Gretchen Stuppy Carlson
This classic Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) hike features beautiful mountain views and a series of breathtaking alpine lakes. Each lake has its own special feel, and Emerald Lake at the end is perfectly placed amid the mountain peaks. If you are looking for a relatively easy hike with mountain and alpine lake views in Rocky Mountain National Park – the Nymph, Dream and Emerald Lake hike is your best option. This guide to hiking to Emerald Lake RMNP has everything you need to know to hike this trail on your next visit.
We hiked the trail the 3rd week of August in 2021 on a very cold and windy day, so our photos show us all bundled up. We still enjoyed the hike, but it was COLD!
Overview of the hike to Emeral Lake RMNP (Rocky Mountain National Park)
Distance: 3.2 miles (2 hours) Elevation: 700 ft Difficulty: moderate
The trail leading to Emerald Lake is well marked and easy walking with very few rocks and roots, especially at the beginning of the hike. Towards the end of the hike, the trail gets narrower, and there are several wooden log bridges. Since the trail passes so many beautiful spots you can also choose to hike out and back as far as you are comfortable. Most of the trail has a steady grade, with very few steep sections.
Things you Must Know for Hiking Nymph, Dream and Emerald Lakes
Before I jump into the description of the hike, there are a few things you should know about hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park. You can see more details in my Rocky Mountain’s Itinerary Post.
The first thing to note is that Rocky Mountain National Park has a timed entry system, meaning you need to reserve your entry time in advance. These spots fill up, so don’t arrive and expect to get in. To hike to Emerald Lake, you need a timed entry for the Bear Lake Corridor. You can learn more about the system and reserve your spot here.
Another important thing to know about hiking to Emerald Lake is that this is one of the most popular hikes in the park and the parking lot fills up early in the morning. Your best bet is to take the shuttle from the park and ride inside the park. We arrived early (around 7 am) and got one of the last spots in the parking lot.
Finally, always practice leave no trace principles and be prepared. Even in the summer, temperatures can drop or a thunderstorm might roll in. It’s best to hike early and bring plenty of water and layers. We hiked on an especially cold and windy day and luckily were prepared, but we saw many people turning around early.
See more about Things to do in Estes Park and the Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park
Best time of the Year to Hike to Emerald Lake RMNP
The best time to hike in Rocky Mountain National Park is late spring through fall. Summer has the best weather, but also the most crowds. If you can, September and October are great months to hike. Even in the summer, it can be cold and there will be snow at high altitudes.
The trail is open in the winter, but you can expect snowy and icy conditions. A good pair of microspikes will help with icy conditions in the winter.
Details of the Hike to Emerald Lake RMNP
The hike starts at the end of the parking lot at Bear Lake at the very end of the Bear Lake Rd. There is a small building and several signs marking the start of the hike. This is also the start of the shorter walk around Bear Lake. You will want to follow signs for Emerald Lake to the left.
The trail starts with a gradual uphill for just under half a mile to Nymph Lake on a paved path. This beautiful little lake has lily pads and several places along the shore to sit and look out over the water. This is a great place to take a break and grab some water before heading up the next section. The trail winds around the right side of the lake and ascends towards the next lake.
It’s not far to Dream Lake, and you will begin to get some views out across to the nearby mountains including Flattop Mtn, Hallet Peak, and Glacier Gorge. This is a larger lake and you will follow it around for a while with plenty of places to look out across the water. The day we hiked to Emerald Lake is was incredibly windy and the wind was funneling down this lake causing white caps to pile up at the end. After walking around the lake, you have one last little uphills section to the final lake.
While both Nymph and Dream Lakes were beautiful, we recommend that you don’t stop before you get to Emerald Lake. This small lake is nestled among mountains and a small, windy path leads to a few places along the lake’s edge to sit or take some photos. We spent just enough time to snap some photos before heading down to get out of the wind. The water is a really pretty color, and I imagine when it is calm, the water is even a different color.
Final Thoughts: we loved this hike and it is worth doing even if it is one of the most popular in Rocky Mount National Park. If you have more time or want a longer hike, I would also highly recommend Sky Pond.
