3 Day Itinerary – Rocky Mountain National Park [Estes Park]

 3 day Itinerary for your Rocky Mountain National Park Trip

Before we get started, you should know that we get it.  Really, we understand.  The struggle is real when it comes to planning a hiking trip, especially for a short period of time.  For a 3 day itinerary Rocky Mountain National Park trip, most people purchase a guide book.  This guide book is filled with hikes that include elevations, compass details, and data that are difficult to process into actionable information that would allow someone to actually PLAN a hike.

Tell me if any of these thoughts have gone through your mind?

• How long are these hikes?
• Where are they located?
• How long will it take to get there?
• Do they leave from the same trail head?
• How many hikes can I accomplish in one day, given my experience (or lack thereof!)
• What should I really see?
• What can I skip?
• Am I going to get lost?
• Help.  Please help.

At your service.

Alberta Falls – Rocky Mountain National Park – Estes Park

3 day Itinerary

Just a quick note!  If you are interested in spending only one day in Rocky Mountain National Park because of a shorter time frame, we’ve got you covered.  The work has already been done for you, you just need to head over to our 1 day itinerary of Rocky Mountain National Park!

Rocky Mountain National Park Trip

But first, coffee.

Start off at Donut Haus, a favorite stop in Estes Park.  Grab your donut early, because when they sell out, they are SOLD OUT!  Here’s a secret!  You can call ahead 970-586-2988 to place an order so it’s there waiting for you!  Seriously?  Delicious. Don’t believe me?  Check out the donut menu.  And I’m not even an affiliate, people, I just love their donuts!

Need another place to start off on Day 2?  Try Kind Coffee in Estes Park.  Mmmmm, coffee.

Resources and Information

If you only have one day in for an itinerary in Rocky Mountain National Park, you NEED to see these sites.  Don’t worry, you’ll see it all!

1. Start Early

You need to START EARLY.  Repeat.  Start early.  Whatever time you think you need to start, just set your alarm for an hour (or three) before that.  Seriously.

2. National Park Pass

Make sure that you have a National Park Pass, or at least have purchased a pass into Rocky Mountain National Park.  You can purchase one at the gate.  Interested in going more than one day, or maybe another time during the year?  Learn about the National Park Pass and how that might be the best decision for you!

3. Bus Route

Many people hike Rocky Mountain National Park near Estes Park.  It can get very busy in this popular national park! You may choose to ride the shuttle bus service available at Rocky Mountain National Park during the operating months May through October.   Please check the National Park Service Website Here in order to see dates, times, and a map of the shuttle bus service within RMNP!

4. Trail Conditions

We won’t be sending you on any crazy expeditions.  But that said, it’s always best to practice safety.  (This includes learning about wildlife safety.)  The trail conditions for this amazing itinerary can be found here.  Updated Trail Conditions can be found by clicking here.

5. Road Conditions

Rocky Mountain National Park weather can be fickle, and its always important to look at the road conditions. Road Conditions in Colorado can be found by clicking here.

6. Backpacking Checklist

You will be gone likely most of the day.  Make sure to pack everything you (and your family needs.)  This includes extra (extra, extra) water, food, and necessities.  We have compiled a list of the most important items you need to carry with you for a long day hike already!  Feel free to add to it as you see fit! Now, let’s get started!

Rocky Mountain National Park

DAY 1

Overview – Four Lakes and a Waterfall!

Today you will be visiting FOUR incredible and iconic lakes in the Estes Park area and a waterfall!

1.  Travel to Bear Lake Trailhead

Directions to Bear Lake Trailhead

Travel on US 36 highway to Bear Lake Road.

• • Make a left onto Bear Lake Road
  • Travel to the Bear Lake Trailhead (Travel 8 miles on Bear Lake Road from US 36).
  • Park in the Bear Lake Trailhead parking lot.

