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Estes Park, Colorado

Looking for the best hiking in Estes Park? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Estes Park. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Hiking Spots in and near Estes Park

  • Estes Park, Colorado

    Chasm Falls

    3.0
    2.57 mi / 132 ft gain
    Parking in Rocky Mountain National Park is tricky for Chasm Falls. Depending on where you are able to park, the hike will be a 0.1 mile, 2.8 mile, or 4.8 mile round-trip hike. It’s also important to know that Old Fall River Road is closed during the winter months from Nov 30th until the end of Ma...
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  • Estes Park, Colorado

    Chasm Lake via Longs Peak Trailhead

    4.7
    8.01 mi / 2425 ft gain
    The 4-mile trail climbs around 2500ft from the Longs Peak trailhead and starts by winding through dense forest. In the morning darkness, trudging through thick trees isn’t the most exciting, but when you finally climb out above treeline, the massive profile of Longs and the slowly growing light o...
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  • Estes Park, Colorado

    Longs Peak

    5.0
    13.3 mi / 5100 ft gain
    For the most part, this hike is very straightforward, so I'll essentially skip over the first 5.5 or so miles of the hike, but, in case you don't know: Start (very early so you get a parking spot) from the trailhead right next to the parking lot (the road to it is paved - seriously this mountain...
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  • Estes Park, Colorado

    Peacock Pool

    7.9 mi / 2438 ft gain
    The peacock pool is a cool little tarn below the outlet to Chasm Lake. Please note that this adventure is best done in the winter/spring when snow is present to prevent erosion in the sensitive area. That is how the description will be written, assuming winter conditions. The approach is the sa...
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  • Estes Park, Colorado

    Boulderfield Campground via Longs Peak Trail

    11.39 mi / 3337 ft gain
    Boulder Field is a high alpine backcountry site on Longs Peak, and is a popular camp for backpackers attempting to summit Longs Peak via the Keyhole route. At an impressive elevation of 12,760 feet, Boulder Field is a vast wasteland of rocks that sits 500 feet below the famous Keyhole feature, an...
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  • 1398 Longs Peak Road, Colorado

    Storm Peak and Mount Lady Washington

    4.5
    12.57 mi / 5312 ft gain
    This adventure began at the Longs Peak trailhead in southeastern Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. I followed the Longs Peak trail for 6 miles to the Boulderfield backcountry camping area. This is a fairly steep on-trail climb of 3,360 feet. After setting up camp at 12,760 feet, my partner...
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  • Larimer County, Colorado

    Sky Pond via Glacier Gorge Trailhead

    4.7
    8.43 mi / 1780 ft gain
    Start at the Glacier Gorge trailhead on Bear Lake Road. Parking is limited so it is advised to get there very early. It's a longer hike so plan on taking a full day to complete or stay overnight to enjoy more of the scenery. Within the first mile on the Glacier Gorge Trail you will pass by Alber...
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  • Larimer County, Colorado

    The Loch Lake Trail via Glacier Gorge Trail

    5.53 mi / 1072 ft gain
    The Loch Lake Trail via Glacier Gorge Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Estes Park, Colorado.
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  • Larimer County, Colorado

    The Loch Vale Hike

    5.0
    5.53 mi / 1056 ft gain
    The trail starts at the Glacier Gorge trailhead along the road to Bear Lake. After hiking for just under a mile, you'll pass Alberta Falls and continue up the trail through the gorge. At about 2 miles you'll reach a clear junction, with trails towards Mills Lake, Lake Haiyaha, and The Loch. Take ...
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  • Larimer County, Colorado

    Mills Lake via Glacier Gorge Trailhead

    4.8
    5.24 mi / 940 ft gain
    Start hiking at the Glacier Gorge Trailhead down the bear lake road in rocky mountain national park. The trailhead is very popular so it can be difficult to find a parking place at times. From Glacier Gorge, follow the obvious trail and signs towards mills lake. In the summer the trail will go p...
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  • Estes Park, Colorado

    Green Lake via Glacier Gorge Trail

    5.0
    11.38 mi / 3400 ft gain
    Begin at the popular Glacier Gorge trailhead along Bear Lake Road in Rocky Mountain National Park. Arrive VERY early for parking as the lot typically fills by 7:30 am. For the best photography options - choose to either backpack into the Glacier Gorge campsite (reservations must be made early in ...
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  • Estes Park, Colorado

    Alberta Falls Trail

    4.0
    1.66 mi / 200 ft gain
    Heading into the park from Beaver Meadows Entrance Station turn left at the first road in .2 miles. Follow Bear Lake Road for 8 miles until reaching the Glacier Gorge parking area on the left. Take the trail from the parking area and follow it to the intersection with the Sprague Lake Trail. Stay...
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  • Estes Park, Colorado

    Black Lake Trail

    5.0
    9.17 mi / 1400 ft gain
    The Black lake hike begins at the very popular Glacier Gorge trailhead along Bear Lake road in Rocky Mountain National Park. During the summer and weekends, the park shuttle may be the best parking option as the lot is often full by 7am and can be difficult to find a spot throughout the day. Fr...
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  • Larimer County, Colorado

    Winter Hike to Loch Vale

    4.0
    5.4 mi / 1056 ft gain
    This winter adventure begins at the popular Glacier Gorge Trailhead in Rocky Mountain National Park. Make sure you arrive early as the parking lot fills up quickly! We started the hike with our microspikes on and carried our snowshoes. The park ranger informed us snowshoes may be necessary in som...
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  • Larimer County, Colorado

    Hike to Jewel Lake

    4.0
    6.12 mi / 727 ft gain
    This trail starts at the Glacier Gorge Trailhead. This trailhead fills quickly at any time of year, so it's best to get there early to guarantee a parking spot. You can also park at Bear Lake where there's more spaces and add just under 2 miles to your round trip length. A mile into the hike, y...
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  • Larimer County, Colorado

    Hike the Spearhead

    5.0
    12.44 mi / 3300 ft gain
    Beginning from the Glacier Gorge trailhead, follow trail signs towards Mills Lake. At Mills, continue onward past Black Lake, and then continue hiking up into the incredible basin above Black Lake. Spearhead will be unmissable. Once in the basin, head to the north side of Spearhead. By hugging t...
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