Rocky Mountain National Park

In honor of the upcoming 2021 National Parks Week (April 17 – April 25), today’s post is on the spectacular Rocky Mountain National Park. My boys attend sleepaway camp in this area, and we are regular summer visitors. Jason and I use the downtime with just the two of us to hike some of the more challenging trails that our boys are not quite ready for. There is a separate article on Boulder and Estes Park for those who want to make an extended trip out of it.

Park Statistics:

Rocky Mountain National Park spans 265,769 acres of pristine wilderness. Waterfalls, mountain ranges, glaciers, lakes, rivers, and meadows are all just a few of the natural wonders inside the park. It contains more than 60 peaks that are over 12,000 feet in elevation. There is seemingly endless mountain terrain to explore giving hikers and backpackers plenty to enjoy.

Lodging:

For those not camping in the park (a backcountry permit is required if you do), lodging can be complicated. People always ask me if they should stay in Grand Lake or Estes Park while visiting the park. The east side of the park is far more scenic than the west side, and I don’t recommend spending a lot of time in Grand Lake. If you want to drive all the way to the west side as a day trip utilizing Trail Ridge Road, go for it, just don’t use Grand Lake as your base. It’s better to stay in Estes Park or Boulder.

Trail Ridge Road, the highest road in the country at an elevation of 12,000 feet, is open from May to September and provides a great hour-long drive that allows travelers to view the park without getting out of the car. Since my focus is active adventures, let’s move on! You can visit my post on Estes Park and Boulder for detailed lodging information.

Park Peak Season:

Peak Season: June 26th – August 15th
Off-Peak Season: May 24th – June 25th & August 16th – October 19th
Low Season: All other dates *(Except Holidays)

Activities:

While the park offers multiple activities (fishing, horseback riding, snowshoeing, rock climbing), hiking is the number one activity in the park. Trailheads fill up quickly. If you don’t want to worry with parking, shuttles are available, or you can go with an experienced guide (Kirk’s Mountain Adventures or Kent Mountain Adventure Center) to simplify logistics.

Recommended Moderate to Strenuous Hikes:

• Our first stop is always Wild Basin Trailhead. It’s fairly easy to get a parking spot if you get there before 8 AM (south on Highway 7 from Estes). Depending on your group’s ability, you can hike all the way to Bluebird Lake (13 miles roundtrip) or stop at Ouzel Lake (9 miles roundtrip). This is gorgeous hiking with multiple waterfalls along the way. Don’t forget to look up as you approach the Ouzel Lake area for beautiful views of Longs Peak and Mount Meeker!

• Speaking of Longs Peak, one of our bucket list items is to summit Longs Peak (elevation gain: 5,100 feet; 14.5 miles roundtrip). Per my son’s camp counselor, the first 5.5 miles are relatively easy. Following that, you have a little rock hopping, and the last 1.5 miles can take longer than the first 5.5. If you go, make sure to start by 3AM to ensure you summit before afternoon storms have a chance to roll in. 

• We hiked Ypsilon Lake Trail last August. The 4.5-mile hike to this isolated waterfall follows the demanding Ypsilon Lake trail, a trek through the thick woods of the Mummy Range.

• Black Lake Trail is a moderate 9.4-mile hike. This trail has all the features you want (waterfall, scenic vistas, and an alpine meadow). Parking is available at Glacier Gorge Trailhead.

• Chasm Lake is a new favorite that we just completed in August 2021. It starts from Longs Peak Trailhead and has spectacular views including the Longs Peak keyhole. It is 8.2 miles round-trip and 2,500 feet in total elevation gain. Best wilderness bathrooms I have ever encountered on a trail!

• Sandbeach Lake is a moderate 8.8 mile hike that begins in the Wild Basin area and ends at the beautiful Sandbeach Lake. It is my twelve-year-old twins’ favorite hike. Total elevation gain is 2,020 feet. The trail starts with a relatively steep climb through a ponderosa pine forest.

What to be Aware of:

• Lightning is a big threat at Rocky Mountain National Park’s high elevations during the afternoon. While some park visitors like the idea of summiting a mountain peak and having the selfie to prove it, don’t start the long hike up Longs Peak (or any peak for that matter) too late in the day, and be sure to check the weather forecast right before you go. No one wants to find themselves in a thunderstorm, and being too cavalier can result in injury or death.

• Be careful around wild elk. Do not get close when trying to snap a photo of the animals. Remember to keep your distance of at least 25 yards between you and an elk or moose. You should have 100 yards between you and a bear. Elk are more likely to charge people during breeding season in the fall months. In September 2015, a tourist just outside of RMNP in Estes Park was gored by an elk after standing in the middle of a herd. He did survive.

• Do not expect your cell phone to work. Let a trusted friend know where you will be in advance of your hike. My advice is to put your phone in airplane mode if using it as a camera. If it is continuously searching for a signal, it will drain your battery quickly.

• The month of June is when the air is full of Ponderosa pine pollen, so be ready with your allergy medication if you’re susceptible.

This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.