Experience the Fall Colors and Elk Rut in This Iconic Colorado Park! Here’s How to Visit in One Day
Looking to make the most of your day trip hiking the scenic trails of Colorado’s most popular national park?
In this post, I’m going to give you a compact itinerary for one day in Rocky Mountain National Park, following a stop during my epic five-month exploration of the American Rockies.
My first tip: unless you’re into winter sports, don’t go in the winter. I went in March, and honestly, you can’t see much until late May or early June. If you’re visiting in winter, you’ll have to pick one side of the park for a day trip because Trail Ridge Road is closed.
So, I’ve enlisted the help of Sonia of Carey On Travels to help me plan this itinerary, based on her much more beautiful fall day spent in the park.
One day is a good enough time to kick off your adventure on the east side, traversing the Bear Creek corridor. Hike some of the best trails, and wrap up your day with a magnificent sunset from the Grand Lake Lodge on the park’s west side. I’ll also recommend other awesome places to visit and a quick travel guide packed with useful info.
Sample One Day in Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary
Here’s a sample one-day itinerary, all conveniently laid out in one scroll. I’ll provide more details about each place below.
Morning:
- Enter the park on Moraine Drive in Estes Park, going through the Beaver Meadows Entrance.
- Hike by Bear Lake and up to Nymph Lake and Dream Lake. After snapping pics of Dream Lake, you’ll head up the last stretch to Emerald Lake.
- Visit Moraine Park to watch the grazing elk. You can look for bugling elk if you’re here in the early fall.
- Eat a picnic lunch on the east shore of Sprague Lake, followed by a quick walk around the lake.
Afternoon:
- Drive up and over Trail Ridge Road, stopping at a few overlooks for pics or short hikes.
- Hike to Adams Falls and the East Inlet Trail, with a beautiful waterfall cascading over rocks and frequent moose sightings.
- Watch the sunset from the historic front porch of the Grand Lake Lodge.
Recommended lodging options for the Night: Estes Park entrance
- Luxury: The Estes Park Resort
- Mid-range: Stanley Hotel
- Budget: Blue Door Inn
Recommended lodging options for the Night: Grand Lake entrance
- Mid-range: Gateway Inn
- Budget: Grand Lake Lodge
Quick Guide to Visiting Rocky Mountain National Park
Encompassing 415 square miles of Colorado’s rugged beauty, Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the highest national parks, with elevations ranging from 7,860 to a breathtaking 14,259 feet. It is home to 147 sparkling lakes, 77 towering mountains over 12,000 feet, and 355 miles of hiking trails.
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Entrance Fee | $25 per vehicle for a day pass, $35 for a 7-day pass, and $80 for an annual pass. |
| Operating Hours | The park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. However, roads and facilities may be closed seasonally from October to June. |
| Visitor Centers | Alpine Visitor Center, Beaver Meadows Visitor Center, Fall River Visitor Center, and Kawuneeche Visitor Center. |
| Park Entrances | Beaver Meadows Entrance, Fall River Entrance, and Grand Lake Entrance. |
| Main Activities | Hiking, wildlife viewing, camping, fishing, horseback riding, and scenic drives. |
| Number of Campgrounds | 5 campgrounds with over 570 sites. |
| Number of Hotels | There are no hotels within the park, but plenty in nearby towns like Estes Park and Grand Lake. Estes Park Entrance 📍Luxury: The Estes Park Resort 📍Mid-range: Stanley Hotel 📍Budget: Blue Door Inn Grand Lake Entrance 📍Mid-range: Gateway Inn 📍Budget: Grand Lake Lodge |
| Best Time to Visit | Late June through mid-September for full access to all park areas. |
| Nearest Cities & Distances | Estes Park (2 miles), Denver (66 miles). Use DiscoverCars to find rental car deals. |
| Nearest Airports & Distances | Denver International Airport (DEN) – 77 miles Colorado Springs Airport (COS) – 125 miles Use Expedia to find the best flight prices. |
What to Do in Rocky Mountain National Park in One Day
Travel Tip! Make sure you have timed entry reservations for the park and the Bear Lake Corridor in the summer months so that you can follow this itinerary.
