One of the highest national parks in the United States, the Rocky Mountain National Park includes the 14,258-foot-high Longs Peak (4,345 metres) and 300 miles of hiking trails.

Much of the park can only be accessed during the summer months, with winter snows closing mountain roads. During peak season of mid-June to Labor Day, consider spending time in the less crowded western side of the park. In that area are opportunities to hike, picnic, and visit the Holzwarth Historic Site, a homestead from the early 1900s.

Be aware of wildlife while hiking on more remote trails. The Rocky Mountain National Park is home to elk, deer, mountain lions and bears, and you are likely to encounter wildlife on your trip. If you see a bear, stand still and stay calm, giving the bear the opportunity to leave. If it doesn't leave, make yourself look as big as possible and throw small rocks to try to scare it away. If the bear charges, the advice from the US National Park Service is to fight back.

Rocky Mountain road trip

Exploring the national parks of the Northern Rockies

Rocky Mountain road trip

Exploring the national parks of the Northern Rockies

By Amy Balfour

Rocky Mountain National Park Tours

Glacier Gorge Day Hike

Alpine Lakes • Waterfalls • High Country

1 daysFrom $145

	Rocky Mountain National Park
	Private guided tour
	Active, Hiking & Trekking, Nature & Wildlife, National Parks

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Destinations	Rocky Mountain National Park
Activity	Active, Hiking & Trekking, Nature & Wildlife, National Parks
Tour Type	Private guided tour
Physical Level	Easy

The Glacier Gorge Hike takes us into the justifiably very popular Bear Lake - Glacier Gorge part of Rocky Mountain National Park. This area features mountain scenery that is as breathtaking and beautiful as any in the world, literally. Glacier Gorge is a sub-alpine valley that drains several high mountain cirques. Our hike is characterized by dense forests, meadows, waterfalls, alpine lakes, glaciers and mountain cirques. Our hike takes us past Alberta Falls, a beautiful waterfall below treeline. We'll continue up a timbered valley with a tumbling creek to Loch Vale, a mountain lake at over 10,000 feet ringed by granite cliffs. We'll stop on the idyllic shores of Loch Vale and enjoy a picnic lunch. From here we have many options which include hiking to more lakes, continuing to views of glaciers, or returning back the way we came. Your guide will be ready to do whatever is going to make your day an unforgettable one!

Guided excursions

All tours are accompanied by one of Wildland's professional adventure guides. All guides are qualified, certified and are the highlight of your experience, giving you a unique insight into the extraordinary landscapes. For your reassurance all guides are qualified first-aiders and are equipped with first-aid kits and satellite phones.

All park entrance fees and permits are included.

Some meals

Trail snacks and a picnic lunch included.

Odessa Gorge Day Hike

Alpine Lakes • Thru Hike • Wildlife

1 daysFrom $145

	Rocky Mountain National Park
	Private guided tour
	Active, Hiking & Trekking, Nature & Wildlife, National Parks

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Destinations	Rocky Mountain National Park
Activity	Active, Hiking & Trekking, Nature & Wildlife, National Parks
Tour Type	Private guided tour
Physical Level	Mild

This great point-to-point hike takes us from Bear Lake into the lake-strewn canyon of Odessa Gorge and the Fern Lake drainage beyond. In just over a nine mile hike, much of which is gentle downhill, we’ll find ourselves in a world of mountain spires and alpine lakes beneath them. We’ll take in views of the Little Matterhorn,The Gable, Notchtop and Knobtop mountains, all near 12,000 feet or higher, as we make our way on this one-way route through the glacially carved canyon.

We’ll enjoy a great lunch along the way, we’ll have time for rest and reflection at any number of alpine lakes we pass, and we’ll enjoy a long and gradual descent for much of our journey - with a handful of steep sections just to keep us on our toes!

Fern Falls flows in an elegant free-fall some 60 feet at 6.6 miles or so, and from there we enter the canyon of the Big Thompson River, past Arch Rocks, and The Pool to the Fern Lake Trailhead and our waiting shuttle back to Estes Park.

Guided excursions

All park entrance fees and permits are included.

Some meals

Trail snacks and a picnic lunch included.

