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    Sprague Lake

    4.9 (14 reviews)
    Open Open 24 hours

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    Kassandra H.

    This is a beautiful lake and has a wonderful path that you can walk from the parking area around the lake. The walk is flat and easy for those of us with back problems. Walking hasn't been easy and hiking is a no-go for me at the moment, so it was really nice to be able to get out in nature. The lake is lovely and the scenery is spectacular. From the entrance of the park to the lake is only about a 15 minute drive. Perfect for a day visit.

    Amber B.

    There is not a time I go to Estes that I don't visit Sprague Lake. It's my favorite place to catch a sunset and I know chances are good we'll spot some moose. During peak season and hours, make sure to grab a Timed Entry Plus pass to access Bear Lake Corridor. The parking lot is large and it's one of the few accessible trails in the park. If you want a little more adventure, it's only a 2-mile hike to the lake from the YMCA. Don't skip on Sprague and if you can time it, sunset and sunrises are the best times to visit.

    Beautiful views of Sprague Lake and the mountains
    Helene S.

    Such a beautiful place to watch the sunrise. If you are lucky, you may even see a moose or two. Sprague Lake is a scenic lake in Rocky Mountain National Park off the road to Bear Lake. The walk around the lake is so peaceful and tranquil. Lots of information signs to help you identify the mountains, like Hallet Peak and FlattopMountain, and few remaining glaciers that helped carve this park. Loved being able to walk over the boardwalks that traverse the marshes and small bridges over the creeks. The lake is named for Abner Sprague, who started a homestead in 1874. He later opened a lodge for dude ranching, hunting, and fishing. His lodge was incorporated into the Rocky Mountain National Park in 1915 and served guests as the Sprague Hotel. In 1919, guests paid $6.00 for a room with a private bath and $1.00 for meals. What a deal. Today, the parking lot stands where Abner Sprague's original homestead existed. Get there early for a parking spot or take the shuttle.

    Cynthia V.

    This is by far my favorite place and walk in RMNP - it is a flat, easy trail to take a stroll around a peaceful lake with some of the most outstanding views. Don't get me wrong, everything in RMNP is great, but there is just something about Sprague that keeps me coming back every trip, sometimes more than once! Located on the same road you take to Bear Lake, Sprague is not to be missed! The parking is fairly large but almost always full, so you may need to circle a few times. Savvy travelers know that there are a few additional spots if you head left at the first stop sign towards the horse stables instead of right - not a great option when there are horse rides going on but it is another place to check if the main lot is full. There are bathrooms and picnic tables located in the main parking lot area. Besides great views, some lucky walkers may get to see moose! Make sure to keep your distance so everyone, moose included, enjoys the rest of their day!

    Rhonda W.

    we came the first week of Sept 2019. I was having issues with elevation illness and my asthma .. bummer. This was our first time to Colorado and i had so many hikes planned that i wasn't able to do. we were only in this area for 3 days. This is very near Bear lake ... it's another easy short walk around a beautiful lake surrounded by mountains. easy walk .. no climbing or hills or elevation changes. good for all ages and places to stop and sit. lovely rocks. I'm no geology major so couldn't tell you what they were made off but colorful and large.

    Vanessa C.

    This was the lake I was most looking forward to seeing in Estes park/RMNP. It was beautiful and had so much to see. It was clean and there were plenty of places to rest at if need be.

    Bobby B.

    Awesome trail for the whole family. Stroller friendly. Older folks friendly. Lots of brook trout to watch.

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    Review Highlights - Sprague Lake

    Sprague Lake is a scenic lake in Rocky Mountain National Park off the road to Bear Lake.

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    Trout Haven Fishing Pond

    Trout Haven Fishing Pond

    4.3
    (35 reviews)
    2.0 km

    TROUT HAVEN IS THE DEFINITION OF A TOURIST TRAP!!!…read more I specifically asked an employee to explain the pricing before we started. I asked, "So we can donate the fish?" He said, "Correct." What he didn't explain is that you pay for EVERY fish caught--even the ones you "donate" back to them. We brought six kids. One son caught 17 fish by himself in 45 minutes. Staff watched us fill buckets without saying a word as our bill climbed to nearly $400. Using the word "donate" is INTENTIONALLY MISLEADING. You're not donating anything--you're buying fish and giving them back to the business. In my opinion, this pricing model is PREDATORY and relies on tourists and families not understanding the rules until they're standing at the register. If your kids have the (virtually guaranteed) experience of catching (likely multiple) fish, prepare to pay dearly for it.

    TOURIST TRAP OF THE WORST ORDER…read more Good: Any age WILL catch fish within seconds over and over because the pond is heavily stocked with 95% captive adolescent trout that aren't fed much. Bad: the fish will very likely be small, which is fine if you're going with little kids, but PAY ATTENTION because EVERY fish you catch WILL cost you BY THE INCH on top of whatever you paid for admission or poles. If you think the "donate" option for the fish caught will be free, you're mistaken. The Really Ugly Bottom line- the pricing is intentionally predatory and confusing. As someone who lives locally this was a bad look at a classic tourist trap. We took out of town family hoping to show them a good time. $400 later we left apologizing for the way our guests had been taken advantage of.

