Summer is prime hiking season in Rocky Mountain National Park: wildflowers, rushing waterfalls, snowfields on the peaks and alpine lakes so blue they don't look real. Jeff and I have hiked a lot of these trails, and here are the ones we recommend most, from easy strolls to our strenuous all-time favorite, plus great dog-friendly hikes just outside the park.
First, plan your park entry
From late May to mid-October, Rocky Mountain National Park uses timed entry reservations. In 2026:
- Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road is required to enter the Bear Lake Road corridor from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. (May 22 to October 18). Many of the most popular trailheads are here: Bear Lake, Glacier Gorge, Sprague Lake and the Park & Ride.
- Timed Entry is required for the rest of the park from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (May 22 to October 12), including outlying areas like Lily Lake, Lumpy Ridge (Gem Lake) and Wild Basin.
Reserve on Recreation.gov (\$2 processing fee, plus your park pass). Extra reservations are released at 7 p.m. MT the night before, and they go fast. Even with a reservation, parking isn't guaranteed, so start early or use the free park shuttle along Bear Lake Road. My timed entry guide covers every detail.
Host tip from Jeff & René: Bluebell is about 3 minutes from the park entrance, so it's easy to enter before 9 a.m. without a reservation for most of the park. For Bear Lake Road trails like Sky Pond, get the Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road reservation, and set an alarm: that lot fills very early.
Easy hikes
Distances below are one way unless noted, from the National Park Service.
- Bear Lake Loop: about 0.5 mile around the lake, about 20 feet of gain. A mountain lake framed by Hallett Peak, easy enough for nearly everyone. Bear Lake Road reservation required in season.
- Sprague Lake Loop: about 0.5 mile around the lake, nearly flat, with reflections of the Continental Divide. Sunrise here is unforgettable. Also on Bear Lake Road.
- Lily Lake Loop: under a mile around, minimal gain, just off Hwy 7 close to town, with views of Longs Peak. Lily Lake is inside the park, so park rules and timed entry apply (display your reservation on the dashboard). There's no entrance station and passes are rarely checked, but they're still required.
- Nymph Lake: 0.5 mile from Bear Lake, about 225 feet of gain. A short climb to a pretty pond, and a great turnaround for little legs.
- Alberta Falls: 0.8 mile from the Glacier Gorge Trailhead, about 160 feet of gain, to a rushing 30-foot waterfall.
- Copeland Falls (Wild Basin): 0.3 mile from the Wild Basin Ranger Station, about 15 feet of gain. An easy waterfall stroll in the park's quieter southeast corner.
My easy hikes guide has more detail on these.
Moderate hikes
- Dream Lake: 1.1 miles from Bear Lake, about 425 feet of gain, past Nymph Lake to one of the park's most beautiful lakes.
- Emerald Lake: 1.8 miles from Bear Lake, about 605 feet of gain. Keep going past Dream Lake to a lake set right beneath the cliffs.
- Gem Lake: 1.6 miles from the Lumpy Ridge Trailhead, about 1,000 feet of gain, to a granite-ringed lake just north of town. It's inside the park, so park rules apply (park pass, and timed entry from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in season), even though passes are rarely checked there.
- Mills Lake: 2.8 miles from the Glacier Gorge Trailhead, about 750 feet of gain, past Alberta Falls to a lake deep in Glacier Gorge.
- Cub Lake: 2.3 miles, about 540 feet of gain, starting near Moraine Park, a lower-elevation trail that's nice early in the season.
- Calypso Cascades and Ouzel Falls (Wild Basin): 1.8 miles (about 700 feet of gain) to the cascades, or 2.7 miles (about 950 feet) to Ouzel Falls.
Strenuous hikes
Sky Pond: our all-time favorite
Distance: 4.9 miles one way from the Glacier Gorge Trailhead · Elevation gain: about 1,710 feet.
Sky Pond is the hike Jeff and I recommend more than any other, and summer and fall are the seasons for it. The trail passes Alberta Falls and The Loch, then climbs to a high-alpine lake ringed by sheer rock walls. Near the top, the route scrambles up the rocks beside Timberline Falls, which can be wet and slippery, so wear shoes with good grip and take your time. It's strenuous, not an easy hike, so save it for a day when you're acclimated.
