Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Lily Lake

    4.5 (16 reviews)

    Lily Lake Photos

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Lily Lake

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Watching Mallard Ducks
    Crystal N.

    I was bummed to find out that we needed reservations ahead of time to enter Rocky Mountain National Park (after 9am), but a woman we met in Estes park had mentioned Lily Lake as an alternative place to take our baby since the path is graded and is only a mile long. Technically, you are supposed to have a permit to enter here too but the park Rangers are not stationed there so we were lucky enough to find a parking spot and walk through. This trail goes around the entire lake and has awesome views of the backside of the Rockies. The parking lot is not that big so the hike itself wasn't too crowded. Theres also quite a few benches and logs along the trail for you to take breaks. I highly recommend this trail if you are with little ones or older folk who cannot hike anything strenuous.

    Looking toward the pier
    Shayla B.

    ***Review for Lily Lake*** If you're looking for a leisurely, family-friendly walking trail within Rocky Mountain National Park, the Lily Lake Trail is an excellent choice. The trail is less than a mile long and circles around the lake. The actual trail isn't anything too special, but it's those lake views that will make your savor your visit here. This trail is located right before the official entrance of the park, so you can actually visit this area without paying the National Park entrance fee (sssshhh! Don't tell anyone that I told you!). Across the street from Lily Lake is the starting point for the Lily Mountain Trail. This trail is far more difficult (actually rated as strenuous) then the super easy stroll around the lake. There's a good amount of parking and restrooms on site, but no other amenities available until you get to the official entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park. If you're not looking to hike or walk around the lake, this is also a nice place to simply stop off and take a quick break from the drive while taking in the views of the beautiful lake. This is also a great spot to take a lunch break or to have a picnic since it's equipped with Rest benches and a few picnic tables. There's a popular overlook where people like to pose for pictures. I should also note that it can get extremely chilly depending on what time of the year and day that you're coming. Make sure to dress in warms layers, especially from late fall to early spring. Since Lily Lake is already on the way to and from Rocky Mountain National Park, it makes sense to make a short pitstop there on your way. The views of this beauty will make your stop worth while.

    Estes Park
    Sabrina M.

    Don't miss Lily Lake when you're in the Estes Park area. 32 members of his family from all over the Midwest met in Estes Park for a family gathering. Lily Lake was one of the spots we all touched base. If you polled everyone from our trip I believe 100% would tell you their favorite day was when we met at Lily Lake. It's picturesque, memorable, easy access from the road, light hiking available. Stunning views.

    Ashley P.

    This lake is so beautiful, especially during the fall. The tree's are beautiful around the lake and it is so peaceful. You can walk around the lake and it's a good trail around the lake. You can also hike up around the lake as well. it's beautiful to have a picnic here or even get a canoe or paddle board on the lake. This is a must place go to and super close to Estes Park.

    Entrance to Lily Lake trail
    Jennifer F.

    This is for the Lily Lake trail (before getting to the mountain trail). All-levels flat terrain just under a mile around Lily Lake. Perfect to bring all ages and enjoy the scenery--view of mountains are spectacular. There are a few trails that shoot off the lake trail to extend your exploring, but we stuck to the walk around the lake. Can be a bit cool and windy at parking lot, so bring a jacket/wind breaker. Small parking lot.

    The false trails aren't the easiest, but each route I believe leads to the top. Most spots are marked off with branches, so just don't step over obviously placed stones/branches and you're good! We got off somewhere but still made it to the top. great 360° View! One side is the plains and one side is a large drop with a valley below. Not good for small children. moderate challenge since there's a very small scramble, but not bad. I did it barefoot, no issues! Definitely recommend!

    Sunset at Lily Lake
    Melissa L.

    The trails are leisurely. The view is fantastic. There's all the essentials of wild life - birds, flowers, pine cones, trees. The sunset is gorgeous. People are kayaking. And it's easy to access from the main road. It's about 3 miles total.

    Apart of the northern view into Estes Park below with not even 1/2 way into the ascent...

    See all

    1 year ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 1
    Love this 7
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 9
    Thanks 0
    Love this 10
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ashley P.
    214
    35
    127

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Ask the Community - Lily Lake

    Review Highlights - Lily Lake

    8 miles round trip and offers great views of Longs Peak, Mount Meeker and Twin Sisters.

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Parks 141 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Rocky Mountain National Park - Bear Lake

    Rocky Mountain National Park

    4.7(815 reviews)
    0.0 km

    This place is absolutely stunning!! You have to go if you are in the Colorado area!!…read more We got in around noon and went to Bear lake and Alberta falls! Both were incredible. We also drove around a bit and it was just dream like! There are sooo many elk! Drive slow and watch for wild life!! Hiking can be difficult even on the well maintained paths. Make sure you wear solid footwear! Take lots of pictures and know your cell phone service may not work inside the park. Always remember to carry out what you carry in! That includes things like banana peels and orange rinds! Don't leave anything behind! Enjoy this absolutely gorgeous national park!!

