• United States
  • Colorado
  • Rocky Mountain National Park
  • Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

    For a mountain person, you just can't beat the Rockies. Home to some of the most glorious mountains in the world, countless lakes and rivers, world-class rock climbing and miles of trails, this place belongs on everyone's national park bucket list.

    Top Spots in and near Rocky Mountain National Park

    • Boulder, Colorado

      Teller Farms (East Boulder) Trail

      6.83 mi / 262 ft gain
      Teller Farms (East Boulder) Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Lafayette, Colorado.
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    • Idaho Springs, Colorado

      St. Mary's Glacier

      4.3
      1.86 mi / 758 ft gain
      Just West of Idaho Springs on I-70 take the St. Mary's Alice Exit. Take a right and stay on the main road and follow the signs for about 8 miles (watch on the right side of the road for a surprise pink pig). There are two parking lots for the trailhead. The larger one is South of the trail and a ...
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    • Idaho Springs, Colorado

      Hiking James Peak (13,294')

      8.3 mi / 3000 ft gain
      James Peak is one of 76 13,000'+ peaks in Colorado's front range. On your way up to the peak you will pass St. Mary's Glacier. It is not an actual glacier yet a permeant snow field that is popular among skiers and snowboarders year round. St. Mary's Glaicer is a very popular destination (though m...
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    • Fort Collins, Colorado

      North Shield Pond Trail

      3.0
      1.54 mi / 43 ft gain
      North Shield Pond Trail is a loop trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Fort Collins, Colorado.
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    • Boulder, Colorado

      Hike South Boulder Peak

      4.5
      6.7 mi / 2900 ft gain
      Starting at the Mesa trailhead, continue a half a mile through a relatively even grade before arriving at the North Fork Shanahan trailhead, which will take you another half a mile on much steeper grade up to Fern Canyon where you will start a much harder portion of the hike; here, you'll head st...
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    • Boulder, Colorado

      Hike the Big Bluestem Trail Loop

      4.0
      4.35 mi / 841 ft gain
      This is a great spot for an easy/moderate hike or trail run. The trail is accessible year round and can often be hiked in winter as well as other seasons. You start out at the Mesa Trailhead parking lot off of Hwy 170. There is a parking lot here but this is a starting spot for several hikes into...
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    • Boulder, Colorado

      Hike Bear Peak

      4.8
      7 mi / 2810 ft gain
      The best advice I can give you? Wake up early to start this hike.Even though the Bear Peak hike will only take you about 4-5 hours round trip, it will still be advantageous to get off the mountain before afternoon and evening storms might pass through. This is a steep 7-mile out and back trail.St...
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    • Red Feather Lakes, Colorado

      Camp near Lost Lake (in the Red Feather Lakes area)

      I need to start by saying I stayed here on Memorial Day weekend, a very busy camping weekend in Colorado. Online searches for a suitable campsite were useless, everything was booked. It is hard to drive 2 plus hours to an area and hope you find a place for dispersed camping. Thankfully a friend t...
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    • Boulder, Colorado

      Doudy Draw Trail

      5.0
      4.37 mi / 433 ft gain
      Doudy Draw Trail is an out-and-back trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Boulder, Colorado.
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    • Idaho Springs, Colorado

      Explore Fall River Reservoir

      4.0
      1 mi / 144 ft gain
      This spot may be a little more difficult to reach than others, but the payoff is worth it. You'll start by taking a dirt road that splits off from Fall River Road. It is pretty easy going for the first mile or so, but then you'll want to make sure you have a little higher clearance 4x4 vehicle to...
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    • Winter Park, Colorado

      Broome Hut via Second Creek Trail

      1.94 mi / 712 ft gain
      Broome Hut is a short, but steep all year-round hike, but offers great snowshoeing and cross-country skiing as well.Once you reach the hut you are rewarded with incredible views of the Continental Divide, Berthoud Pass, and the Vasquez Peak Wilderness. The Cirque (bowl) is also accessible from ab...
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    • Winter Park, Colorado

      Twin Cones via Second Creek Trailhead

      5.0
      4.85 mi / 1614 ft gain
      This hike begins at Second Creek Trailhead off of US Highway 40. It's pretty steep right off the bar gaining about 800ft of elevation in the first mile. This first mile takes you to Broome Hut, which has a bathroom and is a great place to stop and take a break. Keep in mind that there are no dogs...
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    • Idaho Springs, Colorado

      Chinns Lake

      4.0
      2.7 mi / 741 ft gain
      Located in the Arapaho National Forest near Idaho Springs, Chinns Lake is a high-elevation alpine destination known for its peaceful mountain setting, dispersed camping, fishing, and stunning lake views. Accessible via a rugged 4WD road, this hidden gem offers a true Colorado backcountry experien...
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    • Idaho Springs, Colorado

      Hike to Loch Lomond

      5.0
      4.6 mi / 948 ft gain
      When you start the hike to Loch Lomond, you'll have a few options for parking. The further up the road you go the trickier it's going to be to get back out. I parked at the bottom of the road and hiked my way up. The first mile or two is mostly elevation gain and to be quite honest I thought I wa...
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    • Idaho Springs, Colorado

      Explore 'The Hidden Gems' of Loch Lomond

      5.0
      4.6 mi / 950 ft gain
      Getting There From Denver, go W on I-70 and take exit 238 for Fall River Rd. Continue on this road before taking a left on Alice Rd. Continue on Alice Rd. until you see the right hand turn for Steuart Rd. This is where you park. Do not attempt this road in a AWD or 2WD you definitely need a good ...
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    • Boulder, Colorado

      Hike the Flatirons Vista Loop Trail

      4.7
      3.3 mi
      From the parking lot, take South Flatiron Vista Trail for 2.4 miles, where you'll cross onto North Flatiron Vista Trail. In 1 mile, take the connector trail back to the trailhead. To shorten the loop to 2 miles, hike South Flatiron for just 1 mile to Prairie Vista Trail, which leads back to the c...
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