So pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this overlook in Rocky Mountain. The view of the park…read morewas nice - I found the view of the park better at the Alpine Visitors Center, but what I enjoyed so much here was the wildlife. We saw so many different animals here! Marmots were definitely the highlight and the most frequent visitors. We came in mid June, and it was very windy and cold here. So consider bringing a jacket. Surprisingly larger parking lot, had no problems finding parking. A great stop if you're looking to see some local wildlife.

This a great spot to get panoramic view at over 11,000 feet. I was enjoying my drive on Trail Ridge…read moreRoad and the views from it. I tried to make a stop at every overlook. Forest Canyon Overlook is a well-known stop that gives you sweeping views of Forest Canyon, Gorge Lakes and Hayden Gorge. There are so many trees across this Valley. It was nice to sit and relax and take in the breeze while enjoying this gorgeous view. Forest Canyon Overlook is located on the delicate alpine tundra in Rocky Mountain National Park. The parking lot is decent size and has a paved asphalt trail that leads to the overlook. The park ask that you stay on the trail to protect the fragile alpine tundra plants all around. They say that it takes decades for these plants to recover. Sadly, I saw some younger folks standing in the tundra just to take some selfies. Thankfully some old guy scolded them. There is a chance that you may spot some wildlife at this overlook. I saw a few marmots running around. Trail Ridge Road is a seasonal road and is only open during the summer months.

The last of the lakes on this trail, this is definitely not the least. Actually, I'm not sure I…read morecould even identify the lake that would be considered the "least" since they're all so beautiful. All of the lakes (Emerald, Dream, Nymph, and Bear) have their own unique charm, which is what makes this trail so amazing! I think basically everyone rests here when they make it since it's essentially all the way uphill to get to this point. There's not a lot of room at the lakeshore as it's full of boulders, but everyone settled in their spots no issues. As always, make sure that you have appropriate hiking footwear, a hat, plenty of water, and some snacks. There are no toilets at this lake, so also make sure you use the washroom at the trailhead. Pace yourself on this hike since the air is thinner due to elevation.

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.

Nymph Lake is absolutely stunning. Trees surround it, and it was full of lily pads and lily flowers…read moreblooming. I could easily imagine nymphs and faeries darting around in such a scenic area. It's a unique view in a beautiful location. This is the second lake after Bear Lake if you're following the trail. I would say that Bear Lake is very accessible, but if you have the endurance to make the hike up to Nymph Lake, it's very rewarding! The rest of the lakes (Dream & Emerald Lakes) are also very pretty, but they're far steeper and longer away. This is the sweet spot if you are short on time or don't want to do the entire hike. As always, make sure that you have appropriate hiking footwear, a hat, plenty of water, and some snacks. There are no toilets at this lake, so also make sure you use the washroom at the trailhead.

If you're hiking to Emerald Lake, Nymph Lake is the first of 3 lakes you will encounter on the…read moretrail. A moderate 0.5 mile hike, Nymph Lake is nice - but comparing it to what you'll experience further along the trail, Nymph is like a "starter lake" - they keep getting grander the farther along you go. If you don't want to go farther than Nymph Lake, it's still a pretty spot to stop and enjoy. The worst part of the hike for me was that first 0.5 miles. Was still a bit rough the entire way, but it didn't compare to that beginning. Located on the Bear Lake Road, you will need separate reservations to access the road in addition to the reservations to enter the park. The trailhead of Nymph Lake is at the Glacier Gorge Trailhead at the end of Bear Lake Road. It is a large parking lot, but some of Bear Lake's best hikes are all accessible from this parking lot. If it's full, they do have a park & ride location and the shuttle will bring you into the lot. It does get hot and there is not shade throughout the trail. So make sure to bring plenty of water, a hat, some sunscreen, and (of course) some food. But don't forget to pack in and pack out! Highly recommend hiking to Nymph Lake and all the way to Emerald Lake if you can.

Leaf peepin season in Colorado! Always the perfect drive this time of year. Beginning in Netherland…read moreand drove all the way to Estes Park. There wasn't quite as many aspens as I thought there would be along the scenic drive. When we did come across patches aspens, it was beautiful. For being a weekend, the drive was not overcrowded at all. And it's always great to stop in Netherland and Estes Park for a quick walk and a quick bite.

