We’ve visited Rocky Mountain National Park at every season multiple times as we live so close and absolutely love coming here with kids! The park is pretty large and there’s lots to see. You might want to budget 2-3 days to see all of it or a day for just the highlights. If you’re local to Colorado, this is also a great weekend getaway from Denver!
Best Base town: Estes Park (East) or Grand Lake (West)
Top Kid Hike in Rocky Mountain: Bear Lake Loop or Sprague Lake
Best Time to Visit: June to October
Make sure to check out our breakdown of best National Parks to visit by month!
Where to Stay Near Rocky Mountain National Park with Kids
There are a couple of good options when visiting the park for where to base yourself. Both Estes Park and Grand Lake are beautiful towns and have their own character and charm. If you’re looking for more Colorado mountain towns to explore, check out this post!
Estes Park vs. Grand Lake: Which side should you choose?
Estes Park is the default choice for visiting Rocky Mountain National Park, especially for out of state visitors flying into Denver. It’s a short drive from the airport and provides streamlined access to the National Park. Estes Park tends to be a little busier than Grand Lake as it’s closer to the Front Range and closer launching point to some of the more popular hikes. Choose Estes Park if you prefer easy access, lots of food and accommodation options and a closer drive to Denver.
Where to stay in Estes Park
This apartment right on Fall River is a fantastic starting point for your adventures in Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. The views are unbeatable and plenty of space for a family to enjoy with direct access to the river.
If you’re looking for something a bit more budget with plenty of activities for the kids (like a playground, indoor pool, horseback riding etc) checkout the YMCA of the Rockies Estes Park.
Grand Lake is a beautiful town on the Western side of the Park. It’s a bit smaller than Estes Park, with a few less restaurant and accommodation options but also less crowds! It’s a lot more quiet and you get the benefit of staying by beautiful Grand Lake.
Where to stay in Grand Lake
Check out this cozy apartment that has plenty of space for a family of 4. It’s right by a stream in a forest, in the heart of Grand Lake.
This apartment has unbeatable views of the lake and even more space for a family to hang out.
Essential Logistics: Timed Entry & Passes at Rocky Mountain National Park
If you’re visiting between May and mid-October, Rocky Mountain National Park uses a timed entry permit system to manage crowds.
There are currently two types of reservations, which you can reserve on Recreation.gov. You can get more up-to-date information on the Estes Park website
Park Access + Bear Lake Road: All park roads plus Bear Lake, Sprague Lake, Moraine Park, and Glacier Gorge. Required hours are 5:00AM – 6:00PM
Park Access (without Bear Lake): Trail Ridge Road, Alpine Visitor Center, Grand Lake side, Sheep Lakes. Required hours are 9:00AM – 2:00PM
You will still need to purchase a park pass on top of a timed entry reservation.
Note: If you miss out on getting a timed entry, you can still enter the park outside of the timed-entry window. That means you can enter the park before 5:00AM / after 6:00PM for Bear Lake Road, or before 9:00AM / after 2:00PM for the rest of the park. We’ve done this many times in the past and it’s a great way to catch sunset at one of Rocky Mountain’s lakes
Top Kid-Friendly Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park
Best for Toddlers and Strollers (under 1 mile)
- Bear Lake Loop
This is a flat, somewhat paved nature loop which circles Bear Lake. It’s gorgeous year round, and in the winter you can even walk across the lake. This is probably the most popular parking lot since it’s used for several popular hikes so make sure to either get here before 7AM during peak season, or take the free shuttle. Even in the winter this parking lot tends to fill up during the day!
Distance: 0.5 mile loop
Elevation Gain: none
Trailhead Location: Bear Lake Trailhead - Sprague Lake
This is my personal favorite as it’s a very popular spot for Moose sightings! The loop is quite short, is mostly hard-packed gravel with incredible views in all directions. The trail is less popular than Bear Lake so you’ll get the same views with much smaller crowds.
