Family-Friendly and Easy Hikes in Rocky Mountain

Rocky Mountain National Park has 355 miles of hiking trails, ranging from easy strolls through meadows and past lakes to scenic drives and overlooks thousands of feet high, and even extreme day hikes.

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Living just a short drive away from the park gave us the opportunity to explore Rocky Mountain as a family in every season, bringing guests to the park with ages ranging from 3 to 75 years old. We’ve listed the best easy hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park that are great for any age group and fitness level, but still give you those awe-inspiring views that Colorado is famous for!

How to Get to Rocky Mountain National Park

The national park has a few entrances, with Beaver Meadows being the most favored on the east side of the park. When planning a visit to the park, the Denver International Airport is the closest place to fly into. From the airport you will need a car to drive the hour and a half west in order to reach Estes Park and the Beaver Meadows entrance.

Alternatively if you are coming from the southwest side of Colorado you may enter Rocky Mountain National Park from the town of Grand Lake. This drive is two and a half hours from the Denver Airport or three hours from the Colorado Springs Airport. Both towns have plenty of places to stay in order to make the most out of your time in the park.

The Best Time to Visit Colorado's Rocky Mountains for Hikers

The best time to plan a trip to hike in Rocky Mountain would be during the summer months between June to August. During this time the weather is sunny and mild and the snow has melted at the lower elevations, making the trails more accessible. Typically Trail Ridge Road is open for the summer, where most of the trailheads branch off from.

However it’s important to note that the weather in the mountains can be unpredictable, so hikers should always check the forecast before heading out and pack appropriately for changes in temperature and weather conditions. You do not want to be on top of a mountain when lightning is striking!

Fall can also be a great time for family hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, as the changing colors of the foliage create a stunning backdrop for outdoor adventures. However, hikers should be prepared for cooler temperatures and the possibility of snowfall. We have been caught in a hailstorm in June and a snowstorm in September while hiking in the park!

Family Hikes Near Estes Park

The Beaver Meadows Entrance into Rocky Mountain National Park is located off of Highway 36 just a few miles outside the town of Estes Park. This area is the closest entrance to the Bear Lake Road Corridor off of Trail Ridge Road, home to abundant wildlife, waterfalls, picnic areas, and over 15 hiking trails.

*Note: From May 26th – October 22nd, RMNP operates on a timed entry system to lessen traffic and congestion in the most popular areas of the park. Besides your national parks pass, you will need to apply for a Park Access Pass -essentially a $2 permit allowing you to enter the park at a reserved time between the hours of 9AM and 2PM. To visit the Bear Lake Corridor you will need the Park Access Plus Pass to enter this area between the hours of 5AM and 6PM. If you are camping or have a reservations for horseback riding or a guided tour you will not need the extra access pass.

1. Alberta Falls

The Alberta Falls trailhead is located in the Glacier Gorge Junction off of Bear Lake Road. Hikers also have the option of starting this hike from the Bear Lake Trailhead, which adds another two-tenths of a mile to the overall roundtrip mileage. Most of this hike is shaded by pine and aspen trees, which make this a great fall family hike.

Distance: 1.6 miles round-trip
Elevation Gain: 160 feet
Rating: Easy
Views: Gushing Alberta Falls, a 30-foot waterfall
Tip: Alberta Falls is noted to be one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the park

On this particular day we were hiking with our kids ages 5 and 11, and my parents who were in their 60’s and 70’s. This trail was a great experience for the whole family, even with half of us coming right from sea-level in Florida the day before.

2. Bear Lake Loop

The Bear Lake Loop Trail is one of the easiest and most family-friendly hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Located right off of the Bear Lake Trailhead Strollers and wheelchairs are allowed on this trail and there are plenty of spots to stop and enjoy this beautiful alpine lake.

Distance: 0.6 miles round-trip
Elevation Gain: 20 feet
Rating: Easy
Views: Serene and beautiful Bear Lake
Tip: In the fall the Aspens are a delight to see surrounding Bear Lake!

3. Chasm Falls

Stop at Chasm Falls for a short walk to a waterfall overlook off of Old Fall River Road. The viewing area does have a set of steep stairs to see the falls, but there are guards surrounding the observation area so little kids are safe.

Distance: Minimal
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Rating: Easy
Views: 25-foot waterfall cascading down through a crevasse
Tip: See info below on Old Fall River Road

In order to park near the falls, you must drive the Old Fall River Road. Only open from July through October (weather-permitting), this one-way road is 11 miles long and leads up to Fall River Pass at 11,796 feet above sea level.

