The majestic peaks, pristine lakes, and abundant wildlife of Colorado’s most famous national park draw millions of visitors each year. We’ve rounded up the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park to help you plan your next adventure!
Widely considered Colorado’s crown jewel, the 400-plus-square-mile Rocky Mountain National Park offers visitors seemingly endless adventure through dense forests, sparkling lakes, and wildflower-covered meadows and hillsides.
While there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy The Great Outdoors — camping, fishing, kayaking and paddle-boarding, horseback riding, and scenic drives — hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park is the undisputed star of the show. In fact, the park has over 350 miles of hiking trails!
When it comes to selecting the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, visitors are truly spoiled for choice. We’ve done the work for you and rounded up our favorites at every level of difficulty.
Rocky Mountain National Park Hiking Guide
We’ve included some extra info for planning your hiking trip to Rocky Mountain National Park. Jump to the following sections (or just keep scrolling to see it all!).
- Timed Entry Permits
- RMNP hiker shuttles
- Best time to visit
- Annual park pass
- What to pack
- Roundup of best hikes in RMNP
Best day hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park
While there are tons of hiking opportunities in the park, we’ve narrowed down our top picks for the very best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park to add to your itinerary. If you only have time for a few short trails and one moderate one, make it these!
- Alpine Ridge Trail
- Nymph, Dream, & Emerald Lake Trail
- Tundra Communities Trail (aka Toll Memorial Trail)
Keep reading for more detailed information on each of these trails and more of our favorite Rocky Mountain National Park hikes.
1. Alpine Ridge Trail
- Distance: 0.6 miles, out and back
- Elevation gain: 134 feet
- Difficulty rating: Moderate
- Trail notes on Alltrails
Not so much a hike as it is a staircase climb, this well-trodden “trail” in Rocky Mountain National Park starts at the Alpine Ridge Visitors Center (the highest visitor center is all of the national parks!).
The short, but steep trail ascends beyond the visitor center to 12,000 ft. at the top. From the summit you can see panoramic views of the Alpine Tundra in every direction.
This trail is a must-do if you are driving the Trail Ridge Road. While it is labeled moderate due to the altitude, we saw plenty of young children (who tend to acclimate to altitude with more ease than adults) make it to the top.
2. Nymph, Dream, & Emerald Lake Trail*
- Distance: 3.2 miles, out and back
- Elevation gain: 702 feet
- Difficulty rating: Moderate
- Trail notes on Alltrails
You’ll start Emerald Lake Trail at the Bear Lake Trailhead, and you’ll pass by Nymph and Dream Lakes on your way. Then ascend another mile or so through pristine alpine forest, full of rocky peaks and excellent views.
Continue on through spectacular Tyndall Gorge and pass Tyndall Creek. You’re close to Emerald Lake when you spot iconic Flattop Mountain towering above.
Check out our Emerald Lake trail guide for more details!
*This trail requires a Timed Entry + access permit.
3. Bear Lake Loop Trail*
- Distance: 0.7-mile loop
- Elevation gain: 49 feet
- Difficulty rating: Easy
- Trail notes on Alltrails
We can’t promise you’ll see an actual bear, but you’ll quickly see why scenic, easygoing Bear Lake Loop Trail is one of the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park.
The quick loop cuts through a dense aspen forest and swings around the lake. The eastern side of the trail offers up views of 12,718-foot Hallett Peak, while Half Mountain, only slightly shorter at 11,482 feet, appears as you enter the northern portion of the trail.
Tip: This trail shares a trailhead with the Emerald Lake Trail and you can combine the hikes for a nice outing.
*This trail requires a Timed Entry + access permit.
4. Tundra Communities Trail (aka Toll Memorial Trail)
- Distance: 1.17 miles, out and back
- Elevation gain: 157 ft
- Difficulty rating: Easy
- Trail notes on Alltrails
Also referred to as the Toll Memorial Trail, this 1.17-mile out and back paved route offers excellent views of Longs Peak and takes you by unique mushroom-like rock formations. Posted signs along the trail teach you about the unique ecosystem and communities that inhabit the alpine tundra.