    Photos
    Was hoping to catch a monster on this
    Was hoping to catch a monster on this
    Baby bow
    Baby bow
    Trout Haven Fishing Pond

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    Estes Angler

    Estes Angler

    5.0
    (9 reviews)
    0.5 km

    Excellent experience…read more.. We were accommodated like we were family. The day we scheduled turned out to be windy, thirty MPH gusts. We called that morning and mentioned the forecast, they switched us to the next morning when conditions were close to perfect. No hassle, no hesitation. Our guide, Rob, was as friendly and professional as we could have hoped for. We had a great time conversing with him about all sorts of fishing and boating experiences we both enjoyed in the past. He was extremely helpful. He quickly figured out that my wife and I were experienced boaters... we volunteered to drive as he netted fish and put them in the live fish well. He had some great stories of outdoor adventures and we shared our experiences about surfing behind our boat in SC. We caught our limit and let a few smaller Trout free in exchange for some nice sized fish. Rob cleaned them for us since we are in a small RV with no real place to handle that chore. We left him with a nice tip and were thrilled to do so in return for the great time and service he provided. It's not a cheap trip... but the marina is closed and there would otherwise not be a chance to fish on this lake. Rob had snacks and drinks for us. He stopped off for a restroom break at my wife's request. We enjoyed the trip so much that after just two hours we called it done. Rob offered to fish another two hours, but we seriously felt that we had gotten our money's worth and headed back to our RV with four meals worth of Trout. This outfit is definitely first rate. If you want a great fishing experience this outfit will definitely deliver.

    Went here once looking for a few supplies for my Tenkara fishing. This was summer 2025. Maybe June…read more Don't remember the name of the gentleman at the desk. He was the only one in there at the time. He was extremely generous and helpful. Wish so badly that we could've stayed in town for longer (perhaps the rest of my life) and gone fishing with this outfit.

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    Fresh trout dinner thanks to Estes Anglers.
    Fresh trout dinner thanks to Estes Anglers.
    Estes Angler fishing shop
    Estes Angler fishing shop
    Estes Angler

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    Sasquatch Fly Fishing

    Sasquatch Fly Fishing

    4.8
    (28 reviews)
    6.0 km

    Our family (two adults, three kids ages 10, 9, 9) went on a Family Fun Cookout with Sasquatch Fly…read moreFishing in August 2026. Our fishing guides were Spence and Julia, and Josh was in charge of the cookout. We had the best time! Spence and Julia were wonderful instructors - and especially great with the kids. Josh was so fun to have there too! We had an active busy week in Colorado and our outing with Sasquatch Fly Fishing was everyone's favorite activity. Highly recommend!

    Today we were fishing a stretch of the Big Thompson. A section where a permit is required to enter…read more We arrived around 8:30, and parked next to a family with two women and two small children. The days here have been unfortunately hot, so I forewent putting my waders on, grabbed my gear, and headed over to my favorite bend in the river. My wife stayed at the car, suiting up in her waders. About thirty to forty minutes into my fishing, my wife came to the beach and greeted me. We chatted for a moment and I could hear an adult and children approaching me. "Excuse me?" She says I turn and greet her, happy to meet another angler. But it went south from there. "I'm a guide here." She says. "Are you familiar with the concept of high holing? Because that's what you just did." I then turn quickly to my wife for some type of weird reassurance as I do not understand the sin I committed against her. If anything, she was coming to "my" spot, though the entire river is walkable and great fishing. I didn't understand. I said "huh? I've been here since before you came on the water." "No you haven't. We got here before you and we were on the river before you." Figuring she didn't see me, I broke it down. "No, I left my wife at the car to suit up and came in here to fish some time ago, in fact yall have been walking towards me this whole time." Now. At this point, she could accept the truth and then apologize, but instead she gaslit me, saying I was not there at all and that I had been alongside them the whole time taking up their fishing space. That's when I got super mad, because I was not lying but she was accusing me of exactly that. Also, I'm a local who has lived here ten years. I work hard and on my days off I love to fish. I DONT love being interrupted by some privileged woman shoving me out of a spot. I dropped an f bomb and said are you effing serious (which was a mistake, and I am sorry to have said that in front of two children. But she did bring her children right alongside her to "confront" me about her space on the river) Also, to approach me and make this accusation, she had to walk past 200 feet of perfect bends and holes and spots on the river to fish. I suspect deeply that because she had children, she wanted my wide open spot of beach so she could watch the children. The really strange thing is???? The river belongs to us ALL. Had she approached in a friendly manner and asked if I minded sharing said spot I would have happily waded up river to fish another spot. But she confronted me, said I broke rules I didn't break in an attempt to encroach on where I was casting, and ruined our peace. She loudly bragged that she is a guide for Sasquatch Fly Fishing. Two weeks ago I met MK out on the same stretch of river and had the nicest conversation and was so excited to learn of her business out at the Y. But when I spoke to the family about what happened they just shrugged and said "whatever". I maintain that maybe just telling your guides not to be bullies and jerks is a course of action. Won't ever be using this shop for guiding, shopping, or any other services as there are plenty of guides I've met on our rivers who were kind, informed, and friendly. This girl just wanted her own spot, and to flex her little "guide" muscles somehow. If you want really great guides, check out Kirk's or Estes Angler. Happy fishing everyone!!!

