I enjoyed hiking the nature trail here at Bear Lake. Because this is such a popular area of Rocky…read moreMountain National Park, it requires a timed entry reservation with Bear Lake Road access to get in. To reach Bear Lake, must enter through the Beaver Meadows entrance station to get into the park. Rocky Mountain National Park requires a timed entry reservation to enter the park during certain hours. After entering, you then have to show your "Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road" reservation at another entrance station at the beginning of Bear Lake Road. The road to Bear Lake is around ten miles. Just keep in mind that the parking lot will probably be full upon arrive. They do have a free shuttle that will take you to the beginning of the trailheads if you are not able to find parking. I got lucky and was able to pull into a parking spot when a car was leaving. I did three hikes during my full day here at Bear Lake. I started off with the nature loop that goes around Bear Lake. Then I did the hike to Alberta Falls followed by the hike to Emerald Lake. All of these trails start at the same place. There is a ranger station at the beginning of the trail that has a park ranger on hand to answer questions and to hand out maps. Bear Lake is so beautiful. The walk around the lake is easy and scenic. The Bear Lake loop trail offers spectacular views of Hallett Peak and the surrounding mountain peaks. Bear lake was formed during the ice age by a big chunk of ice. Keep an eye out for wildlife and other little critters that hang around the lake. I was able to do some bird watching while on my hike. A Steller's Jay followed me around the whole time that I was on the trail and provided some fun entertainment. I also enjoyed photographing the colorful wildflowers along the trail.

Bear Lake is a popular destination within Rocky Mountain National Park. Many trails start and end…read morewith Bear Lake, ones that are both easy and more challenging. It is stunningly beautiful. We did not set out to do this trail. We took the Mills Lake via Glacier Gorge Trail (a little over 5 mile hike) and saw a sign that Bear was an additional 0.6 miles out to it and back to the trail we took so we added this to our hike. Bear Lake sits at 9,450 feet in elevation so make sure to give your body time to acclimate to the high altitude before doing any strenuous hikes if you are new to hiking in high elevation. It's a gorgeous lake with benches around to sit down and soak in the views and is a peaceful place to visit.

First of all, the drive from the Denver area is fantastic (once you get off of I-25). Stop at the…read moreMoose Visitor Center first to see where moose have been spotted and to chat with the staff. (The wire sculptor out front is worth the stop, too.) Note that there is great bird watching and chipmunk watching from the back patio of the Center and there's a great picnic table tucked away there as well. We went to the North Michigan campgrounds. The lake is beautiful, but our reserved camp site was beyond that, up the mountain on Franciscan Rd. Great spot and great group camping available. I really wanted to find the yurts but know that most of them are hike in only (even outside of the winter season). We saw lots of rangers making their rounds. Lots of long hiking trails are around (4+ miles one way), but there are a couple of short ones on this end of the park too---Moose View and Beaver Pond. This beautiful place is serene and feels isolated. Depending on your campsite, it is.

This is one of my happy places! We love camping at The Crags in the summer and at North Michigan in…read morethe winter. The roads and campsites are always well-maintained. The staff at the Moose Visitor Center is kind and helpful. Great hiking in the summer and snowshoeing in the winter. Never too crowded and usually a moose or few wandering around!

Atmosphere: Strawberry Hot Springs is one of my favorite hot…read morespring spots to relax. The atmosphere is so calm and peaceful. You can really let go of all your stress as soon as you get there. They have about four hot pools and a cold plunge. The cold plunge is freezing at first but it actually feels amazing after being in the hot water for a while. I've visited in both fall and winter, and each season is stunning. Kids are welcome during the day. Which makes it great for a family visit. At night, clothing is optional during certain hours, so just check ahead if that's not your thing. Service: The staff is really laid-back and friendly. They check bags for food because chipmunks will try to sneak to your bag and steal your snacks. The bathrooms are always clean and well-maintained. Everyone makes the whole experience feel easy and enjoyable. Cost & Reservations: If you drive yourself and there's no snow, admission is $20 cash per person. If it's snowy, there's a shuttle from Steamboat Springs for about $50, which includes admission. Visits are two-hour reservations, you can book on their website. Payment is cash only in person, so make sure to bring some. Tips: Keep snacks in your car to avoid the chipmunks, bring a towel and something warm to wear after your soak, and enjoy!