Fall River Road was finished in 1920 and was the first road through the park. The road is mostly gravel, and there are no guardrails so the speed limit is a slow 15 miles per hour. Take your time, enjoy the view, and keep an eye out for elk along the way!

4. Sprague Lake Loop

Another easy family-friendly hike in Rocky Mountain is strolling around Sprague Lake Loop. This level trail is made of packed gravel and is wheelchair- and stroller-friendly. The trailhead is off of Bear Lake Road.

Distance: 0.7 miles round-trip
Elevation Gain: 75 feet
Rating: Easy
Views: Sprague Lake and beautiful mountain reflections
Tip: There’s a chance to see moose and elk if you visit in the early morning or evening hours

5. Forest Canyon Overlook

This overlook is right off of Trail Ridge Road and is a short walk on a paved trail to an amazing panoramic view of Forest Canyon, Hayden Gorge, and Gorge Lake. Although the trail is easy, you may get winded walking at 11,716 feet above sea level! This trail is wheelchair- and stroller-friendly.

Distance: 0.3 miles round-trip
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Rating: Easy
Views: Glaciers, gorges, and mountain peaks
Tip: This is a great spot to pull over and enjoy a picnic right outside of your car before traveling onward on Trail Ridge Road

From the observation platform visitors can peer down into the canyon, where years of huge glaciers have carved a deep U-shaped valley far below. Pikas, marmots, and chipmunks frolic in this area so try to spot a few on your journey.

6. Nymph, Dream, and Emerald Lakes

Really three trails in one, the trail from Nymph Lake to Dream and then Emerald Lake is a top-notch family hike in Rocky Mountain National Park for several reasons. Because there are three separate goals on this hike, families can pick and choose how far they want to proceed along the trail.

Also the hike itself is not difficult but the views along the way are spectacular! Starting at the Bear Lake Trailhead, the first stop on this hike is Nymph Lake.

Distance to Nymph Lake: 1.1 miles round-trip
Elevation Gain: 245 feet
Rating: Easy
Views: Nymph Lake, a serene sub-alpine lake filled with pond lilies
Tip: As with all trails in the park, pack layers and a wind/rain jacket. The skies were clear when we started our hike and eventually turned to hail. The ranger said they rarely ever close trails for weather so they expect you to be prepared for any occasion!

Heading onwards another 0.6 miles leads hikers to Dream Lake. When we arrived, the clouds parted and the sun started shining right on the mountains and lake. I see why it is named Dream Lake, it was spectacular! Definitely lives up to the hype.

Distance to Dream Lake: 2.2 miles round-trip (from the trailhead)
Elevation Gain: 450 feet
Rating: Moderate
Views: Turquoise-blue Dream Lake, Hallet Peak, and beautiful wildflowers in the summer months
Tip: While hiking between Nymph and Dream Lakes, look to your left for glimpses of Longs Peak- at 14,259 feet high, it is hard to miss!

Honestly, you could stop your hike here if the little ones are tiring. There are plenty of rocks to climb on and cool streams to play in at Dream Lake to make this an epic hike. Several families were enjoying a snack on the surrounding large boulders while taking in the view.

For those wanting to continue on (I’m so glad we did!), the next stop is Emerald Lake. Unfortunately this part has lots of stairs, easy to maneuver but they can get tiring. I’m assuming this is the reason for the moderate rating, just take your time and allow rest stops as needed- this trail goes over 10,000 feet of elevation which can make you breathless if you aren’t used to it.

Distance to Emerald Lake: 3.6 miles round-trip (from the trailhead)
Elevation Gain: 650 feet
Rating: Moderate
Views: Emerald Lake, Tyndall Gorge, waterfalls along the way
Tip: If you can go while it is lightly raining, the trails will be much less busy and you are under tree canopy a lot of the hike

The reward is not just the glimmering lake at the end of the trail, but all along the way are glimpses of the beautiful lakes, meadows streams, flowers, and wildlife. Most of this part of the hike is along the bank of Dream Lake, passing small waterfalls and streams.

And once you reach Emerald Lake, you can find a spot on a warm boulder and soak in the sunlight. As a plus, the way back down is much faster than the way up!

Easy Hikes Near Grand Lake

On the west side of the park located approximately two miles north of the town of Grand Lake is the Grand Lake Entrance to RMNP. This station is ¼ mile north of the Kawuneeche Visitor Center near the beautiful Kawuneeche Valley, which is filled with abundant hikes ranging from half a mile long to 10 miles one-way. Our favorite easy hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park are below.