Early Morning: Beaver Meadows Entrance
Moraine Drive leads you out of Estes Park towards the Beaver Meadows Entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park. You’ll pass the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center before entering the park.
Once you get into the park, follow signs for the Bear Lake Corridor. Take a left on Bear Lake Road and follow this all the way to the Bear Lake trailhead.
Rangers will turn you around if the lot is full, which is often the case after 7:30 am. In that case, you will be directed to the Park and Ride on Bear Lake Road.
A free shuttle bus runs frequently from here to the Bear Creek trailhead, so this just adds a few minutes to your trip. There are restrooms and rangers at the Park and Ride and the trailhead.
Emerald Lake Hike
- Trail Length: 3.8 miles roundtrip
- Duration: About 2 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate
The Emerald Lake hike is one of the most popular hikes in the park. The trail is in good shape, and you see three beautiful alpine lakes on the way up. If you’re not up for going all the way to Emerald Lake, you can make it a 1.2 mile roundtrip by turning back at Nymph Lake, or a 2.2-mile roundtrip by turning back at Dream Lake.
From the trailhead, start out by walking past Bear Lake, following signs for Emerald Lake/Nymph Lake. The first section of the trail is paved, though this quickly turns into a dirt trail. This 0.6-mile stretch has a few steep sections, ending at the lily-pad-covered Nymph Lake.
Once you’ve stopped and enjoyed the views of Nymph Lake, follow signs for Emerald Lake/Dream Lake. About 0.2 miles into this stretch of the hike, there is an overlook over Long’s Peak and Nymph Lake, a great Instagram spot.
The remaining 0.5 mile trail to Dream Lake is steep with built-in stairs, but the views make the climb worthwhile. When you reach Dream Lake, you’ll see Hallett Peak reflected in the lake. It’s a great spot for catching the sunrise if you arrive in time. If you decide to turn back, take a quick walk around Dream Lake first.
If you are up for more hiking, take the trail on the right side of the lake towards Emerald Lake (0.8 miles further). This is the steepest part of the trail, taking you up over 10,000 ft!
Bonus Hikes:
To extend this hike further, you have a few options.
- Walk around the flat Bear Lake trail (0.6 miles), located near the trailhead and parking lot. You can do this at the beginning or when you return to the trailhead.
- You can also include Lake Haiyaha, which adds 2 miles and 350 ft more elevation gain. On your way back from Emerald Lake, you can decide if you want to add Haiyaha. The turn-off is between Dream Lake and Nymph Lake.
If you do all five lakes, it’ll be a 6.2 mile hike with around 1000 feet of elevation gain.
Moraine Park
Once you wrap up this hike, head back to your car (via shuttle if needed) and make the short drive to Moraine Park. Herds of elk frequently graze in this area, with the mountain peaks providing a beautiful backdrop.
Wildlife Spotting Hint! Look for where you see the most cars, whether at the Moraine Park trailhead or picnic area. This should help you find the herd of elk.
If you visit in the fall as I did, you have a good chance of seeing the bugling elk during their mating season (September-October). At any time of year, keep your distance from the elk and avoid loud noises.
Sprague Lake
- Trail Length: 0.7 mile loop
- Duration: About 30 minutes
- Difficulty: Easy
If the elk are active, have your packed lunch at Moraine Park. If not, drive further up Bear Lake Road to Sprague Lake and enjoy your picnic there. It’s a short and accessible 0.7 mile trail with great mountain views, especially from the east shore.
Trail Ridge Road
After lunch, drive up Trail Ridge Road, the highest continuous paved road in the U.S., which reaches 12,183 ft.
Winter Closure! Trail Ridge Road is closed in winter; when in doubt, check the park’s website for the status before you head out.
Stop and park at Many Parks Curve, the first hairpin turn you come across driving up the pass. It has a boardwalk and panoramic views over Bighorn Mountain and Horseshoe Park.
The next stop you’ll make is at the Forest Canyon Overlook, which looks down into Forest Canyon below and has excellent views over Long’s Peak on a clear day.
