A guide to Exploring Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park has long been on our must-visit list, and I am thrilled that we finally had the chance to explore it! I thoroughly enjoyed planning our trip, especially since the park entrance is conveniently located near Estes Park, Colorado, a town I had heard so many great things about. We booked our flights to Denver, Colorado, about six months in advance, as is our usual practice, and managed to get a great deal (we flew with Southwest Airlines, which operates out of that hub).
We are located on the East Coast, so our flight to Denver was a quick four hours. Upon our arrival, we were really hungry, so we took the quick 30-minute drive to Boulder, Colorado. I have always wanted to explore Boulder, and since we had some spare time, we enjoyed breakfast and did some shopping on the popular Pearl Street in downtown. Pearl street has really good shopping and some unique souvenir shops. We absolutely loved the breakfast place I had researched, called The Buff. The service was exceptional, and they served a delightful chai latte, which is always a big win for me since it's my favorite breakfast beverage!
After enjoying breakfast, we were thrilled to hit the road again and make our way to Estes Park to see the cabin we had rented through Airbnb. As we drove into Estes Park, I felt like a child on Christmas morning, bursting with excitement at the breathtaking beauty that exceeded my expectations! The cabin we rented was absolutely stunning, combining a cozy cabin atmosphere with luxurious and exquisite details throughout. It featured two master bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, a spacious family room, a high-end kitchen, two fireplaces (one in the family room and another on the outdoor porch), and my daughter's favorite spot, the hot tub on the porch.*if you are interested in our airbnb we rented, check out our rocky mountain national park itinerary in the store section of our website
after we unpacked we went to explore estes park and the stanley hotel. During my research on Estes Park, I discovered intriguing information about The Stanley Hotel. This iconic landmark is steeped in rich history, famously known as the place where Stephen King spent a night that inspired his novel, "The Shining." Naturally, we had to book a reservation for a ghost tour at the hotel, especially since it played a role in the creation of the story! The Stanley Hotel is absolutely breathtaking, exuding a sense of eeriness. We had a great time exploring the hotel and participating in the ghost tour. Additionally, the hotel boasts several excellent restaurants and a delightful chocolate shop, where we indulged in their delicious chocolates a couple of times! Be sure to include The Stanley Hotel in your travel plans. *i have a blog and itinerary for estes park coming soon!!
The Stanley Hotel
We went to bed early because we planned to get up to drive into Rocky Mountain National Park for sunrise at Sprague Lake. I had seen so many incredible photos and videos of people experiencing sunrise there, along with moose sightings. We woke up around 4 AM and drove into the park, surprised to find quite a few people already at the lake. We quickly exited the car just before sunrise and began walking around the lake. To our amazement, we noticed a crowd gathered in one spot… oh my goodness, they were watching two moose! Having visited several national parks, I had always longed to see a moose up close, and that morning, my wish came true! The moose was right there in front of us as the sun rose. This morning is forever etched in my memory as one of my favorite moments from our travels. If you're planning to visit the Rocky Mountains, do yourself a favor and wake up early for sunrise at Sprague Lake; it’s absolutely worth it! While I can’t guarantee a moose sighting, the sunrise over the lake with the mountains in the background is truly spectacular. *we were told to be very careful near the moose because they can charge all of the sudden. while it is exciting to see them, stay back and give them space!
Sunrise-Sprague Lake
After witnessing that breathtaking sunrise, we made our way to the Bear Lake trailhead to go on a few hikes I had researched. There are three trails in the area: Emerald Lake, Dream Lake, and Lake Haiyaha. We got lucky since it was early, and the trails were still quiet. The path is pleasant and easy to navigate. It’s just a quick two-mile hike to Dream Lake, the first stop on the trail. Dream Lake was absolutely stunning, surrounded by beautiful rocks and framed by snow-covered mountains. We took a few moments to soak in the scenery and rest before continuing on to Emerald Lake. From Dream Lake, it’s about a half-mile hike to reach Emerald Lake. Emerald Lake was gorgeous, and my favorite takeaway was the subalpine fir trees set against the backdrop of the mountains. *make sure to bring a lot of water & electrolytes…we also rented spikes for our hiking boots because there was ice on the trails when we were there in the summer!
