best-easy-day-hikes-rocky-mountain-national-park
Best Easy Day Hikes Rocky Mountain N.P. details 36 of the best day hikes that lead to some of Rocky Mountain's most scenic destinations.





























National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map for Rocky Mountain National Park
National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map for Rocky Mountain National Park contains detailed topographic information, clearly marked trails, recreational points of interest, and navigational aids.





























Do you have all the essential gear and clothing for your next hike?

























best-hikes-rocky-mountain-national-park
Best Hikes Rocky Mountain National Park features the best hiking throughout Rocky Mountain National Park - from easy, family-friendly strolls to popular panoramic vistas.


Rocky Mountain Hikes by Trail Feature

Each of the Rocky Mountain hikes listed in this directory have been grouped according to the predominate feature of each trail, based on the following criteria: trails that lead to outstanding panoramic views, waterfalls, lakes, and various/other features.

By clicking on any of the trail names below you'll find more in-depth information, including trail descriptions, key features, directions, pictures, elevation profiles and maps.

Difficulty Rating Defined: a difficulty rating of less than 5 is generally considered to be an easy hike. Between 5 and 10 is moderate, and anything over 10 is considered to be strenuous. For a more detailed explanation on the difficulty ratings for each of the Rocky Mountain hikes listed below, please click here.

R/T on the table heading below stands for total round trip mileage.

For a general idea on the trailhead location for each of the Rocky Mountain hikes listed below, please visit our RMNP map page.



Outstanding Panoramic Views
Trail Name General Location Trail Features RT Miles Elevation Gain Difficulty Rating
Alpine Ridge Trail Alpine Visitor Center Panoramic Views, Wildflowers 0.6 209 1.02
Baker Pass West Side Outstanding Panoramic Views 12.1 2,400 16.90
Baker Pass-Parika Lake Loop West Side Outstanding Panoramic Views, Alpine Lake 13.5 2,625 18.75
Battle Mountain Longs Peak Outstanding Views, Fall Aspens 9.7 2,639 14.98
Bear Lake to Fern Lake TH Bear Lake Road Alpine Lake, Outstanding views 9.2 1,230 11.66
Chapin / Chiquita / Ypsilon Alpine Visitor Center Outstanding Panoramic Views 8.3 3,100 14.48
Deer Mountain Estes Park Panoramic Views 6.2 1,210 8.62
Estes Cone (via Lily Lake) Longs Peak Panoramic Views 7.5 2,275 12.05
Estes Cone (via Longs Peak) Longs Peak Panoramic Views, History 6.5 1,790 10.08
Flattop Mountain Bear Lake Road Outstanding views 8.9 2,850 14.60
Forest Canyon Pass Alpine Visitor Center Panoramic Views, Wildflowers 4.8 600 6.00
Hallett Peak Bear Lake Road Outstanding views 10.3 3,240 16.78
Keyhole on Longs Peak Longs Peak Outstanding views, Fall Aspens 12.4 3,825 20.05
Lily Mountain Longs Peak Panoramic Views 4.0 1,180 6.36
Little Horseshoe Park Loop Estes Park Panoramic Views, Wildlife, Wildflowers 3.9 472 4.84
Moraine Park Loop Estes Park Panoramic Views, Wildlife 4.8 120 5.04
Mt. Ida Alpine Visitor Center Outstanding Views 9.6 2465 14.53
Peak 12,150 Alpine Visitor Center Outstanding Views 5.6 1410 8.42
Shadow Mountain Lookout West Side Panoramic Views, History 9.6 1,635 12.87
Tundra Communities Trail Alpine Visitor Center Outstanding views, Alpine Tundra 1.1 175 1.45
Twin Sisters Peak Longs Peak Outstanding views, Fall Aspens 7.0 2,475 11.95
Ute Trail Alpine Visitor Center Outstanding Views, Alpine Tundra 4.0 405 4.81



Waterfall Hikes
Trail Name General Location Trail Features RT Miles Elevation Gain Difficulty Rating
Adams Falls West Side Waterfalls, Fall Aspens 0.9 113 1.13
Alberta Falls Bear Lake Road Waterfalls, Fall Aspens 1.7 200 2.06
Bridal Veil Falls Estes Park Waterfall, Fall Aspens, Wildflowers, Wildlife 6.2 990 8.18
Calypso Cascades Wild Basin Waterfalls 3.6 610 4.82
Cascade Falls West Side Waterfalls, Wildlife, Wildflowers 6.8 430 7.66
Chasm Falls Estes Park Waterfalls 2.8 585 3.97
Copeland Falls Wild Basin Waterfalls 0.9 75 1.01
Fern Falls Estes Park Waterfalls, Fall Aspens, Wildflowers 5.2 700 6.60
Granite Falls West Side Waterfall, Scenic Views, Wildflowers 10.4 1120 12.64
Ouzel Falls Wild Basin Waterfalls, Wildflowers 5.4 870 7.14
Timberline Falls Bear Lake Road Waterfalls, Outstanding Lake Views 8.1 1,510 11.12
West Creek Falls Estes Park Waterfalls, Wildflowers 4.4 1,400 7.20



