The Best Easy Hike Rocky Mountain National Park

There are probably 1000 blog posts on this hike, but I too need to rave about the best easy hike Rocky Mountain National Park. It’s called the Emerald Lake Trail, and it includes THREE gorgeous lakes – Nymph, Dream, and Emerald Lake – in a 3.5 mile roundtrip hike. It doesn’t have a ton of elevation gain, it doesn’t take that long to do, and it’s not technical. It’s pretty easy, and the views are incredible for such a short distance. I’ve done it many times, and it never gets old. If you are visiting RMNP or heck, if you’re visiting Colorado ever, this hike must be on your list.

The Details – Best Easy Hike Rocky Mountain National Park

  • Distance: 3.5 miles roundtrip – Out and back hike

  • Elevation Gain: 698 ft

  • Trailhead Elevation: 9475 ft

  • Must Know: RMNP is currently requiring a reservation to enter the park (more on this later)

  • Cost of admission: $25 per car or I highly recommend a National Parks Pass that gets you into all National Parks and federal recreation sites for $80 per year.

  • Best Time to Visit: Summer and fall allow you to actually see the lakes, but they’re pretty when ice/snow covered in the winter and spring as well.

Nymph Lake covered in lily pads with mountains in the background

Nymph Lake aka Lily Pad Lake

Emerald Lake Trail – Best Easy Hike Rocky Mountain National Park

This trail is very easy to follow and well marked with signs. If you’re hiking during the winter, it is a bit more difficult, so pay more attention to signs/maybe use a GPS/follow the snow-covered lakes.

The hike starts at the Bear Lake Trailhead. Just beyond the parking area, Bear Lake will be to your right. It’s worth taking a look at Bear Lake before or after you begin your hike. If you include it, you’re then seeing 4 beautiful lakes in a day 🙂

The Emerald Lake Trail heads to the left – there’s a clearly marked sign.

Head up the mostly paved trail, around 0.6 miles, to Nymph Lake. I call this one Lily Pad Lake because it’s typically covered in lily pads. Stop and take some photos, and then keep going to the right, around Nymph Lake.

At around 1.1 miles, you’ll see a trail marker. Stay to the right, and you’ll soon reach Dream Lake.

Dream Lake is the biggest (I think) of the 3 lakes, and it’s so beautiful no matter what time of year. The views of the mountains beyond the lake are astounding.

Stay to the right – or North – of Dream Lake to reach Emerald Lake at around 1.8 miles. Hang out for a while on the rocks overlooking the lake. I’ve seen people swim but have not tested that out myself. Enjoy the beautiful alpine lake view. It stuns me every time I see it.

Dream Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park

Dream Lake – Lake #2

How to get to the Emerald Lake Trail

If you GoogleMap the Bear Lake Trailhead, it will take you to the start of the trail.

You will enter the park through Estes Park at the Beaver Meadows Entrance/Toll Station. The trailhead is around 20-30 mins from the park entrance.

During busy times/the summer, there are parking areas with shuttles that will take you to the trailhead. This hike is VERY popular, so it will likely save you time to park and take the shuttle rather than try to drive farther and park at Bear Lake Trailhead. If you get there super early in the morning or later in the day, you may have some luck with a parking spot.

The trailhead is around 2 hours from the Denver airport, 2 hours from downtown Denver, and 1.5 hours from where I live in Longmont.

Emerald Lake with emerald waters and mountain views

Rocky Mountain National Park Logistics

During Covid times, RMNP put into place a reservation system to enter the park from May 28-Oct 11. On the 1st of each month, you can reserve for the following month or for any remaining spots during that month. Then on every evening at 5pm, you can reserve for the next day. 25% of permits are set aside for this.

When I have looked at the site/gotten a permit, very early time slots and late afternoons tend to be available. Entering the park at 4pm when there are still hours of daylight left mid-summer is not the worst and is better than nothing.

It is only $2 for a reservation. You can go here to learn more.

You will still need to pay to enter the park – $25 for a day. Or you can buy a National Park Pass for the year for $80.

Dream Lake covered in snow and ice

The Best Easy Hike Rocky Mountain National Park in January

Go experience The Best Easy Hike in Rocky Mountain National Park for yourself

Hopefully my photos have convinced you to go see these lakes. In person is always better than photos. Pack a picnic to eat at Emerald Lake, take in the views of RMNP, and enjoy!

Also, we took our 8 week old baby in a carrier on this hike, so it’s family friendly too!

If you’re in the Breckenridge area of Colorado, I highly recommend the Mohawk Lakes Trail. This hike has 7 alpine lakes in an 8.5 mile trail. It’s lovely.

Happy Hiking!

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