Rocky Mountain National Park - 2-Day Highlights
Colorado's alpine wonderland: Trail Ridge Road (highest continuous paved road in US), elk watching, alpine tundra, and dramatic peaks. Accessible adventure above treeline.
Unscheduled
Sunrise at Sprague Lake
Easy wheelchair-accessible 0.5-mile loop around a pristine lake with mountain reflections.
Calm mornings = perfect reflections. Often see elk near the lake at dawn.
Sunrise at Kawuneeche Valley
West side of park - peaceful meadows along the headwaters of the Colorado River. Moose territory!
Less crowded than east side. Moose often seen in willows along the river.
Bear Lake Trailhead
Easy 0.6-mile loop around Bear Lake with stunning views. Starting point for many hikes.
Timed entry reservation required! Book at recreation.gov. Arrive early - lot fills by 7am in summer.
Coyote Valley Trail
Easy 1-mile loop along the Colorado River. Great for wildlife and wildflowers.
Wheelchair accessible. Prime moose habitat - look in the willows!
Emerald Lake Trail
3.6-mile roundtrip passing Nymph Lake, Dream Lake, and ending at Emerald Lake. One of the park's best hikes.
Steady elevation gain but not too steep. Dream Lake is the star - turquoise water below Hallett Peak.
Holzwarth Historic Site
1920s dude ranch preserved in time. Short walk to historic cabins with ranger talks.
Free ranger-led tours in summer. Step back in time.
Alberta Falls
1.6-mile roundtrip to a beautiful 30-foot cascade. Popular but beautiful.
Park at Glacier Gorge trailhead. Can extend to The Loch (5.4 miles RT) or Mills Lake (5.6 miles RT).
Lunch at Estes Park
Gateway town with many options. Bird & Jim, Smokin' Dave's BBQ, or Rock Inn for mountain views.
Town is walkable. Saltwater taffy shops are fun for souvenirs.
Lunch at Glacier Basin
Pack a picnic to enjoy in this alpine meadow. No facilities - bring everything in/out.
Pick up food in Estes Park. Marmots may try to steal your lunch!
Trail Ridge Road Scenic Drive
48-mile road crossing the Continental Divide at 12,183 feet. Multiple scenic overlooks and tundra walks.
Check if open - closes for snow. Bring layers - temperature drops 20-30F from base! Allow 3-4 hours with stops.
Old Fall River Road
Original road to Alpine Visitor Center - one-way gravel road with historic character. 9 miles, max 15 mph.
Only for adventurous drivers - narrow, no guardrails. Connects to Trail Ridge Road at top.
Alpine Visitor Center
Highest visitor center in the National Park System. Exhibits on alpine tundra. Cafe with average food, great views.
Walk slowly - altitude can cause shortness of breath. Short Alpine Ridge Trail behind the building.
Rock Cut & Tundra Walk
Short 0.5-mile nature trail through fragile alpine tundra. Highest point you can easily walk on Trail Ridge.
Stay on trail - tundra plants can take decades to recover from footsteps. Look for pikas and marmots.
Sheep Lakes
Bighorn sheep often come to this mineral lick. Roadside viewing area.
Sheep are unpredictable but often present spring through fall. Stay on your side of the fence!
Elk Watching at Moraine Park
Large meadow where elk herds graze. During fall rut (September), bulls bugle and compete.
Stay 25+ yards from elk. September-October rut is spectacular. Dawn and dusk best.
Final Sunset at Many Parks Curve
Overlook with views of multiple glacially-carved valleys. Beautiful sunset spot.
Look for elk in the meadows below as shadows lengthen.