I’m still on a Rocky Mountain high! ⛰😌We started the day off at 4 a.m. to not worry about the timed entry. Waking up early and not stressing if we would be able to find a parking spot was well worth it. We used our headlamps for light until the sun came up. Our first day there we hiked the Sky Pond Trail via Glacier Gorge Trail. Along the way we stopped at a couple of other lakes including Loch and Glass Lake. The hike totaled ~10 miles and took 7 hrs with the time basking in the views. Each stop provided a unique setting to take in the breathtaking surroundings. Being out on nature nourishes my soul and resets my wandering mind into the present moment. Second day we decided to wake up early again but do a shorter more relaxing hike. We trekked to the Emerald lake trail and scrambled up a few rocks to catch the beautiful sunrise. On our way back, we enjoyed Dream Lake while sharing about our dreams which left us inspired. Nymph Lake left us feeling magical as we gazed at the bright yellow blooming lotus. We saved Bear Lake for last which was a nice and easy stroll to reminisce about our hikes and plan for our next adventure. We hiked ~4 miles in 2.5 hours. Until next time Rocky Mountain!

One of the best and must see park in the US. Amazing views of Rockies with snow caps at top and green vegetation and fauna at the foot of the mountains. There are some best and challenging hikes in the park. It is best for avid hikers or just want to drive around and enjoy the nature.

MAKE SURE YOU RESERVE A PARK PASS AHEAD OF TIME FOR ACCESS. IT IS A TIMED ENTRY NOW. Absolutely beautiful. Great drive with scenic views and pull offs. If you enter from Estes, I recommend you take the Old Fall River road first if you can. It's one way, dirt, and fairly narrow. A car can manage it during the dry season, but it's bumpy. Awesome waterfall and views. If you hit the peak season for aspens it has plenty of groves. Once you come out at the end of the pass you can take 36 back towards Estes and see the rest of the park loop. This will require you to backtrack if you're going to Grand lake as a final destination. We did it all with lots of stops under 4 hours.

Made the drive to here from Manitou Springs and it was so worth it. One of the most remarkable, amazing experiences and views I have ever seen so far. I only explored the east side. Get here early! I got there at 7:30AM and there were already cars at the Bear Lake lot. A good amount of hikers as well. I went on 5/19 and there was still snow on the trails. Especially if you start hiking up to Dream and Emerald Lake. Highly recommend hiking poles and spikes. I left around 1:30PM and as I was pulling out of the Bear Lake lot, there was a long line of cars waiting/entering. I can't imagine how packed this place gets during the Summer.

This place has views for days! The park rangers are excellent with kids! My daughters became junior rangers by filling out their national park explorer books! They had so much fun! If you see people stopped on the side of the road, look and see if you can see what they see as most people stop for a reason! Will definitely be back!

Bear Creek was beautiful. We did the hike to Nymph lake. It was gorgeous. The walk there is all uphill. There are lots of big boulders to sit on and rest along the way. The trail around the lake was nice to do as well. We saw some deer and some little chipmunk like animals too. Overall in the park we saw several elk at maybe four different locations. The park is absolutely beautiful. Driving up to the Alpine region gives you a completely different experience. I really do not like those restrooms that are not hard plumbed, oh well maybe someday the park will upgrade. That is the only negative thing I can say. I strongly strongly recommend this park. You do have to make reservations for different things so please take care to do that on the website.

If you’re near Denver this trip takes about 1 hour 45 min in the winter. There was a $30 entry fee for the car. As soon as we passed the gates we saw a heard of elk in the field next to us. This park has very nice paved roads and trails. The views are beyond stunning, I’ve never seen anything like it. Everything is so massive.

The park is gorgeous. It's located about an hour and a half from Denver. The mountains are rugged and beautiful, particularly the snow caps. The roads are good with plenty of scenic overlooks. Wildlife is abundant. The mule deer aren't skittish at all. Estes Park is neat little town on the edge of the park.

It's all about mountains!! Breathtaking views and chilly weather almost throughout the year. We experienced snowfall in May last week. Plan your trip ahead and make sure the weather is comfortable to you. Do visit the bear lake and the scenic drive to the top. Watch out for the animals and wildlife.

Such a beautiful national park, with so much to do. The park is HUGE - with multiple entrances and multiple visitor centers, so I recommend planning your route and what you want to do before you go! There is timed entry to parts of the park too, especially Estes, so again, plan ahead.

