Rocky Mountain National Park is a premier hiker's park, offering everything from easy strolls on paved surfaces to strenuous scrambles over broken rocks. The National Park Service maintains over 350 miles of trails here. Because the park is big and diverse, it can be difficult to select the best places to take a short walk. There are several trails that I consider the best for getting a flavor of the wild character of the park. Nature trails encourage you to learn about the natural and cultural heritage of Rocky at your own pace. Day hikes offer you half-day to full-day explorations of meadows, forests, and waterfalls. Here are 8 easy-to-moderate hikes covering some of the most iconic features of the park.

The hikes take you to pristine lakes, memorable waterfalls, amazing vistas, and interesting historic sites. Get out of your vehicle to experience the sights, sounds, and fragrances of Rocky up close.

A Special Note
Annual visitation hovers around 3 million, with many people returning several times each year to hike to their favorite places. Many of the popular trailhead parking lots may be full before mid-morning. Use the park's free shuttle bus service, or arrive at your destination by early morning.