Erin English - Moon Rocky Mountain National Park

authentic Native American wares at Eagle Plumes in Allenspark

Bear Lake is the most heavily visited region in the park and understandably so. Glacial cirques, wildflower-filled meadows, and sparkling lakes pack a scenic punch, and Moraine Park features one of the most picturesque mountain views in the entire park. Bear Lake, Sprague Lake, and Alberta Falls are easily accessible, family-friendly destinations, and many other scenic hiking trails beg to be explored. The area is home to three campgrounds, two visitor centers, the Moraine Park Discovery Center, and two horse stables. The gateway town of Estes Park is a short car ride away.

From many locations inside and outside of the park, visitors are able to see Longs Peak rising majestically from the earth, cresting at 14,259 feet. The most popular route to the top of this towering spectacle starts from the busy Longs Peak Trailhead on the east side. Climbers start their grueling 10- to 15-hour trek here in the early hours of the morning and often camp at the parks Longs Peak Campground. Shorter (yet still challenging) hiking trails in the vicinity lead to Estes Cone and Chasm Lake. A few miles up the road from the Longs Peak turnoff is Lily Lake, a great location for bird-watching and spotting wildflowers. Wild Basin is a paradise for hikers, who are richly rewarded with stunning views of gushing waterfalls and serene lakes.

In every season, Lily Lake is a beauty to behold.

Trail Ridge Road

On summer days, traffic rumbles along at a nearly constant pace on Trail Ridge Road. As the only vehicle thoroughfare that spans the east and west sides of the park, this road is notable for being the highest continuous road in the U.S. Milner Passone of the many pullouts along the roadis the easiest place in the park to stand on the Continental Divide. Visitors are fascinated by the creatures and plants of the alpine tundra, and flock to the Tundra Communities Trail to get their fill. At 11,796 feet, the Alpine Visitor Center is a popular rest stop and the highest national park visitor center. Old Fall River Road, which intersects Trail Ridge Road at the visitor center, was the first road built in the park and is heavily traveled in the summer.

Kawuneeche Valley

Water and wide-open spaces are the main attractions in the Kawuneeche Valley, whichcompared with the east side of the parkis less congested with people and therefore much quieter. The west sides many meadows are prime places to enjoy a moment of solitude and watch for wildlife, especially elk and moose. The legendary