Rocky Mountain National Park is meant for hikers. Rocky Mountain National Park currently contains over 360 miles of trails, some penetrating the most remote areas of the Park. These trails range in difficulty from easy to very difficult. As always, be prepared, as weather conditions change rapidly in the mountains.

Note: where possible, I have tried to correct any mistakes. However, I have (unfortunately) not hiked every trail listed here, and mistakes or incomplete information may be encountered. For the best information, consult either a hiking guide, or the Park itself. If you find any errors, please let me know and I will correct them.

BEAR LAKE AREA:

• A map of the area.
• Bierstadt Lake Trail:
  • The trailhead is located along Bear Lake Road, past the shuttle bus parking lot, and before Glacier Gorge Junction. An alternative trail forks off of the Flattop Mountain Trail, which begins at Bear Lake, at the end of Bear Lake Road.
  • The trail winds through picturesque aspen groves. The trail ends at Bierstadt Lake.
• Dream Lake Trail:
  • The trailhead is located at Bear Lake, at the end of Bear Lake Road.
  • This popular trail brings hikers past three lakes: Nymph, Dream and Emerald, all of which lie below the impressive cliffs of Hallett Peak.
• Flattop Mountain Trail:
  • The trailhead is located at Bear Lake, at the end of Bear Lake Road.
  • This trail offers easy access to the Continental Divide, atop Flattop Mountain. From there, hikers have a multitude of choices: several other trails (Tonahutu Creek Trail, North Inlet Trail) converge there, and several peaks (Hallett Peak, Ptarmigan Point, Knobtop, Otis) can be easily reached from the top.
• Lake Haiyaha Trail:
  • The trailhead is located at Bear Lake, at the end of Bear Lake Road. A second, less maintained trail forks off of the Glacier Gorge Trail, which begins at Glacier Gorge Junction, along Bear Lake Road.
  • This trail forks off of the Dream Lake Trail. It leads into Chaos Canyon, a rugged canyon with Chaotic Glacier at its head. The beautiful Lake Haiyaha is well worth the visit.
• Odessa Lake Trail:
  • The trailhead is located at Bear Lake, at the end of Bear Lake Road.
  • This trail forks off of the Flattop Mountain Trail, and heads past Notchtop Mountain, Grace Falls, and several lakes. The trail ends at Odessa Lake, where it merges with the Fern Lake Trail.

GLACIER GORGE/LOCH VALE AREA:

• A map of the area.
• Andrews Glacier Trail:
  • The trailhead is at Glacier Gorge Junction, on Bear Lake Road.
  • The Andrews Glacier Trail forks off of the Loch Vale Trail. The trail climbs to Andrews Glacier, surrounded by the spires of Taylor Peak (including Sharkstooth and Petit Grepon, both popular technical climbs). The glacier itself is gentle and, conditions permitting, offers an easy climb to the Continental Divide.
• Glacier Gorge Trail:
  • The trailhead is at Glacier Gorge Junction, on Bear Lake Road.
  • Glacier Gorge is a spectacular destination, rimmed with high peaks and filled with picturesque alpine lakes and falls. Hearty mountaineers follow it to challenging peaks, and casual hikers follow it for the scenery. Black Lake, Mills Lake and Alberta Falls all are popular destinations.
• Loch Vale Trail:
  • The trailhead is at Glacier Gorge Junction, on Bear Lake Road.
  • The Loch Vale Trail forks off of the Glacier Gorge Trail. Loch Vale is another spectacular area, with destinations at The Loch, Sky Pond and Lake of Glass.
• North Longs Peak Trail:
  • The trailhead is at Glacier Gorge Junction, on Bear Lake Road.
  • The North Longs Peak Trail offers a longer alternative to the popular East Longs Peak Trail. Both trails converge at Granite Pass.

