We’ve written about dozens of hikes in the national parks, and you can check our family friendly hikes for Yellowstone, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, Mesa Verde, Great Basin, or the Grand Tetons. Today we are rounding up a few of our favorite hikes from Rocky Mountain National Park. We haven’t spent nearly enough time to do everything we want to do in the park. But here are some great family friendly hikes for you to try.
Bear Lake
This is a small one mile loop around a beautiful lake. There is a lot of traffic on this hike, but we still managed to see an elk and a few squirrels. The lake combines ponderosa pine, large granite boulders, and crystal clear water. On the morning we were there, it was shrouded in fog!
Coyote Valley
Coyote Valley is in the middle of moose country on the west side of the park. The hike runs for around a mile out and back across the upper Colorado River Valley. It is perfectly flat and pleasant and we saw six moose near the hiking area.
Alpine Ridge Trail
This hike is called Alpine Ridge Trail, but we like to call it Top of the World because it feels like you are at the top of the world. After you drive all the way up to the Alpine Visitor’s Center there is a third of a mile walk to the summit. The two-thirds of a mile roundtrip might not seem like much, but when you summit at the 12,005 foot sign, you will definitely be out of breath. The views are obviously amazing.
Adam’s Falls
This hike is located in the extreme southwest corner of the park near the town of Grand Lake. The hike is .6 miles roundtrip to a really nice waterfall chute. The trail is a bit rocky, but the waterfall is nice, and we rate this hike as easy.
Alberta Falls
The waterfall at the end of this hike is one of the best in Rocky Mountain National Park. The total distance out and back is only 1.2 miles, and there are a few fun bridges along the way. This was the hike that we most wanted to do when we planned our trip to the park, and we were not disappointed!
