10 Best Things to Do in the Rocky Mountains

While beautiful any time of the day, it’s a good idea to get up early to see the sunrise at Dream Lake or Emerald Lake in the Rocky Mountain National Park. Accessible via an easy 1.1-mile hike west of the Bear Lake Trailhead, Dream Lake is a high alpine lake surrounded by wildflowers in the summer.

From there, continue your hike for another 0.7 miles to reach Emerald Lake, also a popular sunrise spot in the Rockies. You’ll be treated to views of the bright coloured lake, set against the 12,713-ft-tall Hallet Peak. 

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Alberta Falls is a dramatic natural formation in the Rocky Mountain National Park. Surrounded by aspen groves, massive boulders, and mixed pine forest, this 30-ft-tall waterfall cascades into a small gorge on Glacier Creek. A roundtrip hike to Alberta Falls is about 1.6 miles, making it quite accessible for beginners. Once you reach the falls, you’ll find several open spaces to relax and enjoy the spectacular view.

Start at the Glacier Gorge Trailhead near Bear Lake Road, located almost 8 miles from the turn-off at Highway 36. There's a free park shuttle that takes you to the trailhead during peak tourist season.

The Alpine Visitor Center on River Pass is the highest service centre in the Rocky Mountain National Park – and the USA. It’s located 11,796 ft above sea level, meaning that you can enjoy sweeping views of the Fall River Cirque and valleys below. Inside, there’s a gift shop, bookstore and café. You’ll also find exhibits of the alpine tundra ecosystem and geology, as well as a ranger-staffed desk if you need more information about the park.

The visitor centre also offers ranger-led tundra nature walks, which take place every day at 10 am. Note that the Alpine Visitor Center is closed during winter. 

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The Estes Park Aerial Tramway takes you on a soaring journey above the treetops to the summit of Prospect Mountain. The ride takes less than 5 minutes and vertically climbs up 1,100 ft. You’ll be treated to views of the mountains of the Continental Divide, Longs Peak, and Estes Park itself.

At the summit, there’s a gift shop and snack bar, as well as an observation deck at the upper terminal. You’re free to take in the views and shoot photos of the panoramas. There are also several trails converging on the mountaintop if you want to explore the area before taking the tram back down. 

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The Glacier Basin Campground has an elevation of 8,500 ft, offering impressive views of Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park’s lush valleys and craggy peaks.

There's plenty of space for tents, trailers and RVs, along with camping facilities such as tent pads, picnic tables, fire rings, flush toilets, and drinking water. Glacier Basin is around 6 miles south of the park’s Beaver Meadows Entrance. It can get pretty chilly in the evenings, so bring thick clothes or at least a shawl for the trip. 

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Ranger-led programmes in the Rocky Mountain National Park offer educational yet interesting insights into the vast park. A popular choice for kids is the Junior Ranger programme, which includes interactive activities and a booklet for the little ones to learn about nature. An official badge or patch and certificate are given for participation in a programme.

In the summer, you can enjoy excellent night-time programmes, such as Astronomy in the Park – you can observe the clear and bright sky under the guidance of a park ranger and volunteer astronomers. 

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Open Air Adventure Park offers over 30 challenges that are suspended between 11 ft and 21 ft in the air. The obstacle course takes around 90 minutes to complete, in which you get to reach from one point to another via rope bridges, tightropes, and even hanging canoes and chairs.

Open Air Adventure Park is suitable for families with kids aged 5 and above – an adult must accompany children below 10 years old throughout the course. Axe throwing is also available for older kids – you get a 30-minute lane reservation that’s sharable between 3 other people.

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Trail Ridge Road stretches 48 miles across the Rocky Mountain National Park from Estes Park in the east to Grand Lake in the west. It’s the highest paved road in Colorado, with its highest elevation reaching over 12,000 ft.

There are numerous overlooks along Trail Ridge. Depending on where you stop, you can see the Rocky Mountains to the south and west, Wyoming to the north, or the Great Plains on the east. In the summer, it’s quite possible to spot wild animals like elk, marmots, ptarmigans, and bighorn sheep along the way. Note that Trail Ridge Road is closed from winter until late spring or early summer, depending on weather conditions. 

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Forest Canyon Overlook is an 11,716-ft-high viewpoint in the Rocky Mountains. Located on the eastern edge of Forest Canyon, it offers panoramic views of several peaks, including Mount Ida, Terra Tomah Mountain, Mount Julian, and the Sprague Mountains – they’re all part of the Continental Divide, which separates the Atlantic and Pacific seaboards.

The trail to Forest Canyon Overlook starts at a parking lot on the western side of Trail Ridge Road, about 6.2 miles from the Alpine Visitor Center. It’s a 350-yard-long paved walkway, making it easy for those with children. Signs highlight the geology and tundra along the way, too. 

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Coffee on The Rocks is a locally owned café in Este Park, less than 1 mile southwest of the Estes Park Aerial Tramway. It’s a popular stop for coffee, but you can also find hot chocolate and chai tea on the drinks list if you’re not a fan of caffeine. The food menu is limited to sandwiches and light snacks.

Service is very friendly and welcoming and there's outdoor seating near a creek that offers views of the aerial tramway. Coffee on The Rocks is also an excellent stopover for breakfast or lunch before exploring The Rockies. The café is just 2.6 miles east of the Rocky Mountain National Park. 

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