Fabulous drive on I-70 through the Rocky Mountains. You can ski, hike, camp, fish, to name a few sports. Or just enjoy the spectacular views. I cannot say enough about this National Forest a definite must do if in Colorado. It's so beautiful in winter.

What a great national park. I wish I had more time to spend a few days here. The drive up and back down the mountain pass is the most breathtaking experience with amazing views, and you can experience wildlife sightings that are unique. We had a beautiful coyote that stopped traffic as it cut through the roadway. It passed 4 inches next to my car door. We also learned about ground squirrels and the difference from chipmunks and saw 2 big elk - who called out as it was rudding season. What cool sound they make. What I like most is that the mountains are accessible to all. If you can't hike or walk, the driving pass has many pull of locations to admire the views and take pictures. The elevation is very high, so if you have breathing issues, consider renting an air tank. We saw signs for those. It's so peaceful in several of the less busy pull offs. I definitely recommend a visit.

WOW!! This was such an amazing park to be able to visit! I was there the second week of June and there was so much snow still! I went on weekdays and though there were some people it wasn’t very busy! I very much recommend going to bear creek! It was so pretty and amazing! I loved seeing the 3 lakes! It was only a 3.7 mile round trip and there was a lot of snow! I also recommend doing a scenic drive, the park has the highest drivable road in the USA! It was a scary drive but 100% worth it! There was so much wildlife! We saw a bear, moose, and a lot of elk! Make sure to get your timed entry tickets before you go or you will have to enter either before 8 or after 2! I highly recommend this park and hope to be back soon!

One of the most beautiful national parks I’ve been too. This park has a lot to offer: From lake trails to forestry trails, from short ADA strolls to mountain difficult day hikes. Highly recommended getting a permit and getting there early, most trail stops you can go and take the shuttle. Visitor centers are very informative as well!

The reason why people should visit Colorado. Heavenly place. American mountains. Must visit this entire national park if possible. It will be hard to navigate in the winter but in summer it's very much navigable. I was there when a winter snow strom strike and was unable visit most of the attractive places but still love portions that I covered.

All the movies and documentaries will never touch the experience of visiting this place in person. We went on a Wednesday during October so it wasn't very busy and we got the beautiful fall colors and even got snow at the top. Very surreal views. Saw elk and prairie dogs. Estes Park is also a very beautiful town.

One of the most beautiful national parks that I have ever been to. Do yourself a favor and get the plus entry to allow access to bear lake road as there are some breath taking hikes up to alpine lakes that are must see trails. Saw elk in the meadows and tons of other wildlife even on my short 5 hour visit.

One of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen! It is an absolute jaw dropping national park! Definitely plan on staying for several hours when you come here! The wildlife is amazing and the views are breathtaking. This is the peak of Americas natural beauty! Highly recommend!

One of our nation's most spectacular parks. Rugged mountain terrain, peaceful meadows, and unparalleled, natural scenic beauty. 355 miles of trails and peaks reaching over 14,000 feet high.

Went in late September 2023. Vivid fall colors (aspens, cottonwood, berry bushes) of gold, yellow, green. Unbelievably beautiful alpine o lakes, sunrises, elk, moose. Superb hiking. Amazing.

Breathtaking NP. We visited right after the snowstorm so conditions were a bit rough, however the views were amazing - everything covered in snow. The park has a good sign system, routes are well marked and trails are maintained in great conditions. Big yes!

Rocky Mountain Park was an absolute delight! The scenery was breathtaking, with majestic mountains covered in a glistening layer of snow even in the summer. The contrast between the lush green valleys and the snow-capped peaks was truly mesmerizing. The park offers a plenty of hiking trails, catering to all skill levels. Whether you're a novice or an experienced hiker, there's something for everyone. The trails wind through diverse landscapes, providing stunning views at every turn. The crisp mountain and lake air and the sound of rustling leaves created a peaceful atmosphere that rejuvenated my soul. For camping enthusiasts, Rocky Mountain Park is a dream come true. The park got numerous well-maintained camping sites that offer a close connection with nature. The park's well-preserved natural beauty and its commitment to conservation were truly commendable. The trails were clearly marked, and the park staff provided helpful information to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. After my visit, I can confidently say that I will be returning to Rocky Mountain Park. The combination of stunning scenery, ample hiking trails, and excellent camping facilities make it a must-visit destination for nature lovers. I highly recommend it to anyone seeking a memorable outdoor adventure.