3D Map

Please note:  The 3D maps in this post, and below are NOT FACING NORTH (on purpose!).  These maps are shown specifically for those of us who are “map-ically challenged” and need to visually see which way we are hiking.  Please refer to the compass at the bottom right of the map below to show where NORTH actually is! 

CLICK ON THE MAP BELOW, OR CLICK HERE, AND YOU WILL LINK TO THIS EXACT GOOGLE MAP.  You can zoom in on it and take as many screenshots as you would like! If you bring up the map in Google, if you use your mouse and hit CONTROL, then you can MOVE the map to the direction in which you are ACTUALLY HEADED!!!! (Amazing!)

When you click on this, and open the map, you can then click on the link below the blue box on the left and have these directions sent DIRECTLY TO YOUR PHONE!  You can then screenshot those images, so that you can see these directions, and maps, even if you do not have wi-fi as you are hiking! 

Finally – look look LOOK! AT THE BOTTOM RIGHT of the map.  See that little yellow guy?  Click on him when you open up the map on your phone.  You can see ACTUAL PICTURES on the blue dots that people have taken.  This is a GREAT resource to have.  If you look at your map before you go, you can screenshot what the intersections in the trail look like to help you navigate your way, and not get lost! 

2.  Bear Lake

You really should be able to only hike one way for the Bear Lake Trail Loop Hike, and the signs are clearly marked.  When you get to the actual Bear Lake Hike trail head, you will see the huge sign for the Bear Lake Hike to your right.  Take it!  Walk around in a loop around the Lake and take lots of pics to make family and friends jealous!

This hike is one of the most popular hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park.  You shouldn’t feel nervous about this hike with kiddos at all.  The terrain is easy, and well-traveled. In fact, it’s likely to be jam-packed with lots and lots (and LOTS) of visitors.  The best time to go to this place, or really any place in RMNP is early, early, early, (no seriously, even earlier than that) in the morning.

Coolest feature?  There are 32 NUMBERED POSTS around the lake that show points of interest and information.  You can get a booklet from a dispenser at the beginning of the lake (East Side).  Kids will love this.  It is the easiest treasure hunt they will ever do, and (bonus!) they will be learning!

Time: 30 minutes
Distance: 0.5 mile loop
One Lake Done!

3.  Nymph Lake

When you get back to the start of the Bear Lake Trailhead, you will want to look for some signs.  They are clearly marked, and to your right as you come out of the Bear Lake Loop.

Walk all the way to Nymph Lake!
Time: 30 minutes
Distance from Bear Lake Trailhead:  0.5 miles
Total time now: 1 hour
Total distance 1.0 mile
Two lakes done!

4. Dream Lake

You will be at Nymph Lake.  Keep walking on the trail, as Nymph Lake is on your left
1.0 mile from Bear Lake Trailhead you will see that the trail branches off to Lake Haiyaha.  Don’t take it!
1.1 Reach Dream Lake! Enjoy
Time:  30 minutes
Distance from Bear Lake Trailhead 1.1 miles
Total time now: 1 hour, 30 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes depending on how long you spend taking pictures, sightseeing, etc.
Total distance 2.1 miles
Three lakes done!

5. Emerald Lake

Walk another 0.7 miles to Emerald Lake on the same trail!  Celebrate!
Time: 30 minutes
Distance from Bear Lake Trailhead:  1.8 miles
Total time now:  2 hours to 3 hours depending on how long you spend taking pictures, sightseeing, etc.
Total distance:  2.8 miles
Four lakes done!

6. Walk Back!

Now you have to turn around and walk back the way you came! Walk all the way back to Bear Lake Trailhead.
Time:  1 hour 30 minutes if you walk very slowly and take in the scenery
Total time now:  3 and a half to 4 and a half hours depending on how long you spend taking pictures, sightseeing, etc.
Total distance: 6.1 miles

Alberta Falls, Rocky Mountain National Park

7.  Alberta Falls

Remember how I said there was a waterfall in this Itinerary for your one day Rocky Mountain National Park Trip?  I didn’t lie – here it is!

