I can’t claim to be an expert at hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park. I’ve only been to the park twice and only once in the fall. But I did find several pretty amazing fall hikes on my two weeks in the park. These are the best easy fall hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, perfect for anyone who wants to get out and enjoy!
Rocky Mountain National Pak has a whopping 355 miles of hiking trails, which means this National Park has a hiking trail for every skill level. So, if you are looking at hiking in the park this fall – look no further, because here are the best easy fall hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park!
Find out more about why you need to visit Rocky Mountain National Park in the fall here.
2021 Information:
- As recommended by the CDC, remain 6 feet apart from those not in your party, wear a mask, wash your hands.
- Cloth face coverings must be worn while in park visitor centers, park restrooms, and on shuttle buses. Masks are also required throughout Rocky Mountain National Park when physical distancing cannot be maintained, including narrow or busy trails, parking lots, pull-offs, and overlooks.
- If you want a National Park Cancellation Stamp you can find it here and print it for your passport (it’s at the bottom of the page).
Rocky Mountain National Park Timed Entry:
- May 28 – October 11
- You will need Timed Entry Reservation, Park Pass, or Entrance Pass
- Rocky Mountain National Park Entrance Fees and Pass
- 1-Day Automobile – $25
- 1-Day Pass – Per Person – $15
- Motorcycle – $25
- Annual Pass – $70
- America the Beautiful Passes Annual – $80
- Open on July 1, at 10 a.m. (MDT) = reserve to enter the park for the month of August (and any remaining days that have not been booked for July)
- Open on August 1, at 10 a.m. (MDT) = reserve to enter the park for the month of September (and any remaining days that have not been booked for August)
- Open on September 1, at 10 a.m. (MDT) = reserve to enter the park for the month of October (and any remaining days that have not been booked for September)
Know Before You Go: Hiking In Rocky
- Trail Ridge Road closes at a certain point due to inclement weather. During my fall trip in 2014, it closed in the first week of October.
- Hiking in altitude is way more difficult if you are not used to it. And at 12,000+ feet in elevation hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park can really pack a punch. It’s always smart to start with a less strenuous hike.
- Most trails in the park begin above 7,000 feet, and pretty abruptly climb even higher. Elevations on park roads range between 7,800 and 12,000 feet (that would be Trail Ridge Road).
Be Aware of Altitude Sickness:
- Altitude sickness can occur in some people at elevations as low as 8,000 feet. It can also affect as many as 20% of visitors who travel from states closer to sea level.
- Physical condition does not matter.
- Hiking above 10,000 feet about 75% of people experience at least mild symptoms.
- These include: Headache, nausea, dizziness, loss of appetite, fatigue, shortness of breath, and general malaise.
- If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s best to descent between 1,000-1,500 feet asap.
How to prevent/combat Altitude Sickness:
- Stay properly hydrated. Avoid alcohol.
- Spend at least 1 night at 7,000-8,000 feet prior to setting out to higher elevations. This allows the body to begin to adjust to the elevation change.
- Acclimating slowly is the best way to adjust to the altitude. This should take place over several days but if this is not an option take things slowly and don’t choose strenuous hikes on your first few days in the park.
- Eat a high calorie diet while at altitude.
- Avoid tobacco, alcohol, and other depressant drugs.
- If you go over 10,000 feet, try to increase your altitude by 1,000 feet per day.
- Climb high but sleep low. As long as you are sleeping at lower elevation it is ok to climb more than 1,000 feet per day.
- If you experience symptoms do not go higher until your symptoms decrease.
Fuel Up Before Your Hike
Although these easy fall hikes may not seem daunting it’s always best to fuel up before a hike!
