If you’re looking for a small hike with big views in the Colorado Rockies, the trail to Gem Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park needs to be on your list. Think panorama views of Estes Park and Longs Peak (CO 14er), granite rocks, and a serene alpine pond (yes, pond, not technically a lake) — AND you don’t have to commit to an all-day summit slog.
The best part? It’s located just 2 miles outside of Estes Park so you don’t need to drive into RMNP and deal with timed-entry reservations or the crowds.
Quick Stats: Gem Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park
Hike to: Gem Lake
Trail: Gem Lake Trail
Trailhead: Lumpy Ridge Trailhead
Distance: 3.4 miles roundtrip
Elevation gain: 982 ft
Elevation: 8,835 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Date I went: 10/19/25
Estimated time: 2–3 hours
Dog-friendly: no
Parking: free parking lot
Location: Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Why Gem Lake in Estes Park Is Totally Worth It
The first thing you’ll realize: this isn’t just “another lake” hike. The route up to Gem Lake offers expansive vantage points over Estes Park, unobstructed views of Longs Peak, and dramatic granite domes of the Lumpy Ridge area. According to the park service: “Without an inlet or outlet stream, Gem Lake is a shallow pond filled in strictly by trapped snowmelt and rainfall.” (National Park Service) This also means the alpine pond can get a little murky and brown over time but don’t let that deter you.
Getting to the Trailhead
- From Estes Park, drive to Devils Gulch Road then on to Lumpy Ridge Road to reach the Lumpy Ridge Trailhead where the hike starts.
- The parking lot is big to accommodate many cars.
- Facilities
- There is a vault toilet at the trailhead
- There is a self-pay station to get a national park pass—get your annual NPS pass online here.
Trail Description: Gem Lake Trail Colorado
We had an early morning drive from Denver area at 4 am so we can set out for a sunrise hike on this short trail. The trailhead was only 1.5 hours away without traffic so we timed it a little too early and took a quick nap in the car before starting our sunrise hike at 6:28 am.
The Gem Lake Trail starts at the Lumpy Ridge Trailhead; you’ll want to take the right junction right at the beginning to head towards Gem Lake instead of Lumpy Ridge (which is a popular rock climbing area).
The trailhead sits at an elevation of 7,870 ft so if you are coming from out of town, know that this is a relatively high altitude trailhead, as is most of Colorado’s hikes.
The trail starts flat on a narrow dirt path for just 500 ft before the moderate elevation gain quickly begins, and for the remainder of the hike. The first half mile is a bit like an easy-to-follow granite maze. The trail remains in the trees through most of it and is easy to follow, opening up to expansive views of Estes Park from the edge of the hills.
Around 1 mile in, there’s a very nice, open, panorama photo-op of Longs Peak (one of Colorado’s famous 14ers) and the town and lake below.
The trail then follows a more dense and rockier section. While the trail remains mostly easy to follow, do keep your eyes peeled for it to make sure you are staying on the right track.
At mile 1.6, there’s an outhouse—that’s right, there’s a toilet on the trail.
Shortly after this, you will reach Gem Lake. It took us about 40 mins to get here.
The trail is 1.7 miles to reach Gem Lake but if you want the photo overlooking it from above, you’ll hike to hike and scramble an extra 0.2 miles on the opposite side of the lake. Note: there is not a maintained trail to get up high on the rocks, so be very comfortable with heights and scrambling boulder if you want to get up there as it can be dangerous.
We arrived at Gem Lake at 7:16 am on a mid-October morning and had beautiful alpenglow light the entire hike up. If you’re open to an early wake-up, this is a beautiful trail for sunrise; however, mid day would be beautiful as well on a clear day.
Once we reached Gem Lake, we headed straight towards the boulder wall on the opposite side of the alpine lake so we could get a nice vantage point of Longs Peak and Gem Lake from above. There is no clear, maintained trail to scramble up high, but I am very comfortable with hands on rock and my balance so it was not an issue for me. This only added 5 mins to our hike, bringing the entire hike stats to 3.8 miles out and back with 1,007 ft of elevation gain.
