The drive from Grand Lake, the west side of the Rocky Mountain National Park, to Twin Lakes, Colorado is pleasant, calm, and offers scenic views of the countryside. This 2 and ½ hour drive, about 130 miles, is delightful with a number of roadside scenic vistas, large open fields, shimmering aspen trees, gorgeous sparking glacial lakes, amazing mountain peaks, and beautiful small towns. What else do we need to enjoy the ride!!
These pictures are from our drive on 29th September, 2019.
Grand Lake
Shadow Mountain Lake
Trail Ridge Marina, Shadow Mountain Lake
Indian Peaks Marina, Lake Granby
Indian Peaks Marina, Lake Granby
Rainbow Bay, Lake Granby
Lake Granby
Countryside views, U.S. Route 34 West – Granby to Twin Lakes
Countryside views, U.S. Route 34 West – Granby to Twin Lakes
U.S. Route 40 West, Granby to Twin Lakes
Countryside view, U.S. Route 40 West, Granby to Twin Lakes
Colorado State Highway 40
Wildlife overpass along Colorado State Highway 9
Green Mountain Reservoir Lookout Pont
Green Mountain Reservoir Lookout Pont
Colorado State Highway 9
View from Green Mountain Reservoir Lookout Point, Colorado State Highway 9
Colorado State Highway 9
Colorado State Highway 9
Colorado State Highway 9
Colorado State Highway 9
Interstate 70 West, Colorado
A silver and gold mining ghost town, Valley of Ghost, Kokomo Landmark
A silver and gold mining ghost town, Valley of Ghost, Kokomo Landmark
A silver and gold mining ghost town, Valley of Ghost, Kokomo Landmark
Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most visited national parks in the USA and is definitely one of the bucket-list destinations for many national park and outdoor lovers. Rocky Mountain National Park has spectacular landscapes and spans over the Continental Divide in northern Colorado, USA. The park is situated between the towns of Estes Park to the east and Grand Lake to the west. The Park offers different landscapes through majestic snow capped rocky mountains, jagged granite peaks, vast and windswept alpine tundra, picturesque forested valleys, wild woodlands, pristine lakes, tall and seasonal golden aspen trees, graceful waterfalls, colorful wildflowers, and amazing wildlife and many more. The park is home for more than 60 species of mammals, including elk, bighorn sheep, and moose.The park features astonishing alpine scenery through a well accessible series of extraordinary trails.
Fall is great with clear and crips air, blue sky with aspen trees turning golden, but prepare yourself for very chilly morning and evenings
Summer is most comfortable, but be ready to beat the crowd
Spring is unpredictable, varies between warm, cold, wet and dry and many trails are still covered with snow
Fly Into
Denver International Airport: Approximately 80 miles to Beaver Meadow visitor Center
Clothing
Summer: Casual t-shirts, shorts, tank tops, capris, rain jackets, comfortable hiking shoes, light jackets or long sleeves for the cool morning and evenings
Fall and Spring: Long sleeves, fleece and warm jackets, vests, scarf, hat, gloves, and comfortable hiking shoes
Accommodations: East side Estes park is bigger and has more lodging and restaurants compared to West side Grand Lake. No lodging inside the park, but campsites are available
What to expect
Impressive snow capped mountains, Wild Woodlands, Jagged Granite peaks and Forested Valleys, Windswept Alpine Tundra, Pristine Lakes, Graceful Waterfalls, Colorful Wildflowers, and Amazing Wildlife
How many days: 2 to 3 days
Entrance Fee: $25 per vehicle, $15/$25 per person/motorcycle
Be sure to check the Park Website for current updates on roads closures and trails conditions before you heading out
Check the weather forecast before you go. Weather changes rapidly so wear layers and carry rain gear/extra clothing
Trail Ridge Road is generally open from the late May through October, depending on weather conditions. Take food and water so you can spend the day touring
Starting early is the best way not only to beat the traffic, but also for the best lighting, more elbow room, increased chance of seeing wildlife, and beating out the afternoon thunderstorms
Expect long lines, wait times, and delays at entrance stations during the busiest summer season
Use park free shuttles as the parking lots fill up quickly and roads are getting congested due to heavy traffic. The free shuttle runs every 30 mins between 9am to 8:30pm from Estes Park Visitor center. Free parking is available at Estes Park Visitor Center. The free Hiker Shuttle Express Route takes you into the park and you can catch the shuttle to Bear Lake Route, Moraine Park Route, or just start hiking directly from the Park & Ride along the Bear Lake Road corridor. More info here
The trails are busy during the summer season. Bring plenty of water and snacks like granola bars/frozen grapes
Take caution and follow the posted signs while driving through the park for pullovers to take photos or to view wildlife
