Bierstadt Lake
- nps.gov
- Estes Park
About
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. Worth it for the quiet.
The trailhead is about seven miles up Bear Lake Road, with a small parking area and a shuttle stop in summer. From there it's roughly 1.5 miles one way, with about 500 feet of climbing, starting around 8,840 feet. The NPS notes steep switchbacks and big views back down over the Bear Lake corridor, especially when the aspens turn. You can also come from Bear Lake and walk down to the shuttle, which is the easier way to do it. Summer visitors need the timed entry plus Bear Lake Road reservation, so check nps.gov/romo first.
I like this one in fall, with the aspen color on the way up. It's also decent in winter if there's enough snow, and the NPS lists it as a good snowshoe route. Bring traction if the trail is packed ice. Parking is small, so go early or take the shuttle. Dogs aren't allowed on the trail. Skip the lake when thunderstorms are building, since there's not much cover up there.
