Rocky Mountain National Park is home to over 300 miles of hiking trails, making it one of the best places for exploring Colorado’s beauty. Most of the hikes can be done in one day and don’t require an overnight stay in the park. Here are our favorite day hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, ranked by difficulty.
Easy trails in Rocky Mountain National Park
These easy trails offer big rewards with minimal effort. Great for families and for those who are new to hiking. They are a great way to start to get a feel for your comfort level hiking at higher elevations.
Lily Lake Loop – 0.8 miles round-trip, with minimal elevation gain. It offers scenic lake views, wildflowers, and is located in the Longs Peak region.
Bear Lake Loop – 0.8 miles round-trip, with minimal elevation gain. Offers scenic lake views and beautiful colors in the fall. This trail is accessed via Bear Lake Road.
Sprague Lake Loop – 0.9 miles round trip, with minimal elevation gain. Offers outstanding views of the lake and the Continental Divide, plus a brief history lesson about the lake. This trail is also accessed via Bear Lake Road.
Copeland Falls – 0.9 miles round trip, with minimal elevation gain. Enjoy cascading waterfalls and wildflowers. Located in the Wild Basin area.
Alpine Ridge Trail – Easily accessed via the Alpine Visitor Center, this 0.6-mile trail leads you through a stunning alpine landscape, offering panoramic views and alpine wildflowers.
Nymph Lake – 1.1 miles round trip with 245 feet in elevation gain. Offering lake views, and colorful aspens in the fall, this hike can be combined with Dream Lake, making it a 2.2-mile hike. Both trails are accessed via Bear Lake Road.
The Pool – 3.4 miles round trip with 205 feet in elevation gain. Enjoy river streams, wildflowers, unique rock formations, and wildlife.
Moderate day hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park
These moderate hikes are also great for families with older children. They also tend to be a little less crowded as they are a bit longer and require greater elevation gain.
Gem Lake – 3.5 miles round trip, with 1,000 feet in elevation gain. Enjoy panoramic views, wildflowers, fall aspens, and of course lake views.
Cub lake – 4.8 miles round trip, with 570 feet in elevation gain. Enjoy views of the Big Thompson River, wildflowers, cub lake, and colorful fall aspens. The trail is accessed via Moraine Park, just west of Estes Park.
Fern Falls – 5.2 miles round trip, with 700 feet in elevation gain. This is a great add-on to Cub Lake and offers beautiful views of the 60-foot waterfall plunging down Fern Creek.
Upper Beaver Meadows Loop – 5.0 miles round trip, with 935 feet in elevation gain. Enjoy valley views of Moraine Park, encounter wildlife, and colorful aspens in the fall.
Ouzel Falls – 5.4 miles round trip, with 870 feet in elevation gain. If you love waterfalls, this is your hike. Hikers will encounter Copeland Falls and Calypso Cascades on their way to Ouzel Falls. This trail is located in the somewhat remote Wild Basin area in the southeastern part of the park.
Stay at Brynwood on the River
After exploring these day hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, find your relaxing mountain retreat at Brynwood on the River. Our cozy cabins, cottages, and vacation homes are the perfect option for your Rocky Mountain adventures. Located on the banks of the Big Thompson River and just minutes from the park, our family resort provided the most convenient access to all your outdoor adventures. Start your adventures today and book your stay at Brynwood on the River!
