Photograph Bear Lake

Estes Park, Colorado

4.6/5

based on 12 reviews

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Description

Added by Jason Hatfield

An iconic lake in Rocky Mountain National Park with year-round photography access.

Bear Lake is a popular tourist destination in Rocky Mountain NP, but when the sun is low in the sky or the stars are out you'll find the big crowd are gone. The lake is beautiful at sunrise and sunset but especially photogenic in the fall or at winter's end. While it doesn't have the darkest night skies it can still serve as an excellent location to watch meteors or photograph star trails above Hallet Peak. The area is also frequented by wildlife and you might capture an elk harem, flock of turkeys, or lone fox.

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Photography

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Easy Parking

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Forest

Lake

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Wildlife

ADA Accessible

Photograph Bear Lake Reviews

Explorer

Haley Baker

Explorer

Photograph Bear Lake

04/30/16

If I have family in town that has never been to RMNP but isn't necessarily up for a "hike," I take them to Bear Lake. Its a gorgeous spot that has a mostly handicap accessible path and incredible views of Long's Peak. It's such a great place to share the beauty of the park without the strain of hiking somewhere further away.

5.0

Explorer

Billy DiMirra

Explorer

Photograph Bear Lake

03/30/16

One of my all time favorite hikes to do in RMNP. Its a shorter hike, with great views. The trail pretty much all year is easy to access and easy to complete. I highly recommend it!

5.0

Hezi Layoun

Photograph Bear Lake

02/29/16

Hiking to Nymph and Bear Lake was such an awesome experience. Being a first-timer in RNP, I was breathless be holding the stunning and majestic views. Even the drive to the trail head was an event; I stopped when I could to take in the scenery. The trail to Nymph Lake was clearly marked and lead me through fresh-smelling forest. Bear Lake was a bit larger than Nymph.

4.0

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Dragon's Tail Couloir Climb

Start your day at the Bear Lake parking lot, and head out on the short 2-mile approach that winds uphill past Nymph and Dream Lake. After arriving at Emerald Lake, skirt around the shore on the left side to reach the bottom of the couloir, clearly visibile on the far side of the lake.The 1500 ft climb starts gradually and increases in steepness as the couloir narrows towards the top, reaching s...

Climb Notchtop Mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park

Park at Bear Lake, and follow the signs north of the lake to Odessa Lake. However, do NOT go all the way to Odessa Lake; after about 3 miles, when Notchtop is in full view, the trail begins to descend to Odessa Lake. Find an unmarked spur trail to the left which leads to shallow Lake Helene, then scramble through slabs and krummholtz west of the lake to treeline and some small tarns. The cliff ...

Flattop Mountain and Hallett Peak

Arrive at the Bear Lake Trailhead. Follow abundant signage toward Flattop Peak. Once you arrive at the summit of Flattop identify the unnamed unmaintained trail leading south toward Hallett Peak. Round the head of Tyndall Gorge and ascend the rocky slopes toward the summit by connecting short use trails. Occasional cairns mark the way and the route is very easy to follow. A rugged loop hike is...

Catch a Sunrise at Dream Lake

Begin at the Bear Lake Trailhead, located at the end of Bear Lake Road, 9 miles from the entrance on Highway 36. Follow the signs to Dream Lake, passing Nymph Lake about halfway through. At 1.1 miles you will reach Dream Lake. The views of 12,713-foot Hallett Peak and 12,324-foot Flattop Mountain from the east shore of this subalpine lake are incredible, and the perfect backdrop for this aptly ...

Hike from Bear Lake to Fern Lake Trailhead

On this Rocky Mountain hike you’ll explore 4 picturesque mountain lakes and a 60 foot waterfall. Completing this hike requires familiarizing yourself with Rocky Mountain National Park’s free shuttle system. Hikes along Bear Lake Road are some of the busiest in the park. Trailhead parking lots fill up early in the morning, so avoid the trouble and use the shuttles. To access Bear Lake trailhead...

Hike Flattop Hallett Andrews Loop

Bear Lake to Flattop Mountain The trail starts at Bear Lake, where you get a view of Hallett Peak (12,713 ft) which will be the highpoint of your hike. After a short walk on the Bear Lake Trail, take the path to the right. After 1/2 a mile, take a trail left to the north. 1/2 a mile later, stay left at the trail intersection. If you follow the signs to Flattop Mountain, you should have no probl...

Photograph Bear Lake

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Photograph Bear Lake Reviews

Leave No Trace

Nearby

Dragon's Tail Couloir Climb

Climb Notchtop Mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park

Flattop Mountain and Hallett Peak

Catch a Sunrise at Dream Lake

Hike from Bear Lake to Fern Lake Trailhead

Hike Flattop Hallett Andrews Loop

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