Hike the Emerald Lake trail in Rocky Mountain National Park | Moderate Hikes

Support Our Local Partners

The Spice Rack

<<< Emerald Lake >>>

1.8 miles

Trail Type: Moderate Hike
Trailhead: Bear Lake
Trailhead Elevation: 9,475'
Destination Elevation: 10,111'
Total Elevation Gain: 605'
Total Roundtrip Miles: 3.6

Emerald Lake

Trail Description
The hike to Emerald Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park begins at Bear Lake and travels by Nymph Lake and Dream Lake, all spectacular alpine lakes. Past Dream Lake, the trail continues to follow Tyndall Creek and climbs past several more small cascading waterfalls and through small meadows in high subalpine terrain before ending at Emerald Lake with the ever present cliffs of Hallett Peak looming above.

How to Get There
Take the Bear Lake Road from US 36 to the Bear Lake trailhead, 9.7 miles. Parking during the summer season is very limited. It's best to utilize the Hiker Shuttle from the Estes Park Visitor Center and the Park Shuttle Buses.

Trail Profile