The Egg Of Estes
- Where: 393 E Elkhorn Ave, Estes Park, CO 80517
- Hours: Daily 6 am – 2 pm (2:30 pm on weekends)
Donut Haus
- Where: 860 Moraine Ave, Estes Park, CO 80517
- Hours: Thurs – Sun – 6 am – 12 pm, Closed Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
Coffee On The Rocks
- Where: 510 Moraine Ave, Estes Park, CO 80517
- Hours: Daily 7 am – 8 pm
Or Pig Out After Your Hike
Bird & Jim
- Where: 915 Moraine Ave, Estes Park, CO 80517
- Hours: Daily 11 am – 9 pm
- Offering dine in and takeout
The Grubsteak Restaurant
- Where: 134 W Elkhorn Ave, Estes Park, CO 80517
- Hours: Daily 11 am – 8 pm
- Currently, they are open from 11 – 4 Thurs – Monday for take out
Smokin’ Dave’s BBQ and Brew
- Where: 820 Moraine Ave, Estes Park, CO 80517
- Hours: Daily 11 am – 9 pm
- Offering take out including their full bar menu
The Best Easy Fall Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park
These easy hikes all offer spectacular fall colors and scenery! They are good for almost all skill levels…
Alberta Falls Trail –
- Distance: 1.6 miles
- Rating: Easy
- Elevation Gain: 252 ft
This easy hike to Alberta Falls is a heavily trafficked out and back trail. It features a waterfall and is good for all skill levels. Dogs are not permitted on this trail, but horses are!
The fall colors on this hike are gorgeous! It was one of my absolute favorite hikes in the park because its fairly easy for a waterfall hike. The elevation gain isn’t horrible and this is a good hike for almost every skill level.
Bear Lake, Nymph Lake, Dream Lake Trail –
- Distance: 2 miles
- Rating: Easy
- Elevation Gain: 426 ft
The trail to Dream Lake is a heavily trafficked out and back trail. The trail passes both Bear Lake and Nymph Lake and it has some truly spectacular scenery for an easy 2-mile hike. As with all trails inside the park, this trail is not dog friendly.
This is one of my absolute favorite hikes, ever. While it is an easy hike, the altitude had us all a little winded. And by us, I mean, every person on the trail that wasn’t from Colorado. haha
Check Out: Rocky Mountain National Park In Fall
Lily Lake Trail –
- Distance: .8 miles
- Rating: Easy
- Elevation Gain: 45 ft
This is a heavily trafficked loop trail that offers wildflowers and is good for all skill levels. This is not a
Sprague Lake Trail –
- Distance: .8 miles
- Rating: Easy
- Elevation Gain: 32 ft
This trail is a heavily trafficked loop trail. It offers chances to see wildlife, as well as, a beautiful lake. This is not a
For Some Dog Friendly Trail Options Check Out: Is Rocky Mountain National Park Dog Friendly?
Moderate/Difficult Hike Wishlist
Emerald Lake –
- Distance: 4.4 miles
- Rating: Moderate
- Elevation Gain: 744 ft
If you go just a little further on the Dream Lake trail you get to Emerald Lake. If I had time I would have loved to go to Emerald Lake.
Check Out: Rocky Mountain National Park Bucketlist
Chasm Falls –
- Distance: 2.5 miles
- Rating: Moderate
- Elevation Gain: 465 ft
Chasm Falls via Old Fall River Road is a heavily trafficked out and back trail and features a waterfall. I’m a sucker for a good waterfall! This trail is not dog friendly.
Gem Lake –
- Distance: 3.4 miles
- Rating: Moderate
- Elevation Gain: 990 ft
I’ve heard great things about this trail but didn’t have time to hike it myself. A lot of people said it’s fairly steep on the way up and that the lake is very dry right now.
Glacier Gorge –
- Distance: 5.8 miles
- Rating: Moderate
- Elevation Gain: 1,138 ft
Alberta Falls is on the Glacier Gorge trail but I didn’t get a chance to go any farther than the waterfall itself. The trail can get quite busy and the elevation gain can be difficult for those who aren’t used to hiking in elevation. This is not dog friendly.
Sky Pond –
- Distance: 9.5 miles
- Rating: Hard
- Elevation Gain: 1,837 ft
This is the hike that my hiking in Colorado dreams are made of! You can get to Sky Pond via the Glacier Gorge Trail. There is another option for Sky Pond, via the Bear Lake Trail, this is also rated hard at 8.7 miles. Both are out and back and both look well worth the hard rating! This trail is not dog friendly.
There is no question that hiking in Rocky during the fall season is bucketlist worthy. There are so many great trails in Rocky Mountain National Park and beyond that, I can’t wait to get back! Have you been to Rocky Mountain National Park in the fall? What was your favorite hike?
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