Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park

Bear Lake

This stunning lake is one of Rocky Mountain National Park's most accessible high alpine lakes.

Plan Around Bear Lake

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Bear Lake Details

At the base of Hallett Peak and the Continental Divide, this stunning lake is one of Rocky Mountain National Park's most accessible high alpine lakes, and contains many natural and man-made attractions that have rendered it a very popular destination. Surrounded by the shadows of Hallett and Longs Peaks, the lake's shores are home to a wonderful nature trail that is accessible for most, experiencing little elevation change, and a number of unforgettable sights. The lake is commonly combined with the trio of Emerald, Nymph, and Dream Lakes, although accessing them requires more effort.

Difficulty

Low

Distance

0.5 miles

Estimated time

30 minutes

Region

N/A

Nearby Parks Around Bear Lake

Compare nearby parks around Bear Lake when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.

5.8 mi away

Rocky Mountain

National Park · CO

163.1 mi away

Black Canyon

National Park · CO

178.3 mi away

Great Sand Dunes

National Park · CO

242.2 mi away

Arches

National Park · UT

253.7 mi away

Mesa Verde

National Park · CO

257.0 mi away

Canyonlands

National Park · UT

Nearby Points of Interest Around Bear Lake

Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Bear Lake while the map context is still fresh.

0.0 mi away

Bear Lake

Bear Lake Road is open year round, making Bear Lake itself one of the park's most popular destinations.

0.0 mi away

Dream Lake Trail

This is an easy trail, the first half is paved, and it is very popular with families and those looking for an excellent payoff without much effort.

0.0 mi away

Flattop Mountain

The ascending trail is challenging, and experiences a lot of quick elevation gains and steep climbs.

0.0 mi away

Dream Lake

This high alpine lake is best when combined with the nearby Emerald and Nymph Lakes.

0.1 mi away

Odessa Lake

This high alpine lake is one of the park's best-kept secrets because of the access trail's difficulty.