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

276 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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Nymph Lake via Bear Lake Trailhead 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

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Winter Hike Flattop Mountain

To catch the sunrise, begin at the Bear Lake trailhead in Rocky Mountain National Park. From the trailhead, veer right around bear lake and continue along the Odessa Lake/Flattop Mountain trail. This will begin to ascend on your right.After approximately 1 mile, the Flattop Mountain Trail will split off the main trail on the left. Caution, in the winter the sign can be almost buried in snow, so...

Nymph Lake via Bear Lake Trailhead

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Nymph Lake via Bear Lake Trailhead Reviews

Leave No Trace

Nearby

Dream Lake

Flattop Mountain and Hallett Peak

Dragon's Tail Couloir Climb

Climb Notchtop Mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park

Hike from Bear Lake to Fern Lake Trailhead

Winter Hike Flattop Mountain

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