A Quick Guide to Rocky Mountain NPThere’s a reason Rocky Mountain National Park is so popular! As one of America’s gems, this park consistently ranks on the list of best parks for its incredible hiking trails, wildlife spotting, and more. Note that Rocky Mountain National Park requires reservations for your visit! Authorsalexonthemap
DestinationsRocky Mountain National ParkItinerary

Estes Park Stays

Timber Creek Chalets
This three-star hotel is a great spot to unwind after a long day, as you reminisce on the amazing day of adventures. While its interior is somewhat outdated, it’s still reliably comfortable and clean. The best part? It’s considered a hotel, but it actually happens to be 14 separate cabins, providing guests with an authentic Rocky Mountain accommodation experience.
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Discovery Lodge
This motel is a safe and reliable accommodation located in Estes Park. Just walking distance from downtown Estes Park and near a nine-hole golf course, Discovery Lodge is another great option for those hoping to stay by all the action.
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Murphy's River Lodge
With access to a relaxing view of the ever-flowing river of Estes Park, as well as Estes Lake, Murphy’s River Lodge is the ideal location to unwind after a long day of adventures and exploration on your feet. It also comes equipped with an indoor pool, hot tub, and more! Just two blocks from sought-after downtown Estes, it also happens to be among the most convenient locations...
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Estes Park Eats

Bird & Jim
Located in the Estes Park Resort, Dunraven provides its hungry guests with classic breakfast options, mouth-watering lunches, and delicious dinners ranging from hearty Italian to fresh seafood and beyond. With an option or two for even the pickiest of eaters,
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Smokin' Dave's BBQ - ESTES PARK
As you can likely predict from its name, Smokin’ Dave’s is a BBQ Smokehouse serving saucy wings, ribs, and barbecue platters paired with seasonal craft beers that will surely wash down every morsel of hearty meats. Delicious food and great service; what are you waiting for!?
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Camping

Aspenglen Campground
Near the Northern part of the park, this campground tends to be a bit quieter! It is great for those looking for easy access to Estes Park as well, as it is a short drive down to town.
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Glacier Basin Campground
Right near Sprague Lake, this campground is conveniently located near many trailheads for hiking. The views of the surrounding mountains are sweeping.
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Moraine Park Campground
Located near one of my favorite spots to watch for wildlife and under the clear Rocky Mountain skies, this campground is a prime spot to stay during your trip to the National Park.
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Timber Creek Campground
Closer ot Grand Lake, this Western hub is great for those looking to drive and enjoy views along Trail Ridge Road.
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Things to Do & See

Milner Pass
The park’s high elevation and remote location make it a phenomenal spot for stargazing. I’ve spent countless evenings mesmerized by the clear, starry skies, a truly unforgettable experience. Poudre Lake at Milner Pass will put on a nighttime show!
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Alpine Visitor Center
Perched high in the Rockies, the Alpine Visitor Center is not just informative but also offers some of the most stunning views in the park. I love stopping here to learn about the alpine environment and snap a few photos from the overlook.
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Moraine Park
Moraine Park is my go-to for wildlife viewing. The meadows here are often dotted with elk and deer, especially during the quieter hours of dawn and dusk. It’s a serene experience that connects you deeply with the park’s wildlife.
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Trail Ridge Road
The Trail Ridge Road scenic drive is a high-altitude thrill! Ascending above the tree line, it offers panoramic views that I find simply awe-inspiring. Keep your camera ready for those surprise wildlife encounters and jaw-dropping overlooks. Fun Fact: Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park is the highest paved road in the United States.
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Bear Lake
My personal favorite, Bear Lake Trailhead, offers family-friendly trails with breathtaking views. Surrounded by mountains and forests, each path leads to a unique landscape, making it a photographer’s paradise and a perfect introduction to the park’s natural beauty.
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Beaver Meadows Visitor Center
Declared a National Historic Landmark back in ’01, Beaver Meadows Visitor Center, right at the Beaver Meadows entrance, is an architectural masterpiece boasting a shopping center, an amphitheater, and even an outdoor observatory where breathtaking views of the Rocky Mountains can be enjoyed. Regardless of the incredible spectacle that is Beaver Meadows Visitor Center, it also happens to be the hub for information about Rocky Mountain NP and the National Park Service. Curious as to what to do or where to go? Make a stop here and find out all you need to know!
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Forest Canyon Overlook
Over 10,000 feet in elevation, one can only imagine what to expect. Surrounded not only by mountains but canyons eroded by century-old glacier ice, it’s certainly a destination for the books. A five-minute walk along the pavement leads you to stunning views of Hayden Gorge and Gorge Lakes that you don’t want to miss. Don’t forget to bring your camera!
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Hiking Ideas

Sprague Lake
With only 10 feet of elevation gain, this lake hike is the ideal option for those looking for a more relaxed hiking day–especially if you have kids.
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Nymph Lake
Generally considered a fairly easy route, from Bear Lake up to Emerald, this day-one hike is a great introduction to the entirety of what’s about to become an unforgettable Rocky Mountain adventure. This is the first of the three lakes and can usually be found covered in lily pads. PRO TIP: The Bear Lake parking lot fills up super fast in the morning since it is the starting point for several hiking trails, even with the new reservation system. Make sure that you get there as early as you can, or consider going in the early afternoon to avoid not finding a place to park!
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Dream Lake
The second of the Nymph, Emerald, and Dream Lake hike! Perfect for a stop along the shores to enjoy the mountain views.
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Emerald Lake
The final lake on the out-and-back trail with incredible Rocky Mountain views, specifically the Hallett Peak and Flattop Mountain.
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Sky Pond
Personally, I love the Sky Pond hike when you are in the Bear Lake Corridor area – although it is definitely not the easiest hike in the area and features some scrambling. If you are looking for something a little easier, the Loch is on the same trail and has a very similar feel to it, without the length and additional elevation.
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North Deer Mountain Trail
Hiking this peak gives you breathtaking panoramic views of the park and its alpine tundra. For that reason alone, Deer Mountain is among the most popular destinations in the park for both locals and tourists alike. You’re also likely to see a bunch of wildlife like elk, deer, and more. If you plan on seeing some of America’s biggest ungulates, this is one of the best national parks to do so. Bring your binoculars–there’s often no better place to catch these animals in the Rocky Mountains!
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Mills Lake
Mill and Black Lakes is a longer hike, extending about 11 miles out and back. A popular but challenging route, it is often crowded, both by hikers in the winter and cross-country skiers in the winter. Not too steep and just the right distance for both amateurs and outdoor experts, Mills Lake and Black Lake is often dubbed among the best trails in the Rockies! Throughout this excursion, you’ll enjoy views of waterfalls and open landscapes and alpine tundra, as well as a likely spotting some Colorado wildlife.
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Tours to Take!

Take a weight off your shoulders with this guided tour through the Park. They will let you out to hike, wildlife watch, and explore the famous Rocky Mountains at stops along the way.
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Private Snowshoe Tour in Rocky Mountain National Park (seasonal)
If you're here in the winter, it's a unique time to see this park quiet. Stomp on trails through the snow, sighting famous snowcapped peaks, bundled up in snow gear, and curl up with a hot cocoa afterwards.
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