Alberta Falls in Rocky Mountain National Park
(Don’t Go Chasin’ Waterfalls!)
All the information you need for the Alberta Falls Trail Hike at Rocky Mountain National Park
By the end of this article, you will be able to feel confident in hiking to the Alberta Falls near Denver and Estes Park, Colorado.
Start your adventure to Alberta Falls that will include awe-inspiring views of mountains and landscapes, all culminating in the most awesome waterfall ever!!
INCLUDED IN THIS ARTICLE ARE THE FOLLOWING:
Highlights and Information on the Alberta Falls Trail Map and Trail Directions
Driving Directions to the starting point at Bear Lake Trailhead from Estes Park
TO THE POINT Clear and Concise Summary Alberta Falls Hike Directions
2D Map showing directions to the Bear Lake Nature Trail Trailhead map (start of hike)
STEP-BY-STEP DETAILED Alberta Falls Directions for the “Map-ically Challenged!”
3D Map showing topographical detail of the Alberta Falls Hike in Rocky Mountain National Park
Alberta Falls Rocky Mountain National Park
Highlights and Information Before You Start
National Parks Pass
Get your National Park Pass, or any kind of Entrance Passes that you need now. If you are curious about the National Park Pass, we have several ways for you to maximize on that pass!
Reserve campsites/lodging
If you are going to be staying at a resort or hotel, then you will need to reserve those accommodations early. But, if you are CAMPING (either tent camping, or Sprinter Van/RV/Camper camping), you will NEED to reserve these spots super early. They go like hotcakes. I’m not really sure what that means, either. But, let’s just agree to agree that they sell out quickly. Make sure to check out how we tell you all the amazing apps you can use to find campgrounds!
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Bus Route
The Bear Lake Trailhead is the trailhead you need to park at, but this parking lot fills fast, especially in summer. (This is due to the fact that Bear Lake hike in Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most popular hikes, as is the Alberta Falls hike.) You may choose to ride the shuttle bus service to the Bear Lake Trailhead 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!
Updated Trail Conditions
The weather can be fickle! While the Alberta Falls, Colorado area is one of the most visited in all seasons, it is important to always check what the Alberta Falls trailhead and trail conditions are. Updated Trail Conditions can be found by clicking here.
Colorado Road Conditions
The Alberta Falls area weather in Colorado can be different from surrounding areas, which affects driving and road conditions. Road Conditions in Colorado can be found by clicking here.
Prepping Gear
Depending on where you are going, and when, and who is going with you, you will need to pack certain gear. Take time before to find, purchase, and pack the gear you need. Consider our 17 things you need to pack, but didn’t think of, as well as our list of essentials for a day hike. You can even check out our guide to gifts for hikers and adventurers to give you ideas regarding items that you may need (or want!) to make your vacation even better!
Gear is really important, and give yourself the time to think, research, and plan for the things that you will most need and want during your vacation. Frankly, I even make lists for food and clothing. (But like I said, I’m a planner, people.)
Highlights and Quick Reference Guide
- Easy hike (but not wheelchair accessible)
- 1.8 miles total round trip
- 2 hours hiking time
- Alberta Falls elevation is from 9,240 feet to 9,400 feet (bring water!)
- No fees, except the park entrance fees
- Waterfalls (Don’t listen to TLC, you need to go chasin’ these waterfalls – they are stunning!)
- Easy Hike for Children
- Doggies are not allowed (but you may run into some horses as Equestrians are allowed on parts of this trail)
To the Point Summary Directions
These directions to hike Alberta Falls are clear and concise, without extra commentary! Use these directions, and if you ever feel confused, always refer to the map and directions below that are more detailed and include even more specific directions.
Miles and Directions (From Glacier Gorge Trailhead)
0.0 Start at Glacier Gorge Trailhead
0.9 Alberta Falls
1.8 Turn around and head back!
Step by Step DETAILED Directions
Your days of feeling “Map-ically Challenged” are over! (Trademark on that pending!) These maps (both simple and detailed), along with exceptionally clear instructions, are all provided for you in this post!
3D Map
Please note: The 3D maps in this post, and below are NOT FACING NORTH (on purpose!). Repeat: These maps do NOT face North. 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 THE MAP 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!
