Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park

Covering 425 square miles of sylvan forests, pristine lakes, and soaring mountains along both sides of the Continental Divide, Rocky Mountain National Park is a welcoming park for hikers.

Longs Peak is the highest summit in the park and rises to 14,259 feet above sea level.

Rocky Mountain National Park is a popular destination during summer months and also during a special period in the fall. From mid-September to early October, the leaves of the park’s quaking aspen turn yellow, orange, and red, attracting many visitors. The elk rut (mating season) occurs at the same time, meaning that the park’s elk are more likely to be seen and heard (bugling).

Hiking Rocky Mountain National Park

Here are two of the many hiking trails in Rocky Mountain National Park. Both hikes begin from the Bear Lake Trailhead at the end of Bear Lake Road.

	Bear Lake Nature Trail This easy 0.65-mile hike takes a loop around Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park, passing numerous views across the beautiful subalpine lake.
	Emerald Lake Trail This beautiful 3.6-mile hike tours a trio of lovely lakes in Rocky Mountain National Park, passing Nymph Lake and Dream Lake to find Emerald Lake cradled below 12,000-foot mountains and a glacier.