Keep some extra time for stopping for photos, sights, unexpected wildlife encounters, detours, and for unplanned delays
Be aware of wildlife on the road or near the road. Viewing wildlife from inside the car is the the best and safest way
If you experience high altitude sickness, slow down, sit for a while, drink plenty of water, and take your own time while hiking high elevation trails
Weak/no cell phone signals, highly recommend to have maps downloaded or printed
There is a lot to capture, so keep your camera ready. Make sure that camera is fully charged and also keep backup battery and memory cards
Best things To Do
Explore the Estes Park, the east side of the park. Picture and more details here
Enjoy hiking to gorgeous lakes by taking well maintained scenic trails. For more details with images click on Lakes and Trails
Have a thrilling and memorable adventure drive on the highway to the sky, the Trail Ridge Road. Pictures and details here
Popular and easy trails in Rocky Mountain National Park
Bear Lake Trail: This is an easy, popular, busy, and short 0.7 mile loop trail. The trail begins from the Bear Lake Trailhead beyond the Bear Lake Ranger Station located at the end of Bear Lake Road. The trail circles around the gorgeous subalpine lake and passes through a woodland of pine and aspen trees and offers stunning views of the surrounding peaks. This trail is best used from March until November. Pictures and more info here
Nymph Lake Trail: It is a short, easy, mostly paved 1.2 mile round trip hike from Bear Lake Trailhead. The trail makes a steady climb up with a glimpse of Longs Peak through the jagged forest. The trail offers a beautiful lake with a floating layer of yellow lily pads. In the summer, the lake is covered with yellow blossoms of lily pads. This trail is best used from June until October. Pictures and more info here
Dream Lake Trail: This 2 mile round trip hike to Dream Lake begins from Bear Lake Trailhead. The trail offers remarkable views of Hallett Peak, Flattop Mountain, and subalpine lake. The trail becomes a steep climb for a small portion after Nymph Lake. This portion of trail, between Nymph Lake and Dream Lake offers an outstanding view of Longs Peak, Hallett Peak, and an abundance of wildflowers during the summer. At around 1.1 miles from Bear Lake Trailhead, you will hit the junction for the trails that lead to Dream lake and Lake Haiyaha. Take the right trail to continue on towards Dream Lake. This trail is best used from June until October. Pictures and more info here
Emerald Lake Trail: This hike is the most popular, busy, and is considered as a moderate trail. This 3.3 mile round trip hike through the forested jagged valley offers amazing scenery with high peaks, three beautiful lakes: Nymph lake, Dream Lake, Emerald Lake, and the waterfalls. The hike to Emerald Lake begins from Bear Lake Trailhead, located at the end of Bear Lake Road. The first lake, Nymph Lake, is at around 0.6 miles. After passing Nymph lake, the hike becomes steep uphill. Continue climbing up about 0.5 miles to reach the second lake, Dream Lake. The trail has a series of steep steps. As you climb up, around 0.5 miles you pass through a very pleasant and impressive pine forest. At the end of the hike, you see the real beauty of Emerald Lake carved by Tyndall Glacier. This trail is best used from June until October. Pictures and more info here
Lake Haiyaha Trail: This is a less crowded trail compared to the popular Emerald Lake trail. The hike offers a giant rock-filled blue lake, a waterfall, and colorful wildflowers that bloom throughout the spring season. This 3.6 mile out and back trail begins at Bear Lake Trailhead then goes around Nymph Lake. After passing Nymph lake around 0.3 miles, you hit the junction for the trails that lead to Dream lake and Lake Haiyaha. Take the left trail and hike almost a mile to reach Lake Haiyaha. This trail is best used from June until October. More info here
Sprague Lake Trail: This paved trail is a short and easy 0.8 mile loop trail located at the end of Sprague Lake Road. The trail features a beautiful lake and panoramic views of the Continental Divide and majestic peaks reflecting on the lake. The trail is accessible year round. Pictures and more info here
Bierstadt Lake Trail: This 3.2 mile loop trail begins from the Bierstadt Lake Trailhead and is considered as moderate. The trail is accessible from June until October. The trail offers a gorgeous lake with stunning panoramic views of mountains along the Continental Divide. It is a steep uphill trail with a series of switchbacks to reach the top of the Bierstadt Moraine. Approximately 1 mile from the Bierstadt Lake Trailhead, just after top of the Bierstadt Moraine, the trail reaches the Bierstadt Lake Loop Trail junction. Take a right at the junction and take a short walk to reach the southwestern shore of the lake for great photos.
