Rocky Mountain National Park Hiking Trails
If you’re looking for hikes near Granby, Rocky Mountain National Park is a world unto itself. Plan a leisurely stroll, epic multi-day trip, or something in between, at this stunning natural destination you’ll remember for the rest of your life.
Choose Your Adventure
With hundreds of miles of trails, Rocky Mountain National Park has options for every type of adventurer. Whether you’re seeking the best hiking trails in Rocky Mountain National Park or simply a peaceful walk, you’ll find what you’re looking for.
Enjoy a flat stroll to a pristine lake or challenge yourself with a peak ascent. Opt for a quick half-mile loop or a more strenuous 7-mile hike with rewarding elevation gains and breathtaking views. For multi-day adventurers, the Continental Divide Trail offers over 30 miles of scenic hiking within the park.
The scenery is always spectacular—from alpine tundra and glaciers to meadows, tree-lined slopes, and crystalline lakes. Popular trails include the Shadow Mountain Lookout Trail, offering views of Shadow Mountain Lake, Grand Lake, and Lake Granby, and the Lulu City/Yellowstone Loop, a moderate to strenuous hike to Little Yellowstone’s volcanic rock canyon.
Accessible Trails
The park also features several accessible trails with amenities like benches, wooden paths, hard-packed gravel, and ramps. The Coyote Valley Trail is a 1-mile, wheelchair- and stroller-accessible path along the Colorado River. Be sure to check with the park for specific trail details and accessible features. A free shuttle service is also available to some trailheads.
Explore independently or join a guided hike with a knowledgeable ranger. Winter visitors can enjoy snowshoe-friendly trails, but always check for the latest conditions and safety updates.
Wildlife & Wildflowers
Keep those binoculars and cameras handy! Rocky Mountain National Park is home to hundreds of elk and bighorn sheep, as well as moose, marmots, pika, and the list goes on. The park is also habitat for diverse bird species, including the elusive ptarmigan. In the fall, keep an ear out for the high-pitched bugle of rutting elk. Try the Cascade Falls trail for an easy hike where marmots are often spotted and fishing is possible, or the Green Mountain Loop for a longer hike where you might see foraging moose and elk.
If you time it right, you can admire some of Rocky’s hundreds of wildflower species: elegant columbines, delicate mariposa lilies, lupine, mountain iris, and western yellow paintbrush, just to name a few. Catch the blooms at lower elevations in late April and early May, and wildflowers from late June to early August. Check out Adams Falls from the East Inlet Trailhead and Lake Irene along Trail Ridge Road to find wildflowers.
Remember to always keep a safe distance from wildlife, never feed any animals, and respect the plants and trees.
Practical Tips
If you’re in charge of pre-trip research, you might start at the park’s website. It has an extensive list of hikes, including the names and elevations of many trailheads, the destinations you can reach from each one, plus information on mileage and elevation gain. The park’s website will also be the most up-to-date resource for any trail or road closures.
A successful visit requires a little extra planning. Keep in mind that pets are prohibited on all trails (leashed pets are only allowed in parking lots, roadside areas, picnic areas, and campgrounds), and permits are required for overnight trips.
Safety First
Rocky’s weather is extreme and changes quickly, so you’ll want to be well prepared. The visitors centers and backcountry office are key resources for current information on weather, as well as up-to-date reports on the conditions of trails and roads. You'll want to be prepared for all weather situations, learn more about being weather wise before you arrive.
Make sure your packing list includes the 10 essentials for hikers, and learn how high altitudes can affect visitors to the park. By educating yourself, you’re preparing for a more comfortable and enjoyable trip.
CO TREX App
Discover and explore Colorado’s unique trail experiences with the Colorado Trail Explorer. Available for free, COTREX offers the most comprehensive trail map available for the state and is built atop data from over 230 trail managers.
Download for free in the Apple App Store or the Google Play store.
