Come the winter season, Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park turn into snow-covered wonderlands, beckoning visitors and locals alike to brave the conditions and enjoy the outdoors. One of the best ways to enjoy the magnificent scenery of white mountains and forests is to go snowshoeing. 

Snowshoeing is a winter activity that dates back thousands of years, and Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park are home to an abundance of places to enjoy it. At Estes Park Condos, we highly recommend that guests in our area explore the winter landscape, and snowshoeing is a wonderful way to do it. Whether you’re brand new to snowshoeing or an expert, you’ll have a blast as you make your way through spectacular winter backdrops. We’ve compiled a guide to help you enjoy snowshoeing in Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. 

Why Snowshoe in Estes Park?

Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park are renowned for their stunning natural beauty, and winter is no exception. Snow blankets the area, creating a serene, snow globe-like atmosphere. Snowshoeing allows you to immerse yourself in this pristine wilderness while enjoying the crisp mountain air. It’s a fantastic way to escape the crowds and discover the hidden gems of this mountainous paradise.

The Best Snowshoeing Spots

Snowshoeing opportunities are plentiful in Estes Park and Rocky Mountain Park. However, these are a few of the standout trails that come highly recommended.

Bear Lake

Whether you’re new to snowshoeing or simply want an easy trail to warm up, Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park is a great starting point. Snowshoeing around Bear Lake takes under an hour, making it a favorite for beginners and families. For a longer and more experience, you can expand this route by continuing on to Nymph Lake Trail, where you’ll pass Nymph, Dream, and Emerald Lakes. 

Fern Lake

For an even longer snowshoeing adventure, head to Fern Lake. While most sites list Fern Lake as a 3.8-mile route to Fern Lake, they don’t factor in that the parking lot is often closed during the winter, adding an additional 0.7 miles each way to the trip. In total, you can expect about nine miles of snowshoeing when you also factor in heading back. It is a beautiful snowshoeing experience in Rocky Mountain National Park, but we only recommend this trail for snowshoe veterans.

Cub Lake

Our final recommendation for snowshoeing in Rocky Mountain National Park is Cub Lake, a loop trail through a towering alpine forest around a frozen lake. This trail is six miles long and is moderately challenging. Keep in mind that the snow can get quite deep in this part of the park, so you likely won’t be able to traverse through this trail without snowshoes.

Snowshoe Rental in Estes Park

If you don’t have your own pair of snowshoes, don’t worry; there are plenty of outfitters in Estes Park that offer snowshoe rentals. A few of the best snowshoe rentals in Estes Park include Estes Park Mountain Shop and Kirk’s Mountain Adventures.

Cozy Vacation Rentals Near Rocky Mountain National Park

We covered just a few of the fantastic snowshoeing opportunities you can explore in Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. If you want to stay near these trails during your winter adventure to Estes Park, consider booking your lodging through Estes Park Condos. At Estes Park Condos, we offer well-appointed condo rentals on the Fall River, not far from Rocky Mountain National Park. 

We would love to host your winter vacation to Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. To stay with us, please check availability online or call us at 970-577-0068.