Nymph Lake

About

Nymph Lake is the first lake on the Bear Lake climb, and most people march right past it toward Dream. Don't. It's a short, easy walk to a small pond with the high peaks standing over it, and it's about the gentlest way into the Park's high country.

Nymph Lake sits a half mile up from the Bear Lake trailhead, with about 231 feet of climbing, so it's roughly a mile round trip. The trail climbs steadily through aspen and ponderosa pine, and the Park Service lists it as the first stop on the way to Dream Lake. Everything on Bear Lake Road is inside Rocky Mountain National Park, no dogs on the trail, and the shuttle in summer is the easy way to get there.

Here's my honest advice. The Bear Lake lot is usually full by about 9 a.m., so go early or ride the shuttle. In summer you also need a Timed Entry+ Bear Lake Road reservation for certain hours, so check the NPS site before you drive up. If you've got little kids or grandparents who want a real mountain lake without a real hike, this is the one I'd pick. In winter the trail is snow-covered for months, so bring traction devices and waterproof boots. Keep to the trail edge and let the lakeshore plants alone.