Welcome to
​Rocky Mountain Day Hikes
This website explores the trails of
Rocky Mountain National Park,
​one of the premier hiking parks of the world. 
"The essence of nature guiding is to travel gracefully rather than arrive." ~ Enos Mills
Know Before You Go
RMNP Trail Condition Reports
Snow Depth
5/30 - Bear Lake-1", Wild Basin-13", Lake Irene-32"
2/19 - Bear Lake-60", Wild Basin-50", Lake Irene-76"
It's spring in Rocky Mountain National Park, which means conditions are changing. Snow is beginning to melt in lower elevation areas of the park, making many trails wet and muddy. If hiking in areas above 9,000 feet in elevation, traction devices are advised and expect trails to be covered with snow and icy. Winter navigation skills continue to be important in May and June. 

​When hiking on wet and muddy trails, practice Leave No Trace by hiking through the mud. Stepping off trail to avoid puddles expands the footprint of a trail and causes erosion. 
5/27 - Bear Lake Trailhead. Snow is rapidly melting on all trails in the Bear Lake area. Expect trails to be wet and muddy. The trail from Bear Lake to Nymph Lake is mostly free of snow. From Nymph Lake to Dream Lake, there is significant snow on the trail. Most of the trail to Lake Haiyaha is difficult and covered with deep and hard-packed, icy snow. This section of trail is not recommended under the current conditions. Lake Haiyaha is covered with ice and snow.

5/27 - From Glacier Gorge Trailhead to Alberta Falls, the trail is mostly free of snow. From Alberta Falls to Mills Lake, the trail is wet, muddy, and there are patches of snow on the trail. From Mills Lake to Black Lake, sections of the trail go back and forth between being snow free and covered with snow and ice. Black Lake area and above is still covered with snow. 

5/27 - Fern Lake Trailhead to Fern Falls, this trail is mostly free of snow and ice. Wildlife, including new mothers with young, have been seen in the area. Keep your distance. Fern Falls to Fern Lake is impacted by snow. Fern Lake to Odessa Lake is still covered with hard-packed snow and ice. 

5/22 -The trail to Cub Lake is now free of snow and ice. Early summer has arrived with wild flowers beginning to bloom.

5/20 - The trail to Gem Lake is now free of snow and ice. 

5/19 - The Sprague Lake Loop Trail is free of snow and ice.

5/19 - Wild Basin. The lower elevation section of the trail to Ouzel Lake is mostly free of snow. Expect patches of snow on the trail near the Ouzel/Bluebird Junction.​

West Side - At lower elevations, trails are wet and muddy. Expect snow at higher elevations. On trails with snow and ice, traction devices are advised.
Sky Pond - Traverses an avalanche-prone area and a waterfall, which it is icy.
Fern Lake - The area drifts significantly in winter in the burned area.
5/12 - Longs Peak - ​From Longs Peak to Estes Cone, snow on the trail has mostly melted. Winter conditions have taken over. Any venture will require proper winter equipment, route-finding skills, and knowledge of winter travel. Expect to encounter snow and ice, extremely cold temperatures, avalanche hazards, and high winds.
Alpine Visitor Ctr Web Cam
Alpine Visitor Ctr Web Cam, 11,796' - May 30
Glacier Basin, RMNP, Webcam
Glacier Basin Webcam - May 23
Kawuneeche Valley Web Cam - May 12
Kawuneeche Valley Web Cam - May 23
Picture
Snowplow operations on Trail Ridge Road May 21 2025, Courtesy Rocky Mountain National Park
Chasm Junction, taken May 26, 2025 NPS
Chasm Junction, May 26, 2025, NPS
Visit the RMNP Trail Conditions Page for more update information: Click Here
RMNP Updates
Visit the Rocky Mountain National Park website for more information on 
​Trail Conditions, Shuttle Bus Info, Webcams, ​​and ​Alpine Visitor Center Weather 
Trail Guide
to
Rocky Mountain National Park
​Find your next hike here!
Rocky Mountain National Park is a hikers paradise offering spectacular mountain terrain for hikers at all levels.
​Enjoy exploring the hikes on this website.
​Complete trail profiles, photos, and videos for more than 75 trails in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Short Hikes|Moderate Hikes|Longer Hikes|Challenge Hikes|Lake Hikes|Waterfall Hikes|Peak Hikes|Loop Hikes
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the on-line magazine of Rocky Mountain Day Hikes
Looking for additional Rocky Mountain National Park information?
Find a variety of articles on a wide range of topics.
Trail Reviews|Stories & Adventure|Science & Ecology|History & Current Issues|Culture & Art|Gear Reviews
New in Hike Rocky
May Newsletter
May is a month of miracles in Rocky Mountain National Park. The predictable final winter storms leave their beneficial moisture behind while a kaleidoscope of spring colors and sounds return to treat our senses.
What's in a RMNP Name
Up, Up, Up! Biking Trail Ridge Road in May
Rocky Mountain Conservancy’s Trail Improvement Fund
Colorado’s bears are waking up and they’re hungry. ​

RMDH Wildflower Field Guide
​to Rocky Mountain National Park

Barefoot Publications
PO Box 187
Estes Park, CO 80517