You have been walking this entire time on the Dream-Emerald Lakes Trail.  Just before you get back to the Bear Lake Trailhead, this trail will end.
When it ends, go to the RIGHT.  This will be southeast.  You will walk along this all the way straight until you get to Alberta Falls!
Enjoy the Waterfall and then come back!
Total distance from the fork in the road above: 1.8 miles round trip.
Total time to get to the waterfall and then back to Bear Lake Trailhead 1 to 1.5 hours depending on how leisurely you are walking!
Total time now for four lakes a waterfall:  Approximately 5 to 6 hours.  You could do this in less if you really hustled, but isn’t the point to enjoy the scenery and the day?

DONE! 

Four Lakes and Waterfall!

You will have walked approximately 8 miles today, in about 5 or 6 hours.  I would give yourself another hour or two.  You could stop and eat lunch and enjoy the view, because these views are incredible!

Indian Paintbrush flowers at sunset on Estes Park hiking trails near Moraine Park- Rocky Mountain Colorado

Day 2

Overview – Two Lakes (maybe three!) and a Waterfall!

Today you will be visiting Two lakes (maybe three if you do the “extra credit”) and one waterfall!

1.  Travel to Fern Lake Trailhead

• • Travel on US 36 highway to Bear Lake Road.
  • Make a left onto Bear Lake Road
  • Stay on Bear Lake Road for 1.2 miles
  • Turn RIGHT toward Moraine Park Campground
  • Drive 0.5 miles and then turn left JUST BEFORE REACHING the campground.
  • You will drive on this for a little over a mile and the pavement will end after 1.2 miles.
  • Drive another 2 miles and the road ends.
  • This is SERIOUSLY  a dirt road, people – look above!

Please note:  The 3D maps in this post, and below are NOT FACING NORTH (on purpose!).  These maps are shown specifically for those of us who are “map-ically challenged” and need to visually see which way we are hiking.  Please refer to the compass at the bottom right of the map below to show where NORTH actually is! 

CLICK ON THE MAP BELOW, OR CLICK HERE, AND YOU WILL LINK TO THIS EXACT GOOGLE MAP.  You can zoom in on it and take as many screenshots as you would like! If you bring up the map in Google, if you use your mouse and hit CONTROL, then you can MOVE the map to the direction in which you are ACTUALLY HEADED!!!! (Amazing!)

When you click on this, and open the map, you can then click on the link below the blue box on the left and have these directions sent DIRECTLY TO YOUR PHONE!  You can then screenshot those images, so that you can see these directions, and maps, even if you do not have wi-fi as you are hiking! 

Finally – look look LOOK! AT THE BOTTOM RIGHT of the map.  See that little yellow guy?  Click on him when you open up the map on your phone.  You can see ACTUAL PICTURES on the blue dots that people have taken.  This is a GREAT resource to have.  If you look at your map before you go, you can screenshot what the intersections in the trail look like to help you navigate your way, and not get lost! 

2.  The Pool 

The first stop is the Pool.  This will be on your right hand side about 1.7 miles on the Fern Lake Trailhead.

• 0.0 Start at Fern Lake Trailhead
• 1.5 Pass between the Arch Rocks on either side of the trail
• 1.7 Arrive at the Rock and Timber bridge over the Big Thompson River at The Pool.  You made it!

3.  Fern Falls

Next stop?  Fern Falls

• Remember above that you arrived at the Pool at 1.7 miles
• 2.7 Keep walking another mile and you will be at Fern Falls!

4.  Fern Lake

It’s decision time.  Depending on the time of year that it is, this part MAY have some snow/ice on it.  PLEASE use your best judgment here.  It’s never ever ever EVER worth it to attempt to do something that you feel you are not comfortable with.  This applies to all hikes, all the time, people.  I

• 3.8 Stay on the same Fern Lake Trailhead.  It’st just one way so it’s easy!  Keep walking and you will see Fern Lake. You made it! (Or maybe you decided against it, and that’s ok too!)

