Rocky Mountain National Park spreads over 200,000 acres in north central Colorado. This park contains more than 350 miles of easy, moderate or difficult hiking trails. Featuring glaciers, lakes, mountains and wildflowers, this scenic national park is breathtaking but challenging for outdoor enthusiasts to hike. With the tallest peak at 14,259 feet, visitors are encouraged to acclimate to the elevation prior to hiking. The park operates year-round and hikers should contact the Visitors Center about road and trail closures during winter months.
Fern Lake Trail
This popular but moderately intense trail is accessible from the Fern Lake trailhead. During a 7.6-mile round trip, visitors view the Continental Divide, Fern Lake, a waterfall, stone monoliths and wildflowers. Fern Lake trail gains 1,375 feet in elevation and is best hiked in the fall season, when foliage begins changing colors.
Green Mountain Loop Trail
Beginning at the Onahu trailhead, this forest hike is a seven-mile round trip. This trail is rated moderately intense with an elevation gain of 1,140 feet. Featuring creeks and a ponderosa pine forest, this trail leads to a meadow bursting with vibrant colored wildflowers. This trail has been recognized as one of the best "deep forest" hikes throughout the park by Frommer's Travel Guide.
Ouzel Falls Trail
Featuring a picturesque waterfall that us a popular sight in the park, this 5.5-mile round-trip trail is accessible from the Wild Basin trailhead. With only 540 feet of elevation gains, this heavily used trail is rated easy among day hikers. This hike features views of several other waterfalls on the way to Ouzel, with a possible sighting of the water ouzel, or American dipper. This dipper is a bird that dashes into the water to collect food for meals.
Longs Peak Trail
Accessed from Longs Peak Ranger Station trailhead, this trail is the "crown jewel" of Rocky Mountain hiking. The extremely difficult trail is recommended for hikers who are in good physical shape prior to attempting to hike and climb the 14,256-foot peak. Gaining 4,855 feet in elevation, this 16-mile round trip trail is popular among extreme hikers. As the highest-peaked mountain in the park, Longs Peak can take up to two days to hike to the summit.
Continental Divide National Scenic Trail
This trail leads from Canada across the United States to Mexico. With 15 miles of difficult hiking leading through Rocky Mountain National Park, attempting this would take two or more days of hiking. This trail distinguishes the east and west areas of the park. Hikers have the option to hike north to south utilizing several trails, but starts with River Trail. Along the trail, hikers have the opportunity to "touch" the actual Continental Divide located at the North Inlet Trail.
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