GRAND LAKE AREA:

• A map of the area.
• East Inlet Trail:
  • The trailhead is near the East Inlet of Grand Lake.
  • The East Inlet Trail leads into some of the remotest areas of Rocky Mountain National Park. Popular destinations include Lake Verna, Lone Pine Lake and Adams Falls.
• Lake Nanita Trail:
  • The trailhead is north of Grand Lake.
  • This trail forks off of the North Inlet Trail. Secluded destinations include Lake Nanita, Lake Nokoni, and the seldom climbed Andrews Peak and Ptarmigan Mountain.
• North Inlet Trail:
  • The trailhead is north of Grand Lake.
  • This trail starts at Grand Lake, and ends atop Flattop Mountain, offering hikers a rare chance to plan a hike from one end of the Park to the other.
• Roaring Fork Trail:
  • Most of this trail lies outside of the Park boundaries. The trailhead is on the southeastern tip of Lake Granby.
  • Popular destinations along the Roaring Fork Trail include Adams Lake, Watanga Mountain, Mount Adams and Twin Peaks.
• Shadow Mountain Trail:
  • The trailhead lies just south of Shadow Mountain Lake.
  • This trail has two forks: the northern fork leads to the top of Shadow Mountain, where a historic fire lookout can be visited. The southern fork follows the Colorado River and Lake Granby, to the Roaring Fork Trailhead.
• Tonahutu Creek Trail:
  • Though accessible via other trails, the main trailhead lies north of Grand Lake. The trailhead is shared with the North Inlet Trail.
  • The Tonahutu Creek Trail also ends atop Flattop Mountain. Along the way, hikers can visit Haynach Lakes, Murphy Lake, Snowdrift Lake and Lake Solitude.

LONGS PEAK AREA:

• A map of the area, and an additional topographical map of the area.
• Longs Peak Trail (East Longs Peak Trail):
  • From Estes Park, take highway 7 south. The well-marked turnoff to the trailhead lies just past the famous Longs Peak Inn.
  • The Longs Peak Trail is the most popular trail in Rocky Mountain National Park, as it leads to the summit of the most popular peak in the Park: Longs Peak, at 14,255ft. One half mile from the trailhead, a fork trail leads to Eugenia Mine, Storm Pass and Estes Cone. Above timberline, another fork leads to Chasm Lake. Other popular peaks accessible via the Longs Peak Trail are Mount Meeker, Storm Peak, Mount Lady Washington and Battle Mountain. At Granite Pass, the trail merges with the North Longs Peak Trail.
• Twin Sisters Trail:
  • From Estes Park, take highway 7 south. The turnoff for this trailhead lies just beyond the Lily Lake area, but before the Longs Peak trailhead.
  • The trail winds up Twin Sisters Peaks, and offers some of the best views of the Front Range, as well as Longs Peak, which lies across Tahosa Valley.

MORAINE PARK AREA:

• A map of the area.
• Cub Lake Trail:
  • Take the Bear Lake Road for a short distance, to the Fern Lake Trailhead dirt road. The turnoff is just past the Moraine Park Museum.
  • This pleasant trail winds lazily through Moraine Park, and eventually up to Cub Lake. Past Cub Lake, the trail will eventually intersect the Fern Lake Trail, at The Pool. The trail is rather easy, and is popular for ranger-led nature talks.
• Fern Lake Trail:
  • Take the Bear Lake Road for a short distance, to the Fern Lake Trailhead dirt road. The turnoff is just past the Moraine Park Museum. The Fern Lake Trailhead is roughly 0.5 miles past the Cub Lake Trailhead, at the end of the road.
  • This trail is popular for hiking in the summer, and snowshoeing in the winter. The trail leads through some of the most spectacular regions of the Park. Destinations abound on this trail: The Pool, Arch Rocks, Fern Falls, Fern Lake, and much, much more. Past Fern Lake, the trail leads to Odessa Lake, where hikers can take the Odessa Lake Trail to Bear Lake.
• Old Ute Trail:
  • This trail has two trailheads. The first is atop Trail Ridge Road, just east of Forest Canyon Overlook. The second is in Upper Beaver Meadows. The turnoff to Upper Beaver Meadows is along the stretch of road between the Beaver Meadows Entrance and Deer Ridge Junction (on Trail Ridge Road).
  • This trail links the Beaver Meadows area with Trail Ridge Road, and allows hikers the chance to travel between the two. If a shuttle between the two trailheads can be arranged, a popular dayhike is to start atop Trail Ridge Road and climb down into Beaver Meadows.
• Spruce Lake Trail:
  • Take the Fern Lake Trail to Fern Lake. Spruce Lake Trail branches off of Fern Lake Trail just north of Fern Lake.
  • This trail leads to several wonderful destinations, including Spruce Lake, Rainbow Lake, Loomis Lake, Hourglass Lake, and Sprague Glacier. Hearty climbers may also climb Stones Peak from this trail.