Alluvial Fan Falls Trail: It is a short 0.5 mile out and back trail that features a waterfall over big boulders. The falls can be accessible from both east and west side. The trail begins at East/West Alluvial Fan Falls parking lot which is located on Endovalley road less than a mile drive from Fall river road. Even though the paved portion of the trail is short, you can continue climbing the boulders along the waterway to get a closer look at the waterfalls. This trail is best used from May until October. Pictures and more info here
Toll Memorial Trail: This is a paved 1.1 mile out and back trail also known as Tundra Communities Trail. The trail features beautiful seasonal wild flowers, alpine tundra meadows, Mushroom Rocks, viewpoints of Longs Peak and the Continental Divide, wildlife and it is good for all skill levels. The trail opens up to super windy and cold of high land above the trees, so dress in layers. The trail is best used from June until September. Pictures and more info here
Alpine Ridge Trail: This is a short 0.7 mile out and back trail, but fairly steep. The trail begins at the far end of the parking area for the Alpine Visitor Center on Trail Ridge Road. The entire trail goes around the alpine tundra and offers spectacular 360 degree views of the snow capped mountain range, seasonal display of beautiful wildflowers and wildlife sightings. It will be quite windy and cold even in the summer, so dress accordingly. The trail is best used from June until September. Pictures and more info here
Trail Ridge Road, a highway to the sky in Rocky Mountain National Park is the most scenic, highest, and continuous two laned paved road in the United States. The Trail Ridge Road is actually a stretch of U.S. Highway 34 and the road covers 48 miles between Estes Park on the east side and Grand Lake on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park. The road winds and climbs up about 4,000 feet in a matter of minutes. It crosses the Continental Divide and reaches the high point at 12,183 feet elevation where evergreen forests come to a halt. Depending on weather conditions, Trail Ridge Road is generally open from late May through October. This fascinating drive takes you to a variety of habitats through woodlands of aspen/pines to thick subalpine forests of fir and spruce, and from lowland mountain meadows to alpine tundra. The drive on Trail Ridge Road offers phenomenal views of mountain range, amazing wildlife sightings, and spectacular seasonal alpine wildflower. The drive on Trail Ridge is so thrilling and is definitely a memorable experience.
Along the way there are numerous overlooks. It takes anywhere between 1 ½ hours to 4 hours to drive on Trail Ridge Road depending on traffic and stops at overlooks. Drive slowly and follow the traffic. Stop at every overlook, don’t rush, take a stroll to overlooks, relax, and enjoy the remarkable views. If you experience high altitude sickness, slow down, sit for a while, drink plenty of water, and take your own time.
These photos are from our drive on Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park in late September 2019. Drive through Trail Ridge Road in summer is more beautiful and pretty as the landscapes welcome with more green lands with a blanket of colorful wildflowers, amazing wildlife, and stunning snow capped peaks in the backdrops.
