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Rocky Mountain National Park is fun to explore because it has high mountain peaks, hiking trails that lead to alpine lakes and waterfalls, wildlife, and a scenic drive along one of the highest roads in the United States. Find out what the best things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park so you can have the best time.
At Rocky Mountain National Park must see places, hiking is the main thing to do, so make sure to bring sturdy, comfortable shoes or boots so you can make the most of popular trails like Bear Lake Trail and Emerald Lake Trail. These trails are one of the best trails in Rocky Mountain National Park. You can drive through the park in safety and comfort on Trail Ridge Road, which is an hour long, or on Old Fall River Road, which is a bit more adventurous.
But before you do anything, you should stop at one of the park’s visitor centers, like Beaver Meadows, to get maps and information. At the end of a day in the wilderness, go to Estes Park and check out the shops along Elkhorn Avenue for a refreshing drink or a scoop of ice cream.
Get your hiking boots ready and use this list of the best things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park to plan your next trip.
Here are our favorite things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park and nearby. If you enjoy our blogs, make sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
Best Things To Do in Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most well-known and highest national parks in the US. Hikers of all skill levels go there often. With thousands of miles of trails, high peaks, beautiful scenery, roaming animals, and lots of outdoor activities!
It also has the highest paved road that goes straight up in the whole country. There are so many great things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park that it will be hard to do everything in one trip. Our favorite things to do include hiking, wildlife watching, and scenic drives.
1. Trail Ridge Road
Trail Ridge Road is for you if you don’t like to hike but still want to see the beautiful view of Colorado. With an elevation of up to 12,183 feet, this road is known as the highest continuous road in the country.
From your car, you can get a breathtaking view of the alpine mountains and a variety of plants and animals. Drive through the road and stop at the pullouts that have been set up so that people can stop and enjoy the beautiful scenery while you take the best photos.
2. Downtown Estes Park
Estes Park is a place to visit in Colorado. It has more than 300 shops and can win over the hearts of foodies, art lovers, and anyone else who wants to go shopping. Estes Park is a popular place to visit because it has many great hotels, restaurants, breweries, and tourist shops.
Take a stroll downtown to do some shopping, eat, or drink. You can also ride a tramway for a cheap price to get a nice view of the cute architecture, nearby mountains, and Big Thompson River.
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3. Bear Lake
Bear Lake is in the middle of Rocky Mountain National Park, which makes it a great place to start a hike. Bear Lake is in the middle of the national park, so you can use it to get to a lot of different trails and have a great time outside. At Bear Lake trail, you can enjoy one of the best trails in Rocky Mountain National Park.
This weekend, plan a trip and take a short loop around Bear Lake trail or choose a longer path from the many trails available. This is the perfect way to spend time with friends and family.
4. Emerald Lake Trail
The Emerald Lake trail is a popular thing for couples and groups of friends to do. It has several beautiful lookout points that will make anyone feel better. The Emerald Lake Trail is a moderate hike with three beautiful lakes and a stunning view at the end.
Get ready early in the morning to go hiking with your special someone or with your friends on the peaceful trails and spots. One of the best hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park.
5. Old Fall River Road
If you want to get as close to nature as possible on your way to the high country of the national park, take Old Fall River Road. It is an unpaved road that follows the path that Indian hunters used, giving you a close look at nature.
Old Fall River Road is a slow, less-traveled, and beautiful way to get to the top of the park. You can’t get this kind of experience anywhere else. Be prepared for a slow 11-mile drive on gravel and dirt. On the way, keep an eye out for elk, deer, sheep, and marmots.
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6. Alberta Falls
Alberta Falls is one of the best things to see in Rocky Mountain National Park. It is a beautiful 30-foot waterfall that will wash all your worries away. A short hike takes you to Alberta Falls, which is great for hikers of all skill levels and has a beautiful view of water tumbling down Glacier creek.
With all the big rocks around the falls, it’s a great place to have a picnic with the family. You can also keep going after the falls to hikes that are harder. Alberta Falls is one of the Rocky Mountain National Park must see place.