THE MUMMY MOUNTAIN RANGE:

• A map of the area.
• Bulwark Ridge (Signal Mountain) Trail:
  • From Highway 34, take the turnoff to Glen Haven (either at Estes Park via the Devils Gulch Road, or at Drake in the Big Thompson Canyon). Look for Dunraven Glade Road, and follow it to the end. Do not confuse the Signal Mountain Trail with the Lost Lake Trail, as they both share the same trailhead parking lot.
  • This trail climbs up North and South Signal Mountain. The entire trail is outside of Park boundaries (hence dogs are allowed). However, South Signal Mountain lies on the border of the Park.
• Chapin Creek Trail:
  • Take Highway 34 (Trail Ridge Road) to Horseshoe Park, and turn off onto Fall River Road. Fall River Road is a one-way dirt road that meets Trail Ridge Road at the Alpine Visitors Center. The trailhead is on Fall River Road, just before treeline is reached. When you complete your hike, you must continue driving up Fall River Road to Trail Ridge Road in order to drive back down. Fall River Road is closed for most (8-9) months of the year. If it is closed, you must start at the Alpine Visitors Center and hike down to the trailhead (and back up to the Alpine Visitors Center when you are finished).
  • This short trail leads to Chapin Pass, and a fork. The Mt. Chapin fork leads to treeline and offers easy access to the summits of Mts. Chapin, Chiquita and Ypsilon. The other fork leads down into the Chapin Creek drainage, where it becomes the Poudre River Trail. The trail eventually meets the Mummy Pass Trail.
• Cow Creek Trail:
  • From Estes Park, take the Devils Gulch Road north. Keep watch for the turnoff to the Cow Creek Trailhead, which is between the Gem Lake Trailhead and Glen Haven.
  • This trail starts at the northern side of Lumpy Ridge, then climbs Black Canyon, past Potts Puddle, where it eventually meets the Lawn Lake Trail.
• Gem Lake Trail:
  • From Estes Park, take Devils Gulch Road north. The trailhead parking lot is along the western edge of the road, a mile or two from town.
  • This popular trail takes hikers into the heart of the Lumpy Ridge area, through interesting rock formations and eventually to Gem Lake.
• Lawn Lake Trail:
  • Take Highway 34 (Trail Ridge Road) to Horseshoe Park. Take the turnoff to Fall River Road. The trailhead is the first turnoff from this road, roughly a few hundred feet from the Fall River Road turnoff.
  • This is the most popular trail in the Mummy Range. The trail is long, but it is well-maintained and leads to spectacular destinations in the heart of the Mummy Mountain Range. Hikers can visit Lawn Lake, which is surrounded by some of the Park's highest peaks. Or, they may travel on, to higher lakes (such as Crystal Lake), or to the high summits of Mt. Fairchild, Mummy Mountain or Hagues Peak -- the highest point in Larimer County.
• Lost Lake Trail:
  • Take Devils Gulch Road to Dunraven Glade Road, between Glen Haven and Drake. The trailhead is at the end of the road. Be warned, the Lost Lake Trail shares a parking lot with the Signal Mountain Trail.
  • Half of this trail is not in Rocky Mountain National Park. The trail is long, but if solitude is your goal, the length is worth it. Lost Lake is over 9 miles from the trailhead, and is a popular backpacking destination. On the way, you will pass the Deserted Village and Lost Meadows. Past Lost Lake, you can visit Lakes Husted, Louise and Dunraven, or climb one of many remote peaks.
• Mirror Lake Trail:
  • The Mirror Lake Trail branches off of the Mummy Pass Trail, roughly 5 miles from Corral Creek Trailhead. To reach Corral Creek Trailhead, take Highway 14 up the Poudre Canyon (west of Fort Collins) to Long Draw Road. The trailhead is near the Park boundary, along Long Draw Road. An alternative trailhead for Mummy Pass Trail lies in Pingree Park. The turnoff to Pingree Park is also along Highway 14, and is well marked.
  • Mirror Lake, surrounded by several unnamed dramatic peaks, is another isolated area, popular as a backpacking site.
• Mummy Pass Trail:
  • This trail has two trailheads: The first is the Corral Creek Trailhead, on Long Draw Road. The second is at Pingree Park. Turnoffs to these roads are on Highway 14, in the Poudre Canyon (west of Fort Collins).
  • This trail travels along the northern end of Rocky Mountain National Park. Compared to other trails in the Park, this trail is not crowded, and leads through some of the best scenery in the Park.
• Stormy Peaks Trail:
  • This trail starts in Pingree Park. The turnoff to Pingree Park is on Highway 14, in the Poudre Canyon (west of Fort Collins).
  • This trail links the Lost Lake Trail with Pingree Park. Along the way, hikers can ascend Stormy Peaks Pass and Stormy Peaks.
• Ypsilon Lake Trail:
  • This trail branches off of the Lawn Lake Trail. The Lawn Lake Trail is located on Fall River Road, a few hundred feet past the junction with Highway 34 (Trail Ridge Road).
  • This trail leads to Ypsilon Lake, below the great sweeping east face of Ypsilon Mountain. Past Ypsilon Lake, hearty hikers can reach other picturesque lakes: Chiquita, Spectacle and Fay Lakes, just name a few.