This trail is accessible directly from Trail Ridge Road.
5. Lake Haiyaha*
- Distance: 4 miles, out and back
- Elevation gain: 846 ft
- Difficulty rating: Moderate
- Trail notes on Alltrails
This trail actually begins, once again, on the same trailhead as Bear and Emerald Lakes (at the Bear Lake trailhead parking lot). And we’d highly recommend combining all of the hikes into one!
You’ll begin on the Emerald Lake Trail and pass Nymph Lake. Just before you come to Dream Lake, there will be an intersection on the trail and you’ll veer left towards Lake Haiyaha. The moderate climb will be worth it to see the milky-blue-green waters of the alpine lake at the end.
*This trail requires a Timed Entry + access permit.
6. Sprague Lake Trail*
- Distance: 0.8-mile loop
- Elevation: 36 feet
- Difficulty Rating: Easy
- Trail notes on Alltrails
Sprague Lake offers iconic Rockies views in a short, flat trail, making it one of the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. It’s ideal for families, photo ops, and days when you want to squeeze in one more quick hike, and it’s stroller- and wheelchair-friendly.
This is one of the park’s best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park for fall leaf-peeping and wildlife spotting. The bridge you cross is also a trout spawning area, so take a few minutes and look into the water!
*This trail requires a Timed Entry + access permit.
7. East Inlet Trail & Adams Falls
- Distance: 18 miles, out and back
- Elevation gain: 2,910 feet
- Difficulty rating: Hard
- Trail notes on Alltrails
Don’t let the distance and elevation gain scare you off! This trail is one of the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, even if you only hike the first 2 miles (like we did!).
You’ll start the trail at the East Inlet trailhead, which is actually located outside of the national park, near Grand Lake, Colorado. (Once you begin the trail, you’re officially in the national park and timed entry permits do apply!)
The first 2 miles in is incredibly scenic without much elevation gain. You’ll climb a bit at the very start to reach Adams Falls (just 0.4 miles in – be sure to take the Adams Falls diversion to get to the view points). After you pass the falls there is very little elevation gain as you follow the East Inlet River past gorgeous meadows with mountainous backdrops.
Turn around when you reach the second smaller waterfall, about 2 miles in on the trail, or keep going and hike all the way to Spirit Lake. If you do the full hike, you’ll likely want to spend the night on a trail and you’ll need a backcountry permit to do so.
Tip: This trail is especially beautiful in the fall when the leaves are turning (usually end of September timing).
8. Alberta Falls*
- Distance: 1.6 miles, out and back
- Elevation gain: 226 feet
- Difficulty rating: Easy
- Trail notes on Alltrails
Another beautiful waterfall hike in Rocky Mountain National Park, Alberta Falls is a relatively short and easy trail with a big payoff. The 30-foot waterfall tumbles down a rock face on Glacier Creek. This is also an excellent area for spotting wildlife or having a picnic.
*This trail requires a Timed Entry + access permit.
9. Sky Pond via Glacier Gorge*
- Distance: 8.6 miles, out and back
- Elevation gain: 1,774 feet
- Difficulty rating: Challenging
- Trail notes on Alltrails
If you’re up for a more challenging hike, the Sky Pond trail starts off at Glacier Gorge Trailhead and actually passes Alberta Falls on the route. At the Loch & Mills Lake junction, you’ll stay right and follow Icy Brook past The Loch and Lake of Glass before reaching Sky Pond.
This is considered one of the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park for stunning alpine lakes (along with the next trail on this list…).
*This trail requires a Timed Entry + access permit.
