A great place to stop to see the scenery just after you pass the hairpin curve going up. the view…read moreis spectacular. There is also a place where you can climb up and get an even better view.

After a full day of driving on Old Falls River Road and Trail Ridge Road, this was a nice stop to…read moremake to look back and recap my day. I drove the full loop around this park and made several stops along the way. Here at Many Parks Curve, you get a full panoramic overview of Rocky Mountain National Park. It is a very beautiful view. I had some cloud coverage which always makes photos look better. They call it "Many Parks" because Moraine Park, Upper Beaver Meadows and Horseshoe Park are all visible at this viewpoint with Deer Mountain and Longs Peak in the background. I could even see parts of Estes Park. It is such a breathtaking view and one of my favorite viewpoints. I stood here for some time and took it all in. There is parking near the viewpoint and an overflow lot on the other side of the road. The viewpoint itself is located at a sharp turn on Trail Ridge Road. There is a long platform to walk on that has a guardrail. Keep an eye out for cars going around the curve as you cross the road.

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

What a beautiful place for a day hike !!…read more Lots of options but make sure you make it to the TOP of Horsetooth to take in the breathtaking views!!

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!

Loved it! Better than most of the hikes in RMNP! Cool cliff formations & good elevation. Lake was…read morenot exciting...but the views were amazing!!

8.12.2025 I arrived at 7am on the dot to hike gem lake. I'm so thankful that I arrived early to…read moreavoid the crowds, and when I arrived to the lake I had the place to myself, the water was like glass and the sun was still not high in the sky which provided the most beautiful reflections off the lake which made for some wonderful photos. In all I enjoyed this hike very much, everything about it was very enjoyable. On the hike down I encountered a lot of people headed up at the 8 o'clock hour. So I feel I timed my hike perfectly.

This area in Rocky National Mountain Park is really pretty. I like that it is a little less crowded…read morethan the other areas of the park. The road to Upper Beaver Meadows is over a mile long and can be a little rough because it is mostly dirt road and a little uneven. The Upper Beaver Meadows Trailhead is a loop and can be started in any direction. It is only about a mile and considered an easy trail. You can continue on beyond the loop trail if you want to make this hike a longer more challenging hike. Upper Beaver Meadows is near Moraine Park. I didn't see any wildlife, but I have read that you can spot elk out in the meadow area. It is a good bird-watching spot. Beaver Brook runs through the meadow. When I was here, it started to rain when I did the loop trail. This added a little adventure to my hike. The meadow is a gorgeous area to explore with the mountains in the background.

Gorgeous area (like the rest of the park) but a little bit less busy than other areas. They have a…read morelovely picnic area where you get expansive views of the valley and mountains; nicely shaded and well-kept. There are some nice hikes that leave from the area and further down the UBM road, most starting with a calm walk through the meadow and then picking up as you ascend the nearby vistas. You cannot go wrong!

You will feel like you are dreaming when you reach Dream Lake! After hiking around Bear Lake, and…read morepassing by the beautiful Nymph Lake, you're greeted by the cool waters of Dream Lake. Loads of people stopped by here for water and snacks to appreciate the view, as the trail gets steeper after Nymph Lake and so this is a great time for a pit stop and for a photo break The water reflecting the surrounding steep cliffs and peaks is so unique. Since it's an alpine lake, there's not much vegetation to cloud the clear reflection. 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.

After starting my day off exploring Bear Lake, I decided to do the 3.6-mile roundtrip hike to…read moreEmerald Lake. While on hike, I passed by Nymph Lake and Dream Lake. Nymph Lake is a charming lake that is about half a mile into the hike and has pond lilies floating on the water. Dream Lake is another half mile after that. I took a little time to enjoy this lake because it was so pretty. The hike to Dream Lake begins at the start of the Bear Lake trailhead. It is a steady climb through aspen groves and ponderosa pine. From here, you can continue on to Emerald Lake. It is considered a moderately challenging hike because of the elevation gain. It is also one of the most photographed lakes because it is surrounded by steep cliffs. You can see Hallett Peak and Flattop Mountain in the background. Dream Lake is a peaceful area to relax at and enjoy.

On my trip to Rocky National Park, I spent a full day driving on Old Falls River Road and Trail…read moreRidge Road. Both were adventurous and allowed me to enjoy some incredible views. Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuous paved road in the United States. It covers 48 miles between Estes Park on the park's east side and Grand Lake on the west. It reaches its highest point at 12,183 feet elevation. At some point, you will cross the Continental Divide at Milner Pass while on the drive. I drove the full length of Trail Ridge Road on a couple of occasions during my trip to Rocky Mountain National Park. On this drive are thrilling mountain views surrounded by wildflowers and wildlife. I made sure I stopped at every viewpoint along the way. Each one offered a different view and perspective of the park. This is a long but beautiful drive. There are no gas stations on this road. Make sure you fill up before you leave in either Estes Park or in Grand Lake. There is an entrance fee to enter Rocky Mountain National Park and to drive on this road. Trail Ridge Road is seasonal and is only open during the summer season.

