Hike to Nymph Lake

Estes Park, Colorado

4.8/5

based on 5 reviews

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Details

Distance

1.1 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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Features

Fitness

Chillin

Photography

Running

Snowshoeing

Hiking

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Forest

Lake

Scenic

Wildlife

Swimming Hole

Reviews

PRO

Lucas Bremer

PRO

Hike to Nymph Lake

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

Hike to Nymph Lake

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

Hike to Nymph Lake

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

Hike to Nymph Lake

11/26/16

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

5.0

Alyssa Aaron

Hike to Nymph Lake

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

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 to Nymph, Dream, Emerald, and Haiyaha Lakes

From the Bear Lake Trailhead, the path to Nymph Lake is a moderate paved trail. At the lake there are several places to sit and take in the scenery. This is also where you'll find the most people. From here, continue up the trail towards Dream Lake. On the way, the trail forks. The left will take you to Lake Haiyaha, but head to the right, which will take you to Dream Lake. The views here are a...

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...

Lake Helene and Two Rivers Lake

Begin the hike by following the Bear Lake trail and after ~.45 miles take the trail to the right towards Odessa Lake and Flattop Mountain. Continue along the trail as it climbs above Bear Lake to the split with the Flattop Mountain trail at approximately 1 mile. The trail continues toward Odessa Lake and will climb through forests and meadows along the way. Travel moderates to the Sourdough Cam...

Hike to Emerald Lake

Anyone who has been to Rocky Mountain National Park, or any national park for that matter, knows they get CROWDED. One of the best ways to beat the crowds are to arrive before the sun comes up (or stay after it goes down). That's how we opted to do Emerald Lake in RMNP. After spending the night near Chasm Lake below Longs Peak, we entered the park via Estes and parked at the entirely empty lot...

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 ...

Hike to Nymph Lake

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Nearby

Snowshoe to Emerald Lake

Hike to Nymph, Dream, Emerald, and Haiyaha Lakes

Winter Hike Flattop Mountain

Lake Helene and Two Rivers Lake

Hike to Emerald Lake

Catch a Sunrise at Dream Lake

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