Rocky Mountain National Park is the 5th most visited National Park in the US. With over 4.4 million visitors in 2021 alone, it’s no secret that people near and far flock to to see the beauty of Colorado firsthand. While June through September are the peak travel season for the Rockies, I’ve found the utmost beauty of this incredible national park in the winter months. Not only is it a great way to avoid the thick crowds, but it’s an incredible opportunity to see the prettiest landscapes blanketed in sparkling snow. So come wander with me as I walk you through the best winter hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park! Let’s get into it.
Best Winter Hikes in RMNP
Dream Lake Trail
At the top of my list for winter hiking in the Rockies would be the Dream Lake Trail. This hike is relatively easy and has the sweetest reward. At just 2 miles out-and-back, you can complete the hike in about an hour. The beautiful thing about this hike in particular is that the alpine lake (Dream Lake) freezes over in the winter. You can ice skate or walk across the lake which is such a surreal experience. Disclaimer: It’s typically very windy, but the views make up for it.
Emerald Lake Trail
Emerald Lake Trail is just over 3 miles out-and-back, and considered to be an easy route. If you’re not lallygagging, you can complete this hike in about an hour and 40 minutes. This trail is definitely a popular one both at peak season, and off-season. I recommend getting to the parking lot before 9:00 am – otherwise, you’ll be waiting for a spot!
Not only can you count on incredible views, but snow drifts and wind. (The common theme for hiking in the winter in Estes Park, Colorado).
The Loch via Glacier Gorge Trail
Considered to be a moderately challenging route, Glacier Gorge Trail to the Loch is just under 5 1/2 miles out-and-back. This is definitely a tough trail in the winter if you don’t come prepared. My fiancé and I did both this hike and the next hike in the same day. I wouldn’t recommend doing this unless the weather is mild, and if you don’t mind getting an early start. The Glacier Gorge Trail is notorious for extreme wind and deep snow. I would suggest researching before embarking on any of these hikes, but especially this one. Snowshoes would definitely come in handy for this trail, but crampons will typically do just fine. I can’t wait to take this trail in the summer!
Mills Lake via Glacier Gorge Trail
Like I mentioned above, we hiked to the both Mills Lake and The Loch in the same day. Mills Lake is another moderately challenging hike, but not quite as busy as The Loch. Be prepared for more wind, and deep snow (even with snowshoes!). Highly recommend, though.
Now you know we can’t talk about the best winter hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park and not chat about my best tips, right!? As a full-time Montana intimate wedding and elopement photographer who has a passion for the great outdoors, I’ve spent what feels like my whole life perfecting my best tips. Let’s get into those, shall we!?
Tips for Winter Hiking in RMNP:
- Be Prepared – Bring plenty of water (yes, even in the winter) and food. Make sure to have the 10 essentials in case of a snowstorm or unforeseeable accident. It goes without saying, but wear layers and utilize hand warmers. I also highly recommend gaiters for your pants/boots to avoid getting snow in them (there’s nothing worse than that).
- Bring Crampons or Spikes (and/or snowshoes) – You can expect that most trails will be packed down with snow, but be prepared to encounter ice (especially if you want to hike onto the lakes). Hiking boots and spikes won’t prevent you from sinking into waist-deep snow; bring snowshoes with if you can! You never know when they’ll come in handy.
- Arrive Early – Just because it’s winter, doesn’t mean the park will be empty! Rocky Mountain National Park is a winter paradise. The weather is typically quite mild, the trails are well-taken care of, and the views are breathtaking. Plan on arriving to your destination early if you want to secure a parking spot.
- Respect Wildlife – Some of the best elk viewing we have experienced has been at Rocky Mountain National Park in the winter. It isn’t uncommon to happen upon wild life; respect them, give them space, and admire from afar.
- Leave No Trace – Stay on the trail, take your trash with you, and respect wildlife. As a Leave No Trace photographer, I cannot stress this tip enough.
There we have it, friends. Thanks for coming along to wander with me through the best winter hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. I’d love it if you checked out the other blogs in the Wander with Me series. You can view those HERE🏔 Head over to Instagram (@sydneybreannphoto) and let me know what you’d like to see next in this series. Until next time! Are you ready to wander?