Heaven on earth! I lived in the Denver area for 4 and a half years. Most of that time was during the pandemic, so many of the things to do in the area was closed. Thankfully, the park was not. It provided solitude and peace. Bear Lake is my favorite lake there. It’s handicap accessible, which is a great blessing for people who have mobility challenges, as are many of the lakes and paths around them. I’m so thankful for the preservation of this national treasure. Every time I visited, which was at least every few months during the spring to fall and as soon as the roads were clear to go, I was always in awe! Please remember to drive slowly because of the wildlife. Please keep all trash with you until you can find a trash receptacle or take it out of the park with you. I felt closer to my Creator there at the park than in any building! So grateful for my time there!

One of the best national parks I’ve ever been to, very clean, friendly staff, and incredible views. Even if you’re not planning on hiking, I highly recommend driving through this place and stopping at overlooks to check out the views and take some pictures. One thing I thought was very cool is once you get to the top, the air becomes less dense which makes you feel like you just did a cardio workout but you don’t feel tired at all, just more difficult to breathe.

Rocky Mountain National Park is a expansive, breathtaking park full of gorgeous views, plethora of wildlife, and enthralling hikes. The Park is comprised of an East and West sides with Alpine Visitor Center in the middle. The East side of the park, more popular due to the close proximity to Denver, features the Bear Lake corridor with Bear, Nymph, Dream, and Emerald Lakes along the same trail, which offers tranquil views but can be difficult to hike with snow on the ground. Both Cub Lake and Sheep Lake are relatively easy hikes without a lot of elevation change that feature plenty of wildlife. We saw plenty of elk, several moose including babies, foxes, marmots, etc. Driving up Trail Ridge Road, the highest paved road in the continental US, is a must. Savor the wondrous views and stop at the viewpoints for hikes. The West side of the park has less people and traditionally has had more wildlife but we didn't see any here (potentially due to the fire that ravaged the area not too long ago). Lodgings: I'd recommend staying in Estes Park, close to the East Entrance, especially if you're flying into Denver. Grand Lake on the West side is a nice boating area but doesn't offer as many lodging selections and restaurants. There are a couple notes to pay attention to: Weather changes at high altitude can occur with little warning. Even if there are clear skies in one direction, expect thunderstorms and snowstorms almost daily around 2 - 4 PM. Timed entry permits are required during summer (May 26 through October 22, 2023) visit restricted hours (e.g., Bear Lake Road Corridor between the hours of 5 a.m. and 6 p.m). Unless you are a early morning / late evening person and enter before or after the restricted times, you won't be able to enter. Even with the pass, expect delays (up to 30 minutes) at the entrance as cars cue up. You can stay longer (time entry not time visit) than 2 hours but just have to enter within that window. Pictures taken in June 2023

Emerald Lake Trail in the Rocky Mountain National Park. It was about 3.4 miles (up and back) with approximately 1200 ft. of elevation gain. People of all ages and conditions seemed to be able to manage. Simply beautiful. I highly recommend.

Love it! Very beautiful sights to see went during the last week of May entering June, there was still snow at the peak of the mountains which was just beautiful! It is a bit cold once your at the peak of the mountain so remember to bring a jacket! Other than that I highly recommend this place to visit when going to Colorado!

What can I say? I’ve heard about this park my whole life, and it absolutely didn’t disappoint. Majestic, wonderful, beautiful, awe-inspiring...none of those words quite do it. It’s simply a must see experience. Pictures only show you so much. Make sure you come here at least once in your life, you won’t regret a second of it.

Yes you should go. The expanse of it alone is spectacular. Couple this with inclement weather throughout (late May with some cold at high altitude and some snow) with good trails and road trips and you'll have a good time. Good signposted viewpoints dotted throughout. Easy drive. Bear lake area interesting and manageable for most. Good chance to see wildlife

By far this is one of the best National Parks I have ever explored. The scenic drive is breathtaking! You will see plenty of trails and historic markers throughout this park so make sure to stop and read some and hike some of these beautiful trails. We set up camp in Moraine campground and glad we did. Waking up to the stunning views of the mountains and wildlife was so worth it. This National Park is a MUST!

It was a wonderful drive. Lots of beautiful views out there. We drove the route that ends with the lake and it was refreshing to get into it after a good drive. First time in Colorado and ever seeing anything, nature wise, like this. I had a blast during my stay, looking forward to coming back and taking more photos and seeing more of what Colorado has to offer both nature wise and social wise.

Fun experience, it's a good park for car sightseeing but there are good trails too. Beware though, the air is pretty thin, but you can get acclimated pretty fast if you do it right, but it feels kinda like COVID again because you feel like you can't get enough air, at first anyway, it gets better.