Those looking to explore the tundra can head to 12,880-foot Mt. Ida, a gentle, walk-up peak with commanding views over remote alpine lakes. The 9.6 miles round-trip starts at Milner Pass at nearly 11,000 feet and climbs a rocky ridge line to Ida’s summit. You’ll need to be of a good fitness level, and have basic route finding skills and a clear weather window for this one.
Rocky Mountain’s high point, 14,259-foot Longs Peak, is the park’s most coveted summit—and it’s a whopper. The Class-3 Keyhole Route—meaning you’ll need both hands and feet to ascend the steep upper reaches—requires a predawn start to avoid afternoon thunderstorms, 15 miles of hiking, and 5,000 feet of elevation gain. It’s for fit, experienced hikers; Longs Peak is the crown jewel of the park.
Read our complete guide to the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Horseback riding
Park trails look even better from a saddle. Hi Country/Glacier Creek Stables runs the only in-park horseback riding outfit, and offers two-, three-, and five-hour rides departing from Sprague Lake (which cost $110, $140, and $245 per person, respectively).
Fishing
Fly-fishing in Rocky Mountain’s pristine lakes draws anglers like cutthroats to a woolly bugger. Most park waters are open to casting for brook, brown, rainbow, and cutthroat trout, with some of the best fishing to be found in the backcountry lakes. Kirks Flyshop in Estes Park offers gear rentals and a variety of guided trips.
Snowshoeing
Winter visitors can explore many of the park’s trails, too: Just strap into a pair of snowshoes and go. Tromp out to Mills Lake, a 5.6-mile round trip, for a classic quiet-season journey out of Glacier Gorge. Rangers also lead guided snowshoe treks on both the east and west sides of the park (free; reservations required).
Wildlife watching
Wild animals being, well, wild means there are no sure things when it comes to spotting them. But the chances of having an A-list animal sighting are still quite good in the park’s excellent habitat. Elk tend to congregate in Moraine Park on the east side and the Kawuneeche Valley on the west, especially during the rut season in October. Moose favor the park’s west side, particularly willowy, marshy areas along the Colorado River. One of the best times to glimpse bighorn sheep is late spring and early summer at Sheep Lakes, so called because its salty soil attracts these iconic ungulates. Spotting marmots, meanwhile, is as easy as hiking in bouldery areas above the treeline or driving Trail Ridge Road.
Stargazing
Low light pollution makes the Milky Way really pop above the peaks. Every few weeks in the summer, generally pegged to the new moon and therefore the darkest skies, rangers lead astronomy programs with telescopes. Bundle up, pack a red headlamp (it’ll preserve your night vision), and get an up-close peek at celestial wonders like constellations and planets.