Entering Estes Park, Big Thompson Ave (US 34)
Moraine Ave (US 36)
Park Entrance Road, US 36
Park Entrance Road, US 36
Hidden Valley Road
View of Long Peaks in distance, Many Parks Curve Overlook, Trail Ridge Road
View of Upper Beaver Meadow from Many Parks Curve Overlook, Trail Ridge Road
Many Parks Curve Overlook at Trail Ridge Road
Rainbow Curve Overlook, Trail Ridge Road
Rainbow Curve Overlook, Trail Ridge Road
View of Alluvial Fan Falls and Horseshoe Park,
Rainbow Curve Overlook, Trail Ridge Road
Forest Canyon Overlook
Forest Canyon Overlook
Forest Canyon Overlook
Trail Ridge Road
Rock Cut, Trail Ridge Road
Rock Cut, Trail Ridge Road
Trail Ridge Road, View from Toll Memorial Trail
Mushroom Rock, Toll Memorial Trail
Mushroom Rock, Toll Memorial Trail
Toll Memorial Trail
Lava Cliffs Overlook, Trail Ridge Road
Lava Cliffs Overlook, Trail Ridge Road
Trail Ridge Road
Gore Range Overlook
View from Alpine Visitor Center
Alpine Visitor Center
View from Alpine Visitor Center
Alpine Ridge Trail
Medicine Bow Curve Overlook, Trail Ridge Road
Poudre Lake
Milner Pass
Farview Curve Viewpoint, Trail Ridge Road
Grand Lake
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Trail Ridge Road Attractions from Estes Park (east side) to Grand Lake (west side)
Many Parks Curve Overlook: A hairpin turn at Trail Ridge road. The boardwalk across the road from the parking lot takes to the sweeping views of Longs Peak, the park’s only peak that rises above 14,000 feet, Deer Mountain, many towering peaks, and massive lowland meadows Moraine Park, Horseshoe Park, Upper Beaver Meadows
Rainbow Curve Overlook: Features incredible views of Horseshoe Park, Deer Mountain, the Mummy Mountain range, and Alluvial Fan Falls
Forest Canyon Overlook: A short stroll offers massive views of eastern edge of Forest Canyon and a deep U-shaped green valley
Gore Range Overlook: Offers views of the Never Summer Mountains and the Gore Range as it sits above the treeline in the alpine tundra
Rock Cut: Feathers a beautiful projecting rock formation looking like big welcoming towers. The rock had to be cut in order to allow the Trail Ridge Road to pass through it
Alpine visitor Center: Located at the top of the Trail Ridge Road at 11,796 feet above the sea level, and is a great place to relax. It features a 360 degree view of the remarkable alpine mountain peaks and alpine tundra. Restaurants, gift shops, and restrooms are available. You can hike the short, uphill, steep 0.6 mile Alpine Ridge Trail. The hike offers outstanding panoramic views of mountain peaks, beautiful alpine tundra scenery, and seasonal wildflowers
Medicine Bow Curve Overlook: A hairpin turn on Trail Ridge Road. This is the right place to take panoramic views of the Medicine Bow Mountains, known as the Never Summer Mountains
Farview Curve Overlook: Features spectacular views of an expansive Kawuneeche Valley and the Never Summer Range
Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most visited national parks in the USA. It is renowned for its spectacular landscapes. The park is situated between the towns of Estes Park to the east and Grand Lake to the west in the state of Colorado. Estes Park town is in northern Colorado and it is the base for the Rocky Mountain National Park. Estes Park has more lodging and restaurants than Grand Lake. The East side of the park mesmerizes with its incredible landscapes from snow capped granite peaks to crystal clear lakes and gorgeous waterfalls along with many accessible trails with stunning views.
These photos are from a two day visit to Rocky Mountain National Park in late September 2019. The Aspen trees started turning into golden colors, the alpine tundra turned to yellowish brown, and the elk mating season had just begun. These brought the park’s magnificent views though it was a cloudy and gloomy day.
