“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Live the life the mountain teaches you.” – John Muir
Visiting Rocky Mountain National Park was at the top of my bucket list. I’m happy to say that my trip did not disappoint! From driving the main roads to exploring the rocky trails, each experience was incredible in its own way. Here are my top recommendations for when you explore the Rocky Mountains.
Top Hikes
🥾#1: Emerald Lake Trail
Distance: 3.3 mi <-> | Elevation Gain: 715 ft | Time: 1.5-2 hrs
If you only hike one trail, this is it! Starting from the Bear Lake Trailhead, this trek has stunning mountain views and passes four incredible lakes: Bear, Nymph, Dream, and Emerald Lake.
It’s best to hit this trail early in the morning to avoid the crowds, especially as the parking lot fills up quickly. If you’re going in winter/spring, bring crampons and poles to help you maneuver through the ice and snow on the trail.
🥾#2: Glacier Gorge Trail to Mills Lake
Distance: 5.3 mi <-> | Elevation Gain: 836 ft | Time: 2.5-3 hrs
Waterfalls, glacially carved rocks, and a picnic at a serene lake more your style? Then the Glacier Gorge Trail is for you. While longer than the Emerald Lake Trail, it starts at a lower elevation that may be easier for some.
Along the trail you’ll find Alberta Falls and Glacier Falls, small but mighty waterfalls that are popular photo spots. Make sure to pay attention to your footing on the trail, but don’t forget to look up and take in incredible sights like the Glacier Knobs and Half Mountain!
🥾#3: Sprague Lake
Distance: 0.8 mi <-> | Elevation Gain: 36 ft | Time: .5-1 hrs
If you’re looking for an easy hike with spectacular views, then take Bear Lake Drive to Sprague Lake. Viewing wildlife is especially common in the early morning and evening.
Curious what else you can find at Sprague Lake? Take a look at the video below to see what I found…
That’s right! I was lucky enough to view 🦃turkeys🦃 roosting in the spring-did you know that turkey’s roosted? I had no idea!
Top Eats & Drinks
🌮Ed’s Cantina & Grill
Located in downtown Estes Park, Ed’s offers a delicious and unique Mexican menu with fantastic happy hour options. Their 🌶️Spicy Margarita🌶️ is a personal favorite which uses jalapeno infused tequila with a tajin rim.
🍸Full Throttle Distillery
At FTD, tradition and adventure meet with handcrafted spirits. The atmosphere is very laid back, the staff is friendly, and it’s convienently located downtown. If you stop by, their 🫐Blackberry Moonshine🫐 is very yummy.
🍺Rock Cut Brewery
For local vibes, try Rock Cut’s taproom. It’s an easy walk from main street in downtown Estes Park. They have a large selection of beers to try but I recommend the 👽E.T. Fonio Home👽, a pale ale with fruit notes.
☕Kind Coffee
At Kind, you feel like part of a caring community. I like them because they promote sustainability through organic and fairly traded coffees. They have an excellent selection of tasty treats and drinks, and even cute merch! I’m an avid tea drinker, so I recommend a their hot 🫖Chai Tea Latte🫖.
Top Stays
As a Fora Travel Adviser, finding the best stays for adventure travel is my bread and butter. These are my top recommendation for staying in Estes Park right outside of Rocky Mountain National Park.
Top Tours
🏨The Stanley Hotel
No visit to the area is complete without a tour of the Stanley Hotel. Whether you’re captivated by history or the supernatural (or both), this hotel is a timeless escape that’s worth the stop.
As a huge fan of Stephen King, I did The Shining Tour. Our tour guide was excellent and included information about the hotel’s history. So, even if you’re not a film buff, you do get to learn about the hotels founders and and how the hotel came to be.
While this is not the hotel where the movie was filmed, it was the inspiration for the book. As an added bonus, it has a cool hedge maze and a photo op inspired by the bathroom scene in the movie.
🛻Park Driving Tour
Want to tour the park by car? Then try out this 4-hour Self-Driving Audio Tour and learn more about historical sites, natural landscapes, and the people who have lived in this area. Prefer to have someone else do the driving? Then take a Private Guided Park Tour instead. Private tours are more expensive but perfect for larger groups.
Plan Your Visit
⛰️There’s always a reason not to take a trip to the mountains… but do those reasons really matter? Go anyways! You won’t regret it.
💰If cost is an issue, go in the off season. It’s busiest in the summer months, so go in April and enjoy the less crowded trails and reduced prices. This allows you to get to know the locals better who might have great tips for exploring the park.
✈️Interested in visiting Rocky Mountain National Park but don’t want to do the planning yourself? Let me help! Simply fill out this form so I can learn more about your vacation needs.
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