Distance: 0.8 miles
Elevation Gain: none
Trailhead Location: Sprague Lake Parking Area (Bear Lake Road)
Best for Young Hikers (1 to 3 Miles)
- Nymph Lake or Dream Lake
If you want a more challenging hike, Dream Lake is the place to be. This is the most popular hike in the park, so make sure to plan accordingly with parking and logistics. The hike isn’t very difficult, but since you’re starting at a high elevation you might find yourself more out of breath than usual! This hike is not stroller friendly, so make sure to bring a good hiking carrier if you have little ones.
Distance: 2.2miles (1.2 miles RT if stopping at Nymph Lake)
Elevation Gain: 425 feet
Trailhead Location: Bear Lake Trailhead - Alberta Falls
This is a quick scenic hike along Glacier Creek which ends at a 30-foot waterfall. It’s quite a gentle incline and is perfect for younger hikers. The trail is not suitable for strollers
Distance: 1.7 miles
Elevation Gain: 200 feet
Trailhead Location: Glacier Gorge Trailhead - Bierstadt Lake Trail
This is a bit more of a challenge as the climb up is quite steep, but our kids were able to do this at 3 & 5 years old. It’s a great hike for seeing fall colors at Rocky Mountain National Park, with lots of Aspen trees at the base.
Distance: 3.1 miles
Elevation Gain: 600 feet
Trailhead Location: Bierstadt Lake Trailhead - Cub Lake
This one is a bit longer than 3 miles but including it here as it’s in-and-out and you can walk as long as you want before deciding to turn back. There are beautiful meadow views along the way, which high chance of seeing deer, elk and bears.
Distance: 4.6 miles
Elevation Gain: 540
Trailhead Location: Cub Lake Trailhead
Best Drives & Tundra Walk
Trail Ridge Road and Alpine Ridge Trail are a must if you have more than one day at the park. The views from the drive are incredible and there are lots of places to stop at lookouts along the way with some short trails. You’ll also see some marmots at the top! Make sure to visit the Alpine Visitor Center, where you can pick up a Junior Ranger workbook and badge.
Sample 3-Day itinerary at Rocky Mountain National Park with Kids
Day 1: The Bear Lake Corridor & Downtown Treats
Morning
Head into the park early to get started on one of the hikes along Bear Lake Corridor. Make sure you have a Park Access + Bear Lake Road permit for this day, or enter the park extra early 🙂 Stop by the visitor center to pick up a Junior Ranger booklet.
Pick a favorite hike from the list above (Dream Lake is a good default choice!) and spend the morning on the trails. On your way back down the corridor, stop at Sprague Lake to see if you can spot any moose. Alternatively, stop at Sprague Lake first thing in the morning for a higher chance of wildlife sightings
Afternoon
Stop for a picnic lunch at Sprague Lake. Visit Beaver Meadows Visitor Center to turn in your Junior Ranger booklets and get a Junior Ranger badge! Head back to your hotel for some R&R or pool time.
Evening
Walk through downtown Estes Park along the Riverwalk and enjoy the play areas and art installations along the promenade. Drive over to Golf Course Road or Estes Park High School fields right before sunset to catch large elk herds grazing. Make sure to keep your distance!
Day 2: Trail Ridge Road & Grand Lake Exploration
Morning
Drive up Trail Ridge Road, the highest continuous paved road in North America and stop along the way to take in the breathtaking views.
Afternoon
Continue driving towards the west side of the park into the historic town of Grand Lake. Grab lunch at one of the lakeside patios here, then rent a paddleboat or pontoon at the Grand Lake Marina.
Evening
Drive back towards Estes Park during sunset for a high chance of seeing wildlife! Make sure to watch out for wildlife on the road during this time.
Day 3: Estes Park & Low-Key Town Fun
Morning
Check out Estes Park Aerial Tramway for beautiful views of Estes Park
Afternoon
Spend the day at YMCA of the Rockies, even if you’re not staying on site. They have day passes available which let families partake in some of the family-friendly activities.
Evening
Dinner and home!