Rocky Mountain National Park With Kids

Day 1 of 4

Arrive in Estes Park & the easy lakes

Fly into Denver (DEN) and drive about 1.5 to 2 hours up into the mountains to Estes Park, the park's lively east gateway at 7,500 feet. Take it easy on your first day so everyone can adjust to the altitude: get settled, fill up your water bottles, and grab lunch in town before heading into the park.

4 stopsDay one

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⠿Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.

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   Drive from where are you driving from?~1.5 to 2 hr · up into the mountains · Drive

   Fly into Denver (DEN) and drive about 1.5 to 2 hours up into the mountains to Estes Park, the park's lively east gateway at 7,500 feet. Take it easy on arrival day so everyone can adjust to the altitude, fill up your water bottles, and grab lunch in town.

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   Bear Lake Loop~0.8 mi loop · easy · nearly flat · Hike

   Ease into the trails with Bear Lake, an easy loop of about 0.8 miles that is almost flat, circling a beautiful lake right below the peaks. It is short enough for little legs and a perfect first taste of the high country. The Bear Lake Road corridor needs its own timed-entry permit in peak season, so book a morning slot.

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   Nymph Lake~1 mi RT · easy · lily-pad lake · Hike

   From the Bear Lake trailhead you can add Nymph Lake, a short walk of about 1 mile round trip up to a lily-pad lake. It is a gentle climb with a big payoff, and you can turn around whenever the kids have had enough.

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   Stay in Estes ParkEast gateway · family lodging · lodge

   Base in Estes Park, the family-friendly east gateway town just minutes from the park entrance, with the most lodging, restaurants and kid attractions. It fills up all summer, so reserve a room or cabin well ahead of your dates.

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Day 2 of 4

Alberta Falls & Sprague Lake · Junior Rangers

Start early to beat both the crowds and the afternoon thunderstorms. Hike to Alberta Falls (about 1.6 miles round trip), a gentle, forested climb from the Glacier Gorge trailhead to a lively waterfall that kids love. It is just long enough to feel like a real hike without wearing anyone out.

4 stopsDay two

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⠿Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.

1. ⠿↑↓1
   Alberta Falls~1.6 mi RT · easy to moderate · waterfall · Hike

   Start early to beat the crowds and the afternoon storms. Hike to Alberta Falls (about 1.6 miles round trip), a gentle forested climb from the Glacier Gorge trailhead to a lively waterfall kids love. It is just long enough to feel like a real hike without wearing anyone out.

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   Sprague Lake Loop~0.9 mi loop · easy · accessible · Hike

   In the afternoon, do the Sprague Lake loop, an easy and accessible trail of about 0.9 miles that is flat and stroller-friendly, with some of the best mountain reflections in the park. It is the single best lake for the youngest kids.

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   Junior Ranger programFree booklet · earn a badge · activity

   Pick up a free Junior Ranger booklet at any visitor center. Kids complete simple activities along the trails and get sworn in for a badge, which turns the whole trip into a game and keeps them motivated.

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   Second night in Estes ParkSame base · near Bear Lake Road · lodge

   Stay a second night in Estes Park so you can reach the Bear Lake Road trailheads early without packing up. Keeping the same base all trip keeps things simple with kids.

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Day 3 of 4

Trail Ridge Road & the alpine tundra

Today is the big drive. Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuous paved road in any U.S. national park, climbing above 12,000 feet onto the wide-open alpine tundra. Stop at the overlooks to spot marmots and pikas, walk a short tundra trail, and reach the Alpine Visitor Center near the top, where there is often snow on the ground even in the middle of summer, so bring jackets for everyone.

4 stopsDay three

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⠿Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.

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   Trail Ridge RoadAbove 12,000 ft · drive it in the morning · Drive

   Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuous paved road in any U.S. national park, climbing above 12,000 feet onto the wide-open alpine tundra. Drive it in the morning to be off the high tundra before afternoon storms, and pack jackets because it is cold and windy at the top even in summer.

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   Alpine tundra walkShort tundra trail · marmots & pikas · Hike

   Stop along the way for a short tundra trail to spot marmots and pikas in the rocks. Stay on the path to protect the fragile tundra, take it slow at altitude, and keep the kids hydrated.

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3. ⠿↑↓3Larry D. Moore / CC BY 4.0
   Alpine Visitor CenterNear the top · often snow in summer · Viewpoint

   Reach the Alpine Visitor Center near the top of the road, where there is often snow on the ground even in the middle of summer. It is a great place to warm up, use the restrooms, and let the kids feel just how high up they are.

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   Third night in Estes ParkBack down to your base · lodge

   Drive back down off the tundra to your base in Estes Park for the night. After a big day at altitude, an early dinner in town and an early night sets the kids up for tomorrow.

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Day 4 of 4

Elk, Lily Lake & Estes Park town

Start at dawn for the best wildlife of the trip. Head to Moraine Park or the Sheep Lakes meadow, where elk graze in the early morning and evening, especially in the fall rut. Keep a safe distance, stay in or beside the car, and use binoculars rather than getting close. Then take the gentle loop around Lily Lake, an easy, mostly flat trail with big mountain views and an easy parking lot, just off the highway south of town.

4 stopsDay four

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⠿Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.

1. ⠿↑↓1
   Elk viewing · Moraine Park & Sheep LakesDawn & dusk · keep your distance · Viewpoint

   Start at dawn for the best wildlife of the trip. Head to Moraine Park or the Sheep Lakes meadow, where elk graze in the early morning and evening, especially in the fall rut. Keep a safe distance, stay in or beside the car, and use binoculars rather than getting close.

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   Lily Lake LoopEasy, mostly flat loop · easy parking · Hike

   Take the gentle loop around Lily Lake, an easy, mostly flat trail with big mountain views and its own parking lot just off Highway 7 south of town. It is a relaxed final hike the whole family can do.

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   Estes Park townTramway, taffy, mini golf, Stanley Hotel · activity

   Spend the rest of the day in Estes Park itself. Ride the aerial tramway up the mountain for a panorama, buy a box of fresh saltwater taffy, play a round of mini golf, and take a look at the historic Stanley Hotel on the hill above town.

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4. ⠿↑↓4Fredlyfish4 / CC BY-SA 4.0
   Getting home: Denver (DEN)~1.5 to 2 hr down the mountains · Drive

   From Estes Park it is about 1.5 to 2 hours back down to Denver (DEN). Leave with daylight to spare for the mountain drive, especially if the kids are tired after a full week of trails and altitude.

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