Rocky Mountain National Park Active and Adventure Vacations

Rocky Mountain National Park Active and Adventure Travel Guide

Other Guides for Rocky Mountain National Park

Active and Adventure Destinations Near Rocky Mountain National Park

Mountain West Active and Adventure States/Provinces

Active and Adventure Travel Destinations
Mummy Mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Mummy Mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado (courtesy, National Park Serivce)

Rocky Mountain National Park Active and Adventure Highlights

By Travel Expert: Kim Lipker
  • Summit hikes are plentiful in the park, and they vary in difficulty. One of the best is the Lily Mountain hike, which is interesting enough for seasoned hikers and moderate enough for novices. It's outside the main park entrance and is usually not as crowded.
  • The Diamond Face of Longs Peak is considered one of the premier rock climbs in the park, or anywhere in the country for that matter. The numbers say it all: 1,000 vertical feet of wall, starting at 13,100 feet of elevation with 30 routes ranging from 5.10 to 5.13 in difficulty.
  • Longs Peak is the most famous of all treks in this area. It consists of 17 difficult miles, and many people start at 4:00 a.m. because it is a good idea to be off of the 14,000-foot summit before afternoon lightning storms hit. Standard hiking skills are adequate up to the "keyhole," which is a popular turnaround spot. After that point, you will be scrambling over rocks and traversing exposed ledges.
  • A great backpacking site for first-timers or families is the Old Forest Inn Campsite. The access from Fern Lake is full of surprises, including a lot of water and unique arches. The old Forest Inn Campsite is in the very spot that an inn of the same name drew visitors in the early days of the park.
  • Winter is one of the best times to explore the park because the summer crowds are long gone and the peaks are full of snow. The park maintains many of the hiking trails for snowshoeing during the winter and provides recommended winter hikes in the park's newspaper at visitor centers. Most snowshoe hikes are also suitable for cross-country skiing.

Rocky Mountain National Park Overview

Snow-covered peaks stand watch over lush valleys and shimmering alpine lakes, creating the perfect image of America's most dramatic and beautiful landscape -- the majestic Rocky Mountains. Here, the pine- and fir-scented forests are deep, the air is crisp and pure, and the rugged mountain peaks reach up to grasp the deep blue sky. The views are simply spectacular.

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Hotels

from: $89 compare hotel rates
Lake Shore Lodge
1700 Big Thompson Ave
Estes Park, CO 80517
Hotel Class: 2 class stars
Distance: 11.8 Miles
(from destination center)
Active Expert Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
4.1 out of 5 14 reviews
4.1 out of 5
Recommended for:
Active and Adventure travel
from: $129 compare hotel rates
Aspen Lodge
6120 Highway 7
Estes Park, CO 80517
Hotel Class: 2 class stars
Distance: 9.1 Miles
(from destination center)
Active Expert Rating
4.0 out of 5
4.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
Active and Adventure travel
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Lake Estes Inn and Suites
1650 Big Thompson Ave
Estes Park, CO 80517
Hotel Class: 2 class stars
Distance: 11.8 Miles
(from destination center)
Active Expert Rating
4.0 out of 5
4.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
3.7 out of 5 22 reviews
3.7 out of 5
Recommended for:
Active and Adventure travel
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Attractions

expert favorite attraction
Gem Lake Trail
Access: Twin Owls Trailhead
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Distance: 0.0 Miles (from destination center)
Description:

This is a relatively low elevation trail,... Read More

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5.0 out of 5
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expert favorite attraction
Onahu Creek/Green Mountain Loop Trail
Access: Onahu Creek Trailhead, 3 1/4 miles north of the Grand Lake Entrance Station
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Distance: 0.0 Miles (from destination center)
Description:

From the trail head there's about a... Read More

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5.0 out of 5
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The Loch Trail
Access: Glacier Gorge parking area, 8 1/2 miles down Bear Lake Rd
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Distance: 0.0 Miles (from destination center)
Description:

From the Glacier Gorge trail head, continue... Read More

Active Expert Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
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All Rocky Mountain National Park Attractions

Feature Articles

More Rocky Mountain National Park Active and Adventure Feature Articles (15)
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Trip Ideas

GORPTravel Trips

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Rocky Mountain National Park Active and Adventure Travel Guides

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