Dreaming of a trip to Rocky Mountain National Park or Estes Park, Colorado? Why wouldn’t you be?! They’re beautiful destinations in every season and for adventurers who love to meander in the mountains, this part of Colorado is a great place to do it. We’ve spent some time in the park ourselves, but we also called on a few experts to share what they think are the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP), all so you can hit trails with confidence knowing you experienced the best the park has to offer.
Yup, these are hikes that we’ve completed or that people who live and work in RMNP adore and highly recommend. These are also all closer to the eastern or Estes Park entrance to the national park as opposed to the western or Grand Lake Entrance.
Pro Tip
Don’t forget to make a timed entry reservation before you go. Rocky Mountain National Park requires them from May 23 – October 19 in 2025 (get them here). There are two different permits available: One that includes the Bear Lake Road Corridor and one that doesn’t. You can visit the park before or after “permit hours,” which vary depending on where you’re headed.
The 5 Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park
Lake Haiyaha: 4 miles, Out-and-Back
A perennial favorite of Marriah Higgins, co-founder of Explore Estes, which offers ride services and private tours in the park. Her company offers not just a great way to get around the crowded park, but insights on where to go and info on park culture and ecology! Here’s what she has to say about this stellar hike:
“In 2022, a rock slide occurred in the Chaos Canyon just above Lake Haiyaha. This rock slide transported very fine silt and clay into the lake, turning the color of the water from the typical green-brown to an almost glacial teal blue. Now, in 2025, the lake has started to revert back to its original color, but still has a hint of teal to it. Because of the color change, it has become one of the most popular hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park.
It begins at the Bear Lake Trailhead. However, due to a small rock scramble once you reach Lake Haiyaha, more people opt for Emerald Lake at the trail split. This is a moderate hike with some more significant inclines as you turn off from Dream Lake to Lake Haiyaha, and a total of 846 ft of elevation gain. There are some incredible viewpoints and you can still find some quiet moments in the forest on the trail.”
Ute Trail to Upper Beaver Meadows: 6.5 miles, Point-to-Point
Another of Marriah’s favorites: Ute Trail to Upper Beaver Meadows. “This is a must do hike for an incredible journey through every ecosystem in Rocky Mountain National Park with beautiful scenic viewpoints! Although the AllTrails map suggests the reverse route of starting at Upper Beaver Meadows and hiking up to the Ute Trail with over 3,000ft of elevation gain, the reverse makes this a much more moderate hike with some strenuous downhill portions.
You’ll start in the tundra at the Ute Trailhead off of Trail Ridge Road at about 11,300ft and at the 2 mile mark will begin the strenuous 1 mile descent into the subalpine forest. Be sure to bring your hiking poles to save your knees! After this strenuous 1 mile descent, the hike becomes much more moderate as you hike further down through riparian wetlands, a burn scar from the 2020 East Troublesome Fire, and end in the lower valley meadows, or montane ecosystem, back at the Upper Beaver Meadows Trailhead at 8,440 ft of elevation. Just make sure you have a second vehicle waiting or hire a ride service to help you get back to town! Be aware that Trail Ridge Road is only open June through September each year. Because a little more planning goes into completing this point-to-point hike, it’s not heavily trafficked and the trail is unmaintained for a good portion of the hike.”
Alberta Falls: 1.6 miles, Out-and-Back
Ash Judd is a former park ranger and founder of Dirt in my Shoes, a podcast and website that offers tips, tricks and itineraries for national parks across the country. Rocky Mountain has always been one of her favorite parks and she has no shortage of hiking recommendations, but here’s one of her faves:
“The hike to Alberta Falls is an easy 1.2-mile roundtrip trek through a stunning forest of aspens and pines. This trail is perfect for the whole family if you’re hoping to explore the Bear Lake area.” In fact, you can even hike from Bear Lake, which will add an extra mile total.
“When you reach your destination, stretch out on the rocks and enjoy the view of the roaring 30-foot Alberta Falls. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, venture further along this trail to reach The Loch, Mills Lake, or Sky Pond!” This trail is a popular one, so be ready to deal with crowds unless you start early or late and consider taking the free park shuttle so you don’t have to fight for parking.
Sprague Lake is also nearby, which is an easy stroll and near sunset you may even spot elk or moose.