Obviously the location is amazing. Hard to beat hot springs in winter, especially since we were…read morelucky enough to be there while it was snowing. But service and accommodations? Negative stars. My husband and I just stayed two nights in the caboose for our anniversary. First impressions the caboose is adorable, but smells like the inside of a bong. Absolutely overwhelmingly rank. We opened all the doors and windows and used most of a bottle of febreeze we found under the sink to make it slightly more tolerable. Then when we pulled open the murphy bed we found someone else's dirty underwear. We let the attendant know, he apologized and told us he'd let his manager know and we should hear from her the next day. We watched him write a note for her. Heard absolutely nothing. No follow up whatsoever. We talked to another employee when we were checking out to let him know we left a pile of someone else's dirty laundry on the stoop and his response was "f***, I keep telling those guys they have to clean in there." Seriously not impressed for a $500 stay. On top of that the provided linens are one thin blanket, threadbare sheets and the saddest pillows you've ever slept on. I get that it's a rustic setting, but that's no excuse for a dirty, smelly room and cheapskate bedding. It was just gross.

Our goal was to hike to Emerald Lake, and let me tell you... It was 100% worth it. On this 3.6 mile…read moreroundtrip hike, you'll also encounter Nymph Lake and Dream Lake. While they're both beautiful in their own right, neither one of them compare to the sheer beauty of Emerald Lake with the snowy mountains as a backdrop. As I said, it is a moderate hike. We started around 930am - would've been nicer to start earlier, but it still beat the full heat of the noon sun. There will be intermittent shade, but make sure you bring a hat, sunscreen, and plenty of water. We visited in mid June. Once we neared Dream Lake, we started encountering snow on the ground. I used hiking sandals, and I was able to do it in those - just be careful. That being said, with the amount of snow that was on the trail to Lake Haiyaha was completely un-doable in my shoes. Once you reach Emerald Lake, find a place to sit and just take it all in. I could've sat there all afternoon, just being at peace with nature. Absolutely gorgeous. To get to Emerald Lake, you'll need access to Bear Lake Road. Just be aware that Bear Lake Road requires a reservation SEPARATE from the reservation to the national park. There's a big lot at the trailhead, but it gets filled up. They do have a park & ride a few miles away with plenty of shuttles ready to bring you in. If you're able to make the hike, hiking to Emerald Lake is wonderful. The hike itself is gorgeous, and the final lake is beautiful. Plan it in your schedule, and you will not be disappointed.

After spending a part of my morning at Bear Lake, I decided to do this hike to Emerald Lake the…read moresecond part of the day. This hike starts at the beginning of the Bear Lake trailhead and is 1.8 miles one way (3.6 miles RT). I would say that it is a moderate hike that has some elevation climb to it. You will pass both Nymph Lake and Dream Lake along way. The views along the way are spectacular. Emerald Lake is nestled in between some mountains at an elevation of 10,111 feet. You can see Hallett Peak and the jagged spires of Flattop Mountain across this iconic alpine lake. In between the two mountains is the Tyndall Gorge. There were some small ripples in the water caused but a slight wind. Several people that hiked here jumped in and swam in the water. I ended up relaxing on a large rock and eating my lunch while enjoying the view. Emerald Lake starts at the beginning of the Bear Lake Trailhead in Rocky Mountain National Park. To reach this trail, you must drive ten miles on Bear Lake Road after entering through the Beaver Meadows Entrance. There is a separate timed entry reservation that is required to access Bear Lake Road. If you are unable to find parking at the Bear Lake Trailhead, there is a free shuttle that you can ride to the trailhead.

This was our first time on this trail. We only went as far as the barn because the trail past that…read morewas closed still due to fire. The path to the barn is just about 2 miles. we had 570 feet of elevation gain. all trails said it was like 850 or something like that but that was definitely a bit off. When you first start the trail is a bit of up but then it flattens out. There are so many lovely views along the way! i am not familiar with this area or not and if this is a off leash trail or not but every dog we encountered was off leash. So just be forewarned if you have a naughty dog this may not be the place for you. The trail was a little wider so we were able to walk in groups of two which was nice. the river below was frozen and there was snow on the other side of it. The trail however was dry and perfect for hiking The barn which is 2 miles in is great. Look for the secret door while you are there to a room! Would definitely go back if i were in the area. The kids we were with were mostly not experienced hikers and everyone did just fine on the trail.

