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Grand Lake, Colorado

Top Spots in and near Grand Lake

  • Estes Park, Colorado

    Photograph Elk in Moraine Park

    The perspective here is vastly different from other areas in Rocky Mountain National Park as Moraine Park is essentially a large, very flat valley surrounded by tall mountains. You'll want to come during the elks' rutting season, which is between mid-September and mid-October. Park at the lot on ...
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  • Estes Park, Colorado

    Chasm Lake via Longs Peak Trailhead

    4.7
    8.01 mi / 2425 ft gain
    The 4-mile trail climbs around 2500ft from the Longs Peak trailhead and starts by winding through dense forest. In the morning darkness, trudging through thick trees isn’t the most exciting, but when you finally climb out above treeline, the massive profile of Longs and the slowly growing light o...
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  • 1398 Longs Peak Road, Colorado

    Storm Peak and Mount Lady Washington

    4.5
    12.57 mi / 5312 ft gain
    This adventure began at the Longs Peak trailhead in southeastern Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. I followed the Longs Peak trail for 6 miles to the Boulderfield backcountry camping area. This is a fairly steep on-trail climb of 3,360 feet. After setting up camp at 12,760 feet, my partner...
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  • Estes Park, Colorado

    Longs Peak

    5.0
    13.3 mi / 5100 ft gain
    For the most part, this hike is very straightforward, so I'll essentially skip over the first 5.5 or so miles of the hike, but, in case you don't know: Start (very early so you get a parking spot) from the trailhead right next to the parking lot (the road to it is paved - seriously this mountain...
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  • Estes Park, Colorado

    Peacock Pool

    7.9 mi / 2438 ft gain
    The peacock pool is a cool little tarn below the outlet to Chasm Lake. Please note that this adventure is best done in the winter/spring when snow is present to prevent erosion in the sensitive area. That is how the description will be written, assuming winter conditions. The approach is the sa...
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  • Estes Park, Colorado

    Boulderfield Campground via Longs Peak Trail

    11.39 mi / 3337 ft gain
    Boulder Field is a high alpine backcountry site on Longs Peak, and is a popular camp for backpackers attempting to summit Longs Peak via the Keyhole route. At an impressive elevation of 12,760 feet, Boulder Field is a vast wasteland of rocks that sits 500 feet below the famous Keyhole feature, an...
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  • Allenspark, Colorado

    Hike to Ouzel Falls

    4.0
    5.22 mi / 870 ft gain
    Located right outside of Rocky Mountain National Park, this hike is perfect for anyone looking to do a little exploring without the cost of a park fee. The drive through the Rocky Mountains to the trailhead is an added bonus. This hike is great because it has multiple attractions all along the wa...
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  • Allenspark, Colorado

    Backpack to Bluebird Lake

    4.3
    14 mi / 2500 ft gain
    Starting at the Wild Basin trailhead on the south side of Rocky Mountain National Park, hike through a wet forest towards upper and lower Copeland Falls, located 0.45 miles from the trailhead. From here, continue on the main trail along the North Fork of the Saint Vrain River to Calypso Cascades,...
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  • Allenspark, Colorado

    Hike to Thunder Lake

    12 mi / 2275 ft gain
    Starting at the often-busy Wild Basin TH, the trail passes through dense forests as it follows the North Fork of the Saint Vrain River through the southernmost section of Rocky Mountain National Park. The trail passes alongside the small Copeland Falls before continuing west towards Calypso Casca...
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  • Allenspark, Colorado

    Ouzel & Ogallala Peaks

    17.18 mi / 4403 ft gain
    Begin at the Wild Basin Trailhead in southeastern Rocky Mountain National Park near the town of Allenspark. Plan to start before sunrise if attempting this trek as a day trip in order to avoid afternoon thunderstorms above the treeline. This trip can easily be made into a backpacking experience b...
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  • Kremmling, Colorado

    Hike to Lake Agnes

    3.0
    1.6 mi
    In State Forest State Park, you start at Agnes Cabin, a historic cabin built in 1925. Because of its rustic architecture, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior. It is a one-story, lodge pole pine log cabin. The cabin is empty, bu...
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  • Allenspark, Colorado

    Hike to Pear Lake

    5.0
    13 mi / 2112 ft gain
    Pear lake is a beautiful alpine lake in the southern Wild Basin region of Rocky Mountain National Park. Once used as a reservoir, Pear Lake has been restored to its natural state and lies in scenic basin below some of the most isolated mountains in the park. The trail to Pear Lake passes through ...
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  • Allenspark, Colorado

    Hike to Finch Lake

    3.0
    8.96 mi
    There are several ways to reach finch lake but this will cover the route from the Finch Lake Trailhead in the wild basin area of Rocky Mountain National Park. You can also loop it with other trails in the area or begin at the Allenspark Trailhead, which is technically outside the park and a bit e...
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  • Estes Park, Colorado

    Camp at Aspenglen Campground

    5.0
    Aspenglen is one of the four main campgrounds within the park boundaries. The campground is for car camping and there are areas just for tents and then broader areas for tents and campers. There are 53 sites at this campground and it fills up quickly each year. Reservations are available six mont...
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  • 1046 County Highway 115, Colorado

    Winter Hike to Calypso Cascades

    6.25 mi / 580 ft gain
    While most people go snowshoeing near the Bear Lake or Glacier Gorge area in RMNP, Wild Basin is a much less trafficked option. The entrance station isn't manned in the winter, so you'll get in for free, as well! You can put the Wild Basin Trailhead into your GPS, but you'll have to park at the w...
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  • Walden, Colorado

    Hike to American Lakes

    5.0
    11 mi / 1680 ft gain
    American Lakes are two high alpine lakes located within State Forest State Park and the Never Summer Mountain Range. The park is located about 75 miles west of Fort Collins, Colo. along Highway 14 on the west side of Cameron Pass.Coming down from Cameron Pass, look for a sign for the American Lak...
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