11 Best Easy Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park For The Entire Family
One of my favorite things about Rocky Mountain National Park is how many easy hikes it has for the entire family! You do not have to hike long or strenuous trails to get breathtaking views.
Rocky Mountain National Park is known as one of the most beautiful national parks in the United States, and millions of people visit each year to experience the stunning mountain views and fun hikes.
Although you can enjoy the views at various overlooks throughout the park, I highly recommend adding some trails to your itinerary! Hiking is one of the best ways to experience everything Rocky Mountain National Park offers.
And the best part? There are hikes for everyone, including easy, accessible hikes to waterfalls, alpine lakes, or beautiful viewpoints.
I created this guide to include everything you need to know about the best easy hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park you should add to your bucket list. Trust me, you will not want to miss these!
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Things You Should Know for Hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park
One of my favorite things about Rocky Mountain National Park is that you do not need to hike strenuous trails to enjoy the beautiful views. You honestly do not even need to hike at all, but I highly recommend adding a few hikes to your itinerary. And although these trails are easy, you still need to know a few things before hiking them!
- Get your timed entry permit in advance. Rocky Mountain National Park has a timed entry permit system for the summer and fall, and the slots fill up quickly. I highly recommend reserving yours as soon as they are released, especially if you want to hike in the Bear Lake Corridor. The Bear Lake Corridor time slots in the summer fill up the same day they are released because it is one of the most popular areas in the park. If you do not have a timed entry slot, you can enter Bear Lake Corridor before 5 am or after 6 pm and the other sections of Rocky Mountain National Park before 9 am or after 2 pm.
- Start your day early. In the summer, Rocky Mountain National Park experiences thunderstorms in the afternoon almost every day. During the few days we were in the park, we saw a storm each day! I recommend starting your day as early as you can to avoid potentially getting caught in an afternoon thunderstorm. And, of course, starting your day early will help you miss the midday crowds.
- Take it slow. Many of the easy hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park are at high elevations, and if you are not acclimated, there is a chance you could get altitude sickness. I recommend taking it slow to ensure you get used to the altitude and packing plenty of water and snacks. We were not used to being at high elevations, so we were happy we took our time on each hike.
- Pack proper hiking gear and sunscreen. Mountain weather in Rocky Mountain National Park is unpredictable, and I recommend packing layers to accommodate any weather you may run into on the trails. You should have hiking boots, moisture-wicking clothes, sunscreen, a hiking backpack with food and plenty of water, and a rain jacket and insulated jacket as needed. Snow can also linger on some trails through June, and I recommend researching trail conditions to ensure you have the correct hiking gear. We ended up renting microspikes during our trip because some of the trails still had snow.
- Expect crowds and be flexible. Rocky Mountain National Park is among the most visited national parks, and each hike is likely to have crowds. Also, there will be lines at the entrance stations, so if you have a midday timed entry, I recommend arriving early in case there is traffic entering the park. When we left the park around noon one day, the line at the entrance station was over two miles long!
- Always remember to leave no trace. It is crucial to pack out what you pack in and leave no trash. Some spots have trash bins, so you can easily throw away your trash. If they do not have trash bins, you can throw away your trash in a barrel at a nearby gas station or convenience store.
Easy Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park You Will Love
Bear Lake Trail
Length: 0.7 miles
Elevation Gain: minimal
Bear Lake Trail is one of the most popular hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park because it offers stunning views without a long, strenuous hike. It is a beautiful alpine lake sitting at over 9,450 feet.
Bear Lake is in one of the most popular areas in the park, the Bear Lake Corridor, and like us, you will quickly understand why everyone who visits wants to hike here!
The 0.7-mile trail begins at the Bear Lake parking lot and loops around the lake, providing stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Technically, you do not have to hike around the lake to enjoy the views, either. We found the best viewpoints a short distance from the parking lot!
Want a longer hike? If you are up for a longer trail, I highly recommend hiking to Nymph Lake, Dream Lake, and Emerald Lake. The 3.8-mile hike to all four lakes is moderately strenuous but is worth it for the stunning views! It was one of our favorite hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, so I know you will love it. Trust me, the views at the end near Emerald Lake are breathtaking and worth the effort!
Nymph Lake Trail
Length: 1 mile
Elevation: 240 feet
Nymph Lake is the second easiest lake to access after Bear Lake, offering incredible views of the surrounding mountains. Although Nymph is one of the smallest lakes in the area, the views do not disappoint!
