Experiencing Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado is a bucket-list adventure. The breathtaking landscape of the Rocky Mountains combined with pristine alpine lakes and beautiful forests is one you just have to experience for yourself. And while this national park is often filled with avid hikers, you’ll be pleased to know that one of its most beloved trails is actually quite accessible to the vast majority of folks who’d like to give it a shot. Here’s more on this breathtaking trail tucked inside Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado:
Emerald Lake Trail is a breathtaking three-mile hike that will take you through some of the most dazzling landscape in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Christian C/AllTrails
Along the way, you’ll observe some gorgeous alpine lakes, including Nymph Lake, Emerald Lake, and Dream Lake.
Jordan Ullom/AllTrails You can also admire Flattop Mountain, Hallett Peak, and Glacier Gorge.
The pathway is paved for the first half mile and then becomes a bit more rugged.
Lindsey Wamsley/AllTrails Fortunately, though, there is no major incline the entire way.
A beautiful time to visit is in the heart of winter, when there are drastically fewer visitors.
Mike Tudhope/AllTrails
Have you hiked Emerald Lake Trail before? If so, we’d love to hear from you! For more information about the trail, as well as Rocky Mountain National Park, you can visit the official National Parks Service website by clicking here.
Christian C/AllTrails
Jordan Ullom/AllTrails
You can also admire Flattop Mountain, Hallett Peak, and Glacier Gorge.
Lindsey Wamsley/AllTrails
Fortunately, though, there is no major incline the entire way.
Mike Tudhope/AllTrails
Are you obsessed with Colorado as much as we are? If so, you might also be interested in this amazing little-known places road trip, or maybe some of our most incredible hikes all over the state.
Colorado is an amazing place to visit, live, or work. It’s one of the most beautiful states in the nation, and we think you’ll love it as much as we do. Time to get out and explore!
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Address: Estes Park, CO 80517, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
National Park to Visit in Colorado February 01, 2022 Tori Jane What are some amazing hiking trails in Colorado? Colorado is, to put it lightly, an absolute paradise for those who enjoy a good hike. There are, according to our friends at AllTrails.com, more than 4,900 amazing hikes to be done in this beautiful state, all of which offer their own incredible views of Colorado’s many amazing landscapes. The most popular hiking trail in Colorado is the beautiful Emerald Lake Trail, which is located inside Rocky Mountain National Park. It’s rated as moderate, and it isn’t terribly long, coming in at under four miles. Also within Rocky Mountain National Park is the Sky Pond via Glacier Gorge Trail, which is harder and much longer (at 9.4 miles long) but 100% worth it. Other popular trails include the Royal Arch Trail at Boulder Open Space, St. Mary’s Glacier in Arapaho National Forest, and the Chavez and Beaver Brook Trail Loop in Genesee Park. Click here to learn more about Colorado’s #1 hike at Emerald Lake. What are the best hikes at Rocky Mountain National Park? Okay, Emerald Lake aside, there are tons of amazing options when it comes to hiking within Rocky Mountain National Park. As one of the most scenic places in the entire United States, it’s hard to decide where to begin. Of course, you can always do Emerald Lake (and we suggest you do that one first), but there are so many others, too, that deserve more love. Other incredible beloved trails within RMNP include The Loch, via Glacier Gorge Trail, Gem Lake Trail, Dream Lake Trail (which is seriously as amazing as its name implies), Alberta Falls Trail (huge for waterfall fans), and, of course, Chasm Lake. These are far from the only choices; there are only about 240-something more! We suspect this means you might want to stay for more than just a weekend. After all, Colorado’s most amazing National Park is calling.
The OIYS Visitor Center
National Park to Visit in Colorado
February 01, 2022
Tori Jane
What are some amazing hiking trails in Colorado? Colorado is, to put it lightly, an absolute paradise for those who enjoy a good hike. There are, according to our friends at AllTrails.com, more than 4,900 amazing hikes to be done in this beautiful state, all of which offer their own incredible views of Colorado’s many amazing landscapes. The most popular hiking trail in Colorado is the beautiful Emerald Lake Trail, which is located inside Rocky Mountain National Park. It’s rated as moderate, and it isn’t terribly long, coming in at under four miles. Also within Rocky Mountain National Park is the Sky Pond via Glacier Gorge Trail, which is harder and much longer (at 9.4 miles long) but 100% worth it. Other popular trails include the Royal Arch Trail at Boulder Open Space, St. Mary’s Glacier in Arapaho National Forest, and the Chavez and Beaver Brook Trail Loop in Genesee Park. Click here to learn more about Colorado’s #1 hike at Emerald Lake. What are the best hikes at Rocky Mountain National Park? Okay, Emerald Lake aside, there are tons of amazing options when it comes to hiking within Rocky Mountain National Park. As one of the most scenic places in the entire United States, it’s hard to decide where to begin. Of course, you can always do Emerald Lake (and we suggest you do that one first), but there are so many others, too, that deserve more love. Other incredible beloved trails within RMNP include The Loch, via Glacier Gorge Trail, Gem Lake Trail, Dream Lake Trail (which is seriously as amazing as its name implies), Alberta Falls Trail (huge for waterfall fans), and, of course, Chasm Lake. These are far from the only choices; there are only about 240-something more! We suspect this means you might want to stay for more than just a weekend. After all, Colorado’s most amazing National Park is calling.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Colorado is, to put it lightly, an absolute paradise for those who enjoy a good hike. There are, according to our friends at AllTrails.com, more than 4,900 amazing hikes to be done in this beautiful state, all of which offer their own incredible views of Colorado’s many amazing landscapes. The most popular hiking trail in Colorado is the beautiful Emerald Lake Trail, which is located inside Rocky Mountain National Park. It’s rated as moderate, and it isn’t terribly long, coming in at under four miles. Also within Rocky Mountain National Park is the Sky Pond via Glacier Gorge Trail, which is harder and much longer (at 9.4 miles long) but 100% worth it. Other popular trails include the Royal Arch Trail at Boulder Open Space, St. Mary’s Glacier in Arapaho National Forest, and the Chavez and Beaver Brook Trail Loop in Genesee Park. Click here to learn more about Colorado’s #1 hike at Emerald Lake.
What are the best hikes at Rocky Mountain National Park?
Okay, Emerald Lake aside, there are tons of amazing options when it comes to hiking within Rocky Mountain National Park. As one of the most scenic places in the entire United States, it’s hard to decide where to begin. Of course, you can always do Emerald Lake (and we suggest you do that one first), but there are so many others, too, that deserve more love. Other incredible beloved trails within RMNP include The Loch, via Glacier Gorge Trail, Gem Lake Trail, Dream Lake Trail (which is seriously as amazing as its name implies), Alberta Falls Trail (huge for waterfall fans), and, of course, Chasm Lake. These are far from the only choices; there are only about 240-something more! We suspect this means you might want to stay for more than just a weekend. After all, Colorado’s most amazing National Park is calling.