5.  Return

• 7.8 Turn around, come back the way you came and you will end up back at Fern Lake Trailhead.

The total time on this trip is about 4 hours, and you will have walked almost 8 miles. 

I honestly think that this is totally enough for one day.  However, if you are so inclined, I’ll give you one extra that you can do that links to this trail!

6.  Extra Credit – Cub Lake 

Fern Lake and Cub Lake Trails

Look at this map CLOSELY.  Very Closely.  It’s super important. 

INSTEAD of walking all the way back to the Fern Lake Trailhead, as you are walking back, at the POOL, you will see a sign for Cub Lake Trail to the RIGHT.  If you want to do this extra bit, that will be about  4.1 miles and add another two to two and a half hours to your trip.

Here is a closer view – and this map IS POINTING NORTH, FYI. Again, CLICK ON THE MAP BELOW, AND YOU WILL LINK TO THIS EXACT GOOGLE MAP.  You can zoom in on it and take as many screenshots as you would like! If you bring up the map in Google, if you use your mouse and hit CONTROL, then you can MOVE the map to the direction in which you are ACTUALLY HEADED!!!! (Amazing!)

When you click on this, and open the map, you can then click on the link below the blue box on the left and have these directions sent DIRECTLY TO YOUR PHONE!  You can then screenshot those images, so that you can see these directions, and maps, even if you do not have wi-fi as you are hiking! 

The Pool to Fern Lake Trailhead – via Cub Lake

If you take this route, just stay on the Cub Lake Trail, until you reach the Cub Lake Trailhead, and then you can cross the dirt parking lot to get to the Fern Lake Trailhead!

If you do this “extra credit” option, your total miles for the day will be approximately 12 miles.  I would guesstimate that it would take, on average, 6 hours or more to do this, given stopping times for food, etc.

Thats a LOT for one day, but again it’s really dependent on your ability, and how many people are with you, and how fast you are.  I’ll leave this up to you, but wanted to include this option for you in case you really wanted to see THREE lakes!

DONE WITH DAY 2! 

Two Lakes (maybe three!) and Waterfall!

You will have walked approximately 8 to 12 miles today, in about 4-6 hours.  I would give yourself another hour or two.  You could stop and eat lunch and enjoy the view, because these views are incredible!

Day 3

Overview – Three Lakes and a Waterfall!

Today you will be visiting Three Lakes and one waterfall!

1.  Travel to Glacier Gorge Trailhead

Directions to Glacker Gorge Trailhead

• • Travel on US 36 highway to Bear Lake Road.
  • Make a left onto Bear Lake Road
  • Travel to the Glacier Gorge Junction Trailhead (Travel 8 miles on Bear Lake Road from US 36).

3D Map

Please note:  The 3D maps in this post, and below are NOT FACING NORTH (on purpose!).  These maps are shown specifically for those of us who are “map-ically challenged” and need to visually see which way we are hiking.  Please refer to the compass at the bottom right of the map below to show where NORTH actually is! 

CLICK ON THE MAP BELOW, OR CLICK HERE, AND YOU WILL LINK TO THIS EXACT GOOGLE MAP.  You can zoom in on it and take as many screenshots as you would like! If you bring up the map in Google, if you use your mouse and hit CONTROL, then you can MOVE the map to the direction in which you are ACTUALLY HEADED!!!! (Amazing!)

When you click on this, and open the map, you can then click on the link below the blue box on the left and have these directions sent DIRECTLY TO YOUR PHONE!  You can then screenshot those images, so that you can see these directions, and maps, even if you do not have wi-fi as you are hiking! 

Finally – look look LOOK! AT THE BOTTOM RIGHT of the map.  See that little yellow guy?  Click on him when you open up the map on your phone.  You can see ACTUAL PICTURES on the blue dots that people have taken.  This is a GREAT resource to have.  If you look at your map before you go, you can screenshot what the intersections in the trail look like to help you navigate your way, and not get lost! 

Complete 3 Day Hike – NOT pointing North! Pointing in the Direction you are walking!

