Estes Park
Bear Lake
Bear Lake is the busiest spot in the park for a reason: a short loop, a mountain behind it, and the trailhead for half the lakes people come to see. Treat it as a launch pad, and get there early.
8.0 mi from downtown
Where to Go · Places
Lakes, Rivers & Scenic Spots in Estes Park
Lakes and overlooks near Estes Park run from the town's own shoreline to high alpine basins inside Rocky Mountain National Park. One afternoon can mean a slow walk beside the water, a fishing rod, or a hike to a lake ringed by cliffs. Even the easy walks ask you to slow down, so take your time and carry water.
Jan's take
Get to the lakes early or don't bother, because by ten the lots are full and so is the shoreline. Sprague is the easy one, flat and pretty, good with kids. Dream Lake takes a little more climbing and it's worth it. Bring a jacket even in July. That water is cold and so is the wind off it.
The short list
- 1Fishing and paddling by townLake EstesMountain lake with shoreline hiking, fishing for rainbow trout, and kayak and SUP rentals, all at the edge of town.
- 2Easy loop, fishing, viewsSprague LakeA Rocky Mountain National Park lake ringed by a half-mile trail and popular for fishing and for its views.
- 3Mountain views without a hikeMany Parks Curve OverlookA viewing point at a hairpin turn on Trail Ridge Road, with sweeping views of the Mummy Range.
Around the valley
Estes Park
Bierstadt Lake
Bierstadt Lake is a forest lake on a bench above Bear Lake Road, circled by a trail. Getting there is a steady climb, which keeps the crowds thinner than at the lakes farther up the road.
6.5 mi from downtown
Estes Park
Big Thompson River
Below town, the Big Thompson runs through its canyon along Highway 34, with turnouts you can pull into and trout you can fish for. It's the river you meet on the drive up, and it's worth a stop.
8.8 mi from downtown
Estes Park
Big Thompson River
The Big Thompson comes out of the Park and runs right through Estes Park, and town has made it easy to get to the water. A short riverside path, a couple of small parks, and a place to stand and listen.
1.8 mi from downtown
Estes Park
Chasm Lake
Chasm Lake sits in a cirque under the east face of Longs Peak, at the end of a hard, high hike. It's the big-day lake, and it's worth every foot if you start early and the weather holds.
9.3 mi from downtown
Estes Park
Cub Lake
Cub Lake is a Moraine Park classic, a walk out of the big glacier-carved meadow and up to a quiet lake. It's a moderate hike, and if you start early, you'll have a good share of it to yourself.
6.8 mi from downtown
Estes Park
Dream Lake
Dream Lake is the second stop up the trail from Bear Lake, with steep cliffs on the far shore. It's a short climb past Nymph Lake and the view repays it.
8.6 mi from downtown
Estes Park
Emerald Lake
Emerald Lake is the end of the line on the Bear Lake trail, a bigger effort than Dream Lake and the one I'd pick if you've got half a day. Go early, take the shuttle, and bring a jacket.
9.0 mi from downtown
Estes Park
Fall River
Fall River runs through Horseshoe Park, the wide, flat meadow just inside the Fall River Entrance. It's an easy place to watch water do what water does in the mountains, and the start of Old Fall River Road.
6.4 mi from downtown
Estes Park
Fern Lake
Fern Lake sits at the end of a long, steady climb up the Big Thompson canyon, with a quiet backcountry campsite on its north shore. It's the one I'd pick when Bear Lake looks like a parking lot sale.
8.6 mi from downtown
Estes Park
Gem Lake
Gem Lake is a small, rocky lake you earn with a steep, sunny climb up from Lumpy Ridge. It's short on miles and long on stairs.
2.5 mi from downtown
Estes Park
Lake Estes
Lake Estes is the town's front yard, a big reservoir just east of downtown with a paved loop around it. Easy walk, easy fishing, easy kayak rental.
1.7 mi from downtown
Estes Park
Lake Haiyaha
Lake Haiyaha is a rocky, moderate hike from Bear Lake to a lake that feels a long way from the paved crowd. The last stretch is rough footing.
8.9 mi from downtown
Estes Park
Lawn Lake
Lawn Lake is a long day hike up the Roaring River drainage, and it has a story. The dam here failed in 1982 and rearranged the valley below.
8.4 mi from downtown
Estes Park
Lily Lake
Lily Lake is the easy one. A flat, accessible loop on Highway 7 with Longs Peak hanging over the water, and none of the Bear Lake Road scramble.
Open now · open 24 hours4.9 mi from downtown
Estes Park
Longs Peak - Keyhole Route
The Keyhole Route is the standard way up Longs Peak, and the Park calls it a climb, not a hike. It's about 15 miles round trip to 14,259 feet, and the day starts in the dark.
8.3 mi from downtown
Estes Park
Many Parks Curve Overlook
Many Parks Curve is a hairpin pullout on Trail Ridge Road where the mountains open up and you can see the meadows laid out below. Park, step out, take your time.
Open now · open 24 hours5.9 mi from downtown
Estes Park
Marys Lake
Marys Lake is a small reservoir a couple of miles from downtown, with a short walk along the shore and the foothills behind it. It's a quiet stop for a picnic or a few casts.
