Rocky Mountain National Park ranks among the most visited national parks in the United States, offering a diverse range of hiking options, from shorter day hikes with stunning alpine lake vistas to more extensive backpacking adventures.

The Bear Lake Road Corridor is particularly renowned for its scenic beauty and provides multiple day hike opportunities that can be linked to form custom loop trails.

Accessing Bear Lake Road

Accessing Rocky Mountain National Park and Bear Lake Road can be accomplished in several ways. Visitors may choose to rent a car and drive from Denver, or opt for a more eco-friendly choice by taking the hiker shuttle bus to the park, where additional shuttles facilitate movement between various areas. Due to the area’s popularity, reservations and timed entry have been instituted; hence, advance planning is required even when using the hiker shuttle.

A drive from Denver to the park typically takes about an hour and a half. One scenic route meanders through the charming mountain town of Estes Park, providing an excellent opportunity to pick up lunch and snacks for the hike.

Important Information to Consider

As previously mentioned, the park now enforces set entry times, necessitating a timed entry permit prior to your visit. The enforcement of these permits is strict; arriving even five minutes early will result in denial of access to Bear Lake Road.

Timed entry permits can be obtained through reservations.gov , and it is crucial to include Bear Lake Road reservations when booking. These permits tend to sell out quickly, especially during peak season. During my visit in September, I managed to secure timed entry the morning of my trip, but planning ahead is advisable—this was midweek during the shoulder season.

The timed entry permit costs $2 and is required from late May through early October.

Upon arrival, your timed entry permit QR code will be scanned, and you will receive a paper map. Be aware that the Bear Lake parking area fills rapidly; however, a large park-and-ride lot with ample parking and restroom facilities is available. From there, one can take one of the free shuttles to the desired trailhead. Other minor hikes along the road have limited parking (approximately 10 spots available), making the park-and-ride option a highly convenient and sustainable choice. The Bear Lake shuttle, with multiple stops, runs frequently until approximately 7:30 PM.

Hiking Options Along the Bear Lake Road Corridor

A variety of hiking trails exist along the corridor, which may appeal to those wishing to avoid the crowds at the Bear Lake Trailhead.

The Bierstadt Lake Trail

Another favored hike that showcases lovely lake views is the Bierstadt Lake Trail. The shuttle drops visitors at the Bierstadt Lake trailhead (the first stop from the park-and-ride), where there is limited parking. The trail stretches approximately 2 miles one-way and operates as an out-and-back route, noted for its moderate elevation gain compared to the Bear Lake trailhead.

Hikers have ample options to extend their journey starting from the Bierstadt Lake trailhead to continue towards Bear Lake, which further connects to Glacier Gorge through several trails, allowing for custom day hikes.

Hiking from Glacier Gorge Trailhead to Bear Lake

This trail spans around 6.5 miles, beginning at the Glacier Gorge parking lot, the second stop on the shuttle route from the park-and-ride. The initial attraction on this hike is Alberta Falls. It is vital to stay on the official trail; numerous hikers attempt to traverse the falls or climb the surrounding rocks. The path to Alberta Falls is short and well-maintained, but for those aiming to head directly to Bear Lake, a brief walk of approximately 0.4 miles will lead directly there without completing the loop.

After Alberta Falls, hikers will follow a well-maintained path until reaching a junction that offers three possible directions. To the right lies a less-traveled trail leading to Lake Haiyaha, which features some steep ascents but remains manageable with less than 1,000 feet of elevation gain toward the split leading to either the lake or Bear Lake.

This section of the trail is well-maintained and level, often bustling with fellow hikers heading to Bear Lake.

Bear Lake Trail

As you make your way towards Bear Lake from Lake Haiyaha, you will pass both Dream Lake and Emerald Lake, each offering extensions to your hike and breathtaking views. Continuing from there will lead you down toward Bear Lake.

Upon reaching Bear Lake, prepare for crowds, as it is one of the most frequented areas in the park. You can hike around Bear Lake on a flat, well-maintained trail with various lookout points offering spectacular views of the lake.

Final Thoughts

This high-elevation marvel serves as the perfect introduction to the park’s natural splendor. With the efficient shuttle service, visitors can create an enriching hiking loop that allows exploration of several lakes, waterfalls, and the breathtaking mountainous terrain of the Rockies.

The Bear Lake loop provides a brief glimpse into the park’s offerings, though it is essential to anticipate significant crowds. Other national parks, such as Great Smoky Mountain National Park, often experience less foot traffic. Nonetheless, all national parks offer unique experiences and are well worth a visit.