Here are just a few family-friendly hikes in and around Estes Park. Before you go, make sure you check if you'll need a timed-entry permit reservation to Rocky Mountain National Park.

Copeland Falls

  • Round trip mileage: 0.6 from the trailhead.
  • Trailhead: Wild Basin, Rocky Mountain National Park
  • Description: Look for the Copeland Falls Trail on your left after about 0.2 miles. You will see two small waterfalls while on the Copeland Falls Trail: Lower and Upper Copeland Falls.

Lily Lake Loop Trail

  • Trailhead: This lake is just off State Highway 7 on the west side
  • Description: This flat, well maintained loop around the lake is short and accessible; the views don’t disappoint.

Lily Lake

Sprague Lake Loop Trail

  • Trailhead: Located in Rocky Mountain National Park. Take Sprague Lake Road off Bear Lake Road and turn right at the T. You can’t miss it.
  • Description: This flat, well maintained loop around the lake is short, accessible and surprises you with stunning views of the Continental Divide from the east side looking west.

Family, accessibility, sprague lake​

Bear Lake Trail Loop

  • Trailhead: Bear Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park
  • Description: This trail is flat, accessible and like any other trail in Rocky Mountain National Park, will provide a quintessential mountain experience.

 

If you’re looking for something longer or more challenging

Calypso Cascades
  • Difficulty Rating: easy on the way to intermediate for short legs
  • Round trip mileage: 3.6
  • Elevation gain: 610’
  • Trailhead: Wild Basin, Rocky Mountain National Park
  • Description: Calypso Cascades is an impressive 200’ waterfall about 1.5 miles past Copeland Falls on the Wild Basin Trail. As you gain elevation, you’ll start to find stair-step trail and roots to step over, but nothing that is impossible for kids.

 

Alberta Falls

alberta falls on hiking project

  • Difficulty Rating: intermediate but doable for short legs
  • Round trip mileage: 1.6 miles
  • Elevation gain: 200’
  • Trailhead:
    • Bear Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park
    • Glacier Gorge, Rocky Mountain National Park
  • Description: Follow the Loch Vale Trail, accessible from both listed trailheads, to this quintessential rocky mountain waterfall.

 

If you’re looking for something closer to town

Lake Estes Trail
  • Trailhead: No trailhead. Located just east of Elkhorn Avenue in Estes Park.

A 3.75-mile paved path encircles Lake Estes and boasts some of the most stunning views of the surrounding mountains, although admittedly, almost anything looks stunning with a large body of water in the foreground. This trail has a couple of advantages compared to the other trails listed here: although long, several parking lots dot its perimeter in case you need to make a quick exit and (possibly) more importantly, the Lake Estes Marina is located on the trail. The marina rents a variety of watersport equipment and a playground is located next to it. Find out more about how to spend a day on Lake Estes.

Become a Junior Ranger

Before you head out join Rocky Mountain National Park’s Junior Ranger Program before you set out. Junior Rangers carry activity booklets to help them discover the park, learn about nature and earn a Junior Ranger badge at the completion of the booklet.

Leave No Trace, trail etiquette, wildlife viewing and COVID caveats

Before setting off on your family hike, read this guide to being kind on the trails and join us in our efforts to preserve the forests that surround our little mountain town – and the enjoyment of it – for the children of our children and generations to come.