Lake Hikes
Trail Name General Location Trail Features RT Miles Elevation Gain Difficulty Rating
Bear Lake Loop Bear Lake Road Scenic Lake Views, Fall Aspens 0.8 45 0.89
Bierstadt Lake Bear Lake Road Lake Views, Fall Aspens 2.4 675 3.75
Bierstadt Lake (via Bear Lake) Bear Lake Road Scenic Lake Views, Fall Aspens 4.4 630 5.66
Bierstadt Lake Loop Bear Lake Road Scenic Lake Views, Fall Aspens, Forest 3.2 725 4.65
Black Lake Bear Lake Road Outstanding Views, Alpine Lake, Waterfalls 9.6 1,480 12.56
Bluebird Lake Wild Basin Alpine Lake, Outstanding views 12.6 2,490 17.58
Chasm Lake Longs Peak Alpine Lake, Outstanding Panoramic Views 8.5 2,500 13.50
Cub Lake Estes Park Lake Views, Fall Aspens, Wildlife 4.8 570 5.94
Dream Lake Bear Lake Road Outstanding Lake Views, Wildflowers 2.2 450 3.14
Emerald Lake Bear Lake Road Alpine Lake, Outstanding Views, Wildflowers,  3.5 650 4.84
Fern Lake Estes Park Scenic Lake Views, Fall Aspens, Wildflowers 7.6 1,400 10.40
Finch Lake Wild Basin Lake Views, Fall Aspens 8.6 1,850 12.30
Four Lakes Loop Bear Lake Road Scenic Lake Views, Waterfalls, Fall Aspens 5.6 1,030 7.66
Gem Lake Estes Park Panoramic Views, Lake, Wildflowers, Fall Apens 3.5 1,000 5.50
Lake Haiyaha Bear Lake Road Alpine Lake, Outstanding Views 3.9 865 5.63
Lake Helene Bear Lake Road Alpine Lake, Outstanding Views 6.5 1,340 9.18
Lake Irene Alpine Visitor Center Lake, Scenic Views 0.9 95 1.09
Lake Verna West Side Scenic Lake Views, Waterfalls, Wildlife 13.8 1,975 17.75
Lawn Lake Estes Park Subalpine Lake, Outstanding Views 12.6 2,490 17.58
Lily Lake Loop Longs Peak Scenic Lake Views, Wildflowers 0.8 10 0.82
Lily Ridge Loop Longs Peak Scenic Lake Views, Wildflowers 1.2 200 1.60
Lion Lake No. 1 Wild Basin Subalpine Lake, Outstanding Views 12.1 2,675 17.45
Lone Pine Lake West Side Scenic Lake Views, Waterfalls, Wildlife 11.0 1,625 14.25
Mills Lake Bear Lake Road Outstanding Lake Views, Waterfalls 5.3 780 6.84
Nymph Lake Bear Lake Road Lake Views, Fall Aspens 1.1 245 1.55
Odessa Lake (via Bear Lake) Bear Lake Road Alpine Lake, Outstanding Views 8.9 1,900 12.68
Odessa Lake (via Fern Lake TH) Estes Park Outstanding Lake Views, Fall Aspens, Wildflowers 9.5 1,890 13.28
Ouzel Lake Wild Basin Subalpine Lake, Scenic Views, Waterfalls 10.2 1,695 13.59
Parika Lake West Side Alpine Lake, Outstanding Views, Wildflowers 11.1 2,510 16.12
Pear Lake Wild Basin Alpine Lake, Outstanding Views, Fall Aspens 12.8 2,575 17.95
Sandbeach Lake Wild Basin Outstanding Lake Views, Fall Aspens 8.8 2,020 12.84
Sky Pond Bear Lake Road Outstanding Views, Alpine Lake, Waterfalls 9.0 1,780 12.60
Sprague Lake Loop Bear Lake Road Outstanding Lake Views 0.9 10 0.92
Spruce Lake Estes Park Lake Views, Fall Aspens, Waterfalls 9.0 1,675 12.35
The Loch Bear Lake Road Outstanding Lake Views, Waterfalls 5.7 1,040 7.74
Thunder Lake Wild Basin Subalpine Lake, Outstanding Views 11.6 2,275 16.15
Timber Lake West Side Subalpine Lake, Meadows, Wildflowers 10.4 2,120 14.64
Ypsilon Lake Estes Park Lake Views, Waterfalls 9.0 2,380 13.76



Various / Other Features
Trail Name General Location Trail Features RT Miles Elevation Gain Difficulty Rating
Andrews Tarn (Glacier) Bear Lake Road Alpine Lake, Glacier 9.3 2,300 13.90
Aspenglen Loop Estes Park Mountain Views, Wildlife, Wildflowers 3.0 425 3.85
Big Meadows West Side Scenic views, Meadows, Wildflowers 3.6 740 5.08
Boulder Brook Loop Bear Lake Road Waterfalls, Scenic Views, Fall Aspens 8.6 1,510 11.62
Coyote Valley Trail West Side Scenic Views, Wildlife 1.0 15 1.03
East Meadow West Side Scenic Views, Waterfalls, Wildlife 2.8 235 3.27
Eugenia Mine Longs Peak History, Pleasant Forest Hike 2.8 540 3.88
Green Mountain-Onahu Creek Loop West Side Scenic Views, Meadows, Wildflowers 7.5 1300 10.10
Hollowell Park Loop Bear Lake Road Scenic Views, Lake Views, Solitude 10.2 1630 13.46
Holzwarth Historic Site West Side Historic Structures, Scenic Views 1.3 70 1.44
Lulu City West Side Historic, Scenic Views 7.4 660 8.72
Lumpy Ridge Loop Estes Park Outstanding Views, Wildflowers, Fall Aspens 11.0 2,475 15.95
Poudre River Trail Alpine Visitor Center Scenic Views, River, Wildlife 6.0 475 6.95
The Pool Estes Park Stream, Fall Aspens, Wildflowers 3.4 205 3.81
Upper Beaver Meadows Loop Estes Park Scenic Views, Fall Aspens, Wildlife 5.0 935 6.87