Rocky Mountain National Park 1, 2 or 3 Days Itinerary in Summer

Bear Lake Natural Trail

At the end of Bear Lake Road is a magical hike at Bear Lake. This is an easy hike and mostly flat. When I visited in early June, there was still some snow on the ground so its important to have good hiking shoes.

Bear Lake Hike Details

• Difficulty: Easy
• Roundtrip Distance: 0.8 miles
• Elevation Gain: 45 feet
• Time I took: 45 minutes with many stops
• Average Elevation Gain / Mile: 113 feet
• Trailhead Elevation: 9,475 feet
• Highest Elevation: 9,520 feet
• Attractions: Lake and Mountain views
• Highlights: Waterfalls, wildflowers, photography, panoramic views of the Rockies
• Additional hikes from this Trailhead – Bear Lake trail head is a starting point for many hikes ranging from 1 to 10 miles long.
  • Bear Lake to Fern Lake Trailhead
  • Bierstadt Lake (via Bear Lake)
  • Nymph Lake, Dream Lake, Emerald Lake, and Lake Haiyaha (or Four Lakes Loop)
  • Flattop Mountain and Hallett Peak
  • Lake Helene and Odessa Lake (via Bear Lake)

Sprague Lake Trail

The picturesque Sprague Lake offers a mile (0.9 mile) hike around the lake (the sign says 1/2 mile). The hike is an absolutely must because of its picture perfect views. It is a well paved, flat walk, suitable for the entire family and even for wheelchairs. Unlike Bear Lake, there was no snow on Sprague Lake trail in early June.

I was warned that typically Sprague lake is very crowded. They recommend using the park shuttle. When I visited at 6:30 am it was empty and peaceful with about 4 other visitors.

Between 1910 and 1940 Abner Sprague and his wife, one of the early settlers of Estes Park, ran a lodge here with many recreational activities. Today you can still enjoy hiking, picnicking, fishing by this beautiful high-mountain lake.

Sprague Lake Hike Details

• Difficulty: Easy
• Roundtrip Distance: 0.9 miles
• Elevation Gain: 10 feet
• Time I took: 45 minutes with many stops
• Average Elevation Gain / Mile: 22 feet
• Trailhead Elevation: 8,490 feet
• Highest Elevation: 8,700 feet
• Attractions: Lake and Mountain views
• Highlights: Waterfalls, wildflowers, photography, panoramic views of the Rockies

Moraine Park Discovery Center

When I arrived around 9am, Moraine Park Discovery Center was closed but it was clearly a large interpretive center worth visiting.

Across from the visitor center are roads leading up to many trail heads. I took short walks and photo stops but was itching to get up on to the mountains on Trail Ridge Road.

Many Parks Curve

Many Parks Curve is a great vista point to see the Rocky Mountain National Park and the land beyond. The park service and local communities have been collaborating to maintain a beautiful environment that’s visible here.

Rainbow Curve

Rainbow curve views show the many layers of life in the form of horizontal bands of vegetation, resulting from differences in temperature, precipitation and wind. You can see three distinct ecosystems here –

• Montane ecosystem (7,800-9,100 feet) – Ponderosa and Lodgepole pines on the slopes give way to Aspens and meadows of meandering rivers. These wetlands provide nutritious forage for the wildlife.
• Subalpine ecosystem (9,100 – 11,500 feet) – Englemann spruce and Subalpine fir forests grow here because of the cool and moist climate.
• Alpine ecosystem (over 11,500 feet elevation) – Above the tree-line, no trees survive at this altitude, but small tundra plants can grow in these very harsh conditions.

Forest Canyon Overlook

Forest Canyon Overlook is a 0.2-mile and nearly flat walk from the parking, to the edge of the mountain. Its a perfect overlook to see the rugged topography of Rocky Mountain National Park composed of enormous glacier gorge carved by rivers and framed by craggy peaks.

Forest Canyon Overlook offers incredible views for the geology buff, photographer and nature lover in everyone with its high rugged mountain, deep gorges, and beautiful alpine lakes. One can see the Long’s Peak (14,255 feet), Stones Peak (12,922 feet), ice-blue Gorge lakes and Hayden Gorge all in one view.