Big Thompson Canyon Road (US 34)
Entering Estes Park, Big Thompson Ave (US 34)
Upper Beaver Meadows Road
Upper Beaver Meadows Road
Overlook at US 36 (South Navy Hill Road)
West Horse Shoe Park, Overlook at Fall River Road
West Horse Shoe Park, Overlook at Fall River Road
Alluvial Fan Falls Hiking Area
Alluvial Fan Falls Hiking Area
Alluvial Fan Falls
Alluvial Fan Falls
Sheep lakes, Fall River Road
Sheep lakes, Fall River Road
Sheep lakes, Fall River Road
Moraine Park, View from Moraine Road
Elks freely roaming around at Moraine Park, View from Moraine Road
Moraine Park, View from Moraine Road
Moraine Park, View from Moraine Road
Moraine Park, View from Moraine Road
Elks freely roaming around at Moraine Park, View from Moraine Road
Views from Cub Lake Trailhead
Views from Cub Lake Trailhead
Elk spotted at Bear Lake Road
Moraine Park, View from Bear Lake Road
Moraine Park, View from Bear Lake Road
Moraine Park, View from Bear Lake Road
View from South Moraine Road Parking Lot
Moraine Park, View from Bear Lake Road
View from South Moraine Road Parking Lot
View from South Moraine Road
View from South Moraine Road Parking Lot
View from Bear Lake Road
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Places to Go
Moraine Park, Horseshoe Park, Sheep Lakes, Moraine Park discovery Center and Amphitheater, Alluvial Fan Falls, Alberta Falls
Bear Lake, Nymph Lake, Dream Lake, Emerald Lake, Lake Haiyaha, Sprague Lake, Bierstadt Lake, Cub Lake
Best Things To Do
Drive along the scenic Bear Lake Road. Visit Moraine Park Discovery Center and Moraine Park Amphitheater. There are plenty of pull-outs or overlooks along Bear Lake Road. Keep some extra time for stopping for photos, wildlife, sights, and for unplanned delays
Drive Fall River Road and stop at the scenic overlook Horseshoe Park and Sheep Lakes. Good photo-op for elk and sheep in this scenic meadow
Hike the Bear Lake Loop Trail and embrace the gorgeous lake surrounded by the magnificent peaks. More info here
Enjoy hiking to Emerald Lake, a stunning emerald green alpine lake which offers outstanding views of Longs Peak, Hallett Peak, and wildflowers. The hike is more delightful with the beautiful floating lily pads covering Nymph Lake and gorgeous Dram Lake along the way. More details here
Hike to the gorgeous waterfall Alberta Falls that falls over a rocky cliff. This waterfall is easily accessible from the Glacier Gorge parking area or the Bear Lake parking area
Relax and relish at Alluvial Fan Falls. The trail feathers a waterfall over big boulders. This trail also offers hiking, walking, nature trips, and bird watching
Hike the popular and splendid Sprague Lake Trail, Bierstadt Lake Trail, Lake Haiyaha Trail, Cub Lake Trail and Fern Lake Trail
Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most popular national parks in the U.S. The park mesmerizes people with its breathtaking diverse landscapes of snow covered mountains, jagged valleys, pristine lakes, alpine trees and tundra, seasonal abundance wildflowers, and amazing wildlife. The park is a paradise with many gorgeous alpine lakes. The park has 156 lakes with 450 miles of streams. There are plenty of scenic paths with 300 miles of hiking trails that will lead to a number of pristine and crystal blue picturesque lakes within the park.
These photos are from our two day visit to Rocky Mountain National Park in the last week of September 2019.
Bear Lake Trail
Bear lake
Bear Lake
Bear lake
Bear Lake Trail
Bear Lake Trail
Bear Lake Trail
Bear Lake
Nymph Lake
Nymph Lake
Nymph Lake
View from Dream Lake to Emerald Lake hike
View from Dream Lake to Emerald Lake hike
View from Dream Lake to Emerald Lake hike
Dream Lake
Dream Lake
Views of Hallett Peak, Flattop Mountain and subalpine
Dream Lake
View from Dream Lake to Emerald Lake hike
View from Dream Lake to Emerald Lake hike
Emerald Lake
Emerald Lake
View of Continental Divide Mountains from Sprague Lake Trail
Sprague Lake Trail
Sprague Lake Trail
Sprague Lake Trail
Sprague Lake Trail
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Places to Go
Bear Lake, Nymph Lake, Dream Lake, Emerald Lake, Lake Haiyaha, Sprague Lake, Bierstadt Lake, Cub Lake, Sky Pond, The Loch Lake, Gem Lake, Chasm Lake
Best Things To Do: Enjoy hiking easy, popular, less than 4 mile short trails that are the most scenic. Embrace the breathtaking views of the gorgeous lakes surrounded by magnificent peaks along the hikes.