The Alpine Visitor Center is a good place for a coffee or snack break. You can learn more about the tundra area and visit the gift shop there. If you’re up for it, there’s a 0.5 mile Alpine Ridge Trail that you can check out from the top. Remember you’re at an elevation of over 12,000 ft., though!
While cruising down the west side of Trail Ridge Road, swing by Fairview Curve for some awesome views over the Kawuneeche Valley. Look out for moose and elk as you approach Grand Lake.
Adam’s Falls
- Trail Length: 0.6 miles roundtrip to Adam’s Falls
- Duration: About 30 min
- Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
After exiting the park, turn left and drive through the town of Grand Lake. Once you park at the East Inlet trailhead, you’ll take a short 1/3 mile hike up to Adam’s Falls. The hike to Adams Falls is a relatively easy, short walk leading to a beautiful waterfall cascading over the rocks. There are some stairs built into the trail you’ll need to navigate.
After seeing the waterfall, retrace your steps to the trailhead or continue on the East Inlet Trail. If you keep going, be aware of a fairly steep drop-off just after the waterfall. On the East Inlet Trail are stunning meadows where you can often see moose.
Wildlife Tip! As with the elk, steer clear of the moose, especially when seeing a mother with calves.
The East Inlet Trail is one of the best day hikes in Grand County, Colorado. But, given that it is an 18 mile out and back trail, you likely will only choose to do a small piece of this trail.
Sunset at the Grand Lake Lodge
As our day in Rocky Mountain National Park draws to a close, make your way to the Grand Lake Lodge on the western edge of the park. The lodge has a spectacular vantage point for watching the sunset.
Kick back and savor the sunset hues while enjoying a drink or snack on the lodge’s historic front porch. Take in the views of Grand Lake, Shadow Mountain Reservoir, and the surrounding mountains. If you’re on the lookout for an amazing dinner spot, this place is top-notch (although a bit pricey).
If you’re extending your stay on the Grand Lake side of the park, check out “How to Plan your Perfect Summer Getaway in Grand County, Colorado.”
Places To Visit With More Time
Other Things to Do in Rocky Mountain National Park
- Wild Basin Area: Located in the southeastern part of the park, this less crowded area has great backcountry camping, hiking, and waterfall spots.
- Never Summer Mountains: A rugged mountain range on the park’s west side.
- Longs Peak: Experienced climbers can aim for the 14,259-foot summit of Longs Peak, the highest peak in the park.
- Holzwarth Historic Site: Dive into history at this early 20th-century homestead on the park’s west side, offering guided tours during summer months.
- Continental Divide National Scenic Trail: Hike a portion of this famous trail that spans from Canada to Mexico.
- Take a horseback ride: Near Sprague Lake, take a horseback guided ride.
- Hike Mills Lake/Jewel Lake (Bear Lake corridor): A moderately difficult hike to lake views and wildlife.
- Alberta Falls Hike (Bear Lake corridor): Another popular moderate hike, this trail takes you to a beautiful waterfall.
- Hike Cascade Falls (Grand Lake side): This short, easy hike takes you to a stunning waterfall with Grand Lake landscapes.
- Lily Lake Hike (Peak to Peak Highway entrance): Take a walk around this peaceful lake for casual mountain views.
Day Trips Near Rocky Mountain National Park
- Boulder: Known for its arts scene and outdoor activities, you can tour the University of Colorado campus, explore the historic Pearl Street Mall, or hike the trails at the beautiful Flatirons here.
- Denver: Hang out at the Mile High City’s Botanic Gardens and Zoo to various brewpubs and eateries.
- Fort Collins: Home to Colorado State University, stroll around the Old Town Square or chug down beers at one of the many breweries in the city.
- Colorado Springs: Garden of the Gods is beautiful. Or you can drive up to Pikes Peak or explore the Cave Of The Winds Mountain Park.
- Estes Park: Estes Park, the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, is a charming mountain town known for the Stanley Hotel that inspired Stephen King’s The Shining.
