Wellington, Colorado
Top Spots in and near Wellington
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Estes Park, Colorado
Drive through Rocky Mountain NP to Moraine Park
In this specific case, the adventure is focused on the sounds. At night in September and October you can expect to hear the eerie bugling from Elk reverberating around the mountains. Even after an hour or two I was still getting goose-bumps listening to them. Start your adventure at the Fall Ri...Read more -
Estes Park, Colorado
Hike Deer Mountain
6.03 mi / 1200 ft gainBeginning in Rocky Mountain National Park near the Deer Ridge Junction (where US 34 & US 36 meet), park your car in one of the 20 spots on either side of the road. Start at the trailhead booth and head north, keeping to the right-side trail at the first intersection about a tenth of a mile fr...Read more -
40.387035,-105.610770
Rocky Mountain NP's Trail Ridge Road
4.939.06 miStart by entering Rocky Mountain National Park through Estes Park, Colorado. After acquiring a map start your ascent on Trail Ridge Rd (the road is closed in winter). The Road will take you up in elevation into the mountains so a good car is strongly recommended. As you wind up the switch backs,...Read more -
Estes Park, Colorado
Photograph Elk in Moraine Park
The perspective here is vastly different from other areas in Rocky Mountain National Park as Moraine Park is essentially a large, very flat valley surrounded by tall mountains. You'll want to come during the elks' rutting season, which is between mid-September and mid-October. Park at the lot on ...Read more -
Buford, Wyoming
Scramble Twin Mountain
1.7 mi / 500 ft gainThis adventure is located between Laramie and Cheyenne on Happy Jack Road (WY 210). Take Forest Road 707A east for 1.4 miles and th en take a left at the fork (Forest Road 707AG). The trailhead is at the end of the second left turn (only about 200 yards from the fork). The forest roads are not...Read more -
Estes Park, Colorado
Estes Cone
4.08.22 mi / 2275 ft gainThe trail begins on the left on a park service road before reaching a junction with the Storm Pass Trail just past .2 miles. Follow the trail as it enters the forest and continue past the private property signs and over a footbridge. Past the bridge the trail climbs more steadily for just under 2...Read more -
Estes Park, Colorado
Rock Climb above Lilly Lake
3.5Lilly Lake is known as a very popular, easy hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. Lilly Lake itself is very pretty and also has some good fishing and walking opportunities.Rock rises up nearby the northwest area of the lake, and offers some of the most fun rock climbing in the area. There are num...Read more -
Estes Park, Colorado
Twin Sisters Peak
5.07.48 mi / 2470 ft gainThe trailhead starts close to 9,000 ft elevation. It continues at a gradual slope through the forest for a long way. The trail does not exit the tree line until close to the top, where there is a boulder field, of sorts (slightly over 11,000 ft). Don't worry, there is a nice trail all the way to ...Read more -
Estes Park, Colorado
Paddle Lily Lake
Lily Lake allows boating in non-motorized watercraft and is only a short carry from your parking area by 7. Parking can be limited so get there in the morning early so that you can enjoy the morning wildlife and decreased crowds. You can spend an hour or so here kayaking slowly around enjoying th...Read more -
Estes Park, Colorado
Hike along Tombstone Ridge
4.3 mi / 3250 ft gainTombstone ridge can be accessed via the ute trail from two directions. The lower trail starts at upper beaver meadows and is ~4.3 miles with 3250 feet of elevation gain. It can also be accessed at the Ute trail crossing along trail ridge road, which leaves you a 1.1 mile hike with just under 300 ...Read more -
Estes Park, Colorado
Winter Camp at Moraine Park
5.0For the extra-adventurous (my friends call me crazy for this), I recommend experiencing Rocky Mountain National Park in the off-season, when nobody else is there. Dead winter.Of course, you'll want to be uber prepared if you choose to take on this adventure, as the mountains are very unforgiving,...Read more -
Estes Park, Colorado
Camp at Moraine Park
4.7Moraine Park Campground is the only year-round campground at Rocky Mountain National Park. During the summer there are 244 reservable campsites and 77 first come first serve during the winter. Large numbers of elk gather in Moraine Park during the rut (September-October) and it's a popular wildli...Read more -
Estes Park, Colorado
Chasm Falls
3.02.57 mi / 132 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 -
Estes Park, Colorado
Hike to Cub Lake
5.04.6 mi / 645 ft gainRocky Mountain National Park showcases 355 miles of hiking trails, 6 campgrounds, and hundreds of backcountry camp sites. The cost to enter the park is $20.00 per vehicle, I recommend buying the annual National Parks Pass for $80.00. Cub Lake is an excellent trail for viewing wildlife. There ar...Read more -
Estes Park, Colorado
Backpack to Odessa Lake via Fern Lake Trailhead
4.09.65 mi / 1890 ft gainOdessa Lake seems to be one of the true hidden gems of Rocky Mountain National Park. Don't get me wrong, you will likely see some folks there, but it is a far cry from the other crowded Bear Lake trailhead lakes. There are two ways to reach Odessa; one, from the Bear Lake Trailhead, and the oth...Read more -
Estes Park, Colorado
Sprague Lake Loop
5.00.81 mi / 26 ft gainLocated in Rocky Mountain National Park at an elevation of almost 8,700 feet, Sprague Lake offers visitors great views with very little effort required. It's a short 15 minute drive from Estes Park and hikers can take the short trail around the circumference of the lake. You'll find bathrooms and...Read more