 36 until just before the junction with Hwy 34. Left onto dirt road. Go about 2 mi. to road end.
At Fall River Pass along the east side of Trail Ridge Road about 2 mi. below Rock Cut. Limited parking. Access to 1 backcountry site.
12.5 mi. south of Estes Park on Highway 7, right at Wild Basin Road. Take right fork to Entrance station, then 3 mi. to Ranger Station. Access to 6 backcountry sites. 2 Horse Trailer parking spaces.
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