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    Sasquatch Fly Fishing
    Sasquatch Fly Fishing
    Sasquatch Fly Fishing

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    Rocky Mountain National Park

    Rocky Mountain National Park

    4.8
    (829 reviews)
    0.0 km

    Rocky Mountain National Park: Fantastic One-Day Visit…read more We only had one day to explore Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP), so we made the most of it by hiking the Bear Lake Corridor and visiting Bear Lake, Nymph Lake, Dream Lake, and Emerald Lake. Getting an Early Start We reserved timed entry for both RMNP and the Bear Lake Corridor with a 5:00 AM entry time and entered through the Fall River Entrance. After talking with several Colorado locals, we were advised to arrive at the Bear Lake Trailhead before 5:00 AM to secure parking. We arrived around 4:30 AM, and that proved to be excellent advice. The early start rewarded us with peaceful trails, beautiful lighting, and very few people around. Hiking the Bear Lake Corridor Bear Lake is an easy, family-friendly hike of about 0.7 miles. The hike to Emerald Lake is more challenging, with approximately 1.6 miles of uphill climbing. The route passes Nymph Lake and Dream Lake before reaching Emerald Lake, and the scenery becomes more impressive with every step. The views and serenity were unmatched in the early morning hours. As we were leaving the Bear Lake area, the parking lots were completely full, and shuttle buses were already operating. Scenic Driving After the hike, we drove Old Fall River Road, a seasonal one-way dirt road that offers spectacular views and a unique driving experience. We also visited: Alpine Visitor Center Trail Ridge Cafe & Gift Shop. From there, we drove Trail Ridge Road back toward Estes Park. Along the way, we were fortunate to see: Elk Moose Bighorn sheep Seeing all three species in a single day was a highlight of our trip. Tips for Future Visitors: I highly recommend bringing: A cooler with drinks and snacks Sandwiches or a packed lunch Bug spray Sunscreen A sun hat At least one liter of water per person per hour hike. The AllTrails app (download maps in advance for navigation) The Trail Ridge Café can be crowded and expensive, so having your own food and drinks can save both time and money. Final Thoughts: Although we wished we had more than one day in Rocky Mountain National Park, we were touring Colorado for the week and had limited time. Even so, this was one of the highlights of our trip. With an early start, a little planning, and a willingness to explore beyond the main attractions, it's possible to experience some of the very best that RMNP has to offer in a single day.

    Rocky Mountain National Park is absolutely beautiful, but it's important to know before you go that…read moreit is not pet-friendly on the trails. Dogs are only allowed in developed areas like parking lots and campgrounds. We visited shortly after a major wildfire, and it was heartbreaking to see how much of the forest had burned. It really puts into perspective how powerful nature can be. One of the most interesting things we learned from a park ranger was that moose are considered one of the biggest wildlife concerns around dogs, even service animals. I never would have guessed that! The ranger explained that dogs can make wildlife feel threatened, which is one of the reasons the park has such strict dog regulations. If you're visiting with a service animal, I'd recommend checking with a ranger about recent wildlife sightings before heading out. That's just my personal opinion--you don't want to put yourself, your dog, or the wildlife in a dangerous situation. One unexpected highlight was spotting a beaver right along the side of the road while driving through the park! We completed three easy trails: * Coyote Valley Trail - About 1 mile round trip, completely flat with little to no elevation gain. Limited parking. * Holzwarth Historic Site - Around 1 mile round trip with very little incline. The trail leads to several historic cabins and buildings. Decent-sized parking lot. * Colorado River Trailhead - Our favorite of the three. It's also about 1 mile round trip and has the most elevation gain, although I'd still consider it an easy hike. Large parking area. Overall, Rocky Mountain National Park is an incredible place to visit with amazing scenery and wildlife. Just be sure to plan ahead if you're traveling with a dog and understand the pet restrictions before you arrive.

    Photos
    Alpine Ridge Trail
    Alpine Ridge Trail
    Rocky Mountain National Park
    Rocky Mountain National Park
    Alluvial Fan  10-01-2025

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    Alluvial Fan 10-01-2025

    Sprague Lake - fishing - Updated August 2026

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