Nymph Lake via Bear Lake Trailhead

Estes Park, Colorado

4.8/5

based on 5 reviews

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Distance

1.13 miles

Elevation Gain

245 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Nick Souvall

A beautiful spot to catch a sunrise at a very photogenic lake.

While not as popular as Dream Lake, Nymph Lake is just as beautiful. The hike to Nymph Lake is an easy hike just over 1 mile. You start from the Bear Lake Trail head and can go further on to Dream Lake and Emerald Lake if you want to. Both Dream and Emerald Lakes are also stunning and very photogenic as well. Nymph Lake is a great spot to capture the reflection of the still water and beautiful color on Hallet Peak during sunrise. Nymph Lake is also known for being filled for lily pads later in the summer. There are many other lakes in this area that you can hike to as well.

Thinking about a longer hike, you can extend this to Dream, Emerald, and Haiyaha Lakes.

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Lake

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Reviews

PRO

Lucas Bremer

PRO

Nymph Lake via Bear Lake Trailhead

07/14/20

Reclusive cutthroat trout are plentiful in this lake. They are easily spooked so you have to have some stealth on approach.

5.0

Explorer

Calvin Weibel

Explorer

Nymph Lake via Bear Lake Trailhead

01/07/17

This is a cool spot where things won't be quite as crowded as Bear Lake. Also consider going to Dream Lake which is a great spot for photography when the light is good.

5.0

Krista Coulter

Nymph Lake via Bear Lake Trailhead

12/26/16

Nymph lake is not far from Bear Lake and definitely worth the extra fifteen minutes in the winter. The lake when we went around Christmas was completely frozen over, a tiny pond that you can carefully walk across and marvel at the mountains ahead. If you make it to Nymph Lake, Dream Lake is not much further, maybe a half mile and then Emerald Lake beyond it. We made it to Nymph Lake easily without snow shoes but going any further without is fairly difficult (although not impossible). You can rent shoes from shops in Estes Park for $5 a day and it's definitely worth it.

4.0

Kama Solonoski

Nymph Lake via Bear Lake Trailhead

11/26/16

Such a beautiful hike. But make sure you go check out Dream Lake & Emerald Lake :)

5.0

Alyssa Aaron

Nymph Lake via Bear Lake Trailhead

10/17/16

Gorgeous in the Summer and equally as nice in the Winter. If you're looking for an easy snowshoe trek check this trail out in the cold months too.

5.0

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Catch a Sunrise at Dream Lake

Begin at the Bear Lake Trailhead, located at the end of Bear Lake Road, 9 miles from the entrance on Highway 36. Follow the signs to Dream Lake, passing Nymph Lake about halfway through. At 1.1 miles you will reach Dream Lake. The views of 12,713-foot Hallett Peak and 12,324-foot Flattop Mountain from the east shore of this subalpine lake are incredible, and the perfect backdrop for this aptly ...

Snowshoe to Emerald Lake

Snowshoeing to Emerald Lake was completely different from hiking the trail during summer. Instead of hiking around Nymph Lake, Dream Lake, and Emerald Lake, I was able to go straight across them (check the ice to make sure it's thick enough to support your weight). Rocky Mountain National Park's trails get a lot of use even in winter, which makes it easier to find your way. When the snow cover...

Hike Flattop Hallett Andrews Loop

Bear Lake to Flattop Mountain The trail starts at Bear Lake, where you get a view of Hallett Peak (12,713 ft) which will be the highpoint of your hike. After a short walk on the Bear Lake Trail, take the path to the right. After 1/2 a mile, take a trail left to the north. 1/2 a mile later, stay left at the trail intersection. If you follow the signs to Flattop Mountain, you should have no probl...

Dragon's Tail Couloir Climb

Start your day at the Bear Lake parking lot, and head out on the short 2-mile approach that winds uphill past Nymph and Dream Lake. After arriving at Emerald Lake, skirt around the shore on the left side to reach the bottom of the couloir, clearly visibile on the far side of the lake.The 1500 ft climb starts gradually and increases in steepness as the couloir narrows towards the top, reaching s...

Photograph Bear Lake

Bear Lake is a popular tourist destination in Rocky Mountain NP, but when the sun is low in the sky or the stars are out you'll find the big crowd are gone. The lake is beautiful at sunrise and sunset but especially photogenic in the fall or at winter's end. While it doesn't have the darkest night skies it can still serve as an excellent location to watch meteors or photograph star trails abov...

Hike from Bear Lake to Fern Lake Trailhead

On this Rocky Mountain hike you’ll explore 4 picturesque mountain lakes and a 60 foot waterfall. Completing this hike requires familiarizing yourself with Rocky Mountain National Park’s free shuttle system. Hikes along Bear Lake Road are some of the busiest in the park. Trailhead parking lots fill up early in the morning, so avoid the trouble and use the shuttles. To access Bear Lake trailhead...

Nymph Lake via Bear Lake Trailhead

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Nearby

Catch a Sunrise at Dream Lake

Snowshoe to Emerald Lake

Hike Flattop Hallett Andrews Loop

Dragon's Tail Couloir Climb

Photograph Bear Lake

Hike from Bear Lake to Fern Lake Trailhead

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