Bear Lake Trail: This is an easy, popular, busy, and short 0.7 mile loop trail. The trail begins from the Bear Lake Trailhead beyond the Bear Lake Ranger Station located at the end of Bear Lake Road. The trail offers a gorgeous lake surrounded by magnificent peaks. The trail circles around the subalpine lake and passes through a woodland of pine and aspen trees. Parking lots fill up quickly during the morning of the summer season so start early for a better chance to get a parking spot; you will be lucky to get a parking spot early. It is highly recommended to use the free park shuttle at the Estes Park Visitor Center in order to avoid the congested traffic and hassle of parking. Do the hike in the early morning in the counterclockwise direction for great photos of Hallett Peak and Longs Peak reflecting off the lake during calm weather.
Nymph Lake: It is a short, easy, mostly paved 1.2 mile round trip hike from the Bear Lake Trailhead. The trail makes a steady climb up with a glimpse of Longs Peak through the jagged forest. The trail offers a beautiful lake with the floating layer of yellow lily pads. In the summer, the lake is covered with yellow blossoms of lily pads. You can further continue hiking to reach another pretty lake, Dream Lake.
Dream Lake: This 2 mile round trip hike to Dream Lake begins from the Bear Lake Trailhead. The trail becomes a steep climb for a small portion after Nymph Lake. This portion of trail, between Nymph Lake and Dream Lake offers an outstanding view of Longs Peak, Hallett Peak, and an abundance of wildflowers during the summer. At around 1.1 miles from the Bear Lake Trailhead you will hit the junction for the trails that lead to Dream lake and Lake Haiyaha. Take the right trail to continue on towards Dream Lake. At the end, the views of Hallett Peak, Flattop Mountain, and subalpine lake are spectacular. You can further continue to hike to another jewel Emerald Lake.
Emerald Lake Trail: This hike is the most popular, busy, and is considered as a moderate trail. This 3.3 mile round trip hike through the forested jagged valley offers amazing scenery with high peaks, three beautiful lakes: Nymph lake, Dream Lake, Emerald Lake, and the waterfalls. The hike to Emerald Lake begins from the Bear Lake Trailhead, located at the end of Bear Lake Road. The first lake, Nymph Lake is at around 0.6 miles. After passing Nymph lake, the hike becomes steep uphill. Continuing climbing up about 0.5 miles to reach the second lake, Dream Lake. The trail has a series of steep steps. If you experience high altitude sickness, slow down, sit for a while, drink plenty of water, and take your own time. As you climb up, around 0.5 miles you pass through a very pleasant and impressive pine forest. At the end of the hike, you see the real beauty of Emerald Lake carved by Tyndall Glacier. Embrace the subalpine lake while listening to the sound of a waterfall rushing down the gorge between the two mountains.
Lake Haiyaha Trail: This is a less crowded trail when compared to the popular Emerald Lake trail. This 3.6 mile out and back trail begins at Bear Lake Trailhead then goes around Nymph Lake. After passing Nymph lake around 0.3 miles, you hit the junction for the trails that lead to Dream lake and Lake Haiyaha. Take the left trail and hike almost a mile to reach Lake Haiyaha. The hike offers a giant rock-filled blue lake, a waterfall, and colorful wildflowers that bloom throughout the spring season.
Sprague Lake Trail: This paved trail is a short and easy 0.8 mile loop trail located at the end of Sprague Lake Road. The trail features a beautiful lake and impressive surrounding peaks. Hike the trail in the morning to capture wonderful photos of panoramic views of the Continental Divide and majestic peaks reflecting on the lake. The sunset reflections surrounded by snow-capped mountain peaks at Sprague Lake is also simply amazing.
Bierstadt Lake Trail: This 3.2 mile loop trail begins from the Bierstadt Lake Trailhead and is considered as moderate. The trail offers a gorgeous lake with stunning panoramic views of mountains along the Continental Divide. It is a steep uphill trail with a series of switchbacks to reach the top of the Bierstadt Moraine. Approximately 1 mile from the Bierstadt Lake Trailhead, just after top of the Bierstadt Moraine, the trail reaches the Bierstadt Lake Loop Trail junction. Take right at the junction and a short walk in order to reach the southwestern shore of the lake for great photos.