7. Adams Falls

Since Trail Ridge Road is only open certain months of the year, most of the trails we’ve chosen are best enjoyed in the summer and fall months. However, Adams Falls can be accessed any time of year. We went the day after Christmas on a short multi-family hike to see the falls, and the high that day was 1°F. The water wasn’t flowing but it was still a beautiful winter scene!

Distance: 0.9 miles round-trip
Elevation Gain: 113 feet
Rating: Easy
Views: Flowing waterfall in the spring and summer, gorgeous snow-scape in winter
Tip: This is a year-round hike just outside of downtown Grand Lake

8. Coyote Valley Trail

This is a great fall hike, when the elk and moose are most likely to be coming down from the higher elevations into the valleys and meadows. This packed-gravel trail is stroller- and wheelchair-friendly, and is a great place for little ones to get out of the car, run around a bit and explore along the shores of the Colorado River!

Distance: 1 mile round-trip
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Rating: Easy
Views: Colorado River, wildlife
Tip: There is a great shaded picnic pavilion right at the parking area at the Coyote Valley Trailhead

9. Kawuneeche Valley

This is not a specific hike, but an area we love to explore as a family. One of the best places to spot moose in Rocky Mountain National Park is in Grand Lake and the Kawuneeche Valley. Moose prefer areas that are wet or marshy like the meadows in Kawuneeche Valley. Located on the west side of the park just after the Grand Lake entrance is Harbison Meadow, an area brimming with wildlife and wildflowers.

Tip: The best time to spot a moose is early morning near some sort of water such as a marsh, lake or stream. Look for a large dark object, they can blend into shadows and be easily missed while passing by. Remember the rules of wildlife viewing: Watch from a distance- two bus-lengths is the recommended distance to keep from a moose.

10. Alpine Ridge Trail

The Alpine Ridge Trail starts at the Alpine Visitor Center off of Trail Ridge Road, the highest elevation of any visitor center in the entire National Park System. The trail starts at an elevation of 11,796 feet above sea level and quickly climbs to 12,005 feet.

Distance: 0.6 miles round-trip
Elevation Gain: 209 feet
Rating: Easy but lots of steps
Views: Breathtaking views of the top of Trail Ridge Road, glaciers, alpine lakes and tundra, wildflowers
Tip: There are interpretive signs along the way to stop and read (and catch your breath)

Because you are well above the tree line at this elevation, it is imperative you do not attempt this trail if the skies look menacing in the slightest. In fact when we started our trek we had bluebird skies, which quickly turned dark and ominous so we scurried back down to the car after reaching the top of the trail.

Don’t miss a stop inside the visitor center while you are here. Not only a great place to use the restroom along your journey on Trail Ridge Road, but there is a large gift shop as well as food and drinks available for purchase, and a huge balcony which is great for wildlife viewing.

Tips for Family Hiking in the Rocky Mountains

As you plan your days in Rocky Mountain National Park keep in mind that park elevations range from 7,500 to over 12,000 feet. Even very fit individuals may experience altitude problems when coming from lower elevations. After a few days your body will have started adjusting to higher elevations but full acclimation may take weeks.

To minimize symptoms of altitude sickness be sure to drink plenty of fluids, limit alcohol consumption, don’t skip meals, and get plenty of rest. According to the NPS, “Although you may not feel thirsty, the ‘thinner’ air at high elevations actually results in increased water evaporation from your lungs”. So drink more water than you think you need!

Also, UV light is stronger in the higher elevations of the mountains because there is less atmosphere for the sunlight to pass through. Like we always recommend, wear sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and UPF clothing if you are out in the sun for an extended period.

Lastly, pack layers for any hike you are planning as the temperature can be drastically different at the start and end of a hike. The weather can also change minute by minute so it is helpful to hike with a waterproof jacket, and be prepared with an extra set of clothes in your car “just in case”.

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There are so many awe-inspiring hikes, strolls, treks and trails in the Rockies, and in our four short years living there we barely scratched the surface! But most importantly we got our kids outside any chance we could and truly enjoyed some spectacular family hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park.

More epic destinations for family hikes:

The Best Easy Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park

Family-Friendly and Easy Hikes in Rocky Mountain

How to Get to Rocky Mountain National Park

The Best Time to Visit Colorado's Rocky Mountains for Hikers