Rocky Mountain National Park

Over 415 square miles of alpine lakes, towering peaks, and wildlife, all minutes from your Estes Park stay. Here is how to make the most of your visit.

Plan Your Visit: Timed Entry Reservations

From May 23 through October 13, Rocky Mountain National Park requires timed entry reservations for day-use visitors. The system manages how many people enter at peak times, which protects the park's natural resources while keeping every visit calm, uncrowded, and high quality.

By regulating visitor numbers, the park minimizes environmental impact and ensures every guest can enjoy the trails, lakes, and overlooks at their best. Reservations are required in addition to a valid park pass, so plan ahead before you go.

Helpful Links

• Learn about the reservation types and how the system works: reservation details

• Purchase your timed entry passes: recreation.gov

Local Favorite Hikes

From easy lakeside strolls to all-day summit climbs, these are the trails our team sends guests to first. Distances are round trip.

Gem Lake Trail

A rewarding climb through granite formations to a small, sandy-shored lake, with sweeping views over the Estes Park valley and the Twin Owls rock outcrop along the way.

• Distance: 3.5 miles round trip

• Elevation gain: 830 feet

• Difficulty: Moderate

Bear Lake Trail

An easy, mostly level loop around a beautiful alpine lake framed by Hallett Peak. Perfect for families, first-timers, and anyone wanting big scenery with little effort.

• Distance: 0.8 miles round trip

• Elevation gain: 49 feet

• Difficulty: Easy

Emerald Lake Trail

One of the park's most loved hikes, passing Nymph Lake and Dream Lake before reaching Emerald Lake in a dramatic glacial bowl beneath Hallett Peak and Flattop Mountain.

• Distance: 3.6 miles round trip

• Elevation gain: 771 feet

• Difficulty: Moderate

Deer Mountain Trail

A steady switchback climb to a panoramic summit with 360-degree views of the park's high peaks and the surrounding valleys. A great half-day workout with a big payoff.

• Distance: 6 miles round trip

• Elevation gain: 1,410 feet

• Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous

Sky Pond via Glacier Gorge Trail

An unforgettable full-day adventure past Alberta Falls and The Loch, with a short scramble beside Timberline Falls, ending at a stunning alpine pond ringed by jagged spires.

• Distance: 9 miles round trip

• Difficulty: Strenuous, all-day hike

Check all trails here