The 1-mile trail follows along the shores of the alpine lake, providing multiple viewpoints of the surrounding mountains. I recommend visiting each one because the views are incredible!
You can also hike Bear Lake and Numph Lake together on an easy 1.7-mile trail. The trail is a great way to experience two beautiful alpine lakes without a strenuous hike.
And again, if you are feeling up for it, I highly recommend continuing the hike to Dream Lake and Emerald Lake. It is a moderate trail, but the views of the mountains and lakes make the effort worth it!
Sprague Lake Loop
Length: 0.8 miles
Elevation Gain: minimal
If you are looking for an accessible trail to a beautiful lake in the Bear Lake Corridor, you are in luck! Sprague Lake offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains, and I honestly liked these views better than Bear Lake.
The 0.8-mile trail loops around Sprague Lake, and some of the best views are at the back of the lake. We saw many people fishing here and a small wedding on the pier, which was fun!
Sprague Lake is one of my favorite easy hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, and I know you will fall in love with it quickly!
Alberta Falls Trail
Length: 1.6 miles
Elevation: 230 feet
Not all trails in the Bear Lake Corridor lead to lakes! If you want to hike to a waterfall, I recommend the Alberta Falls Trail.
The 1.6-mile trail begins at the Glacier Gorge parking lot and travels through a beautiful forest before leading you to the 30-foot Alberta Falls. The falls are in a beautiful gorge and will quickly become one of your favorite waterfalls in the park!
You can hike to the bottom of the waterfall, or if you are up for an adventure, hike to the top for beautiful views of the surrounding area. If you visit in spring or early summer, you can see Alberta Falls in all its glory with a heavy flow from the recent snowmelt.
Trust me, you will not be disappointed with this beautiful hike!
Lily Lake Trail
Length: 0.8 miles
Elevation Gain: minimal
If you are looking for a beautiful lake with fewer crowds, I have the perfect hike for you!
Lily Lake is south of Estes Park and a lesser-known lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. Although it is visited less than other lakes in the park, it does not lack beautiful views!
And the best part? The 0.8-mile trail is easy and perfect for the entire family! It is a great hike to escape the crowds while enjoying beautiful views of the surrounding mountains.
Toll Memorial Trail
Length: 1.1 miles
Elevation Gain: 150 feet
Toll Memorial Trail is one of my favorite hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park because the views are gorgeous!
The 1.1-mile trail begins near the Rock Cut at one of the highest points in the park. It travels along an easy-to-follow path with stunning 360-degree views, with a short spur to cool rock formations that look like mushrooms.
At the end of the hike, the trail climbs a short, steep rock formation that provides some of my favorite views in the park! The Toll Memorial sits on the rocks and points out the surrounding mountains, which is really cool.
The Toll Memorial Trail is one of the best ways to experience 360-degree views of Rocky Mountain National Park without a strenuous hike, so I know you will quickly fall in love with it!
Marmot Point Trail
Length: 0.8 miles
Elevation Gain: 330 feet
Not all beautiful trails are off Trail Ridge Road or Bear Lake Corridor!
Old Fall River Road is a beautiful scenic drive connecting Estes Park and the Alpine Visitor Center, and Marmot Point Trail is one of my favorite trails off it. The 0.8-mile trail is short but gains elevation quickly towards the top viewpoint, but the effort is worth it for the stunning 360-degree views of Rocky Mountain National Park!
And the best part? It is a lesser-known hike, and you will not have to share the trail with as many people as other trails in the park. Trust me, you will fall in love with the views!
Alluvial Fan Trail
Length: 0.7 miles
Elevation: minimal
Another one of the best hikes off Old Fall River Road is Alluvial Fan Trail. The 0.7-mile trail starts at the beginning of Old Fall River Road near Estes Park and brings you to a beautiful waterfall.
The waterfall is best seen in early summer after the snow melts when the water is high, but it is a fun hike no matter what time of year you visit.
If you are up for an afternoon adventure, I recommend hiking Alluvial Fan Trail later in the day to enjoy the trail with fewer crowds and potentially see wildlife. We saw moose and elk along the meadows on Old Fall River Road near the trailhead, which was so cool!
Alpine Ridge Trail
Length: 0.6 miles
Elevation Gain: 150 feet
Did you know that Rocky Mountain National Park is home to the highest visitor center in the United States? And there is a trail near the Alpine Visitor Center with incredible views.