Chasm Lake Day Hike

Alpine Lakes • Classic Views • Waterfalls

1 daysFrom $115

	Rocky Mountain National Park
	Private guided tour
	Active, Hiking & Trekking, Nature & Wildlife, National Parks

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Destinations	Rocky Mountain National Park
Activity	Active, Hiking & Trekking, Nature & Wildlife, National Parks
Tour Type	Private guided tour
Physical Level	Moderate

Chasm Lake is a stunning alpine body of water at the base of the Rocky Mountain's most famous summit, Longs Peak (14,259 feet). More specifically the lake lies in the bottom of a cirque below the 2400-foot-tall, east-facing cliff ("Diamond") that protects Longs Peak's lower flanks. Because of Chasm Lake's views of The Diamond, Longs Peak, Mount Lady Washington (13,281 feet), and Mount Meeker (13,911 feet), it is regarded as one of the most breathtaking destinations in the Park.

The hike to Chasm Lake takes us through dense spruce-fir forests into subalpine stands and finally the big views, stunted trees and scree fields of Colorado's famous alpine mountains. We pass views of distant peaks and waterfalls before finally arriving at the shores of Chasm Lake.

Guided excursions

All park entrance fees and permits are included.

Some meals

Trail snacks and a picnic lunch included.

Continental Divide Trail Day Hike

Peak Climb • Alpine Lakes • Glaciers

1 daysFrom $115

	Rocky Mountain National Park
	Private guided tour
	Active, Hiking & Trekking, Nature & Wildlife, National Parks

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Destinations	Rocky Mountain National Park
Activity	Active, Hiking & Trekking, Nature & Wildlife, National Parks
Tour Type	Private guided tour
Physical Level	Moderate

The Continental Divide Trail is one of three mega long scenic trails in the United States. It extends 3,100 miles from the Canada to Mexico, and for one stretch winds through the heart of Rocky Mountain National Park. This tour hikes one of the most stunning sections of the Continental Divide Trail above 12,000 feet. Along the way we’ll have the opportunity to summit multiple peaks including; Flattop Mountain, Hallett Peak, and possibly Otis Peak!

An early start from Bear Lake Trailhead is essential to avoid afternoon thunderstorms. The trail gradually gains elevation as we hike through dense forests of aspen and spruce trees. We’ll be close to treeline as the sun rises, taking a break to enjoy the magnificent views- of alpine lakes and streams below us.

The trail eases as we gain the summit of the aptly named Flattop Mountain (12,324 ft.) and joins the Continental Divide Trail. While this is an accomplishment already, going the extra distance to achieve Hallett Peak (12,713 ft.) is well worth the effort. Its summit rewards with enthralling views of Longs Peak and distant mountain ranges. Ambitious peak baggers and athletic hikers may consider going an additional 2-miles round trip to Otis Peak (12,486). Always keeping an eye on the weather, we will head back the way we came stopping for lunch in route to Bear Lake.

Guided excursions

All park entrance fees and permits are included.

Some meals

Trail snacks and a picnic lunch included.

Longs Peak Day Hike

Strenuous Hike • Alpine Lakes • Glaciers

1 daysFrom $250

	Rocky Mountain National Park
	Private guided tour
	Active, Hiking & Trekking, Nature & Wildlife, National Parks

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Destinations	Rocky Mountain National Park
Activity	Active, Hiking & Trekking, Nature & Wildlife, National Parks
Tour Type	Private guided tour
Physical Level	Strenuous

Anticipate a 1:30am - 2am pick up from your hotel. An early morning start and being fully rested is essential for a summit attempt on Longs Peak. A twenty minute shuttle brings us to the trailhead, where your guide will distribute backpacks, hiking poles, and trail snacks. You will quickly warm up as the trail consistently gains elevation for three miles. As the trees vanish, the alpine tundra emerges and the hiking terrain lessens to an easier grade.

A reward for our early departure is reaching Battle Mountain in time to watch the sunrise crest upon the notorious Diamond of Longs Peak, a 1,800 foot cliff face sculpting Longs Peak's east side.

Here forward the terrain turns to boulders and cliff edges. Use of hands, secure footing, and a respect for our surroundings is essential for safety. Passing through the Keyhole (a notch-like pass that allows us access to the summit), we gaze upon a new side of the mountain. We traverse a narrow edge until reaching the Trough, a steep gulley of boulders and scree rock, marking the most physically challenging part our ascent.

As the summit view emerges, so does the most exposed section of the hike. A steep, but walkable, slope leads the way to the top. After congratulations and photos we will descend the same path we hiked up.

Stopping for lunch on the way down allows us an opportunity to stare back up at Longs Peak summit and appreciate what we accomplished. Past the difficult section we descend back to the shuttle vehicle, ideally arriving to the trailhead by 3pm.

Please note: Acclimatization to altitude is very helpful for this climb. We suggest that you have spent a minimum of 48 hours within Estes Park or environs before the day of our hike.

Guided excursions

All park entrance fees and permits are included.

Some meals

Trail snacks and a picnic lunch included.

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