Least crowded trails in Estes Park. Let’s dive right now if yuo know what i mena!

Look, we all love Bear Lake. Its iconic for a reason and the views of Hallett Peak are absolutely insane but lets be real for a second here. trying to park there is a nightmare unless your waking up at 3 am and honestly who wants to do that on vacation? I sure dont. You drive all the way up Bear Lake Road just to see the “lot full” sign and then you end up riding a shuttle bus packed like sardines with a hundred other people. Thats not why we come to the mountains. We come for the peace and quiet and the fresh air and to get away from the craziness of the city.

So if your sick of the conga lines on the trail to Emerald Lake i have got some killer alternatives for you. These are the spots where the locals go when we want to escape the tourists. Some of these are inside Rocky Mountain National Park and some are just outside but they all offer amazing views without the headache of fighting for a parking spot. We are gonna break down the best hidden gems in the Estes Valley so you can actually enjoy your hike.

The Wild Basin Area

This is probly my favorite part of the park and so many people skip it because its not on the main road. To get there you have to drive south on Highway 7 past Longs Peak and turn in at the Wild Basin entrance. Its a dirt road for the last part which scares away some of the rental cars but trust me its worth it.

The best hike here is Ouzel Falls. Its about 5.4 miles round trip but the elevation gain isnt too bad so its doable for most people. The best part is that you follow the St. Vrain Creek almost the whole way so you have the sound of water drowning out any noise. You pass by Copeland Falls and Calypso Cascades on the way up so you actully get three waterfalls for the price of one hike.

The trail head here is smaller than Bear Lake but it doesnt fill up nearly as fast. If you get there by 8 or 9 am you can usually snag a spot. And the vibe is totally different. Its quieter and the trees are huge and you feel like your deep in the wilderness. plus i almost always see moose down in the willows near the start of the trail so keep your eyes peeled.

Why Wild Basin Rocks

• Waterfalls: You get to see massive water flow without the crowds.
• Wildlife: Moose love the wet areas down here.
• Shade: The trail is mostly in the trees so its cooler in the summer.
• Solitude: You wont be bumping elbows with strangers every five feet.

If you want something even quieter in this area go for the Finch Lake trail. Its steeper and harder but i have hiked that whole trail without seeing a single other person. Its a leg burner for sure but the silence at the lake is unbeleivable.

Lumpy Ridge and the Black Canyon

On the north side of town you have Lumpy Ridge. Most people just go to Gem Lake and while Gem Lake is awesome it can get kinda busy on weekends. But if you go just a little bit further into the Lumpy Ridge loop or head towards Cow Creek you lose the crowds instantly.

The Cow Creek trail to Bridal Veil Falls is a hidden treasure. Its about 6 miles round trip and it takes you through some beautiful meadows with views of the Mummy Range that most visitors never see. The falls at the end are super unique because they slide down the rock face rather than free falling. its a great spot to eat lunch and just hang out.

Another option here is just doing the Black Canyon trail. It can get hot in the middle of the summer because there isnt as much shade as Wild Basin but in the fall or spring its perfect. You are surrounded by these giant granite rock formations that look like they are melting. Its super dramatic and rugged.

One thing to knwo about Lumpy Ridge is that it doesnt require the Bear Lake timed entry permit. You still need the general park reservation but you dont need the specific Bear Lake one which is way harder to get. So if you struck out on recreation.gov this is a solid backup plan that saves your day.

Hermit Park Open Space

Okay this is a massive local secret so dont tell everyone. Hermit Park is actully not in the National Park. Its a Larimer County open space just southeast of town on Highway 36. Because its not RMNP you dont need a timed entry reservation at all. You just pay the daily entrance fee at the gate and your in.

The main hike here is Kruger Rock. Its about 4 miles round trip and the view from the top is arguably better than some of the views inside the national park. You can see the whole Continental Divide and down into the Estes Valley. Its spectacular at sunset because the light hits the peaks just right.

Since its not the national park the trails are way less crowded. You see a lot of locals walking their dogs here because dogs are allowed on trails in Hermit Park (they arent allowed on trails in RMNP). So if you brought your pup this is absolutely the place you need to go.

Lily Mountain

Speaking of Lily Mountain this is another one that is techniclly just outside the park boundary so its easier to access. The trailhead is right off Highway 7 near Lily Lake. DO NOT confuse this with the Lily Lake loop which is flat and easy. Lily Mountain is a climb.

You gain about 1,000 feet of elevation in 2 miles so your gonna be breathing hard. But the trail is fun because it has some rock scrambling near the top. nothing too crazy but you have to use your hands a bit which makes it feel like a real adventure.

When you get to the summit its just a pile of rocks with 360 degree views. To the west you see Longs Peak and Mount Meeker right in your face. It feels like you can reach out and touch them. To the east you see the Twin Sisters and down into the valley. I have sat up there for an hour and only seen two or three other groups. Its magical.

Just be careful coming down because there is some loose gravel and dirt. I slipped on my butt once coming down and it wasnt fun so wear decent shoes. dont try to do this in flip flops please i beg you.

Hollowell Park

Back inside the National Park there is a spot called Hollowell Park that everyone drives right past. Its located on Bear Lake Road but its before you get to the Moraine Park museum. The turn off is a small dirt road that goes down into a valley.

This area is a giant meadow surrounded by trees and a steep ridge. Its usually empty because there isnt a big “destination” like a lake or a waterfall right away. But if you just want a peaceful walk in the woods where you can hear the birds and smell the pine needles this is it.

The best thing about Hollowell Park is the elk. In the fall especially the elk herds love this valley. You can sit on a rock and watch them graze for hours without the traffic jams you get up in Moraine Park. If you hike back towards Mill Creek Basin it gets even quieter. You might feel like the only person on earth back there.

Tips for Avoiding the Crowds

So besides picking the right trails there are a few other tricks we use to keep away from the masses.

• Start Early or Late: Seriously if you start hiking at 10 am your part of the problem. Start at 6 am or start at 4 pm. The lighting is better for photos anyway.
• Go Further: 90% of visitors dont hike more than 1 mile from the car. If you hike 3 miles out the crowd thins out by like 95%. just keep walking and eventually you will be alone.
• Weekdays: If you can visit on a tuesday or wednesday do it. Saturdays in July are just crazy no matter where you go.
• Weather: Dont be scared of a little rain. If the forecast says 30% chance of rain a lot of people stay home. Just bring a rain jacket and go. The clouds make the mountains look cooler anyway.

What to Bring

Since your going on some less traveled trails you need to be a little more prepared. You cant just rely on asking someone for help if you twist an ankle because there might not be anyone around for a while.

• Water: bring way more than you think you need. The air is dry up here and you get dehydrated fast.
• Layers: weather changes in five minutes. It can be sunny and then hailing and then sunny again.
• Map: Download the map on your phone before you leave the hotel. service is terrible in the canyons.
• Snacks: Granola bars, trail mix, maybe a sandwich from the grocery store in town. hiking makes you hungry.

Conclusion

Estes Park is beautiful but it can be overwhelming if you just follow the herd. You dont have to fight for a parking spot at Bear Lake to have an amazing trip. There are hundreds of miles of trails out here and some of the best ones are the ones nobody talks about.

So next time your in town try hitting up Wild Basin or Lumpy Ridge or Hermit Park. You will get better photos, see more wildlife, and actually be able to hear yourself think. And honestly isnt that the whole point of being in the mountains?

Get out there and explore and dont be afraid to get a little dirt on your boots. Just make sure you leave no trace and pick up your trash so these places stay awesome for the rest of us locals. See ya on the trail!

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