If you’re searching for the picture-perfect winter wonderland of your dreams, And the Best Things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park near the cozy little mountain town of Estes Park, Colorado, just might be what you’ve been hunting for.
The 415-square mile park is only a two-drive from the Denver airport, which means that you could easily visit on a day trip if you find yourself in the Denver or Ft. Collins area.
The park is known for it’s enormous mountain peaks and picturesque, snowy winters. Snowfall normally starts in October and extends well into May. Because of all this pristine powder, the park attracts skiers and snowboarders from all over the world.
It’s also a great place to engage in all of your other favorite wintertime activities, such as ice climbing, cross-country skiing, and hiking. If you do feel up for a hearty hike, make sure you bring your most comfortable and sturdy hiking boots. Some of the area’s most popular trails, such as Bear Lake and Emerald Lake Trail, provide some of the most beautiful views of the mountainous terrain.
The options are limitless when visiting Rocky Mountain National Park. In this video, we’ll share with you all Best Things to Do in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Trail Ridge Road
This 48-mile drive between Estes Park and Grand Lake has been providing travelers with incredible views since it’s debut back in 1932. It’s a route that takes you high above the tree line at an elevation of 12,000 feet. As such, you should probably plan in advance by bringing warm clothing along as road temperatures at that altitude tend to hover between 20 and 30 degrees lower than those felt at both Grand Lake and Estes Park.
You could easily spend the whole day taking in the stunning views at the road’s lookout points. You might even spot local wildlife like elk, moose, and marmots. One of the most popular pull-offs is Forest Canyon Overlook, which offers breathtaking views of the glacier-etched valley down below. Halfway through the drive you’ll come upon The Alpine Visitor Center which is a great place to stretch your legs a bit, use the restroom, and grab a quick snack.
Downtown Estes Park
As the gateway to Best Things to Do in Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park serves as a great base for visitors to the area. You’ll find all of the accommodations and comforts that you’re used to there. You can even book a horseback riding tour in town if you’re interested in experiencing the surrounding scenery in a unique way. And if you’re a climber or kayaker, rentals and excursion packages can be found downtown as well.
After spending the day hiking, exploring, skiing, or climbing, Estes Park is a great place to go to enjoy a hot meal or an adult beverage. There are also many shops, galleries, and boutiques that line the town’s main street, Elkhorn Avenue.
Our top picks for dining include Rock Cut Brewing Company, Peppers Mexican Grill, and Antonio’s Real New York Pizza And Deli. Running directly through the heart of town is the Big Thompson River. Along it’s banks, you’ll find a wide range of waterfront dining and shopping establishments.
Waterfalls
While Rocky Mountain National Park boasts more than 30 waterfalls, most of these can be found east of the Continental Divide, concentrated heavily in two different areas, Glacier Gorge and Wild Basin. You can also access several gorgeous falls from the Fern Lake Trailhead, a popular place due to it’s close proximity to Moraine Park and Campground. If we haven’t said it already, you really don’t want to leave your camera at home. Sure, you have one on your smartphone, but these gloriously beautiful waterfalls are just begging for you for a photo shoot with your SLR.
Camping
Throughout the national park there are five drive-in campgrounds and an additional drive-in group camping site. If you’re struggling to find a vacant campsite within the park, you can always look for sites at the nearby Never Summer Wilderness, Indian Wilderness, Comanche Peak Wilderness, or Roosevelt National Forest. In the latter, there are even a few free primitive sites if you don’t mind going without hook-ups. Regardless of whether you’re looking to Boondock or set up a tent, there is always a place to camp in and around Rocky Mountain National Park.
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Hidden Valley Snow Park
From the 1950s to the 1990s, this park was a ski resort. At first, chair lifts weren’t available, which meant that skiers and snowboarders had to hike up to the top of runs. Later, lifts were eventually installed, creating a full-fledged winter sports experience.
In the 90s, however, The National Park Service closed the slopes. The lifts were then removed, and since then it has once again become a popular back-country skiing destination. Be warned though, if you do plan on bringing your skis and snowboards, the runs are really only for more advanced visitors.
