Horace Albright, director of the National Park Service between 1929 and 1933, once said about Trail Ridge Road, "It is hard to describe what a sensation this new road is going to make. You will have the whole sweep of the Rockies before you in all directions." Trail Ridge Road was a sensation when it debuted back in 1932 and it remains so today for the travelers that make the 48-mile drive from Estes Park to Grand Lake, rising above the tree line for 11 miles at an elevation of more than 12,000 feet. Visitors should keep that in mind when they're stopping at the lookout points that the road experiences temperatures that are 20 and even 30 degrees lower than both Estes Park and Grand Lake.

Most travelers call Trail Ridge Road a must-do while in Rocky Mountain National Park. One recent traveler, who said she spent a full day taking in the stunning views along Trail Ridge Road, saw elk, marmots and moose. Stopping at the lookout points yields some spectacular photo ops, and some offer restrooms. One popular option is the Forest Canyon Overlook, which showcases a jaw-dropping view of the glacier-carved valley below. The Alpine Visitor Center marks the halfway point and is a good place to stop if you need to stretch your legs or buy a snack.

To get an educational overview of the park, it's wise to stop in at one of RMNP's visitor centers, such as Beaver Meadows. According to recent visitors, the park rangers are extremely helpful and knowledgeable and can help you decide which trails to hike, depending on your time and skill level. Along with books and maps, you can also purchase equipment like walking sticks or cleats.  

Recent travelers said a stop at Beaver Meadows (located near the park's main entrance along Highway 36) is a must, reporting that the friendly, helpful rangers gave valuable tips about how to get the most out of an RMNP vacation, including what roads and trails might be closed. 

Estes Park is the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, and it is home base for many visitors. It contains a host of accommodations for a variety of budgets, ranging from inns and motels to hotels like the Stanley. The primary appeal of Estes Park is the surrounding wilderness, and one of the best ways to take in the area is via a horseback riding tour. Climbing and rafting excursions round out the options offered out of downtown Estes Park.

After a full day, the town's eateries sit waiting. Estes Park is filled with bars and shops that line the main street, Elkhorn Avenue. Try Brownfield's for affordable souvenirs, such as T-shirts, blankets, key chains, and koozies. For bars, head to the traveler-approved Rock Cut Brewing Company or The Barrel beer garden. What's more, the town contains 75 restaurants that span cuisines, from the burritos at Peppers Mexican Grill to the pizza at Antonio's Real New York Pizza & Deli. The Big Thompson River also cuts through town, with an array of waterfront dining establishments and a Riverwalk that makes for a charming setting to enjoy a relaxing meal or a post-dinner stroll. For more information, check out our Estes Park travel guide.

Bear Lake is encircled by a nearly 1-mile loop trail that visitors enjoy for its ease and beauty, especially during the fall when the aspens turn gold. Spruce, fir and pine trees also surround the lake, as do giant granite boulders. Travelers that hike Bear Lake's entire perimeter will also be rewarded with majestic views of Hallett Peak and Half Mountain. 

The variety of trails that lead from the Bear Lake trailhead (including the Emerald Lake Trail) make it a great place for people of all fitness levels. Previous travelers recommend arriving early to secure a parking spot in the small lot that fills up quickly. According to the NPS, the parking lot frequently reaches capacity by 8 a.m. on busy summer days and fall weekends.

This popular 3 ½-mile, round-trip hike winds past Nymph Lake, Dream Lake and Tyndall Creek and offers some breathtaking views of Longs Peak, Hallett Peak and Flattop Mountain before reaching the subalpine Emerald Lake at an elevation of 10,000-some feet. 

Recent travelers recommended getting to the trailhead early to avoid crowded conditions on this popular trail. Also, unless you're visiting in the summer, visitors suggest bringing along some slip-on spikes for your shoes since the trail will likely be snow-covered. 

Housed in a converted log cabin built in the early 1900s, the Moraine Park Museum is filled with exhibits on the natural environment of Rocky Mountain National Park, from its geology to its wildlife. It also features an outdoor amphitheater that hosts various talks and events. The museum's elevation of roughly 81,000 feet means it provides an unbeatable perch from which to take in the surrounding views. 

Some reviewers say that they almost begrudgingly stopped at the Moraine Park Museum because their traveling companions wanted to check it out, but almost all were glad they did, citing the interesting hands-on exhibits and facts they learned about everything from the park's elks to glaciers. 

While Trail Ridge Road allows visitors to coast over the Rocky Mountains, Old Fall River Road offers a more grounded driving experience. The road opened in 1920 and put drivers closer to the park's wilderness. The 11-mile-long, one-way route climbs uphill from Horseshoe Park to Fall River Pass, while numerous switchbacks, primarily gravel terrain and an absence of guardrails keep the speed limit at 15 mph. Visitors can take the road to the Endovalley Picnic Area, which provides an excellent spot for lunch and the opportunity to turn around and head back down the road. The area also offers bathrooms.

