Rocky Mountain National Park Pixabay Public Domain
Rocky Mountain National Park
One of the country’s most popular national parks, Rocky Mountain National Park is a pristine reserve for protected Colorado land and wildlife. Explore the 415 square miles, hike over 300 miles of trails, observe natural wildlife, and find yourself beneath the clear blue skies and unhindered starry nights. Surround yourself in the wilderness and get back to nature.
Start your trip at one of the seven visitor centers around the park where you can find exhibits and information on a variety of subjects as well as maps and trail guides. Ranger-led programs are also offered and feature topics on the park, Colorado natural history, wildlife, and flowers among others.
Hiking the area’s many trails is perhaps the best way to explore the region and see what the park truly holds. Lake trails, waterfall trails, and summit hikes are all cleared for your use with varying levels of difficulty from easy to advanced. After your hike, have a relaxing picnic lunch in one of the plains and observe the wildlife. You might see bighorn, elk, mule deer, or one of the other 57 species of mammals roaming the park’s lands.
Cub Lake Trail, which loops around the lake at 2.3 miles, is a popular choice for its scenic vistas and easy incline. Glacier Gorge, which is only .6 miles long, is one of the most hiked trails as it ends at the picturesque, cascading Glacier Gorge waterfall. Lastly, summit climbs are more difficult but all around amazing for the spectacular views once you reach the peak. Twin Sisters Peaks reach 11,428 feet but the tallest in the park go to Flattop Mountain at 12,324. Both peak climbs can get treacherous and need expertise as technical equipment may be necessary.
