Rocky Mountain National Park: A Self-Guided Discovery Tour

A crystal-clear alpine lake at 2,888 meters reflecting the jagged profile of Hallett Peak and Flattop Mountain — the most visited spot in the park. A gentle 0.8-kilometer loop trail circles the lake through subalpine forest, while longer trails branch to Nymph Lake, Dream Lake, and Emerald Lake in the glacier-carved valley above.

A stunning alpine lake nestled at the base of Hallett Peak's sheer granite face — reached by a 1.8-kilometer trail from Bear Lake that climbs through spruce-fir forest past Nymph Lake. The mirror-still surface reflects the Continental Divide on calm mornings, creating one of the most photographed scenes in Colorado.

The highest visitor center in the National Park System at 3,595 meters — perched above treeline on Trail Ridge Road with panoramic views across the alpine tundra to snow-capped peaks in every direction. Short trails lead through fragile tundra ecosystems where tiny wildflowers bloom in the brief summer at the top of the continent.

A dramatic viewpoint along Trail Ridge Road at 3,529 meters — looking down into the glacially carved Forest Canyon where the headwaters of the Big Thompson River flow through pristine wilderness. Hayden Gorge and Gorge Lakes sit nearly 600 meters below in a landscape accessible only to experienced backcountry hikers.

A broad glacial valley and one of the best viewing areas in the park — The Big Thompson River meanders through the grasslands with the Continental Divide as a spectacular backdrop.

A serene half-mile loop around a placid lake offering postcard reflections of the Continental Divide — one of the most accessible and peaceful spots in the park. The flat, wheelchair-accessible trail circles the lake through meadows where elk, mule deer, and the occasional moose graze against a panorama of snow-dusted peaks.

A picturesque 9-meter waterfall cascading over granite boulders in Glacier Gorge — reached by an easy 1.3-kilometer trail from the Glacier Gorge trailhead. The falls are framed by towering pines and the granite walls of the gorge, with Longs Peak visible in the distance above the forest canopy.

The starting point for Colorado's most iconic summit — Longs Peak at 4,345 meters is the park's highest point and northernmost fourteener. The Keyhole Route covers 24 kilometers round trip with 1,500 meters of elevation gain. Even without summiting, the trailhead area offers views of the Diamond Face and access to shorter hikes to Chasm Lake.

The point where Trail Ridge Road crosses the Continental Divide at 3,279 meters — raindrops falling on the west side flow to the Pacific, those on the east to the Atlantic. A short trail leads to Poudre Lake, the headwaters of the Cache la Poudre River, surrounded by alpine scenery and often visited by elk and ptarmigan.

A series of beautiful cascading waterfalls in the park's quieter southeastern corner — Calypso Cascades tumbles through a narrow rocky gorge surrounded by dense subalpine forest. The 2.9-kilometer trail from the Wild Basin trailhead passes Copeland Falls before reaching Calypso, with the option to continue to Ouzel Falls beyond.

stead offers a glimpse into early tourism in the Rockies, with original log cabins, a taxidermy workshop, and ranger-led tours explaining how the family hosted wealthy guests from Denver who came to experience 'the Wild West' in the shadow of the Never Summer Mountains.

Colorado's largest natural lake and the western gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park — a charming mountain town of wooden boardwalks, lakeside restaurants, and the historic Grand Lake Lodge perched above the shore. The lake sits at 2,571 meters surrounded by forested peaks, offering kayaking, fishing, and stunning sunset views over the water.