2.  Alberta Falls

In the first day, there was the option to visit Alberta Falls.  In case you missed it that day, you will be traveling RIGHT by it, so you have the option to skip this on day 1, and go ahead and visit this beautiful and iconic waterfall now!  This is one of the most popular hikes in RMNP by far.  You shouldn’t feel nervous about this hike with kiddos at all.  The terrain is easy, and well-traveled. You won’t ever feel like you are out in the boonies away from civilization, but at the same time you will feel gobsmacked at how beautiful the views are.

The waterfalls were named by Abner Sprague as a tribute to his wife, Alberta (awww!).  He was a pioneer and one of the first owners of a lodge in this particular part of the Rocky Mountains.

The water that starts here, at Alberta Falls, actually goes down the mountains, to the South Platte, Missouri and Mississippi Rivers, all the way to the Gulf of Mexico!

• 0.0 Start at Glacier Gorge Trailhead
• 0.9 Alberta Falls

Time: 30 minutes
Distance: Almost 1 mile

One Waterfall Done!

Quick Overview for the Rest of Day 3 at Rocky Mountain National Park

Before we begin for the rest of the day, realize you will be going in a pattern today where you keep coming back to the same spot, and then heading a different direction three different times.  Think of it as a spoke and wheel type of pattern.  Look at the map below to see that you will be going south to Mills Lake, West to the Loch Lake, and Northwest to Lake Haiyaha.  The fantastic thing about this day is that you can do all three lakes, or just one, or two.  It’s truly up to you.  After hiking on your third day, you may be tired.  This allows you to make decisions after every lake visit to determine if you want to go on, or go back to your car, and relax the rest of the day!  Again, look at the map below to see a visual of your day, and where all the lakes are located from the Glacier Gorge Trailhead. The map is also clickable so that you can send it to your phone! 

Three Lakes from Glacier Gorge Trailhead

This is a close up of where the trails split.  This is important, and you don’t want to get lost – or go the wrong way – and that can happen here so REALLY look!

Intersection of Three Trails

Early Morning with dramatic stormy sky at the Mills Lake – Rocky Mountains National

3.  Mills Lake

Mills Lake is an incredibly popular hike, and the lake itself is right under the towering and majestic Longs Peak.   Mills Lake is named after Enos Mills, who is really known as the father of RMNP.  He wrote many books and really lobbied hard to make the area a national park.  The park was officially  established in 1915.  This is a moderate hike, but with this guide you will be prepared!  You will definitely get your work out, but not to the point of being needed to be airlifted out due to exhaustion. The stunning views will be worth it though, and you will keep a memory of a lifetime.

• 1.7 Keep on towards Mills Lake on the Glacier Gorge Trail (Not left towards North Longs Peak)
• 2.2 Four way junction – Turn Left towards Black Lake and Mills Lake. (Note:  the middle path goes to Loch Vale and the Right goes to Lake Haiyaha)
• 2.8 Mills Lake
• 3.4 (0.6 miles back – Head back to the area where the trails split)

Total Distance:  2.8 miles

Total Time: 2 hours (because the views at Alberta Falls are amazing, and you will want to take pics!)

Loch Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park

4.  The Loch

You will walk back to the Glacier Gorge Trailhead, like you are walking back to your car.

When you reach the end of the road, and you have to make a decision to go left or right, to get to the Loch, you will go LEFT.  

You will then be walking on Loch Vale Trail towards the Loch.  

Good old Abner Sprague, an original Estes Park pioneer named this Loch (he named the Alberta Falls after his wife!).  But this Lock he named after a guest at his Estes Park Lodge named Locke.  He changed the name to be cheeky and clever, so that it would be reminiscent of the Scottish word for lake.  Clever Abner 🙂

• 0.7 miles from intersection (traveling Southwest) You will see the Loch!
• 1.4 Round trip back to the starting intersection.

Total Distance: 4.2 miles

Total Time:  3 hours (I always pad this because people want to take pictures!)

