Day and Overnight Hikes: Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park is the living showcase of the grandeur of the Rockies, with elevations ranging from 8,000 feet in the valleys to 14,259 feet at the top of Longs Peak. The park draws 3 million visitors per year with countless outdoor experiences and adventures. Choosing the best day and overnight hikes from the 359 miles of hiking trails and 200 back-country sites is a major mission. Get on the trail faster with the confidence that you’ve made the right choice by referencing Day & Overnight Hikes: Rocky Mountain National Park.

Whether you’re out to see the elk rut in autumn, the summer blooms on the hillside, the thundering falls in spring, or the white-blanketed calm of the forest in winter, author Kim Lipker has your mission accomplished. Both the west (Grand Lake) side and the east (Estes Park) side of the park are featured. This guide includes original GPS-based trail maps, detailed trail descriptions, overnight camping recommendations, trail guides suitable for different experience levels, and more.

Kim Lipker is a Colorado native and lives with her family in Fort Collins. She writes outdoor guidebooks and a parenting magazine column. Kim travels Colorado extensively and grew up near Rocky Mountain National Park. She is the author of 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Denver and Boulder and Best Tent Camping: Colorado.