It was a blustery day when we went and the wind was relentless; however, it was worth it. After snapping some photos, we hiked back out the same way in and came across more hikers.
The right layers make all the difference and this hike is totally doable until it gets snowy.
Going down will be quicker, but pay attention to your footing on those rock steps. Consider hiking poles again if knees worry you. Soon enough you’ll roll back into the canyon and then to the trailhead.
Gear I Recommend (and Personally Use)
- Down Jacket: I wore a lightweight parka with no regrets because I was so cold in the dark to start, and I knew it was a blustery mid-autumn morning with freezing temps, but if you’re hiking in warmer conditions, go with a down jacket instead.
- Knitted sweater: not the most practical but fine and warm for a short hike… and cute 🙂
- Base layer top: this midweight REI layer is great for Fall & Spring
- Merino wool leggings: also great hiking leggings for Fall & Spring (these are my current favorite basic warm hiking leggings)
- Fleece gloves: these are my go-to that are touchscreen-compatible
- Hiking Boots: the gortex layer keeps the insulation warmer for cooler hiking days
- Merino wool hiking socks
- Day pack: my go-to and the only hiking backpack you will need for a short day hike
Places to Stay in Estes Park
- Budget-friendly: Estes Mountain Inn — family-friendly, budget-conscious comfort just minutes from downtown & Rocky Mountain National Park.
- Mid-range: Trailborn Rocky Mountains — recently renovated, thoughtful amenities, outdoors-focused resort vibe.
- Luxury: The Stanley Hotel — historic charm and mountain-view luxury just minutes from Rocky Mountain National Park.
Other Nearby Adventures
If you’re already up in the Estes Park / Rocky Mountain area and want to link this hike with others (which, trust me, you’ll want to because once you’re there you’ll want more) …
FAQ: Gem Lake Hike in Colorado
How busy is the Gem Lake trail?
You’ll definitely see people — it’s a popular moderate hike. But because it’s slightly off the main Bear Lake corridor, it avoids the crazy crowds. If you go early morning you’ll have a much quieter experience.
Are dogs allowed on the trail?
No — pets are not permitted on this trail in RMNP.
Is this hike possible for families or less experienced hikers?
Yes — if you’re comfortable with ~1.7 miles uphill and some rock steps, you’ll be fine. Many families do it. If you have mobility issues or don’t like steps, maybe reconsider or bring poles.
Do I need snow gear / microspikes?
If you go in the summer/fall when it’s clear, no. But early season (May/early June) or after storms you might encounter snow or ice on the rock steps — so traction is wise.
Can I continue from Gem Lake to other destinations?
Yes — the trail continues past the lake toward Balanced Rock and the broader Lumpy Ridge loop. If you have the time and legs, you can expand.
Final Thoughts
Okay—here’s the bottom line: If you’re in the Estes Park / Rocky Mountain region and want a solid half-day hiking win with big views and less crowds, do the Gem Lake hike. It’s short enough to not dominate your day in only a couple of hours, steep enough to feel earned, and photogenic enough to depict what that Rocky Mountains of Colorado actually look like.
And if you ever want help planning a Colorado outdoors-blogger style trip (gear recs? photo timing? group-trip logistics?), hit me up via my itinerary planning service. Because yes — I’ve already walked the path so you don’t have to guess.
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Tiff, the owner and author of Follow Tiff’s Journey, is a California/ Colorado-based adventurer and outdoor connoisseur who divides her heart between the Eastern Sierra Mountains and the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Despite her fear of heights, she’s become a seasoned mountaineer, ultralight hiking and backcountry camping enthusiast, expert road trip planner, and a fervent explorer of alpine lakes, natural hot springs, and sandstone canyons.
With 10 years of experience exploring the outdoors, her blog is your go-to source for all things wilderness, offering invaluable insights and pro tips, essential gear recommendations, and awe-inspiring stories from her adventures.
Join Tiff on her quest to share the wonders of nature and inspire others to follow their own path in the great outdoors.