Colorado's Iconic National Park Hiking Trail Has Been Ranked One Of The Best In America

Considering the sheer number of hiking trails there are in the U.S., it's quite an achievement to be ranked among the top routes. Of the 120,000+ trails featured on AllTrails, the app where you can find the best hikes and outdoor activities, the Emerald Lake Trail in Colorado is one of the most beloved by hikers. The impossibly picturesque journey has an average of 4.8/5 stars with nearly 30,000 reviews, making it one of the best-rated trails in the U.S., ranked alongside famous favorites like the Angel's Landing Trail and Navajo Loop.

With not just one but three lakes to enjoy en route, as well as dense forest, deep gorges, and endless mountain peaks, the landscape surrounding the Emerald Lake Trail is magical. It's accessed from the Bear Lake Trailhead, which gets extremely busy, even early in the morning. You'll be lucky to find a parking space and will need to do some careful planning, especially on weekends. 

To help with crowding, the underrated Rocky Mountain National Park introduced a timed-entry reservation system for Bear Lake Road from late May through late October, as well as the free Bear Lake Shuttle. The Hiker Shuttle leaving from Estes Park can be reserved on the National Park Service (NPS) website and costs $2 per reservation on top of park entry fees. Estes Park is the nearest town to Bear Lake Trailhead, around 13 miles away, but on the winding road, it can feel much longer and takes up to an hour.

At just over 3 miles each way, the Emerald Lake Trail isn't long, but because of the 662-foot elevation gain, it will take roughly two hours to complete. Or longer, if you stop to take photos around every bend and have a picnic at the top. From Bear Lake Trailhead, you can also fit in the short 0.7-mile Bear Lake Loop before continuing up the trail under the watchful eye of Hallett Peak. Otherwise, the first lake you'll see is Nymph Lake. It's the smallest of the three, whose surface is covered with yellow pond lilies in early summer. In fact, wildflowers are abundant around June and July, with the valley floors filling up with colorful blooms, including columbine, Colorado's state flower.

The picture-perfect views continue as you arrive at the longer Dream Lake. Look out for elk, moose, and chipmunks, and keep an ear open for American pikas, whose high-pitched squeaks can sometimes be heard from among the rocks. As you make your way up the final boulder-lined stretch through dense pine forest, going deeper into the Tyndall Gorge, the trail gets pretty steep and rocky in places. As the view of Flattop Mountain comes into view, its imposing walls reflected in Emerald Lake's green waters, it's a sight to behold and worth every breathless step.

Many people set off before dawn to catch the sunrise over the surrounding peaks, when the changing light adds an extra layer of beauty to the glacially sculptured landscape. "Wonderful wonderful wonderful. Let it in. It is beauty beyond human imagination," one AllTrails user enthused.

Emerald Lake sits at an elevation of 10,110 feet, which can make the trek up there feel more strenuous. It's important to take plenty of water, and if you suffer with altitude sickness, head back down. Hiking poles are also recommended, as are appropriate clothes in case of changing weather conditions – thunderstorms are frequent in summer. While much of the trail follows well-maintained paths, the steep, rocky sections mean decent walking shoes are a must. Plus, snow and ice can still be lying on the trail well into June. As tempting as it may be to bring your four-legged friends along, dogs aren't allowed on this trail or any other trails within Rocky Mountain National Park.

Open year-round, it's possible to hike here in winter, but you'll need proper gear and possibly snowshoes. Check ahead for avalanche reports, and read up on advice on winter hiking in the national parks. The Emerald Lake Trail is equally as beautiful at this time of year, as the lakes freeze over and a heavy blanket of snow covers the land. Fall is particularly stunning, with the aspens shaking their leaves to the ground, catching the sunlight like flecks of gold. 

If you're planning on squeezing in another hike in the immediate vicinity, you're in the right place, with Bear Lake Road the gateway to many of the park's standout trails. Try the Alberta Falls Trail leading to pretty cascades, or the Loch Trail with its views of the Eastern Glacier Knobs and Taylor Glacier. As you head back along the road, stop off at Moraine Park for some excellent elk-viewing opportunities, particularly in their rutting season in September and October. Finish your visit with an evening in Estes Park wandering along the Riverwalk and in and out of shops, restaurants and bars.