This is my go to trail for a quick in and out trail. Easy to moderate trail depending if you go…read morepast the barn and creek. It can be muddy in the spring but I love the sound of the river churning below.

This is a beautiful trail! Most of it is paved, so almost anyone will be able to access the trail…read more There are different points of interest that you can walk to, and there are information stands that will tell you a bit about the area. There is a five dollar fee to park in the lot, but that's not a bad thing! I would highly recommend paying a visit to this location!

Hiked around this area, including the uranium mine trail on Monday. Nice trails with good views…read more There was plenty of parking ($5 entry fee) and also facilities onsite. Busy this time of year. We might try to go back to hike the actual falls trail.

Amazing place to visit. I hike the Snowy range loop (22 miles over three days)…read more Easy to get to from Colorado and much different vibe. Highly recommend the experience.

Just Beautiful. Didn't get to see everything a storm rolled in with heavy rain and hail.read more

I enjoyed visiting Lily Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. Not only is it a pretty lake, it is a…read moregreat spot for bird watching and to see wildlife up close. The ground squirrels were fun and entertaining to watch. Because they are used to people feeding them, they come right up to you and beg. The short trail around the lake is easy and level. It is about 0.8 miles round trip and offers great views of Longs Peak, Mount Meeker and Twin Sisters. If you want something more challenging, you can jump on the Storm Pass Trail from here. Rocky Mountain Park requires a online timed entry reservation made in advance during peak season.

This was a lovely stop by this beautiful lake with mountain views…read more The glistening of the sun and mirroring of clouds on the lake was almost magical. A family of ducks swimming in the lake was sweet to watch.

What a great place for hiking! I'm from near Boulder, so getting in the car and driving an hour up…read morethe front range just to hike,we'll, we have hiking here too. But I was very impressed with the size and scope of this mountain park! Sitting right next to Lory State Park, you can really get a lot of distance done on these trails. It's a nominal fee to park, and there's maps and bathrooms at the trailhead. I found there to be parking much of the day. However, the waterfall attracts many folks on weekends. I would start with an ascent of Horsetooth Mountain, if you feel able. Even if you can't get all the way up, the views get better and better. There's lots of side trails to customize your adventure. However, don't get lost! The final few steps on the peak are a big rock scramble, so be careful! It's worth it though. I then went down to the cove and had a nice private lunch. Plenty of bikers use the trails on the lower half, so be aware. I found hiking before 10 am was best, and encountered few bikers out that early. This was a fantastic place to hike, and I got nearly 15 miles down. There's a beautiful section on the Stout Trail, and it leads down to a cool waterfall, so I'd definitely at least recommend that section!

An amazing and challenging outdoors experience not too far from town. A harder hike with a bit of a…read morechallenge to get up to the peak of horsetooth, but definitely doable with amazing views ! Parking: We went on Monday morning and there was plenty of parking. That being said, I can see how the parking lot would be full on a busier day or the weekend. Facilities: There are toilets and water fountains in the parking lot, as well as maps and a covered picnic table. There is a apy station at the entry to the hike as well. There is a bug posted map as well as some paler maps for you to take. Hikes: There seemed to be 2 major hikes according to the posted map. You can hike to the falls but make sure to check if they have water ahead of time. Since there wasn't water when we went, we opted for only doing the hike up to horse tooth itself. The trails are very clearly marked which is really appreciated! Each trail is marked by a color and there are colored arrows showing you which way to go on your chosen path. The hike up to horsetooth itself can be strenuous! Not being used to the elevation should definitely be something taken into consideration if you're new to the area. It's consistently uphill for the first half (and downhill for the 2nd half of course). The views are absolutely amazing the whole way with a great look over the huge reservoir! You may also run into some wildlife - we passed by some very calm deer right on the trail and met some very cute chipmunks who came right to us. There's also some benches along the trail to take a break and take in the views. Once you get to the top of the trail, you can climb to the top of horse tooth - and I mean climb! You definitely don't have to have rock climbing experience but you do need to be ready to use hands and feet to get up there. This trail is dog friendly and you will run into people with dogs. Leashes are required.

Great service. No issues. Power outages minimal…read more Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Michael Cooper