Points of Interest
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ACTIVITIES | ROADS SITES | FLORA & FAUNA Activities Hiking | Biking | Horseback Riding| Fishing | Climbing | Winter Activities 
Hiking
Rocky Mountain National Park contains more than 355 miles of trails, ranging from easy trails that can be walked at a leisurely pace to expert vertical ascents. Trails lead to mountain lakes, past waterfalls, and to summits offering spectacular views. 
The three main bicycle routes through the park are on Bear Lake Road, Trail Ridge Road, and a loop between Horseshoe Park and Estes Park. Because of the mountainous terrain, most routes are quite demanding. Additionally, thunderstorms, cold weather, traffic, and high altitudes make cycling in the park a rigorous challenge. A weekly $3 fee is required from bicylists. Bikes are not allowed on the park trails. Horseback Riding Always popular, guided saddle rides into the high country take visitors to special places. Among the many unique destinations is Mill Creek, Beaver Meadows, and the Ute Trail. Some rides allow time for fishing in mountain lakes and streams. 
With the exception of Bear Lake, fishing is permitted in most lakes and streams within the park. Anglers should be aware of size limits and catch-and-release regulations. A Colorado state fishing license is required, but can easily be purchased in Estes Park or Grand Lake. Ice fishing during the winter is permited in some areas. 
Nontechnical climbing, or "bouldering", can be done at many locations throughout the park. The trail from Keyhole Route to Longs Peak is a popular spot for such climbs. More serious rock climbers will enjoy the Lumpy Ridge just north of Estes Park. Other forms of technical climbing allowed in the park include ice climbing and alpine climbing. 
Rocky Mountain National Park is a premier spot for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Ski tours and snowshoe hikes led by rangers are offered on winter weekends for several different levels of ability. Snowmobiling is at the west side of the park is also popular. Highway 7 (Peak to Peak Scenic Byway) | Highway 14 (Poudre Canyon) 
Peaking at just over 12,000 feet, Trail Ridge Road is the highest continually paved highway in the United States. Because the road takes travellers through several climactic zones, and including fragile alpine tundra, it is the most popular route through the park. While many of the higher reaches are closed during much of the year due to snowfall, the National Park Service makes every effort to keep the road open between Memorial Day and late September or early October each year. However, temporary closings due to high winds or snow during this period are possible. Following a trail once used by Native American tribes, the road showcases extraordinary vistas across the the Continental Divide in both directions. Fantastic rock formations made from some of the oldest rock in the park, as well as wooded valleys and silver streams are common features on this journey. Wildlife is frequently sited, and a full range of mountain and alpine vegetation can be seen. Fall River Road This one-way unpaved road from Endovalley to the Alpine Visitor Center provides a spectacular climb above Horseshoe Park, and is highly recommended. Several miles of the nine mile road are within the alpine tundra range. The final destination of this journey is Trail Ridge Road. The pace (15 mph) through the steep, narrow canyon is perfect for taking pictures. Many waterfalls, lakes, and streams can be reached by short trails leading off the road. Please note that no trailers and no vehicles more than 25 feet long are allowed. Bear Lake Road 
Offering access to the very popular alpine Bear Lake, the road has great views
of the Continental Divide, the numerous area peaks, and the Glacier Gorge
-- significant evidence of the power of glaciers. Many people consider scenery in
this area to be the most impressive on the east side of the park.Bear Lake Road is reached from the Beaver Meadows Entrance Station. During the summer, the Bear Lake Shuttle ferries visitors from the Glacier Basin parking area to the lake. Highway 7 This road offers some of the best views of Longs Peak, and travels south of Estes Park, through Tahosa Valley below Longs Peak, past the area of Wild Basin. 
Highway 14 Climbing the Poudre Canyon, west of Fort Collins, this road crosses Cameron Pass, and the Colorado State Forest. It offers views into the northern edge of the Never Summer Range, including the highest peak in the range, Mt. Richthofen. The town of Walden is located at the west end of the road. Longs Peak 
Longs Peak is the highest peak in the park, with its crest at 14,255 feet.
The peak is viewable from many points on roads and backcountry hiking trails inside the park.
On Highway 7, to the south of Estes Park, is a small parking area with a great view
of the east face, "the Diamond", a 1000 foot sheer cliff.
Moraine Park This park was named for rock debris (moraines) left from glaciers. The long, wooded slope found at the south edge of this park features a perfect example of lateral moraine, the rock rubble that forms at the side of a glacier. This area is ideal for short hikes. Horseshoe Park Moraines rim this valley in the shape of a horseshoe, spreading far into the upper end of the Horseshoe Park. Kawuneeche Valley A long, wide valley formed by a glacier moving along a major fault zone, this valley is home to the Colorado River. Over the past several hundred years thousand years, the valley has been widened and its walls steepened by several glaciers fed from the Never Summer Mountains across the valley and the Milner Pass area. Plants Rocky Mountain National Park is home to 900 species of plants. Among the species that can be seen include Ponderosa pine, Easter daisy, Douglas fir, lodgepole pine, pasqueflower, aline avens, Western wallflower, fairy slipper, goldenrod, Rocky Mountain iris, rock primrose, Indian paintbrush, alpine forget-me-not, snow lily, and of course, the blue columbine (Colorado's state flower). 
Of special interest are the fragile tundra plants: snowball, saxifrage, anemone, draw and alpine clover, sky pilot, and king's crown. Wildlife 
Rocky Mountain National Park is also home to 250 types of birds, and 60 species of mammals. While certain animals are commonly seen, others are much more challenging to spot. Elk, moose, mule deer, beaver, coyote, bobcat, chipmunks, black bears, mountain lions, hummingbirds, mountain bluebird, peregrine falcon, bighorn sheep all live within the park. Back to Estes Park information Discount Desk | Real Estate Planner Vacation Planner | Raft Colorado Advertising Information |
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