Rocky Mountain National Park is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts with over 355 miles of hiking trails. With towering peaks, lush forests, alpine lakes, and abundant wildlife, the park is an ideal destination for a family vacation.
However, with so many trails to choose from, it can be challenging to find the perfect hike for your little ones. In this blog post, we’ll explore the top 5 hikes for kids at Rocky Mountain National Park.
1. Bear Lake Loop Trail
The Bear Lake Loop Trail is one of the most popular hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, and it’s easy to see why. The trailhead is just a short walk from the Bear Lake parking lot, and the hike is a relatively easy loop that’s perfect for kids.
The trail is just under a mile long and is entirely flat, making it an excellent choice for families with strollers or young children. The hike takes you around the picturesque Bear Lake, with stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
The Bear Lake section of the park is the busiest section of the park. You have to get a special, timed access pass to access this section. For more information and timed entry reservations, visit this park website.
Since this is a short trail, we suggest that you identify additional activities to do in this part of the park while you have access. Know that there are no visitor centers, snacks, or flushing toilets in this section of the park. It is, however, a fantastic area of the park for snowshoeing!
2. Emerald Lake Trail
The Emerald Lake Trail is another family-friendly hike that’s perfect for kids. The trailhead is located at the end of Bear Lake Road, and the hike is just over three miles long.
The trail is relatively flat, with only a few moderate uphill sections, making it suitable for kids of all ages. Along the way, you’ll pass both Dream Lake and Nymph Lake before arriving at the stunning Emerald Lake. The lake is nestled beneath towering peaks and is a perfect spot for a picnic lunch.
This is also a very busy and limited access trail. We suggest that you carefully consider the best time when your family may most enjoy this hike.
3. Lily Lake Trail
The Lily Lake Trail is a short and easy hike that’s perfect for families with young children. The trailhead is located just a few miles south of the park entrance. It is off HWY 7 in Allenspark, near St. Catherine’s Chapel on The Rock.
The hike is only half a mile long, and there is no entry station to traverse in order to access this trailhead.
The path takes you around the picturesque Lily Lake and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Along the way, you’ll encounter a variety of wildlife including beavers, muskrats, and various species of birds.
The last time we hiked this trail, it was at dusk in the fall. We saw two muskrats swimming in the lake. To our surprise, we also ran into a giant, female moose!
Several hikers did not spot the moose meandering out of Lily Lake, and they accidentally came a bit too close to her. It was a bit of a standoff as everyone remained immobilized on the trail until the moose felt safe to move along.
Fingers crossed that you, too, can witness such a beautiful animal in your easy family hike on Lily Lake Trail!
4. Alberta Falls Trail
The Alberta Falls Trail is a moderate hike that’s perfect for families with children. Our youngest was probably five-years-old when she first tackled it.
The trailhead is located at the Glacier Gorge Junction, and the hike is just over a mile long. The trail follows a creek and passes through pine forests and aspen groves before arriving at the stunning Alberta Falls.
The falls are the perfect spot for a picnic lunch and are surrounded by lush vegetation and towering peaks. As with many family-friendly hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, this hike can get crowded. Time it accordingly.
5. Bierstadt Lake Trail
The Bierstadt Lake Trail is a moderate hike that’s perfect for families with older children. The trailhead is located at the Bierstadt Lake parking lot, and the hike is just over a mile long.
The trail takes you through pine forests and aspen groves before arriving at the picturesque Bierstadt Lake. The lake is surrounded by towering peaks and is a perfect spot for a picnic lunch.
Honorable Mentions:
The Cub Lake Trail is in a more easily accessible and less trafficked section of the park. It can be very “buggy,” but it is kid-friendly with lots of ponds full of lilypads.
The Alpine Ridge Trail is just over a half-mile loop that extends from the parking lot of the Alpine Visitor Center. You want to stay off of it when weather systems are approaching, but it can be perfect to hike after the long drive up Trail Ridge Road.
The Upper Beaver Meadows Loop is a five mile loop; however, it is one of my personal favorites. It is somewhat sectioned off such that you can do a single mile loop. It is also not far into the park, and I never have trouble finding a parking space!
How to Access the Family-Friendly Trails at Rocky Mountain National Park
Due to the popularity of Rocky Mountain National Park, the park service has transitioned to a timed-entry program for those seeking access during peak hours and seasons. It is very important that you plan your in-park activities as far in advance as possible. For information on the entry requirements for each season, please visit this park website.
Remember that this Colorado region is a very special place for generations of families. The family-friendly hikes will be crowded during peak times due to their accessibility.
Our best tip would be to go into the park an hour or two before sundown. You should have plenty of time to complete these hikes with far fewer crowds impeding your views.
Rocky Mountain National Park is an outdoor paradise that’s perfect for families with kids. With so many hiking trails to choose from, it can be challenging to find the perfect hike for your little ones.
However, the five hikes we’ve highlighted in this blog post are all family-friendly and offer stunning views of the park’s natural beauty. So, pack your hiking boots, grab your water bottles, and hit the trails with your little ones for a memorable family adventure!