First Option – Glacier Gorge Trailhead
- Start early, grab your coffee at Kind Coffee in Estes Park, Colorado and head out!
- 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). This option gets you the closest to Alberta Falls, and makes for a slightly shorter hike. Park in the parking lot. Jump out of your car, van, or clown car and check the signs. You really should be able to only go one way, and the signs are clearly marked. When you get to the fork in the road, go LEFT towards Alberta Falls. You will be heading southeast at this point, and there should also be signs. Just stay on this trail. Don’t veer off of it (for example, don’t take another left onto Prospect Canyon Trail.) After some time you will see the waterfalls! Enjoy!
- After your very mild hike (walk!) consider hiking to Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. It’s a close, easy hike and well worth it!
- Want other hikes to see lakes? Consider the Emerald Lake Hike an the Dream Lake Hike in Rocky Mountain National Park.
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Second Option – Bear Lake Trailhead
Bear Lake Trailhead Map in Rocky Mountain National Park
- Start early, grab your coffee at Kind Coffee in Estes Park, Colorado and head out!
- Travel on US 36 highway to Bear Lake Road.
- Make a left onto Bear Lake Road
- Bear Lake Trailhead a bit further up the road (about a mile) on twisty, turn-y Bear Lake Road. This trailhead has a larger parking lot. Again, park in the parking lot and use that restroom if you need to! When you get to the actual Bear Lake trail, you will see the huge sign for the Bear Lake Hike to your right. (The Bear Lake Trail Hike is super easy, and don’t hesitate to include this with your Alberta Falls Hike, as its very simple, easy, flat, and fast. Even more than that – it’s a gorgeous walk, with beyond incredible views. But I digress.)
- At the intersection, to get to Alberta Falls, don’t go right. Instead, walk a bit to the LEFT, and then when you get to another fork in the road, go LEFT AGAIN.
- The signs are clearly marked.
- At this point you will walk straight (which will be southeast) all the way!
- Don’t turn right at Dream-Emerald Lakes Trail, unless you want to go to Nymph Lake or beyond.
- Don’t turn right to go to the Glacier Gorge Trailhead (you didn’t park there!) or right onto Prospect Canyon Trail.
- Just keep going straight, baby! You’ll see the falls and be amazed! They are gorgeous!
Beautiful Hike to Alberta Falls in Rocky Mountain National Park
More Information and Resources
Final Thoughts on Alberta Falls Hike
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!
Interested in other beautiful hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park? Check out Emerald Lake Hike and the Dream Lake Hike!
When you are ready to finally have your National Park Family Vacation!
Hopefully, you already have all of your reservations, your tickets, and gear planned out! A last minute checklist is so important to make sure that nothing gets left behind. Here are a few extra hacks and tips for your road trip and family vacation! Want even MORE free options? Simple! Just subscribe at the bottom of this post to be part of the Van Adieu Crew and get access to the FREE Van Adieu Vault filled with itineraries, checklists, roadmaps and more!
- Confirm all reservations, tickets, and any events you may be attending (Best suggestion: Print copies of everything and have it with you.)
- Confirm the route you are going. (Best suggestion: Purchase an atlas, as in, an actual real map – on honest to goodness old fashioned paper.)
- Check all gear. (Best suggestion: Discuss this gear with everyone. Is there something that someone would like to have? For example, is someone interested in doing geocaching on the trip? Maybe a waterproof notebook and waterproof pen would be fun for them!)
- Make sure to look at our Road Trip Checklist!
- Make a shopping list, and purchase all possible groceries ahead of time. (Best suggestion: Figure out not only each meal, but also prepare snacks in individually wrapped packages to make the trip more fun and super easy!) Or try to find the best Farmer’s Market where you are going – its easy!
- Consider what you will be doing during the road trip. We have some great road trip activities for kids, and also some fantastic productive and unique activities for adults!
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Tell me about your Alberta Falls Hike experiences! Did you think the hike was easy or difficult? I’d love to hear your opinions and your experiences! I’d love to see your pictures as well! Did you add any other hikes to it? We’d love to see your pictures and hear from you – so comment below!
Adieu for now!
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