If you’re not really into skiing or snowboarding, you can always bring a sled or snow tube and spend the day sledding and tubing down the old ski resorts bunny hill. If you need a rental, tubes, and sleds can be acquired in Estes Park before you venture out into the National Park.
Cross Country Skiing
Looking for a killer workout? Cross-country skiing will definitely give you one of those, and on top of that, it’s super fun. During the winter months, Trail Ridge Road closes to vehicles, and cross-country skiers are allowed to use it as they please.
If you can make it all the way up the road 12,000-foot climb, you’ll get to enjoy a nice brisk descent back down.
If that sounds like something a little too intense for your skill level, you can always give the easier Glacier Basin Campground Loop a go. It’s a beginner-level 2.7-mile loop that takes you through the woods and features jaw-dropping views of the lake.
Beaver Meadows Visitor Center
For an educational overview of Rocky Mountain National Park, stop by the Beaver Meadow’s Visitor Center. The rangers there are both extremely knowledgeable and helpful and can point you in the right direction if you’re on the fence about what trails you want to hike. You can also buy all the needed equipment you’ll need for some mountainous hiking there, including cleats and walking sticks. The rangers will also inform you about all the road and trails that are closed, which is pretty good to know about in advance. You wouldn’t want to show up at a trail head just to find out that the path is completely snowed out.
Bear Lake
Around the lake is a 1-mile hiking loop that visitors can enjoy. It’s an easy trek and offers stunning views. It’s especially beautiful in the autumn when the Aspen trees turn golden. Surrounding the lake, you’ll also see towering spruces, pines, and firs, as well as gigantic granite boulders.
If you make your way around the entire trail, you’ll also be treated to glorious views of Half Mountain and Hallett Peak.
From the Bear Lake Trailhead, you’ll find a variety of different trails suited for hikers of all fitness levels. It’s best to arrive early though, as parking spots have been known to fill up fairly quickly. According to park data, the parking lot typically fills up to peak capacity by 8 a.m. So be sure to plan ahead.
Emerald Lake Trail
This extremely popular 3.5-mile loop takes you past majestic sights like Tyndell Creek, Dream Lake, and Nymph Lake. You’ll also be rewarded with views of Flattop Mountain, Hallett Peak, and Longs Peak before you make your way to Emeral Lake which sits at an elevation of 10,000+ feet.
Once again, this is a very popular destination. If you’re hoping to get a parking spot at the trail head, arrive early to avoid the crowds.
Moraine Park Museum
This museum which is lodged inside of an old log cabin originally built in the early 20th century, is packed full of exhibits covering the natural environment of the park. You’ll get to learn all about the regional geology as well as the native plant and animal life. There is also an outdoor amphitheater where various lectures and events are held throughout the year.
At an elevation of close to 81,000 feet above sea level, the museum serves as an excellent lookout point to gaze upon the surrounding region. While you might not be coming to Rocky Mountain National Park to hang out indoors, most visitors who make pit stop here are glad that they do as it offers many interactive exhibits and fascinating facts to learn about the park’s wildlife and glacial natural history.
Holzwarth Historic Site
This well-preserved ranch allows guests to take a peek into the lives of homesteaders who lived here in the early 1900s. You’ll also learn all about the captivating history of the Holzwarth family. The Holzwarths moved to the Rockies back in 1917. They made their living performing tasks for other homesteaders, such as ice cutting and milling.
After Fall River Road opened, the Holzwarth’s changed up their business model when an influx of travelers came their way. They turned their property into a dude ranch and built the Holzwarth Trout Lodge. They went on to develop the Never Summer Ranch. In 1974, the Nature Conservancy bought the property before handing it over to the National Park Service.
Tours are offered from mid-June to Labor Day on the weekends, but the buildings aren’t always open, so you might want to call ahead if you’re interested in taking a look inside. Admission to the Holzwarth site is free, and it’s close by to Trail Ridge Road.
Well, that about wraps up this rundown of our top things to do at Rocky Mountain National Park. What are you most excited to see and do when you visit the park? And if you’ve already been, can you think of any other attractions in or around the park that you think others should know about? Feel free to share your thoughts down below in the comments.
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As always, thanks for watching and safe travels!