2.3 mi from downtown
Estes Park
Mills Lake
Mills Lake is the big payoff in Glacier Gorge: a subalpine lake with mountains all around it and a waterfall on the way in. It's a real hike, not a stroll, but it's the one I send friends on when they want the full Rocky Mountain picture.
Open now · open 24 hours8.7 mi from downtown
Estes Park
Nymph Lake
Nymph Lake is the first lake on the Bear Lake climb, and most people march right past it toward Dream. Don't.
8.3 mi from downtown
Estes Park
Odessa Lake
Odessa Lake sits a mile past Fern Lake, and you earn it. It's a big day on a long trail, and the quiet at the end is the whole point.
9.2 mi from downtown
Estes Park
Rainbow Curve Overlook
Rainbow Curve is a roadside pullout on Trail Ridge Road, right where the forest gives way to tundra. You don't hike anywhere.
Open now · open 24 hours7.6 mi from downtown
Estes Park
Sheep Lakes
Sheep Lakes is a glacier-carved meadow in Horseshoe Park where bighorn sheep come down off the mountains to lick mud for minerals. If you want a wildlife stop that doesn't need a boot or a backpack, this is it, but it works best when you are patient.
5.6 mi from downtown
Estes Park
Sprague Lake
Sprague Lake is the easy one. It's a flat loop under a mile around a lake with the Continental Divide behind it, and the boardwalk works for wheelchairs and strollers.
Open now · open 24 hours6.0 mi from downtown
Estes Park
Spruce Lake
Spruce Lake is the side trip off the Fern Lake trail that most people skip, which is exactly why you might want it. It's a long, steady day with a rugged last stretch, and you'll likely have more company from squirrels than hikers.
9.0 mi from downtown
Estes Park
The Loch
The Loch is a mellow lake tucked up Loch Vale, with Taylor Peak and Taylor Glacier filling the head of the valley. It's a longer day than most Bear Lake Road lakes, but the forest walk in is half the reason to go.
9.2 mi from downtown
Estes Park
The Pool
The Pool is where the Big Thompson River meets Spruce and Fern Creeks, a wide spot in the water that people were stopping at long before the Park existed. It's an easy-ish first stretch of the Fern Lake trail and a good turnaround if you don't want the full day.
7.5 mi from downtown
Estes Park
Tyndall Creek
Tyndall Creek is the water you hear all the way up the Emerald Lake trail. It comes off the Continental Divide, drops through Dream Lake and Emerald Lake, and keeps you company the whole climb from Bear Lake.
8.8 mi from downtown
Estes Park
Ute Trailhead, Rocky Mountain National Park
Ute Crossing is a small pullout on Trail Ridge Road where the Ute Trail drops onto open alpine tundra. No trees, big sky, and views toward Longs Peak and Moraine Park.
Open now · open 24 hours9.2 mi from downtown
Estes Park
Wind River
The Wind River Trail follows a quiet creek through aspen and pine from East Portal toward Sprague Lake. It's the one I'd point friends to when Bear Lake looks like a parking lot.
5.1 mi from downtown
Estes Park
Ypsilon Lake
Ypsilon Lake is a long, steep day hike for people who want a real alpine lake and don't mind earning it. It sits under the big shoulder of Mount Ypsilon, and most people never make it this far.
8.8 mi from downtown
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What to know
This page lists 43 places, and they sort into three kinds. Lake Estes sits at the edge of town and is listed for shoreline hiking, fishing for rainbow trout, and kayak and SUP rentals. Sprague Lake is ringed by a half-mile trail and is popular for fishing and views. Bear Lake, Emerald Lake, Dream Lake and Lake Haiyaha are the hiking destinations, with Dream Lake tucked among steep cliffs along its trail.
The overlooks are the third kind. Many Parks Curve and Rainbow Curve are pullouts on Trail Ridge Road, where the views reach across forested valleys to snowy peaks and the Mummy Range. They suit anyone short on time or energy for a trail, and they sit well above town, so bring a jacket even on a warm day in town.
Many of these places are inside Rocky Mountain National Park, so check the park's current entry rules before you drive up. Winters are long and cold, which means high lakes and roads can be hard to reach in the off season. Call or check conditions first, and start early in summer when parking fills. Bring water and layers for any of the hikes, because the weather in the mountains can shift quickly.
Can you fish at lakes in Estes Park?
Yes. Lake Estes is listed for fishing for rainbow trout, and Sprague Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park is popular for fishing. These listings do not cover licenses or fishing rules, so check those before you cast a line, or ask a local guide.
What is the easiest lake to visit near Estes Park?
Sprague Lake has a half-mile trail around it, and Lake Estes has shoreline paths beside town. Emerald Lake and Dream Lake sit along hiking routes, so they take more effort. Call ahead for current trail conditions.
Where can I see mountain views without hiking in Estes Park?
Many Parks Curve Overlook and Rainbow Curve Overlook are pullouts on Trail Ridge Road with views of the Mummy Range, forested valleys and snowy peaks. Check road conditions before you go, especially outside summer, since the road climbs well above town.
Can I rent a kayak or paddleboard in Estes Park?
Lake Estes is listed with kayak and SUP rentals. Hours and rental details are not in the listing, and summer is the busy season, so call ahead to confirm what is open on the day you want to paddle.
Lakes, Rivers & Scenic Spots · Estes ParkClaim your listing