Everything You Need To Know About Hiking at Rocky Mountain National Park in the Winter

Bear Lake to Dream Lake Via Haiyaha Junction Trail

Just because it’s cold out doesn’t mean you can’t have outdoor adventures! Colorado is the ultimate winter destination for those seeking some snowy fun. Hiking at Rocky Mountain National Park is definitely something you need to add to your itinerary if you’re visiting during the winter. In this post, I break down everything you need to know about hiking to Dream Lake at Rocky Mountain National park.

Getting There & Parking Info

Put this address into your GPS: Bear Lake Rd, Estes Park, CO 80517

This will take you to the Bear Lake parking lot in RMNP, which is the start of the Haiyaha Junction Trailhead. There are multiple trails from this lot, but I’ll just be focusing on the trail to Dream Lake.

Keep in mind, there is a $30 entrance fee to get into the park unless you have a National Park pass.

The nice part about visiting RMNP in the winter is that timed entry reservations are not required.

However, the parking lot can fill up pretty quickly, so getting there before 10:00am will increase your chances of securing a parking spot.

There are also shuttles that run from the Visitor Center in Estes Park to the parking lot if you want to avoid parking chaos. Shuttle details below:

https://www.nps.gov/places/rmnp-shuttle-routes.htm

Required Gear for the Trail

Winter hiking is not the same as hiking in the summer, as it requires more gear and preparation. Always check trail conditions and weather conditions before heading out the door. The last thing you want to do is turn around or have your trip cut short because you weren’t prepared. Additionally, make sure you have the appropriate equipment prior to entering the park.

Required:

Warm clothing - coat, gloves, hat, thick socks (wear wicking material and avoid cotton clothing)
Appropriate footwear - snow boots or waterproof hiking boots
Microspikes or snowshoes depending on the trail conditions
Water

Optional:

Oxygen
Hiking poles
Hand warmers
Sunglasses

Snacks

Don’t own any of the essential gear? No worries!

You can rent microspikes, snowshoes, and hiking poles at Estes Park Mountain Shop.

Trail Details

Length: 2.0 mi. - out and back

Difficulty: Moderate

Elevation gain: 459 ft

AllTrails Link: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/dream-lake-trail

Trail Review: This was my first winter hike in Colorado and I absolutely loved it. I did this trail in early March, so the snow was pretty packed down and we didn’t need snowshoes. The microspikes made walking on the snow super easy. We passed a few people without them and they were struggling, since it was slippery in some parts of the trail. There was minimal elevation gain, so I thought it was pretty easy. The lakes were completely frozen over and had no issues walking over them. It truly felt like walking through a snow globe with everything from the trees to the mountaintops covered in white.

Precautions:

Limited daylight: keep in mind that the days are short in the winter, so plan accordingly.

Cold temperatures: be prepared for cold temperatures, dress warmly, wear waterproof gloves, and boots.
High elevation: The trail starts at 9,400 ft of elevation. If you’re not accustomed to higher altitude, you may begin to experience altitude sickness. Remember to take it slow, bring water, and turn around if you start to feel nauseous, light headed, or have a headache.
Thin ice: There are several lakes on this trail. During the winter, they will likely be frozen, but use caution if you decide to cross. If the ice looks thin or translucent, do not attempt to cross.

Stay safe and know your limits!

Trail Highlights

I was not emotionally and spiritually prepared for this view at the end.

Wow. Just wow.

Besides the view at Dream Lake, I’d say the best part about this trail is that the trail itself is captivating. There are multiple tree clearings along the way with astounding views, like truly breathtaking. And of course the mountain backdrop behind Dream Lakes looks like something out of a National Geographic magazine.

Hiking in the snow wasn’t as terrible as I thought it would be and I actually got a little warm by the end. The hike is as long as you want it to be since it’s an out and back trail and you can easily turn around if you get tired. Or you can actually continue beyond Dream Lake to Emerald Lake if you so desire.

This is a great trail for out of town visitors who want to spend time in the mountains but don’t want to go on a several mile trek through the wilderness.