tips for visiting sprague lake:
You will want to get into the park about an hour before sunrise to get a good spot at the lake (it will be less crowded and easier to find a good spot for sunrise)
bring layers (it is cold even in the summer in the mornings)
there can be many animals spotted in this area so make sure to bring bear spray and stay far away because the animals can be unpredictable
Dream Lake
After visiting Dream Lake, we walked about half a mile back to the Lake Haiyaha trailhead. I must admit, when we started this hike, I seriously considered turning back due to the significant amount of snow on the trail, even in mid-June! Thankfully, we had rented spikes for our hiking boots, which were essential for this hike, as I slipped a couple of times. The Lake Haiyaha hike is a 4-mile round trip from the Bear Lake trailhead, but since we were coming from Emerald Lake, it was about a 2-mile trek.
The views along this hike are absolutely breathtaking, featuring stunning mountain landscapes and charming creeks. The trail is generally easy to navigate, but you do need to stay alert, there were moments when we thought we had lost our way. Since it was early and there weren't many other hikers, we couldn't ask anyone if we were still on the right path. Just before reaching Lake Haiyaha, we finally encountered other hikers, which reassured me that we were indeed heading in the right direction!
One unexpected challenge was the large boulders we had to maneuver around to catch a glimpse of the lake. I experienced a bit of a panic moment because these boulders were wet and quite large, making me fearful of slipping! Take your time when approaching these boulders, as there are no warnings, and they are plentiful before you finally reach the lake. Despite my little panic episode, reaching Lake Haiyaha was completely worth it; it is one of the most beautiful lakes I've ever seen, surrounded by snow-capped mountains and stunning blue waters!
Lake Haiyaha
tips-bear lake trailhead hikes:
try to arrive early in the morning because this is a very popular area that gets crowded
bring hiking shoes and socks-we also rented spikes for our hiking boots because there was still ice in June
bring layers-we were cold in the morning but warmed up in the afternoon
bring plenty of water/electrolytes and light snacks-we were happy we did because some of the hikes were long
pack a map-there is usually no cell service once you are in the park
After those incredible hikes, we were exhausted, so we made our way back to the car. On our journey to the cabin, we stopped at one of the visitor centers to collect our passport stamp and search for souvenirs. The park features several visitor centers where you can pick up stamps, souvenirs, snacks, and more. We always enjoy stopping by to chat with the park rangers and ask for their recommendations on hiking trails and other activities.
After all those hikes, we were starving, so we made our way to Estes Park for breakfast. I always take the time to research restaurants before visiting a new place because I enjoy discovering great local spots. We dined at Egg of Estes, where the food was delightful and the service was excellent! I opted for a classic breakfast featuring eggs, sausage, and breakfast potatoes, while my daughter savored the amazing waffles. We chose to sit outside, allowing us to enjoy stunning mountain views while enjoying our meal.
After breakfast, we explored the charming downtown area of Estes. It features a delightful rustic vibe with a range of unique shops and souvenir stores. I particularly adored a quaint Christmas shop called The Christmas Shoppe, where I discovered a few handcrafted ornaments to give as gifts. Following our shopping adventure, we returned to the cabin to unwind in the hot tub while sipping wine by the outdoor fireplace—a lovely routine we embraced each evening! I especially enjoyed sitting on the back porch, admiring the mountains and spotting the adorable bunnies that hung out in the area, and occasionally, we were lucky enough to see elk!
The next day, we set off for LaPorte, Colorado, to experience another adventure of white-water rafting. We've gone rafting on many of our vacations, and this trip definitely ranks among our favorites. The drive is quite manageable, taking about an hour from Estes Park. We opted for a moderate package at Wanderlust Rafting, tackling Class 2-3 rapids on the Cache la Poudre River, providing just the right amount of thrill without being overly intense. You'll be treated to stunning views of the Rocky Mountains as you navigate the rapids, making it a goregeous sight while awaiting the next rush.