7. Moraine Park
Moraine Park in Rocky Mountain National Park is a great place to see how the mountains of Colorado have changed over time. The park is a flat plain that glaciers carved out, and there are herds of elk, lots of wildflowers, and big views of the high peaks in this valley.
One of the best places to see animals in Rocky Mountain National Park is Moraine Park. In this valley, herds of elk come to graze. From here, you can also hike to Bear Lake, Fern Lake, and Mills Lake, among other places.
8. Holzwarth Historic Site
The Holzwarth Historic Site was once a homestead and dude ranch. Now, it is a historic site that gives visitors a unique look at how people lived almost 100 years ago. This site is easy to get to and shows how rough life was almost a century ago.
The taxidermy work of the previous owner is also on display. If you want to do something different, visit this beautiful site and take a look at how people used to live in the past. Wildlife like deer, moose, elk, and antelope roam the area, giving you a chance to see them.
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9. Go for a Hike and Camping
In the park, there are more than 350 miles of trails that connect alpine lakes, sharp peaks, thick lodgepole pine forests, and rocky tundra. Longs Peak, with a peak of 14,259 feet, is the ultimate adventure for hikers who want to try something new.
Inside the park, there are five drive-in campsites and one drive-in group camping area. Can’t find a place to camp in Rocky Mountain National Park? Don’t be afraid. It is surrounded by the Never Summer Wilderness, the Arapahoe National Recreation Area, the Indian Peaks Wilderness, the Roosevelt National Forest, and the Comanche Peak Wilderness.
No matter which one you go to, there is usually a place to set up a tent, park an RV, or hike a few miles into the backcountry.
10. Sky Pond
One of the best things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park is to hike to Sky Pond. This is a moderate to difficult trail that will leave you out of breath, both from the hard hike and the beautiful scenery. At Sky Pond, there are mountain peaks, different kinds of wildflowers, and a small waterfall.
Stretch your muscles before you go on a difficult trail where you can see columbines, marsh marigolds, and other wildflowers.
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FAQs About Best Things To Do in Rocky Mountain National Park
When is the best time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park?
Visit Rocky Mountain National Park between Memorial Day and mid-October if you want to hike a lot and drive Trail Ridge Road. Just know that this is the most popular time to go to Rocky Mountain National Park. If you don’t mind cold weather and snow, the best time to visit is from November to May. At this time of year, the park is much less busy, but Trail Ridge Road is closed and many, if not all, of the hiking trails may be covered in snow. At this time of year, the main things to do in the park are cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Plan your trip between mid-September and mid-October to see the fall colors and the elk mating season.
How many days do you need for Rocky Mountain National Park?
Plan to stay at Rocky Mountain National Park for at least three days. This gives you enough time to drive Alpine Ridge Road and Old Fall River Road and hike a few of the trails. I think you should spend at least five days in Rocky Mountain National Park if you like to hike a lot. You can enjoy one of the best trails in Rocky Mountain National Park.
What are the best parts of Rocky Mountain National Park?
Trail Ridge Road.
Downtown Estes Park.
Bear Lake.
Old Fall River Road / Endovalley.
Emerald Lake Trail.
Alberta Falls.
Sky Pond.
Moraine Park.
Longs Peak.
Elk.
Horseshoe Park.
Is Estes Park worth visiting?
Estes Park is the perfect place to start your adventure into the real heart and soul of Colorado. It is surrounded by amazing, breathtaking views of the Rocky Mountains. Why not spend a couple of hours in Estes Park before going deep into the Rocky Mountains.
How long does it take to drive Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park?
Between 2 and 4 hours
You’ll need between 2 and 4 hours to enjoy the Trail Ridge Rd. If you want to avoid traffic jams caused by people stopping to look at bighorn bottlenecks on the side of the road, you might want to start your drive early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
Tell Us In The Comments About One Of The Best Things To Do in Rocky Mountain National Park!
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