Summer in Rocky Mountain National Park is picturesque, with colorful blooms, rugged mountain peaks, and plentiful wildlife frolicking about. Typically, around later spring, early summer Mother Nature puts on quite a show with an abundance of blooming wildflowers throughout the park. Add a little color to your Estes Park vacation and use our guide on where to see wildflowers in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Nymph Lake
Nymph Lake at morning light
This easy half-mile route from Bear Lake to Nymph Lake is the perfect day hike to see wildflowers in Rocky Mountain National Park. The lake is practically covered with yellow-colored pond lilies, all of which is surrounded by an abundant, lush green landscape. Continue past the lake, and you will be greeted with expansive views of Hallett Peak with plenty of wildflowers along the way.
Ute Trail
Ideal for all skill levels, the 4-mile Ute Trail provides outstanding scenic mountain views and an abundance of alpine tundra. One flower hikers will find plenty of is the Snowlover, which are typically found in alpine ridges where snow patches are present. Additional tundra wildflowers are also found on the hike, making this an ideal day hike for those wanting wildflower views and beautiful alpine scenery. For the best access to the trail, look for signs of the Ute Crossing trailhead, which is just under 10 miles west of the Deer Ridge Junction.
Tundra Nature Trail
Tundra flowers at Tundra Nature Trail
Climbing to the top of trail ridge road, topping out at an elevation of 12,319 feet, hikers are met with substantial alpine flowers that not only thrive in the summer but outlast the winter months as well. A few of the high-alpine species that are visible include, Indian paintbrush, forget-me-nots, and Alpine avens. This 1.1-mile trail is accessed at Rock Cut near the top of Trail Ridge Road.
Cub Lake
As a highly popular trail in the park, Cub Lake trail provides hikers with mountain views, a pristine lake, and of course colorful wildflowers. With over 80 different wildflower varieties, this 4.8-mile hike is perfect for viewing a wide variety of colorful blooms, such as bee Palm and wintergreen, just to name a few. But the views don’t stop there; the area is filled with tall standing aspen trees, making this a great hike in the fall as well. The hike begins at Moraine Park, located just west of Estes Park.
Hidden Valley
A blanket of spruce and fir trees cover the area of Hidden Valley in Rocky Mountain National Park. The entire walk is filled with a variety of wildflowers, but abundant springs bring about the Rocky’s smallest orchid. Be sure to also be on the lookout for Yellow Monkeyflower and Parry’s Primrose.
Ouzel Falls
The 5.4-mile hike up to Ouzel Falls begins at the Wild Basin trailhead of Rocky Mountain National Park. This is a steep and jagged hike, but the views are worth the climb. Wildflowers that are on display throughout the trail include mouse-eared chickweed and white bog orchids. With several attractions along the way, including a river, Copeland Falls, Calypso Cascades, and of course Ouzel Falls at the end of the hike, this is a hike worth pulling out the camera for.
Estes Park Lodging
After exploring the wildflowers in Rocky Mountain National Park, relax and unwind at Brynwood on the River. We offer a wide variety of Estes Park lodging options, including a variety of cabins, cottages, or vacation homes. Summer is a popular time to visit Estes Park, so start planning your Rocky Mountain getaway today and book your stay with Brynwood on the River.
