Hiking With Kids at Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park in Northern Colorado is majestic in any season.  The best times to hike at RMNP are Summer and Early Fall (you can read more about when to visit in this post).  On our first visit to Rocky Mountain National Park, our youngest child was barely walking.  On the latest visit, we camped with extended family including children ages 9-15.

General Hiking Tips for the Rockies - 

• Plan ahead - the weather can change quickly and altitude makes hiking more challenging.  Afternoon thunderstorms are common in the Rocky Mountains, please keep this in mind when timing your hike.
• Be prepared - extra water and sunscreen are extra important with a higher elevation.  A hat and jacket are also helpful.  Snacks are always a good idea... along with a first aid kit and general hiking supplies.
• Simple and short can still be beautiful.  If you are coming from a lower elevation/altitude, it would not be wise to plan something super strenuous.
• AllTrails and Rocky Mountain National Park website are excellent resources for planning your hiking adventures.   
• It is a good idea to ask a ranger about current conditions and suggestions.
• Park map and section maps for specific park regions are available at visitor centers.  

Hiking with kids adds some additional considerations - what is a reasonable elevation gain and length for the children in this group?  What are park elements that the kids might enjoy?  How comfortable and responsible is each child near water, steep drops, etc? 

With there questions in mind, here are some of our favorite short hikes at near the Eastern and Western sections of Rocky Mountain National Park.

Kid friendly hikes on the Eastern (Estes Park) side of RMNP:

• Sprague Lake - this is a short walk around the lake.  There is a parking lot close to the lake and a park shuttle is available seasonally.  

• Nymph and Dream Lake - this hike starts at the Bear Lake parking lot.  Parking is limited, so the parking shuttle is a great option.  This is a beautiful hike, with some elevation gate.  Nymph lake is peaceful and covered in lily pads.  Dream Lake is breathtaking.  This is a very popular hike.

• Alberta Falls - waterfall hike from the Glacier Gorge Trailhead. 

*All of these trails are likely to be snow covered in winter and spring.  

*All of these hikes are located in the Bear Lake corridor and require Park Access+  reservations in the summer and autumn.

Kid friendly hikes on the Western (Grand Lake) side of RMNP:

• Colorado River Trail - this is a flat trail that follows along the Colorado River.  It is an out and back trail, We would just walk along the trail for a little while and turn back.  It is peaceful and with opportunities to spot wildlife.

• Holzwarth Historic Site - this is not really a hike, but more of a walk on a trail across a meadow to the historic site.

• Adams Falls - the trailhead for Adams Falls is near the eastern end of Grand Lake.  This trail leads to a beautiful waterfall.

Along Trail Ridge Road:

• There are short trails/walks along Trail Ridge Road that provide opportunities to experience the park above tree line.  This was in early June 2022 at one of these stops.

Rocky Mountain National Park is an extraordinary place to visit.  You can see much from the car, but a short hike adds to the park experience.  I hope that you are able to enjoy this beautiful park.  Plan ahead, be prepared, and have a great trip!

*All information is based on our experience at this park and is provided for information and entertainment only, not as professional advice. Reading and using information from More Than Scenery as well as any travel/hiking/camping is at your own risk.  Accuracy is important to me, but park rules and conditions change constantly.  If you find an error, please let me know so that I can correct it.

Unless stated otherwise, all images are my (Jessica Branch) own and I hold the copywrite.  Please get permission before using any images or text from More Than Scenery.