This Alpine region is covered with snow for at least 5 months a year and often winds exceed 100 miles/hour. Because of the harsh climate, it takes centuries for the Tundra vegetation to mature. It is so fragile that a trampled plant can take decades to recover. One must stay on the paved path and not walk on the vegetation – Leave no trace behind.

Even in the summertime, the altitude of this 11,716-foot vantage point means there can be unexpectedly cold temperatures and gusty wind. In the morning this spot was warm and sunny but by afternoon it was cold and windy. Be prepared to be comfortable.

Trail Ridge Roadside Vista Point

Besides the prominent vista points with lookouts and displays, there are many pullout small points. These too offer some amazing views.

Rock Cut and Tundra Communities Trailhead

Located at 12,090 feet (2.3 miles) above sea level, Rock Cut offers spectacular views and rapidly changing weather. I stopped here in the morning when the sky was clear and blue. Later when I stopped here in the afternoon, storms looked imminent but the sun was still piercing through the thick gray clouds.

In the evening, I met a couple of college kids on Rock Cut stop. We took each others’ pictures to remember the trip by.

Across from Rock Cut is the Tundra Communities trailhead for a short hike up the mountain. This stop has a restroom at 12,090 feet elevation.

Gore Range

Gore Range was named after the Irish aristocrat, Sir St. George Gore who was here on an expedition led by a mountain man, Jim Bridger. Today this view looks just like it would have looked to Gore’s pack train of explorers in 1854 – Thanks to the 1976 act by Congress to set aside 133,000 acres of Gore Range as Eagles Nest Wilderness Area.

Alpine Visitor Center

Located at 11,796 feet elevation, the Alpine visitor center was still mostly covered by snow in June. When I stopped here in the morning it was still closed and the staff was working on snow removal. By afternoon, when I returned, the visitor center was open. There was much excitement in the air as the staff was frantically setting up everything.

Medicine Bow Curve

Trail Ridge Road is carved through the steep mountains of RMNP, so naturally there are many switchbacks, steep roads and scary turns. This particularly sharp turn was on the way down from Alpine Visitor center heading towards Grand Lake.

Milner Pass and RMNP Continental Divide

Located at an elevation of 10,759 Milner Pass, is on the Great Divide. The Great Divide passes through the American continents from Alaska to Cape Horn. It separates the drainage to Atlantic on the east and Pacific on the west. At Milner Pass, the water body flows in both directions –

• On the east, Cache La Poudre Creek drains into the Platte river which flows to the Missouri and then to the Mississippi, finally reaching Gulf of Mexico (part of the Atlantic ocean).
• On the west, Beaver Creek drains into the Colorado river, which then flows through the Grand Canyon National Park in to the Gulf of California (part of Pacific Ocean).

Fairview Curve

The last stop on Trail Ridge Road before heading to the flats, is at Fairview Curve viewpoint. At an elevation of 10,120 feet, it’s a great spot to see the Never Summer Mountains, the only volcanic range in Rocky Mountain National Park. Below the vista point, lies the Kawuneeche Valley, shaped by the glaciers and the flow of Colorado river. The most recent glacier in the valley reached up to the Kawuneeche Visitor Center, receded about 14,000 years ago.

Back in 1914, the Colorado Mountain Club sponsored an expedition and the club invited the native Arapaho elders in an effort to give Arapaho names to the landmarks. Some 36 names stemmed out of the collaboration, such as Never Summer Mountains, Kawuneeche Valley (valley of the coyote), Onahu Creek etc. The club was convinced, that by giving Arapaho names, they’ll have a better shot at getting a National Park status for Rocky Mountain National Park. Maybe it helped and today we can all enjoy this National Park.

Colorado River Red Mountain Trail & Shipler Park

The hike at Colorado River trailhead is about a 12.6 mile loop. Since I was short on time, I walked about half a mile and back. The visitor center said its a good hike to spot big wildlife but in the short section, I enjoyed the river walk but didn’t spot any people or wildlife.

Coyote Valley Trailhead

The entire drive from Great Lake – Kawuneeche Visitor Center to Colorado River Trailhead is along the meadows and river basin carved by the Colorado river. The river meanders along highway 34 leaving many small lakes and ponds for wildlife to thrive. You might see beautiful elk and moose but there’s no chance you’ll encounter a lioness and cubs like in Africa.