THE NEVER SUMMER MOUNTAINS:

• A map of the area.
• Baker Gulch Trail:
  • The trailhead is along Trail Ridge Road, north of the Grand Lake Entrance Station, on the west side of the road.
  • This trail lies mostly outside of Rocky Mountain National Park. However, it does offer routes for hearty climbers to some of the Never Summer Range peaks, including Baker Mountain.
• Colorado River Trail:
  • The well-marked trailhead is along Trail Ridge Road in the western end of the Park.
  • This trail leads hikers to the heart of the Never Summer Range, and to the headwaters of the Colorado River. Along the way, hikers will pass the ruins of Lulu City, a mining town dating to the late 1800's.
• La Poudre Pass Trail:
  • This trail branches from the Colorado River Trail near Lulu City. The trailhead is along Trail Ridge Road, in the western section of the Park.
  • This trail leads past Little Yellowstone, and eventually to La Poudre Pass -- and beyond.
• Red Mountain Trail:
  • This trail connects the Colorado River Trail with the Baker Gulch Trail. It can be reached from trailheads for either of these trails.
  • This trail travels along the base of the Never Summer Mountains. Smaller side trails from Red Mountain Trail lead to destinations such as Skeleton Gulch, and the popular Lake of the Clouds.
• Thunder Pass (Stage Road) Trail:
  • This trail can be reached either through Colorado State Forest, accessible vie a turnoff from Highway 14 just west of Cameron Pass, or via the Colorado Lake Trail.
  • This trail connects Rocky Mountain National Park with the Colorado State Forest. The trail takes climbers past Mt. Richthofen and Static Peak on the way to Thunder Pass.