    The views are spectacular from every angle throughout the park!…read more Rocky Mountain National Park was established on January 26, 1915 and was dedicated on Sept. 4, 1915. We had already planned to come here on Oct. 1, 2025 which coincided with the first day of the Federal Government Shutdown. We arrived before anyone was at the Entrance Station to take entrance fees & reservations. We later exited & reentered the park and there was a guy at the entrance booth. He didn't seem to know what was going on and the fees/reservations were not collected. I had gone online to recreation.gov and made a reservation for a timed entry to the park. There was a $2 fee. There are 2 reservation options: Timed Entry with or without Bear Lake Road Reservation. First wildlife we saw were the Mule Deer. During our visit here, we heard Elk bugling, saw Elk, Bighorn Sheep, Mule Deer, chipmunks, & birds. Trail Ridge Road is a major road which is also part of US Highway 34. It takes you up to the Alpine Tundra and is the highest continuous paved road in North America. Some of the stops are: Fairview Curve, Medicine Bow Curve, Lava Cliffs, Rock Cut, Forest Canyon, & Many Parks Curve. With the different elevations in the park, the terrain also changes! I was amazed with how the landscape was so vast & stunning from the grassy meadows to the Alpine Tundra! Trail of Aspens - there's a plaque with information about it at Hollowell Park. Look in the distance above the sign and you'll see them. Going in the Autumn time, it was so easy to see them as they were changing colors! Sprague Lake - saw lots of Trout in the shallow water before reaching the lake itself. Took the Trail Ridge Road up to the Alpine Tundra area where the Alpine Visitor Center is. This visitor center is the highest one in the National Park System at 11,796 feet. It was closed, but the Trail Ridge Store with a coffee stand next door was open. The elevation here can bring on altitude sickness. The elevation reaches over 12,000ft. Everyone should be careful and drink plenty of water. We live at Sea Level in Los Angeles and acclimating to the elevation helped somewhat. We still had a bit of trouble catching our breath. Coming back down, we stopped by the Sheep Lakes Information Station. I think we were too early to see the sheep. We didn't see any Bighorn Sheep there. Alluvial Fan - Pretty cool area! There was a Lawn Lake flood on July 15, 1982. An alluvial fan is basically a fan-shaped deposit of sediment. There's a bridge across Roaring River near the base of the Alluvial Fan. You can walk up a little bit for a view of the water falling or a selfie with the river in the background. We spent about 8 hours in the park. Most of it was driving and taking in the sights. No hiking for us, but we did get out and do some of the short walks out to see things. Our last stop was at the Fall River Visitor Center. It is located just outside of the park. Lucky for us that this is run in a partnership with the NPS & by the Rocky Mountain Conservatory and was open! We were able to see the exhibits and use the park stamp for my parks passport book. Next door is a store that we also visited and took advantage of their restroom before heading into the town for dinner. I hope to make it back again! Seeing the wildlife and the tundra area were highlights.

    Photos
    Rocky Mountain National Park - Rocky Mountain National Park

    Rocky Mountain National Park

    Rocky Mountain National Park - Alpine Ridge Trail

    Alpine Ridge Trail

    Rocky Mountain National Park - Alluvial Fan  10-01-2025

    See all

    Alluvial Fan 10-01-2025

    Emerald Lake - Lake

    Emerald Lake

    5.0(29 reviews)
    12.8 km

    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.

    Photos
    Emerald Lake - Friends

    Friends

    Emerald Lake - Me

    Me

    Emerald Lake - Lake

    See all

    Lake

    Town of Estes Park - River that runs through Estes Park

    Town of Estes Park

    4.1(68 reviews)
    0.1 km

    While visiting Rocky Mountain National Park, I spent some time in Estes Park after each day in the…read morepark. You have to go through this town to get to a couple of the park entrances. I grabbed dinner at a few restaurants and spent some time in Stanley Park. The view of Lake Estes from the park is stunning. The downtown area in Estes Park has a number of restaurants and retail stores. For activities, there is an Aerial Tramway to Prospect Mountain's summit or you can jump on a jeep tour. If you love outdoor activities, this is a great place to visit. Sadly, there was a huge wildfire going on when I was here that caused a lot of smoke. But overall, Estes Park is a great town to visit and has lots to do.

    The downtown is full of shops and mass amounts of people who capitalize off tourism from those…read morevisiting Rocky Mountain National Park. The shops sell stuff to the tourists and it's basically all souvenirs. We had ice cream and it was mediocre. The service is horrible here in general. I don't know what it is, but I think it's because the employees seem to be seasonal workers that really don't care. I also got the vibe that many locals hate tourism from the National Park so you get a mix of experiences from those businesses that truly care about your experience and others that don't at all and are annoyed by the amount of tourists in their town. The crosswalks in downtown go straight and horizontal so every now and then you get crossing guards yelling that you can now cross in all directions. The downtown doesn't have enough parking so it's hard to find a spot to park.

    Photos
    Town of Estes Park - Ground Squirrel

    Ground Squirrel

    Town of Estes Park - Side 2 Map 10-01-2025

    Side 2 Map 10-01-2025

    Town of Estes Park

    See all

    Lily Lake - parks - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...