Trail Ridge Road runs through the heart of Rocky Mountain National Park. It starts at the Estes…read morePark, CO entrance and goes for 47 miles ending in the charming town of Grand Lake, CO. And vice versa, you can begin your Rocky Mountain NP adventure in Grand Lake and head northeast towards Estes Park, but Estes Park is the most popular area that a majority of visitors start from. Rocky Mountain National Park offers plenty of hiking opportunities but when not getting out on the trails, then you're driving this Trail Ridge Road. It can be accomplished in two hours without making stops, but you have to exit the car and appreciate the sceneries. I'll just rundown some roadside stops and vista points along the road starting in Estes Park... - Many Parks Curve - stroll along a boardwalk for distant views of the Rocky Mountain landscape. It's an okay setting, but nothing that may take your breathe away from my POV. And...maybe you need 10 minutes here to admire the sights but I don't believe they're memorable. - Rainbow Curve - alright well, I'll guess I'll be biased on this one because along the way it briefly rained and when I pulled into the parking lot, there was a stunning looking rainbow set in the backdrop that poetically fit the name of this stop. Usually, me (Seth) doesn't get lucky with rainbow views but I was fortunate and captured some terrific panoramic perspectives. I was grateful, lol, but I wouldn't expect there to be many rainbow backdrops at... Rainbow Curve, lol. - Forest Canyon Overlook - at this point on the drive (for the end of June), be prepared for very cold temperatures. It had to be 40 - 45 degrees and I immediately bundled up in a winter jacket while still wearing shorts, lol. It's a quick walk to the overlook in really windy and brisk conditions. I couldn't wait to return to the car, lol. But, the views here showcased a desolate tundra landscape with alpine mountains hovering beside the skyline. - Lava Cliffs Overlook - a lot of the cliffs still had snow covering them so there really weren't dramatic vantage points at this stop. Plus, the wind was howling so hard, I sprinted back to the car! - Gore Range Overlook - the Gore Range Mountains were just too far off in the distance to really admire any quality sightseeing. You could skip this stop. - Alpine Visitor Center - a MUST STOP. This is the summit of Rocky Mountain NP. The Visitor Center and Trail Ridge Store stand at 11,796 feet above sea level. But....while here, I think it's imperative to hike ALPINE RIDGE TRAIL, or otherwise known according to the trailhead sign as "Huffers Hill". Alpine Ridge Trail goes up a staircase for maybe half a mile to the official top of it all at 12,005 feet above sea level. You can take a photo with the 12,005 foot sign, but it's nothing special and not nearly as colorful a sign as the one high atop Pikes Peak. On the return steps back down to the VC and Trail Ridge Store, you get some photogenic views of not just the parking lot and confirming how high up you are, but also just the general vast remoteness of Rocky Mountain NP. The park is impressive on a wide range scale, but for me, I was thinking about getting into Utah to witness more colorful surroundings. You can grab a hot chocolate inside the store and souvenirs. Plus, it's a chance to briefly relax and catch your oxygen considering how thin the air is up there. - Medicine Bow Curve - short stop with more brownish looking tundra and Medicine Bow Mountain set far off in the distance. - Continental Divide - cool looking sign that's worthy of grabbing a picture. It says..."the Great Divide separates drainage to the Atlantic Ocean from the Pacific Ocean. It traverses America from Alaska almost to Cape Horn". While here, be on the lookout for a gang of elk that according to other visitors I spoke with, regularly graze beside the lake here at the Continental Divide. And yet, I happened to spot a moose walking along the banks. Viewing a moose was a nice way to conclude the drive. Finally, ending the journey in the pioneer town of Grand Lake, CO, I grabbed some comforting barbecue at the Sagebrush BBQ & Grill. Overall, the Trail Ridge Road drive cutting through the center of Rocky Mountain National Park was eventful at times, but had many lulls in between. I found my thoughts wandering at times. I really wanted wow factor moments but felt too much like I was going through the motions of completing the drive for the sake of it. I know Rocky Mountain NP gets high praise from visitors, but I never connected on a deeper level. Regardless of my sobering tone, just being out among nature will always be a winning formula for me.

Sprague Lake is located on the eastern side of Rocky Mountain National Park, along the scenic Bear…read moreLake Road Corridor. The lake sits at about 8,700 feet, with beautiful views of the surrounding peaks and the Continental Divide. The 0.7-0.8 mile loop around the lake is peaceful, scenic, and especially family-friendly. The trail is stroller accessible, which made it perfect for exploring with our baby. We loved the reflections on the water, the mountain backdrop, and the peaceful alpine setting. A wonderful, easygoing stop in Rocky Mountain National Park--especially if you're traveling with little ones and want beautiful scenery without a strenuous hike.

Well maintained trail, easy hike, beautiful view, and saw some mule deer and trout. Definitely…read moreworth it as you explore the rest of the park.