8 Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park

One of my favorite easy hikes in the park is Alberta Falls. The trail is a short 1.6-mile round trip, with a gentle elevation gain of just 226 feet, making it suitable for hikers of all levels. While parking is available at the trailhead, it’s important to note that space is limited. To ensure a spot, consider arriving early, especially if this scenic hike is on your bucket list.

The Alberta Falls hike starts at the Glacier Gorge Junction Trailhead. As you start the hike the path is lined with tall aspen and pine trees. After walking about half a mile, the trail opens up, revealing a stunning view of Glacier Gorge. Keep going, and you’ll follow alongside Glacier Creek. As you get closer, the sound of rushing water fills the air leading you to the beautiful Alberta Falls. 

Adam Falls Trail is another one of my favorites and is one of the most popular brisk hikes in the national park. Covering just under a mile, it’s a quick and straightforward 0.8-mile round trip, making it an ideal choice for hikers of all levels. I suggest setting aside around 30 minutes total for the hike and taking in the beauty of Adam Falls.

Starting your hike at the East Inlet Trailhead, you’ll follow the East Inlet Trail. The initial part of the trail takes you through wooded areas filled with pine and aspen trees. After a short 0.3-mile stretch, you’ll find yourself on the Adam Falls Loop which will take you to the waterfall. With only a modest elevation gain of about 100 feet throughout the entire hike, it’s an easygoing adventure. While Adam Falls may not be as large as Alberta Falls, the journey offers a great experience with its beautiful waterfall and picturesque mountain views.

This hike to Dream Lake and Emerald Lake is a must-do if you are visiting Rocky Mountain National Park for your first time. The hike starts on the Bear Lake Trailhead which is extremely popular and requires advanced time-entry reservations.

The 3.6 mile out and back hike has only 665 of elevation gain which makes it very easy and popular for visitors of all hiking levels. You see 3 alpine lakes on this hike which makes it a good bang for your buck if you are limited on time.

Plan for about 2 hours to take your time and see it all, but more time if you plan to spend some time at the lakes. It’s a great spot to enjoy a snack.

Click here to read more about hiking to Dream Lake and Emerald Lake.

Lake Haiyaha is one of my personal favorites. It may be the most breathtaking lake in Rocky Mountain National Park, maybe even in the whole front range of Colorado right now. The color of the lake is a vibrant turquoise color which sets it apart from all other lake hikes. 

But the color wasn’t always like this. There was a rockfall in Summer 2022 which released glacial silt into the lake but that color has since been fading. It is unknown how long the unique and temporary color will remain so add this to the top of your bucketlist for RMNP.

Click here to learn more about hiking to Lake Haiyaha.

One of the nicest and easy walks in the park is the Sprague Lake Loop. Just like the name says, it takes you around Sprague Lake and treats you to some amazing views of the lake, the nearby mountains, and the Continental Divide.

The loop is a short .8-mile round trip journey and you can typically complete it between 20 to 30 minutes. 

You kick off the walk at the Sprague Lake Trailhead and just follow the trail around the lake. It’s a fantastic option for families with little ones who might want to bring a stroller, and it’s also great for anyone who needs a wheelchair-friendly path. 

The hike is about 7.5 miles out-and-back. You will gain about 1,476 feet in elevation gain throughout the journey, making it moderately challenging. It takes about 4-5 hours to complete. Be sure to bring plenty of water and some food to stay healthy and hydrated. 

Begin your journey at the Fern Lake Trailhead. The trail takes you through a mix of forests with lots of plants and trees, and then opens up to meadows where you can see wildflowers in the spring and summer. Follow the Big Thompson River, and after about 1.5 miles, you’ll reach the Arch Rocks, which are really big boulders.

Keep going, and at about 1.7 miles, you’ll come to a bridge over an area called The Pool, where Spruce and Fern Creeks meet. Cross the bridge, and when the trail splits, go right. As you go on, you’ll pass some waterfalls and navigate some switchbacks, eventually reaching Fern Falls. After the falls, you’ve got about 1 mile left to get to the lake.

This hike is challenging but not too tough in the national park. It’s a 6-mile loop with only 744 feet of going up. You kick off your hike from the Cub Lake Trailhead, and soon enough, you’ll cross over the Big Thompson River. While you’re on the trail, keep your eyes peeled because you’ll follow along the edge of Moraine Park which is a cool spot for spotting wildlife.

About 1.5 miles in, you’ll hit the South Lateral Moraine Trail junction. Take a right towards Cub Lake. Now, you’re following Cub Creek for a bit, and a little while after making that initial right turn, you’ll see Beaver Ponds, some small lakes on your left side. At just under 2 miles, the trail gets a bit steeper, you’ll continue on this path which will lead you up to Cub Lake.

One of the park’s most stunning hikes is also a challenging one. It’s an 8.6-mile out-and-back trail with an elevation gain of 1,771 feet. Start your journey at the Glacier Gorge Trailhead, and not long into the hike, you’ll pass by the breathtaking Alberta Falls. Throughout most of the hike, Glacier Creek goes along the trail.

As you progress, you’ll encounter a trail junction where you’ll veer right toward Glacier Gorge and Loch Vale Trail. This is when the climb gets steeper. After about 0.5 miles, you’ll reach another junction. Choose the trail leading to Loch Vale, The Loch, Timberline Falls, and eventually Sky Pond.

When you get to Timberline Falls, the trail ascends toward the Lake of Glass and Sky Pond. Make sure you’re wearing sturdy shoes and ready for a bit of rock scrambling alongside the waterfall.

After around 0.25 miles after Timberline Falls, you’ll come across Lake of Glass. Another 0.25 miles will bring you to Sky Pond, which is about double the size of the previous lake. 

Brace yourself for truly breathtaking views of the pond and drastic mountain features surrounding Sky Pond. I recommend bringing plenty of water and maybe some lunch to fully enjoy the views for a while before making your way back down the mountain to where you started.

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