- Vail: Although best known for its world-class ski resort, Vail has year-round activities.
Is 1 Day Enough for Rocky Mountain National Park
With 24 hours in Rocky Mountain National Park, you’ll be able to hit the highlights and drive from east to west. If you have extra time, you can take more or longer hikes and take more time to spot wildlife.
With multi-day trips, you can go to less-visited areas of the park, such as Wild Basin and the Mummy Range, and undertake longer hikes like the Longs Peak and Estes Cone. This will give you a chance to experience the park’s varied ecosystems, from alpine tundra to verdant forests.
Best Time To Visit
The best time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park is the summertime. Spring (April through May) starts late in this part, with snowy trails finally starting to melt in May. Summer (June through August) is the peak season, with warm weather, clear trails, and the park shuttle in operation. It’s ideal for hiking, camping, fishing, and wildlife spotting, but be prepared for bigger crowds.
Fall (September and October) brings stunning autumn colors and the elk rut. The park is less crowded, but the weather can be unpredictable. Around early October, winter weather starts affecting the high-elevation roads, which will soon close for the rest of the season. However, this season is great for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and peaceful hikes.
How to Get Here
Rocky Mountain National Park is located in the north-central region of Colorado and is easily accessible by car. The nearest major cities are Denver and Colorado Springs.
From Denver: The park is approximately an hour and a half drive from Denver. Simply take US-36 W from Denver to Estes Park, which serves as the eastern gateway to the park. Denver International Airport is the closest major airport to the park, making it a convenient starting point for those coming from out of state. Find a rental car with DiscoverCars.
From Colorado Springs: The drive from Colorado Springs to the park takes around two and a half hours. You’ll take US-24 W and then US-36 E to Estes Park. Colorado Springs has a smaller airport.
Public Transportation: Unfortunately, there is no direct public transportation from the major cities to the park. However, during peak season, Estes Park operates a free shuttle service that connects downtown Estes Park with the park’s shuttle system.
Park Shuttles: Shuttles provide easy access to many of the park’s most popular attractions and trailheads within the park. The park’s shuttle system operates during the summer months and is free of charge.
| City | Distance (Miles) | Approximate Driving Time |
|---|---|---|
| Boulder, CO | 37 | 1 hour |
| Denver, CO | 78.5 | 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Fort Collins, CO | 45 | 1 hour |
| Colorado Springs, CO | 125 | 2 hours 30 minutes |
| Cheyenne, WY | 90 | 1 hour 40 minutes |
Final Thoughts: Day Trip to Rocky Mountain National Park
This itinerary takes you through the best of the wild beauty of Rocky Mountain National Park with our itinerary. But there is so much more to explore and discover in this park and in the surrounding area.
If you’re looking for more Colorado destinations beyond the vistas of Trail Ridge Road to the clear waters of Emerald Lake, explore our other articles for more exciting journeys across the state.
Before you Close That Tab…Where to Next in Colorado?
I’ve vanlifed south to the north all of Colorado in the dead of winter to early spring. Let me tell you, it was cold, but turn on that buddy heater, and let’s hit the slopes. If you’re looking for more information on Colorado, check out these other destination itineraries.
- Perfect One Day In Mesa Verde National Park Itinerary
- Perfect One Day In Black Canyon Of The Gunnison Itinerary
- Unbeatable One Day In Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary
- One Day In Boulder Itinerary: What Not To Miss On A Day Trip
- Perfect One Day In Denver Itinerary For First-Timers
- Perfect One Day In Great Sand Dunes National Park Itinerary
Catherine, a seasoned travel writer, has lived in 4 different states and explored 36 states and 28 national parks. After spending two years embracing van life, she's now dedicated to sharing her vast knowledge of day trips across America. Catherine's other works has been referenced in major publications like MSN, Self, and TripSavvy.
| MY FAVORITE TRAVEL RESOURCES |
✈️ Find amazing guided tours and experiences with Viator to maximize your time! 🏘️ Plan ahead and secure your accommodation with Booking.com in advance. 🧾 Rent a car with Discovercars in advance and get the best prices for your day trip adventures. |