5. Lake Haiyaha

This hike is labeled as moderately easy, but there are a lot of rocks!  In fact, Haiyaha is the word for “boulder” in one of the Native American languages.  Therefore, it is very important that you watch your step, and be careful, as even little rocks can sometimes cause twisted ankles and falls!  This is an incredible hike, but give yourself plenty of time as some of the terrain is not smooth.

As you go back from Loch Vale towards your main intersection, you will notice that there is a way to go on Glacier Gorge Trail, and then IMMEDIATELY go to the LEFT towards Lake Haiyaha.

Please do me a favor – and go look at the close up of the map above again of this intersection.  You will want to make a left towards Lake Haiyaha.  It’s easy to get turned around if you aren’t paying attention – so pay attention, please!

From that trailhead the directions are as follows:

• 1.1 miles to Lake Haiyaha
• 2.2 miles round trip!

Total Distance: 6.4 Miles

Total Time: 4.5 hours

When you return to the trailhead, you will want to then make a left to get onto the Glacier Gorge Trailhead back towards Alberta Falls

6. Return

There are two ways to return to the Glacier Gorge Trailhead:

Option 1 from Lake Haiyaha back to Glacier Gorge Trailhead

Option 1:

Return back to the Intersection, make a LEFT back towards Alberta Falls, and then towards Glacier Gorge Trailhead
This option is 2.9 miles

Total Distance: 9.3 miles

Total Time:  5.5 to 6 hours

Option 2 from Lake Haiyaha back to Glacier Gorge Trailhead

Option 2:

This one is just a bit trickier, but you can do it!  Plus, if you do this return route, you will get to see Nymph Lake again!

You will walk from Lake Haiyaha.  You will hit an intersection where you would go back to the main Intersection you have been traveling to all day.  Instead of this, make sure you go LEFT this time towards the signs that say Nymph Lake, Dream Lake, or Bear Lake.

You will keep on this route until you RIGHT BEFORE you reach the Bear Lake Trailhead, where you will go RIGHT towards the Alberta Falls/Glacier Gorge Trailhead signs.

This option is 2.3 miles

Total Distance: 8.7 miles

Total Time:  5.5 to 6 hours

DONE WITH DAY 3!

Three Lakes (Maybe four!) and a Waterfall!

You will have walked approximately 9 miles today, in about 5 to 6 hours, but, give yourself another hour or two, as you can stop, and always enjoy the view or have a snack!

Final Thought:

Interesting in a doing something fun in the evenings in Estes Park? Here are some ideas!

Stanley Hotel

While Stephen King’s visit to The Stanley inspired The Shining, the movie based on the novel wasn’t filmed at the Estes Park hotel.  Apparently, Stephen King and his wife stayed the night in room 217 (room 237 in the film), and this inspired him to think of the Overlook Hotel, and ultimately created the ominous setting of his best-selling novel, The Shining. However, while the Shining wasn’t filmed at the Stanley, the Shining mini-series was filmed here, as well as……”Dumb and Dumber!” The restaurant is good, and it’s a really fun setting to just go and get one of their (very strong!) drinks!

Breweries

Estes Park has an adorable street where a ton of shops, restaurants and drinks can be found.  Breweries are a plenty here as well!  Check out Estes Park Brewery, Rock Cut Brewing Company, Lumpy Ridge Brewing Company, or the Tavern 1929!

Taffy

There is one taffy shop that is the best.  There, I said it.  You can just go ahead and pass by all of the others, because this one is amazing. The Taffy Shop was established in 1935, 83 years ago, so they know what they are doing!  You can even have taffy shipped back home to friends and family.  It’s so good, you don’t want to miss this.

We hope you had an amazing 2 days in Rocky Mountain National Park! You will have seen up to 10 Lakes and 2 waterfalls and some gorgeous views, and have memories for a lifetime!

Let us know your thoughts, and please share your memories, pictures, and how this itinerary helped you!

Adieu for now!