TRAIL RIDGE ROAD:

• Abandoned Road:
  • The trail begins just west of the Alpine Visitors Center, atop Trail Ridge Road.
  • This trail connects Trail Ridge Road to Forest Canyon Pass. Hikers wishing to cross rugged terrain may reach the Gorge Lakes. The trail takes its name from its place in history: the trail used to be the former route of Trail Ridge Road.
• Deer Mountain Trail:
  • The trailhead lies along Trail Ridge Road, at Deer Ridge Junction.
  • The trial winds up Deer Mountain, offering spectacular views of the Mummy Range, the Continental Divide, and Longs Peak.
• Green Mountain Trail:
  • The trailhead lies on the eastern side of Trail Ridge Road, in the western side of the Park.
  • This trail climbs around Green Mountain, and connects with the Onahu Creek Trail, offering a pleasant loop hike.
• Mount Ida Trail:
  • The trailhead is at Milner Pass, along Trail Ridge Road.
  • This trail follows the Continental Divide south to the summit of Mt. Ida and beyond, to the summits of the peaks visible across Forest Canyon from Trail Ridge Road.
• Poudre River Trail:
  • The trailhead is at Milner Pass, along Trail Ridge Road.
  • This trail heads north from Milner Pass. However, many destinations accessible via this trail may be closed for research purposes. Check with the Park for the latest details.
• Timber Lake Trail:
  • The trailhead lies along the eastern side of Trail Ridge Road, in the western end of the Park.
  • This trail reaches several remote lakes, including Julian and Timber Lake, and offers an alternative route to the crest of the Continental Divide.
• Trail Ridge Road:
  • Trail Ridge Road is Highway 34, accessible via Estes Park or Grand Lake.
  • While maybe not seen as a trail, hiking is not uncommon along Trail Ridge Road. This is also one of the few trails that allows mountain bicyclists. Depending on snow levels, the road is generally open from Memorial Day to mid/late September.

WILD BASIN:

• A map of the area.
• Bluebird Lake Trail:
  • The trailhead is the Wild Basin Trailhead, accessible via Highway 7 south of Estes Park.
  • This trail leads past several lakes to Bluebird Lake, ringed by several rugged and spectacular high peaks.
• Finch/Peak Lake Trail:
  • This trail can be reached via the Wild Basin Trailhead, accessible via Highway 7, or from the town of Allenspark.
  • The trail leads to the southern edge of Rocky Mountain National Park, past Finch and Pear Lakes. The view is dominated by the massive bulk of Copeland Mountain.
• Lion Lakes Trail:
  • The trailhead is the Wild Basin Trailhead, accessible via Highway 7 south of Estes Park.
  • This trail forks off of the Thunder Lake Trail. The trail leads to many small alpine lakes, including the Lion Lakes.
• Lookout Mountain Trail:
  • The trailhead is located in the small town of Meeker Park, along highway 7 south of Estes Park.
  • This seldom-hiked trail climbs Lookout Mountain and Horsetooth Peak, offering views into Wild Basin.
• Sandbeach Lake Trail:
  • The turnoff to the trailhead is located along Highway 7, south of Meeker Park.
  • This popular trail leads to the heart of Wild Basin, and Sandbeach Lake. The lake is considered a good jumping point to climb high peaks, including Chiefs Head Peak and Mount Meeker.
• St. Vrain Mountain Trail (Rock Creek Road):
  • The trailhead is located in the town of Allenspark.
  • Most of this trail lies outside of the Park. However, the trail does climb atop Meadow Mountain and St. Vrain Mountain, and follows the southern boundary of the Park for a short distance.
• Thunder Lake Trail:
  • The trailhead is located at the Wild Basin Trailhead, accessible via Highway 7 south of Estes Park.
  • This is another popular trail leading to the heart of Wild Basin. A handful of lakes, including Box Lake, Thunder Lake, Lake of Many Winds and Falcon Lake (many of which require some off-trail hiking) account for this popularity.

Rocky Mountain National Park
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