Grand Lake and Adams Falls Hike

Grand Lake town is located on the south west side of Rocky Mountain National Park. It offers accommodations, food and adventures in this part of Rocky Mountain National Park. Adam Falls hike is one of the best short hikes in this area.

Kawuneeche Visitor Center – RMNP Entrance from Grand Lake

The Kawuneeche visitor center itself is an attraction. The interpretive center has displays that provide all the information you’ll need to visit the park. Such as – hikes, photography, geology, winter uses, wildlife, bird watching, wildflowers, etc. I highly recommend taking a few minutes to get acquainted and plan your trip at the visitor center.

Grand Lake Town

Great Lake is a much smaller than Esters but it had a vibrant tourist presence. The old mountain town vibe with the modern amenities and many restaurants, draws in visitors. When I arrived, it was raining, so everyone flocked into the restaurants and businesses in Great Lakes.

Adams Falls and East Meadow Hike

Starting at the East inlet trailhead, I took the Adams Fall hike that least up to the beautiful waterfall viewing platform. The path is partly paved and partly rocky with some steps. The waterfall is a easy 10 minute hike, under a mile from the parking lot. The viewing platform in at eye level with the waterfall.

If you have 30 minutes to spare, I’ll highly recommend continuing the hike up for another 10 minutes up to the east meadow. You’ll be in for a visual treat along the path and especially in the meadow.

Look back at the Adams Falls to see how large and deep it is.

The walk along this river is very peaceful. I didn’t meet a single person along the trail, since everyone returned from Adams falls. But suddenly the view opened up into a beautiful lake with crystal clear reflections of the snow capped mountains. It was a jaw-dropping gorgeous view.

Adams Fall & East Meadow Hike Details

Here are some specifics about East Meadow hike which passes through Adams Fall at 0.9 mile.

• Difficulty: Easy
• Roundtrip Distance: 2.8 miles
• Elevation Gain: 235 feet
• Time I took: 1 hour
• Average Elevation Gain / Mile: 168 feet
• Trailhead Elevation: 8,390 feet
• Highest Elevation: 8,574 feet
• Attractions: Lake and Mountain views
• Highlights: Waterfalls, wildflowers, lake and river
• Additional hikes from East Inlet Trailhead –
  • Lake Verna
  • Lone Pine Lake

One can continue walking for miles along the river and pass many lakes. But it was time for me to head back.

Ouzel Falls Hike Details

I hiked from the parking lot to Ouzel Falls and back. Following are some highlights

• Difficulty: Moderate
• Roundtrip Distance: 5.4 miles
• Elevation Gain: 870 feet
• Time I took: 4.5 hours with umpteen stops
• Average Elevation Gain / Mile: 322 feet
• Trailhead Elevation: 8,500 feet
• Highest Elevation: 9,370 feet
• Attractions: Copeland falls, Calypso Cascade, Ouzel falls
• Highlights: Waterfalls, wildflowers, photography, panoramic views of the Rockies
• Continue to following hikes –
  • Ouzel Lake is highly recommended. It is 2.25 miles further up.
  • Bluebird lake is about 3.5 miles up from Ouzel Falls.
  • Thunder Lake is in a different direction about 3.5 miles up from Ouzel Falls.

Estes Park

Estes Park is quaint mountain town with accommodations, tours, adventure, food, shopping, etc. – perfect for Rock Mountain National Park visitors. It’s a vibrant and beautiful town which in itself would be a destination in any other place. I stayed in Estes Park for two nights to enjoy RMNP. Estes Park offers some incredible outdoor mountain climbing experiences.

Check my outdoor rock climbing adventure in Colorado Springs.

After a day of hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, the evening grew cold. Now all I really needed was some hot soup and warm place to relax and eat. I had some hopes because I knew Estes Park is a large and vibrant town. I was happy I found a Thai restaurant (Thai Kitchen) and one can’t possibly go wrong with that. But what was even nicer was that it had an extensive vegetarian menu with Indian, Nepalese, Thai, and Tibetan food! Further more, it was run by a Nepalese couple.

I asked for a hot and spicy Napalese vegan soup. It was served with a warm hospitality and fun conversation. It was a quiet June night so I stayed and socialized until it was time to close. What a happy way to end a beautiful day!

There are many beautiful vistas and hikes in and all around Estes Park.