Bear Lake

The Bear Lake loop is a gentle walk of well under a mile around the water, mostly flat and partly accessible, with interpretive signs and constant views of the surrounding peaks. It is one of the easiest ways to experience Rocky's dramatic high-country scenery.

On a calm morning the lake mirrors Hallett Peak and the ridgeline, a favorite scene for photographers. In fall the surrounding aspens add gold, and in winter the lake freezes into a quiet snowscape.

Bear Lake is where many of the park's best day hikes begin. From here trails climb to the string of alpine lakes, including Nymph, Dream, and Emerald, and connect toward Glacier Gorge and Alberta Falls. It is the single most useful trailhead in the park.

Because so many hikers start here, the parking lot fills very early on summer days, and most visitors use the free park shuttle from the park-and-ride instead. Planning around the crowds, and the altitude, makes for a smoother visit.

The closest Boutel™ stays, so you can turn this stop into an overnight. Each is a place we chose through independent editorial review, never a paid placement.

Bear Lake is a small, scenic subalpine lake at about 9,500 feet in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, and one of the most popular destinations in the park. Ringed by pine forest and backed by Hallett Peak and the Continental Divide, it has an easy, mostly level loop trail around the shore that makes the high country accessible to almost everyone. Bear Lake is also the trailhead for many of the park's best-loved day hikes, including the routes to Emerald Lake and Alberta Falls. Reached by road or the park shuttle, it serves as the beloved hub of the park's eastern side.

Bear Lake is reached via Bear Lake Road on the eastern side of Rocky Mountain National Park, near the town of Estes Park. The parking lot at the lake is small and fills very early on busy days, so many visitors instead ride the park's free shuttle bus from the Bear Lake Park-and-Ride. During the busy season, Rocky Mountain also uses a timed-entry reservation system for the Bear Lake Road corridor, so it is important to check current reservation and shuttle information before your visit. Once there, the lake and its loop trail are just a short walk from the parking and shuttle area.

Yes, the trail around Bear Lake itself is easy: a gentle loop of well under a mile, mostly flat and partly accessible, suitable for families and casual walkers. It offers beautiful views of the lake and surrounding peaks with very little effort, which is a big part of its popularity. Keep in mind, though, that Bear Lake sits at about 9,500 feet, so the thin air can make even easy walking feel harder if you are not acclimated to the altitude. Take it slowly, drink plenty of water, and be prepared for fast-changing mountain weather. Many harder hikes also start here for those wanting more.

Bear Lake is one of the most important trailheads in Rocky Mountain National Park, launching many of its classic day hikes. From here you can reach the popular chain of alpine lakes, Nymph Lake, Dream Lake, and Emerald Lake, on a moderate climb, as well as connect toward Lake Haiyaha, Flattop Mountain, and the Glacier Gorge area with its route past Alberta Falls. This concentration of outstanding hikes at a single, accessible trailhead is why Bear Lake is so busy. Because of the crowds and limited parking, using the park shuttle and starting early are the keys to a good day here.