Alpine Ridge Trail is one of the most iconic hikes in the park. The 0.6-mile trail might seem intimidating from the parking lot, but it is not as bad as it looks.
The first section of the trail gains most of the elevation and flattens out as you reach the top. And let me tell you, the effort is worth it for the gorgeous 360-degree views!
And the best part? If you are hungry, you can stop at the cafe in the parking lot for a bite to eat. I love when there is a cafe near a trailhead because what better way to end a hike than by eating a snack?!
Medicine Bow Trail
Length: 0.7 miles
Elevation: 100 feet
Medicine Bow Curve is one of the most beautiful viewpoints along Trail Ridge Road, offering breathtaking mountain views. Although you can enjoy the views from the parking area, I recommend hiking the 0.7-mile trail to a viewpoint.
We honestly did not know this trail existed until we visited the viewpoint and decided to hike it. The Medicine Bow Trail is easy to follow from the parking area and follows along the side of the mountain to a stunning view looking northeast into the park.
We were the only people on the hike, which we appreciated since most of the trails along the Trail Ridge Road are very crowded.
Adams Falls Trail
Length: 0.8 miles
Elevation: 100 feet
Not all of the best easy hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park are near Estes Park! A forgotten part of the park is near Grand Lake, which has beautiful views and fun hiking trails.
And Adams Falls Trail is one of the best hikes in the area! The 0.8-mile trail begins on the east side of Grand Lake and follows an easy path to a beautiful 55-foot waterfall. If you visit in spring or early summer, the waterfall will be gushing from the recent snowmelt.
It is one of my favorite easy hikes on the western side of Rocky Mountain National Park. The Grand Lake area has many beautiful trails and viewpoints, so if you have time, I recommend spending a day there.
Rocky Mountain National Park FAQs
Is Rocky Mountain National Park Worth It?
Rocky Mountain National Park is absolutely worth it! It is one of the most visited national parks for a reason.
One of the things I love most about the national park is that it has something for everyone. You do not need to hike to enjoy the stunning mountain views, but if you want to, you have access to some amazing trails.
What are the Best Easy Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park?
Rocky Mountain National Park has quite a few easy hikes for the entire family to enjoy, with a few of my favorites being:
Bear Lake and Nymph Lake
Sprague Lake Loop
Alpine Ridge Trail
Toll Memorial Trail
Alberta Falls Trail
Lily Lake Trail
Alluvial Fan Trail
Medicine Bow Trail
Alberta Falls Trail
Adams Falls Trail
Do You Need to Hike in Rocky Mountain National Park?
No, you do not need to hike in Rocky Mountain National Park to enjoy the views. It is one of my favorite things about the park!
You have plenty of opportunities to enjoy the breathtaking views from easily accessible viewpoints and short trails. Trail Ridge Road has some of the best views you can enjoy right from your car.
But I recommend adding at least one hike to your itinerary! Some of the best trails are easy, so you do not need to hike a strenuous trail to enjoy the views.
Is Rocky Mountain National Park Crowded?
Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most visited national parks in the United States with millions of visitors each year, so it is crowded.
But do not let that deter you from visiting!
One of the best ways to avoid crowds is to enter the park for sunrise or early in the morning. Trust me, the early wake-up call is worth it to enjoy the views with fewer people.
You can also visit less-visited sections of the park, like Wild Basin and Grand Lake. These areas have beautiful views and trails with fewer crowds.
Where Should You Stay Near Rocky Mountain National Park?
Estes Park is the best place to stay near Rocky Mountain National Park because it is close to the Beaver Meadows and Fall River entrances. It also has many accommodations, shops, and restaurants, and it is near the most popular attractions.
Because it is the best place to stay, accommodations book up quickly, so make sure to book yours as soon as you can! We booked ours last minute and only had a couple of places to choose from.
If you want to hike in Rocky Mountain National Park, this guide is the perfect place to find beautiful trails! It has everything you need to know about the best easy hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park for the entire family!
Hey, I’m Nichole!
I am the creator behind Nichole the Nomad, the home of my explorations around the world, mountain hikes, and beautiful pictures taken along the way. I have a deep passion for capturing the world in a beautiful light and sharing my experiences.
I created this blog to share my travels, show how beautiful the world is, provide tips and tricks for traveling, and encourage you to explore. Whether you want to travel across the world or explore what’s in your backyard, I hope this blog inspires you to get outside and find your adventure!
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