Chasm Lake: 8.3 miles, Out-and-Back
Not for the feint of heart, this long and challenging hike to an alpine lake is one of our favorites in the park. While we did it in the winter when avalanche safety knowledge and equipment are all but required, it’s just as spectacular in warmer months when wildflowers bloom and epic views of the surrounding Rocky Mountains stretch into the distance.
The trail to Chasm Lake starts at Long’s Peak Trailhead and is just about all uphill on the way out (2,545 feet up) and all downhill on the way back. But most of it is a moderate incline. Still, trekking poles are helpful. Bring plenty of snacks and water, too, because while you’ll be among the trees for the first part of the hike, once the forest falls away and you transition to alpine tundra, you’re going to want to take your time to enjoy the views. Once you reach Chasm Lake, sit and enjoy the stunning beauty of the water surrounded by towering mountain cliffs before heading back down.
Start early or later in the afternoon (don’t forget your headlamp and extra batteries) to beat the crowds and get a spot in the parking lot or hire a driver (like from Explore Estes) to drop you off and pick you up.
Tundra Communities Trail: 1.1 Miles, Out-and-Back
Another one of Ash’s faves and one I was quite taken with myself: the Tundra Communities Trail. Sure, it’s a weird name for a trail, but it’s also not your typical hiking route. The entire path is asphalt, so it’s mobility- and handicap-friendly (though wheelchair accessibility is still limited except with some more off-road capable equipment). The trail is short, but there are lots of informational signs along the way, mostly highlighting the unique features of the tundra terrain, what animals live there, and the importance of staying on-trail.
You’ll likely see–or at least hear–pika and marmots and enjoy 360-degree views of the park. After all, the trail is located on Trail Ridge Rd (aka: Highway to the Sky), the longest (42 miles), highest altitude continuously paved road in the U.S. At the end of the trail, if you’re game to scramble up the pile of boulders, you’ll get not only great photos, but a look at a survey marker emblazoned with the peaks in the park, their heights, and more.
When you’re done appreciating the tiny colorful plants and delicate mosses along the trail, visit the Alpine Visitor Center down the road, the highest altitude visitor center in the national park system. There’s another short but steep trail from there that takes you up to a lookout via a lot of stairs. But the climb is worth it.
Where to Stay: WorldMark by Wyndham Estes Park
Looking for a comfortable and picturesque place to stay in Estes Park? Book a few nights at the WorldMark Estes Park. Located along the Big Thompson River, it’s quiet and offers plenty of outdoor space to enjoy, plus comfy rooms and even full kitchens indoors, a pool, hot tubs, and a game room. There’s even a free shuttle that runs from the property to downtown in the summer.
Other Things to Do in Estes Park
Looking for some activities to occupy your time between hikes? There’s plenty to do in Estes Park.
- Explore Downtown: There are galleries, shops, restaurants, bookstores and ice cream galore in downtown Estes Park, mostly along, or just off of, Elk Avenue (which is well named, because you’ll likely see elk wandering around in the morning and evening). Take your time and peruse.
- Relax on the Riverwalk: Located behind a stretch of shops on Elk Ave. is the paved River Walk. It offers back door access to many of the shops, but is also peppered with patios and riverside benches so you can sit and sip your coffee or have a picnic lunch by the water.
- Tour the Stanley Hotel: Love history and/or Stephen King and/or spooky stories? There’s a tour for all of it at the historic Stanley Hotel. See where Stephen King got his inspiration for “The Shining,” hear ghost stories, or just learn about the history of the grand hotel on any of the handful of tour options. You don’t have to book a stay to book a tour!
- Take the Estes Park Aerial Tramway: Purchase a ticket for the tram and take a gondola ride (similar to the one in Glenwood Springs, CO) up Prospect Mountain. Once you reach the stop up top, you can hike up to the peak or just meander, enjoy the views of the valley below, and grab a snack or souvenir at the gift shop. They sell peanuts to feed the chipmunks, but we don’t recommend it. They are wild animals and feeding wild animals can drastically shorten their lifespan and/or make them aggressive!
Bottom Line: The Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park
There are tons of hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park and none of them are bad. So no matter what you pick you’ll be treated with big views, beautiful scenery, and probably wildlife sightings, too. It is a popular national park, so plan to start your hikes early in the day or later in the afternoon to get a slight reprieve from the crowds (and a better chance at finding parking) and don’t forget your timed entry permit if you enter the park between posted hours (which differ based on the season and where you plan to go).
Then get thyself to RMNP and wander on!