10. Chasm Lake Trail
- Distance: 8 miles, out-and-back
- Elevation: 2,552 feet
- Difficulty Rating: Challenging
- Trail notes on Alltrails
Breathtaking almost doesn’t do Chasm Lake justice when it comes to describing the tough trek’s scenic views. The initial 3-mile stretch is by far the most crowded (and challenging!) of the entire trail, so be sure to get there very early to beat the crowds.
Once you hit Chasm Lake Trail, things get a bit easier. Enjoy views of Longs Peak and Columbine Falls as you traverse the rock trail and boulder field, following cairns to the lake.
11. Longs Peak
- Distance: 13.3 miles, out and back
- Elevation gain: 4,960 feet
- Difficulty rating: Very challenging
- Trail notes on Alltrails
Standing at 14,259 feet tall, Longs Peak is arguably one of Colorado’s famous “14ers” (aka peaks that reach over 14,000 ft) and the only one located in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Only experienced hikers should attempt this summit. But if you are up for it, the views from the top as the sun comes up over the Rockies are said to be incredible!
The famous keyhole route is fairly exposed, and requires some rock scrambling in between massive drop-off cliffs. Because of unpredictable weather, it’s advised to start your hike well before sunrise (we’re talking like 3 a.m!), be prepared with sun protection and plenty of water (3-4 liters per hiker is advised) and turn around in the event of thunderstorms.
12. Flattop Mountain Trail
- Distance: 8.5 miles, out-and-back
- Elevation gain: 2,874 feet
- Difficulty rating: Hard
- Trail notes on Alltrails
Flattop Mountain Trail presents one of the most challenging hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Start at Bear Lake Trailhead and continue until the trail becomes tricky to follow. Pay attention to the brightly-colored bands on trees to stay on the path!
Enjoy views of Dream Lake and Hallet Peak en route, and once you reach the summit, you’ll be standing directly on the Continental Divide! From here, you can continue onto Tyndall Glacier or Hallet Peak.
13. Bierstadt Lake Loop Trail
- Distance: 2.9-mile loop
- Elevation gain: 620 feet
- Difficulty rating: Moderate
- Trail notes on Alltrails
Bierstadt Lake Loop Trail is an excellent trek for casual climbers who want beautiful views without a grueling path to reach them, and also provides a perfect workout for days when you don’t have time for a longer hike.
The first mile involves a set of fairly steep switchbacks, but once you tackle those, the trail levels out. At Bierstadt Lake, taking a loop around adds 8/10 of a mile to the total distance.
Psst! Check out some of the other best hikes near Denver on our list!
14. Deer Mountain Trail
- Distance: 6 miles, out-and-back
- Elevation gain: 1,394 feet
- Difficulty rating: Moderate
- Trail notes on Alltrails
This trail offers some of the best sweeping views in RMNP, and the climb to reach them isn’t bad at all. The elevation gain is nicely spread out over the route, kept manageable via a series of switchbacks.
The big push comes toward the end, when the trail deceives by dipping downhill briefly before one steep final climb to the summit. Once you’re there, explore all the spur trails for different views, including Longs Peak and Estes Park.
15. Twin Sisters Peak Trail
- Distance: 7.4 miles, out-and-back
- Elevation gain: 2,493 feet
- Difficulty rating: Hard
- Trail notes on Alltrails
If you’re looking for a slightly off-the-beaten-path trail, Twin Sisters Peak is one of the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. It’s on the very edge of the park and part of the trail isn’t within park boundaries at all, so crowds are substantially lighter.
The main draws are the views of Longs Peak and a cleared-out area where a landslide caused a lot of destruction. Three miles in, you rise above treeline and enjoy fantastic views of countless surrounding peaks.
Timed Entry Permits
If you’re planning your first visit to Rocky Mountain National Park or it’s been awhile, there are some things you should be aware of.
From late May to mid-October, timed-entry permits are required for all visitors. This helps mitigate traffic and parking issues in the park, which can get pretty bad on summer and fall weekends. There are 2 types of timed entry permits: Timed Entry (which does not include Bear Lake Road Corridor) and Timed Entry + (which includes Bear Lake Road Corridor).
