We visited Rocky Mountain National Park twice—first in June 2023 as part of our Colorado national parks trip, and again in May 2025.

Visit 1 – June 2023 (2½ Days in the Park)

Bear Lake Trail (0.7 mile)

This easy walk around Bear Lake offered peaceful views of the surrounding mountains reflected in the water. It was a great introduction to the park.

Alberta Falls Trail (1.6 miles)

A short hike through a forested area led us to Alberta Falls. The waterfall was strong and gushing, providing many good photo opportunities.

Sprague Lake Trail (0.8 mile)

This flat loop trail offered beautiful views of the mountains across the lake. It was calm and scenic, making it perfect for a relaxed walk. The nearby rest area was also a great spot for us to enjoy our home-prepared lunch.

Trail Ridge Drive

Driving Trail Ridge Road was one of the highlights of our visit. This high-altitude road offered wide views of the mountains, stunning landscapes, and several scenic pullouts.

Nymph, Dream & Emerald Lake Trail (3.6 miles)

This was one of the more challenging hikes of the trip, mainly due to icy sections at higher elevations. Passing by three alpine lakes, each with its own charm, made the effort worthwhile. Emerald Lake, in particular, offered especially stunning views.

Lily Lake

A quieter and less crowded area, Lily Lake provided a peaceful setting with clear views of the surrounding peaks. It was a nice break from the busier parts of the park.

Alluvial Fan Trail (0.7 mile)

This short trail led to a wide rocky area where water cascades through large boulders. It was easy to access and fun to explore.

During this trip, we also visited Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods, Seven Falls, and the national parks of Great Sand Dunes, Mesa Verde, and Black Canyon of the Gunnison.

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Visit 2 – May 2025 (1 Day in the Park)

Hollowell Park Trail (Partly)

We explored part of the Hollowell Park area, which offered open meadows and scenic mountain views. It was quiet and less crowded.

Trail Ridge Parkway (Beaver Pond & Rainbow Curve Lookouts)

We again drove along Trail Ridge Road, stopping at Beaver Pond and Rainbow Curve. The road was closed beyond Rainbow Curve due to uncleared snow, but the viewpoints still offered excellent views.

Alluvial Fan (Revisit)

We revisited the Alluvial Fan waterfalls, enjoying the sound of rushing water and the beautiful rocky landscape once again.

Also visited Red Rock State Park during this trip

Across both visits, Rocky Mountain National Park offered a great mix of easy walks, scenic drives, and beautiful alpine lakes. The many accessible viewpoints and trails made it enjoyable even without long or difficult hikes.