After our rafting adventure, we returned to Estes Park to unwind. The next day was Father’s Day, and I had arranged an ATV ride in the Rocky Mountains since my husband is an ATV enthusiast. We booked our excursion with Backbone Adventures for a half-day adventure in the Johnny Park area, which spans a four-hour time slot. While Johnny Park is described as having easy to moderate terrain, we found it leaned more towards moderate to hard, likely due to our flatland background from Florida. The park features large boulders that you must navigate over, which can be a bit daunting!
As we explored Johnny Park, we were treated to breathtaking views of the Rocky Mountains, and there’s a chance to spot wildlife such as deer, elk, moose, bighorn sheep, and even bears. Unfortunately, since we went in the afternoon, we missed the chance to see any animals. We thoroughly enjoyed our time on the Johnny Trail and highly recommend Backbone Adventures for ATV rentals; the staff was incredibly helpful and made us feel at ease for our journey.
Be sure to visit their store both at the ATV rental location and in Estes Park, as they offer fantastic souvenirs, especially for jeep enthusiasts like my husband. Before you head to Johnny Park for your adventure, here are a few tips: pack light snacks or a lunch to enjoy, bring plenty of water, carry toilet paper since there are no restrooms, and don’t forget sunscreen, sunglasses, and clothes that can get dirty.
Johnny Park-Estes Park
On our final day, I was excited to drive along Trail Ridge Road, famously known as the "Highway to the Sky." This road is notorious for its lack of guardrails and steep drop-offs, which deters many due to a fear of heights. At its peak, the highway reaches an impressive 12,183 feet, making it the highest continuous paved road in the United States.
The drive offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Rockies, with 11 miles above the tree line revealing some of the park's most stunning landscapes. During our journey, we stopped at a few pull-offs to capture photos; I was particularly excited to take a picture by the packed ice still there in June!
Our last stop was the Alpine Visitor Center, located at an elevation of 11,796 feet, making it the highest visitor center in the national park system. There is a short 0.6-mile hike at the Visitor Center that leads to some of the most remarkable views! If heights don't bother you, I highly recommend adding Trail Ridge Road to your itinerary.
Ice on Trail Ridge Road-June
On our return from Trail Ridge Road, we decided to take a break and enjoyed a portion of the Beaver Mountain Loop hike, we were too tired for the whole hike. This moderate 4.2-mile hike offered breathtaking mountain views. After our hike, we made a stop at another visitor center on our way out, hoping to find one last souvenir (as I mentioned in previous blogs, our family has a passion for gift shops during our adventures). Before leaving Rocky Mountain National Park, we, of course, paused to capture a photo in front of the park sign, which has become a cherished tradition for us.
after the hike we headed back to our cabin to pack up for our flight out the next day. we booked an early dinner at Bird & Jim which is a more upscale restaurant that has a rustic feel with locally sourced food and wine. we really enjoyed our dinner and i highly recommend the spreads appetizer that comes with hummus, pimento cheese, and smoked trout dip, crackers, and vegetable Crudité. for dinner i had the apple roasted half chicken and it was delicious! after dinner we headed back to downtown estes for one last stroll and to get last minute Souvenirs.
Our trip to Rocky Mountain National Park was filled with excitement and adventure. Among my favorite moments were spotting a moose at sunrise at Sprague Lake, driving along Trail Ridge Road, and hiking to Lake Haiyaha. I hope my tips for visiting Rocky Mountain help you in your planning!
for those curious about our Rocky mountain national park trip, check out our custom curated travel Itinerary templates in pdf format in our store section of our website (sign up for our email list, and receive a free pdf yosemite itinerary template download). additionally you can collaborate with me to create a personalized itinerary exclusively tailored to your vacation.
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Happy Travels!
Mandy