One of either permit is necessary to enter the park. We’ve marked the hikes on this list that are in the Bear Lake Road Corridor which requires the specific Timed Entry + permit.
Rocky Mountain National Park shuttles
Another way to get around parking and traffic hassles is taking advantage of the park’s shuttle system. This service connects key destinations and trailheads throughout the park, such as Bear Lake Road and Moraine Park.
You do need to make shuttle reservations for everyone in your party, but it’s only $2.00 for up to four riders. You can catch the shuttle as early as 6:30 a.m., and the last ride is at 7:00 p.m.
Psst! Check out these other National Parks in Colorado, each with their own unique offerings.
Best time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park sees its peak influx of visitors between June and August. However, we recommend making a trip in late September when the leaves are changing, preferably on a weekday if you can swing it.
Not only will you avoid peak season and weekend crowds, the weather cools down a bit and is perfect for hiking. And you’ll still be able to avoid heavy snow and take advantage of amazing hiking trails that may be inaccessible in the winter.
Alternatively, if snow actually is your thing, you can don a pair of snowshoes and visit the park from October through May.
Rocky Mountain National Park is open 24/7, so get here early for the best chances of beating the crowds and getting shuttle seats (May through October).
Psst! Did you know RMNP is one of the best national parks to visit in winter?
No matter when you visit, pack plenty of water, sunscreen, and layers because many trails are fully exposed to the elements. Yes, this applies even in winter — Colorado’s high altitude and high UV index mean you can absolutely get sunburnt, even in the winter or on cloudy days.
America the Beautiful Annual Park Pass
If you’re planning to visit more than one of the U.S. National Parks, we’d highly encourage you to look into getting an annual park pass. At $30 per vehicle, entering RMNP along with other national parks in the U.S. can be expensive.
For just $80 per year, you can purchase the America the Beautiful park pass. This pass grants you free access to all of the national parks. Plus it also covers your entrance to over 2,000 natural, historical, and recreational sites across the United States.
If you still need convincing, check out our article: America the Beautiful Annual Park Pass: Is it Worthwhile?
What to pack for hiking at Rocky Mountain National Park
Although hikes at RMNP vary tremendously and there are plenty of accessible trails, you’ll still want to have some key items in your pack.
- Navigation: we recommend using Alltrails+ to download the offline trail map
- Get your first week of using Alltrails+ for FREE when you sign up using our link!
- Hiking backpack
- Hydration pack and/or water bottles
- Bug spray (we prefer the natural stuff)
- Sun protection: sunscreen, sunglasses, hat
- Camera and tripod (this is our favorite for hiking)
- Hiking shoes or Chacos if you prefer
- Comfortable hiking clothes (lots of layers!)
- Swimwear (if you’re visiting in the summer and plan to take a dip!)
- Hiking snacks
Be sure to grab our ultimate hiking packing list includes our must-have gear for any hiking trail!
Roundup of the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park
Here’s a recap of all the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park so you can see everything in one place.
- Alpine Ridge Trail
- Nymph, Dream, & Emerald Lake Trail*
- Bear Lake Trail*
- Tundra Communities Trail
- Lake Haiyaha*
- Sprague Lake Trail*
- East Inlet Trail & Adams Falls
- Alberta Falls*
- Sky Pond via Glacier Gorge*
- Chasm Lake Trail
- Longs Peak
- Flattop Mountain Trail
- Bierstadt Lake Loop Trail
- Deer Mountain Trail
- Twin Sisters Peak Trail
*These trails require a Timed Entry + access permit.
You may also like…
- National Parks in Colorado: Guide + Tips
- Best Colorado Hiking Trails
- Best Hikes Near Denver
- Beginner Hiking Tips: Essential Info & Preparedness
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We want to hear from you!
Have you done any of the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park on this list? What was your experience like? Are you planning a trip to the Rockies and want more advice? Comment below and let us know!