Lovely , beautiful drive. Not busy in midday. Glorious views. Worth our time, we felt. Experience…read moremountains and small towns Very sweet.

Couldn't do a check in while i was up there today. But air condition was REALLY smokey! The air…read morewas almost like it was during the eclipse a couple of years back. It had a weird haze and it definitely was a struggle to breathe. Only saw a few other people up there on a Sunday. I find this hike to be quite lovely. I do hear there is a spring if you keep going on the hike. We did make it to 3.12 miles into the hike today but then had to turn around just because of all the smoke it was getting to be too much. The rock formations around 2.5 miles are still cool and then after you hit mile marker 3 you hit a lot of aspens that are starting to turn. The trail is going to be QUITE lovely in a couple of weeks. looking forward to going back.

Loved it! A little incline but very pretty views. We didn't last too long cause we have a baby with…read moreus but totally will be back. Some car noise but not for long until you hike about 20 Minutes in

Super easy hike with some decent views. I wanted more of a challenge, but still had a good time…read more There is a lot of traffic on these trails and a lot of kids were there...not an issue, but it was busier than a lot of the hikes I do. Parking is $10 though!

Make it a destination when in NoCo....the place is just a beautiful place, close to town, and…read morestands out as must not miss !! Great place for a short hike, or use their amenities to start your longer adventure.

With the mandatory timed entry to Bear Lake Road, we got lucky to secure a time to explore this…read morearea of Rocky Mountain National Park. This was our first stop on our hike heading into the forrest and it was an easy climb. These falls are loud and proud plus incredibly pretty. The falls thunder down Glacier Creek due to the heavy snowmelt. It's definitely a favorite spot for many people as it's only 1.6 miles so it's easy to access. Remember to pace yourself due to the altitude. I witnessed lots of huffing and puffing from people having to stop and catch their breath. We stayed long enough to take some pics and watch the falls and then moved on. Plenty of seating all around the falls for everyone. It's great short hike for those that just want to feel like they are "out there". Views are truly epic as is the entire park. Parking earlier in the day can be challenging. I recomment arriving very early or come later in the afternoon to secure a spot. Remember to pack in, pack out and LEAVE NO TRACE.

Super short walk to see falls off the super cool one-way dirt road up to the highest peak in RMNP!read more

Wow I'm surprised that there's only one review for this area of Rocky Mountain National Park!…read moreTotally underrated, but I guess that's a good thing compared to the more popular hiking trails of Bear Lake, etc. Also, the roads here are narrow dirt roads, so I'm not sure how everything would work if there were more visitors. This is different vibe, with waterfalls and alpine lakes. I walked to Copeland Falls - unfortunately I didn't bring my waterproof hiking boots (they were drying out) so I couldn't make it to Calypso Cascades and beyond. Oh well. The falls were very pretty and roaring with water due to the recent rain. I would say Wild Basin is to Rocky Mountain National Park as Kolob Canyon is to Zion National Park. If you know, you know.

I spent a week in Rocky Mountain National Park and dedicated one day to explore the Wild Basin…read moreportion of it. Wild Basin a region in the southeast corner near Allenspark. The Wild Basin entrance station is half a mile west of Highway 84. You will pass by the Wild Basin Lodge and Copeland Lake once you enter. The road to the Wild Basin Ranger Station is a dirt road that is long and very narrow. I was pulling over a lot to avoid cars going in the other direction. The parking lot around the ranger station fills up quick during the peak seasons. There were rangers on hand to give out paper maps and answer questions at the beginning of the trailhead when I arrived. I did the almost three mile hike to Ouzel Falls. You pass by Copeland Falls and Calypso Cascades along the way. It is a beautiful hike and it made me forget how much of a pain it was to drive to this portion of the park. You can hike right up to the top of Ouzel Falls. I ended up hanging out for awhile and eating lunch at the falls. You can continue on the trail to Ouzel Lake or turn around and go back. Ouzel Lake is named after a North American species of bird. There are also other trails at Wild Basin that lead to Thunder Lake, Finch Lake, and Pear Lake.