The route does not require four-wheel-drive vehicles, but past travelers recommend having a car with some four-wheel-drive capabilities. While previous adventurers agree that the road is slow, they say that driving Old Fall River Road is more about the journey than the destination and recommend visitors take their time. The route winds through various scenic viewing areas, which showcase everything from waterfalls to foliage. Taking Old Fall River Road also allows visitors to skip almost all of the nearly 3-mile hike to Chasm Falls, a popular waterfall destination. Still, if you have a fear of heights, reviewers suggest you have someone else in the driver's seat as there are some steep drop-offs.

A preserved ranch in the Rocky Mountains, Holzwarth Historic Site allows visitors to peer into the lives of 20th-century homesteaders. More specifically, the site explores the expansive history of the Holzwarth family. The family moved to the Rockies in 1917 and made money performing tasks like ice cutting (for refrigeration) and milling lumber. Following the opening of Fall River Road (now Old Fall River Road) the Holzwarth family saw an influx of travelers and pivoted their property to a dude ranch, the Holzwarth Trout Lodge and the subsequent Never Summer Ranch. The Nature Conservancy purchased the property in 1974 and eventually transferred it to the National Park Service.

Past travelers appreciate that visiting the historic site feels like stepping back in time thanks to the old fencing and farm equipment on display as you enter the site. The Holzwarth Historic Site sits off of Trail Ridge Road, which recent travelers say is a quick, easy jaunt from a parking area adjacent to the road. The park offers tours of the historic site from mid-June through Labor Day weekend, but past visitors warn that the buildings are not always open. Access to Holzwarth Historic Site is free with admission to Rocky Mountain National Park. Additional information is available on the National Park Service's website.

The only 14er in Rocky Mountain National Park, Longs Peak towers 14,259 feet above sea level and rewards adventurous visitors with stunning panoramic views of the wilderness. (14ers are any peaks that stand more than 14,000 feet above sea level.) While the best views are at the peak, awe-inspiring vistas can be viewed for most of the climb. The arduous trek requires a significant amount of planning, as the 15-mile round-trip hike takes between 10 and 15 hours to complete. The most popular path to the peak is the Keyhole Route, which is divided into six distinct sections. The Keyhole Route is not a hike; the most difficult and subsequently dangerous aspect of the route is 1.5 miles between the Keyhole and the summit, which could be considered rock climbing.

Past visitors and experienced hikers caution that you should not make summiting the peak your primary goal (what's known as summit fever). Instead, enjoy the trip up and don't feel defeated if the conditions aren't conducive to summiting, as forcing your way to the peak can be dangerous and even fatal. Depending on the weather and the season, past hikers claim ice axes and crampons (ice spikes) could be essential to summit the peak.

Cub Lake Trail is a moderately difficult 4.6-mile loop all-season trail that takes hikers to the western edge of Moraine Park. The area is known for its excellent wildlife viewing opportunities and is surrounded by meadows, wildflowers and small lakes. In fact, many visitors recount seeing moose and other animals among the area's fauna. Past hikers frequently suggest bringing bug spray, as the mosquitos are relentless in some areas. Cub Lake Trail is most colorful in the spring, when the area's wildflowers blossom in a kaleidoscopic fashion. Fall welcomes shades of red and orange and draws leaf peepers, while the trail is open for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter.

The Cub Lake Trail is free to access with admission to Rocky Mountain National Park, and the trailhead sits off of Fern Lake Road, about 4.5 miles from Beaver Meadows Visitor Center. Past visitors say that the trail is easy to find, even with very little light. Keep in mind that parts of the trail have closed in the past due to wildfire damage. Additional details about the Cub Lake Trail are available on the National Park Service's website.

Named for the founder of Rocky Mountain National Park, Enos Mills, this lake features crystal clear waters framed by towering mountain peaks. However, accessing Mills Lake requires a moderately difficult out-and-back hike. The trail totals about 5 miles and winds through a few scenic areas and waterfalls before arriving at Mills Lake. The subalpine lake attracts an assortment of visitors, ranging from anglers to photographers.

Past hikers say that the primary payoff for the trek is the picturesque lake at the end. They also describe the hike as challenging, but attainable for those with prior experience hiking. Some previous visitors also recommend hiking with spikes during icy conditions, while others report completing the hike in sneakers. (The amount of snow and ice present depends on the season.) If 5 miles seems daunting, consider hiking the trail roughly a mile (2 miles round trip) to Alberta Falls, the route's second most popular site.