r/RMNP

I figure this has been asked plenty times over so I apologize. But doing a birthday hike tomorrow and planning for the Nymph/dream/emerald lake. It’ll be a Thursday morning and I’m really not sure if we should plan to be there at 7-9 like we want to be (granted we get that time slot later) or plan for 5-7? I’m just worried about parking, will there be a long line for the Park and ride I’ve been reading about ? A spot up top at the main lot or don’t even waste time? Thank you!

I’ll be doing day hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park at the end of August. On every hike I plan to carry a lightweight down jacket, fleece, rain jacket, foam sit pad, and an emergency bivy in case I get injured or have to spend an unexpected night out. Of course I will be carrying a Garmin Inreach Mini 2 device.

Does this seem reasonable, or am I being overly cautious? What do you usually carry for RMNP day hikes?

I will be traveling to RMNP for the first time in a few weeks. I’ll be expecting to get up to the park mid day on a Saturday, and have reservations for the bear lake corridor at 2- 4 pm.

I’d prefer not having to take a shuttle at park and ride- what is the parking situation like after 2 pm on Saturday afternoons at the Bear Lake trailhead?

Any easy hike recommendations for travelers coming from sea level? We will be staying in Denver about a day and a half before we head to RMNP.

TDLR: Parking at Bear Lake trailhead on Saturdays between 2-4? Easy hikes for sea level travelers

Im headed to rmnp after I get off work Wednesday it’s about a 9 hour drive for me and I won’t be arriving until 9/10 pm. My camp ground is near trail ridge road I believe? I’ve never drove on a mountain let alone at night so what are any tips you have?

First time hike in a very long time, I'm from out of state and wanted to see Bear Lake and Alberta Falls around Labor day weekend (Saturday morning). I'm planning to take the transit hub and park my car there. What would be the best time to arrive at the transit hub and if there's anything that I need to pre-purchase for my trip. Thanks !

Long story short, I'm headed to RMNP for the first time and wanted to plan my hikes. I'll be there mid to late September. Weekend of the 19th is the current target.

I've done big full day hikes that are all day long in alpine altitudes in Washington State. Mom is less experienced. Baby boy is just 1.

I obviously don't want to put anyone in danger, but also want to take advantage of the opportunity and would like help on ideas for what the biggest hikes that could be considered with a 1 year old.

He would be in a carrier of some sort that I still need to purchase. He weighs about 22 lbs. right now.

Would love to hear anyone's recommendations!

I did ask Claude and they recommended the Flattop Mountain Trail (https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/flattop-mountain-trail ). Would love to hear this sub's feedback on that!

Thanks in advance!

So theoretically if im out of state, ill be bringing a cooler with me, igbc certified and properly locked, and my other food (dry food) goes in a bear canister away from the parking lot? is that how everyone else does it or what because i already own a canister for backpacking and Id like to nit have to buy another one just for that

Doing a trip to RMNP next week. Flying into DEN and renting a car. We are flying in early and will have some time to kill before checking into our accommodations there. I know we could kill some time in Estes Park, and that'll work if it has to, but I have built time into our schedule already for this. Is there anything interesting that would be convenient to hit on the way there (or back, I suppose) that we could add to our itinerary?

It will be me and my two daughters, 7 and 9 if that helps.

Hi everyone. I’ve been to RMNP at least six times and never had problem getting a bear lake road permit and finding a parking spot. That being said it’s seems like things have changed over the past few years and I’m on the availability alert for both the hiking shuttle and the bear lake road permit. My question is: Is it even worth it to get a bear lake road permit or does it make more sense to just get up early enough to get to the lots before 5:00AM? I’m asking this because a lot of the comments whether they’re on AllTrails, Reddit, or IG seem to state that the lots are full by 6-7AM anyway thus making the permit pointless. Is this accurate or am I way off by assuming the lots will be full very early and the permits will be rather useless?

my parents and i are going to colorado for a concert at red rocks september 6th. so we will be in denver or boulder for all of labor day weekend. we would love to visit RMNP but did not get reservation passes in time. would it be possible to get in if we got there at like 7am? maybe even earlier? we would only be spending one day there. anyone know if this is feasible?

I have a reservation for Moraine Park Campground for two nights next week. I know bear boxes are provided and we plan to utilize them for food, but I’m wondering if a small cooler with unopened containers would be ok to leave in the back of my SUV? It’s an expensive medical food and I’m not super comfortable putting it in a community box, but I also don’t want bears shaking down my car overnight. Also do people put their toothpaste/lotions etc in as well or could that stay in the car?

Hi everyone! I’m planning a trip to Rocky Mountain with my sister and a friend in late September. I’m a US citizen, but they’re both visiting from Spain as tourists.

I just found out about the $100 non-resident fee and I’m a little confused about how it actually works. Are they checking IDs at the entrance to see who’s a non-resident? Also, if I buy the $80 annual pass and I’m the one driving, would that cover the other people in my car, or they could still be asked for their IDs?

Just wondering if anyone has actually dealt with this. Thanks!

I had my mind made up but also just found out tonight that I am pregnant. I had the trip planned but nothing booked yet.

Trying to stay at lower elevations…

Looking at late September days. 4pm slots are all that are open which maybe isn’t a bad thing if I need to keep it short and sweet.

I have a 2.5. Yo toddler who loves to walk trails.

Is the Bear Lake loops doable (Lower elevation?) if we get there at 4? Will we be able to see the rut in that area?

Hi- we’ve been visiting in WY (Cheyenne) since Thursday. We’re heading to RMNP tomorrow to do some hiking before flying out on Tuesday AM. I’m a little worried about elevation, but have been ok since we’ve been here. Did ok with a 4 mile hike at Curt Gowdy. My kids aren’t concerned. I plan to have lots of water and snacks. I’ve been hydrating since we’ve been here. I’m hoping being here for a few days will help make this less stressful. Planning to do a 3-5 mile hike with about 1,000 ft elevation gain, but overall not an aggressive hike. Thoughts?

Some last minutes plans have formalized and I'm going to be in Denver up until Step 16th, and then I was hoping to camp at RMNP for the first time the 17th thru the 20th.

I was looking at the available campgrounds, and it looks like Timber Creek is the only one that has availability for the dates I've selected (at least for the campgrounds that can be scheduled ahead of time). I looked up Timber Creek, and it looks like its supposed to close Aug 10th for a construction project and not reopen until summer '27. Is it a mistake that the website is showing that campgrounds are available?

If so, do you all have any recommendations for other campgrounds?

I slept on getting day passes for brainard lake recreation area. Now there’s only 5pm passes which won’t do. Is it like RMNP where if I get there before a certain hour I can get in? Thanks in advance!