★★ Jeff & René's top pick: Sky Pond is our #1 hike, period. Start early, since the Glacier Gorge lot fills fast and afternoon storms are common, and you'll need the Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road reservation in season (or enter Bear Lake Road before 5 a.m.).
- The Loch: 3.0 miles from the Glacier Gorge Trailhead, about 990 feet of gain. A beautiful lake on the way to Sky Pond, and a good turnaround if you want a shorter day.
- Deer Mountain: 3.0 miles from Deer Ridge Junction, about 1,083 feet of gain, to a summit with big views.
- Chasm Lake: 4.2 miles from the Longs Peak Ranger Station, about 2,360 feet of gain, to a lake right beneath the face of Longs Peak. For strong, acclimated hikers only.
Dog-friendly hikes outside the park
Pets aren't allowed on any Rocky Mountain National Park trails, so if your pup is hiking with you, head just outside the park. These are our three favorites:
- Lion Gulch / Homestead Meadows: the trailhead is about 8 miles east of Estes Park on Hwy 36. It's about 3.4 miles one way to a historic area where homesteads were established between 1889 and 1923. Dogs must be on a hand-held leash.
- Kruger Rock Trail (Hermit Park Open Space): an intermediate hike of about 4 miles through ponderosa pines, with a short scramble to a 9,335-foot summit and views of Mt. Meeker and the Continental Divide. A daily Hermit Park entrance permit is required, and dogs must be leashed.
- Homer Rouse Trail: an easy 3.8-mile out-and-back with about 308 feet of gain, just east of Lily Lake. Leashed dogs are welcome. Park at the Cheley Camp entrance on Fish Creek Road; there are no restrooms or water.
More options (and the park's pet rules) are in my dogs in RMNP guide and pet-friendly Estes Park guide.
Summer hiking tips from your host
- Start early: afternoon thunderstorms and lightning are common in summer, so plan to be off exposed ridges and above-treeline spots by early afternoon.
- Hydrate and pace yourself: trailheads sit around 8,000 to 9,500 feet. Take it easy your first day.
- Layer up: mornings can be chilly even in July, and it can snow at higher elevations any month.
- Sun protection: UV is intense at elevation. Sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses are a must.
- Stay on the trail to protect fragile plants, especially on the tundra.
- Check conditions: look at the park's trail conditions page and alerts before you go.
- Give wildlife space: keep at least 75 feet from elk and deer, and 120 feet from bears and moose.
Before you go, read my guide on how to safely enjoy wildlife: Estes Park Wildlife Safety Guide
Play Bluebell I Spy!: summer trails are full of finds for our Bluebell I Spy! Estes Park & RMNP card, waiting for you at the house: Bear Lake, Sprague Lake, a waterfall, a hummingbird and a pika squeaking in the rocks.
After the hike
Refuel with a burger at Penelope's and a caramel apple from Laura's downtown, then head home to put your feet up. Cool summer evenings at Bluebell are made for the propane fire pit and the s'mores kit that comes with every stay. For more summer fun, see my summer guide and my Trail Ridge Road guide.
FAQ
Do I need a reservation to hike in Rocky Mountain National Park in summer? During timed-entry season (May 22 to October 18 in 2026), yes, if you enter between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., or between 5 a.m. and 6 p.m. for Bear Lake Road trailheads. Entering outside those hours doesn't require a reservation.
What are the easiest hikes near Estes Park? The Bear Lake, Sprague Lake and Lily Lake loops are all short and nearly flat. Alberta Falls and Copeland Falls are easy waterfall walks.
Are Lily Lake and Gem Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park? Yes. Both are inside the park, so a park pass and timed entry (9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in season) apply, even though there's no entrance station and passes are rarely checked.
What's the hardest hike you recommend? Sky Pond: 4.9 miles one way with about 1,710 feet of gain, including a scramble beside Timberline Falls. It's our all-time favorite for summer and fall.
Where can I hike with my dog near Estes Park? Outside the park. Our favorites are Lion Gulch, Kruger Rock in Hermit Park Open Space and the Homer Rouse Trail.
What time should I start a summer hike? As early as you can. You'll get parking, cooler temperatures and time to finish before afternoon storms.
After a big day on the trail, there's nothing like coming home to a quiet spot about 3 minutes from the Rocky Mountain National Park entrance. Bluebell Mountain House is pet-friendly (up to two dogs, $150 per stay total), so your pup can come along for the dog-friendly hikes too. I'd love to host you.