Ultimate Rocky Mountain National Park Self-Guided Driving Tour

Your tour through the Rockies begins at the Estes Park entrance, where you’ll have the opportunity to take a detour down toward Bear Lake. The first hiking trail you’ll reach along the main route is Deer Mountain Trailhead, offering great views from above if you’re willing to make the trek. You’ll see Beaver Ponds, featuring a boardwalk through a unique wetland biome, followed by Hidden Valley.Next, you’ll arrive at the first of many overlooks: Many Parks Curve Overlook. This viewpoint offers excellent views of a bunch of lush glacial meadows. As you continue, you’ll pass the Roger Toll Memorial, and after a few more overlooks, you’ll arrive at Poudre Lake. On your way to the Colorado River Trailhead, which offers a look at an abandoned mining town, you’ll hear about Margaret Boos and the science behind the Rocky Mountains.Further along are a couple fascinating historical sites. First up is the Timber Creek Road Camp Barn, an artifact of the depression-era work projects which helped build the park’s roads and trails. Then, there’s the Holzwarth Historic Site, a remnant of the homesteads which could once be found all over the Rockies. Up ahead, at Coyote Valley Trailhead, you’ll find an easy, paved trail with a popular fishing spot at the end. On your way to the Green Mountain Trailhead, you’ll learn about the bountiful wildlife that call the Rocky Mountains home.Finally, you’ll arrive at the lakeside town of Grand Lake, a perfect place to round off your experience.