Empire, Colorado
Looking for the best hiking in Empire? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Empire. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.
Top Hiking Spots in and near Empire
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Minturn, Colorado
Scramble the Halo Ridge on Mt. Holy Cross
5.015 mi / 5210 ft gainThe Halo Ridge is by no means the easiest route to the summit of Mt. Holy Cross, but it is definitely the most interesting and scenic. You'll begin at the Half Moon (Tigiwon) trailhead, but instead of the popular Halfmoon Trail, you will start on the Fall Creek Trail as it leaves the campground.T...Read more -
Minturn, Colorado
Climb Mount of the Holy Cross, North Ridge
4.5Just a few miles South Minturn, Colorado, turn onto Tigiwon Road (dirt) and take it about 5 miles to the Half Moon trailhead at . Tigiwon Road is easily accessed by 2WD vehicles and the trailhead should be reachable in the Summer months after the snows have melted.Start early as, at 12 miles, thi...Read more -
Minturn, Colorado
Hike to Tuhare Lakes
12 mi / 3000 ft gainOverview: About a 12 mile hike, with 3 alpine lakes, a significant climb and views worthwhile Photos: See all photos here. Getting There: The hike is accessed from the Half Moon pass parking lot - from the Fall Creek trailhead. The parking lot and trailhead are accessed at the end of Tigiwon Rd. ...Read more -
Estes Park, Colorado
Forest Canyon Overlook
4.00.27 mi / 29.53 ft gainThe highest continuous paved road in North America, Trail Ridge Road takes you above 12,000 ft to an alpine tundra. Being above treeline means you have unclogged panoramic views of the night sky and any possible meteors. You can start your trip from Grand Lake in the west or Estes Park in the ea...Read more -
Estes Park, Colorado
Watch the Sunset at Forest Canyon Overlook
5.00.2 mi / 32 ft gainTrail Ridge Road is an incredible highway that crosses the mountains between Grand Lake and Estes Park, one of the most famous parts of Rocky Mountain National Park. It features incredible views of the Rockies and the Front Range, as well as the unforgettable experience of being immersed in the t...Read more -
Sedalia, Colorado
Camp at Goose Creek
3.08 mi / 1300 ft gainGoose Creek is a fantastic spot to hike or camp. There is a dirt road leading to the trailhead, and it winds through the mountains and offers a great view of the valley. The dirt road is relatively easy and well-maintained. The burn scar from the Hayman fire is still really evident, so there are ...Read more -
Grand Lake, Colorado
Photograph Moose in Rocky Mountain National Park
4.3Moose are the largest members of the deer family. They can stand over 6ft tall at their shoulders and weigh over 1500lbs. Males have antlers which can reach 6ft across and weigh up to 40lbs each. Amazingly these impressive creatures are strictly herbivores and will eat several dozen pounds of veg...Read more -
Estes Park, Colorado
Camp at Aspenglen Campground
5.0Aspenglen is one of the four main campgrounds within the park boundaries. The campground is for car camping and there are areas just for tents and then broader areas for tents and campers. There are 53 sites at this campground and it fills up quickly each year. Reservations are available six mont...Read more -
Estes Park, Colorado
Hike The Mummy Kill (a.k.a. Mummy Mania)
14.31 mi / 5125 ft gainWanna kill some mummies!? Of course you do! Who doesn't? Mount Chapin: 12,454 feet; Mount Chiquita: 13,069 feet; Ypsilon Mountain: 13,514 feet; Fairchild Mountain: 13,502 feet; Hagues Peak: 13,560 feet; Mummy Mountain: 13,425 feet The Mummy Kill is the perfect all-day hike for those seasoned h...Read more -
40.407117,-105.626146
Hike to Lawn Lake, Rocky Mountain NP
12.9 mi / 2736 ft gainThis 4 to 8 hour day hike leads to Lawn Lake, located inside a large basin at tree line, and surrounded by Fairchild Mountain, Hagues Peak, and Mummy Mountain. Lawn Lake is among the largest subapline lakes in Rocky Mountain National Park. As you ascend into the sub-alpine zone, you will be gree...Read more -
Estes Park, Colorado
Hike the Ypsilon Lake Trail
4.58.38 mi / 2369 ft gainTo get to the trailhead, enter Rocky Mountain National Park on the 36. Keep right at the fork with the 34 and then you'll take your next left and the parking for the trailhead is the first parking area on your right. There is an outhouse at the trailhead too, so if you need to take a pit stop b...Read more -
Estes Park, Colorado
Lumpy Ridge to Gem Lake
4.33.12 mi / 991 ft gainBegin by parking at the Lumpy Ridge trailhead, which is a couple miles outside of Estes Park on McGregor Avenue. At the trailhead, there are numerous signs indicating hiking trails, climbing routes, and other information about the area. After parking start hiking on the trail to the right of the ...Read more -
Estes Park, Colorado
Backpack the Gorge Lakes
11.5 mi / 3200 ft gainStart at the Rock Cut Parking Area. Head east on Trail Ridge Road 0.25 miles to a more gradual and bald western slope leading down into Forest Canyon. This bald is located between two creeks which merge before joining the Big Thompson River (a small creek in mid September). Use the creeks to navi...Read more -
Grand Lake, United States
Hike to Timber Lake
4.59.6 mi / 2050 ft gainI love Timber Lake! I never see that many people on the trail and I can't figure out why. The hike starts at the Timber Lake trailhead and climbs gradually through Pine and Aspen trees on the way up. We saw a few elk on the way up that didn't seem to be bothered by our presence. We also started h...Read more -
Grand Lake, Colorado
Hike the Colorado River Trailhead Loop
5.013.6 mi / 1245 ft gainSince this hike is 13.6 miles (according to my watch the hike was more around 14 miles, but it's in that range), I'm going to break it down into four different parts. To Lulu CityTo Little Yellowstone / Thunder PassThe Grand Ditch Red Mountain Trail The first 0.5 miles and the last 0.5 miles a...Read more -
Estes Park, Colorado
Chasm Falls
3.02.57 mi / 443 ft gainParking in Rocky Mountain National Park is tricky for Chasm Falls. Depending on where you are able to park, the hike will be a 0.1 mile, 2.8 mile, or 4.8 mile round-trip hike. It’s also important to know that Old Fall River Road is closed during the winter months from Nov 30th until the end of Ma...Read more