Less Popular RMNP Hikes

Rocky Mountain National Park's (RMNP) most famous trails—such as Emerald Lake, Sky Pond, and Alberta Falls—can become extremely crowded, especially from late June through early September. If you're looking for a quieter experience, consider exploring some of the park's lesser-visited trail systems. These hikes offer incredible mountain scenery, waterfalls, alpine lakes, and wildlife with far fewer people.

Ouzel Falls via Wild Basin

Moderate • 5.5 Mile Out and Back • 980 ft. Elevation Gain

Wild Basin, near Allenspark, is often considered RMNP’s best-kept secret. While Ouzel Falls sees moderate traffic, it is still much quieter than the Bear Lake Corridor. This trail follows the North St. Vrain Creek through dense pine forests, past multiple waterfalls, before reaching the impressive Ouzel Falls. It's an excellent choice for hikers looking for a scenic, moderately challenging adventure without the crowds.

If you're up for a longer hike, continue past Ouzel Falls to Bluebird Lake (8.6 miles round trip) or Thunder Lake (12.5 miles round trip). These beautiful alpine lakes reward the extra effort with breathtaking scenery and a peaceful setting.

Lawn Lake Trail

Hard • 12.5 Mile Out and Back • 2,526 ft. Elevation Gain

The Lawn Lake Trail is one of RMNP best hikes for those looking to escape the crowds. The first few miles of the trail wind through a peaceful forest and finishes at a beautiful alpine lake nestled beneath the rugged peaks of the Mummy Range. Thanks to its longer distance and steady elevation gain, far fewer hikers tackle this trail than the park's more famous lake hikes.

Fun Fact: One of the most fascinating aspects of this hike is its history. In 1982, the earthen dam that enlarged Lawn Lake failed, releasing millions of gallons of water down the Roaring River. The resulting flood carved out the river channel, destroyed trails, and created the Alluvial Fan, one of the park’s most recognizable geological features. Today, the lake has returned to its natural size, but hikers can still see evidence of the flood.

Tombstone Ridge via Ute Trail

Moderate • 3.9 Mile Out and Back • 456 ft. Elevation Gain

Tombstone Ridge is a broad alpine ridge along the eastern edge of Trail Ridge Road in RMNP. It's one of the park's best hikes for those seeking spectacular scenery without a long or strenuous climb, as the trail begins above treeline at an elevation of approximately 11,450 feet. From the moment you leave the trailhead, you'll be surrounded by sweeping alpine tundra with uninterrupted 360-degree views of the surrounding peaks, including Longs Peak. Along the way, the trail overlooks the dramatic glacial landscape of Forest Canyon, winds through colorful wildflower displays in midsummer, and offers excellent opportunities to spot wildlife such as pikas, marmots, elk, and, with a bit of luck, bighorn sheep. It’s a hike meant to be enjoyed slowly—take your time, breathe it all in, and savor the incredible scenery.

Most hikers turn around at Tombstone Ridge, but you can continue on the Ute Trail to Ute Meadows Backcountry Campsite and eventually Upper Beaver Meadows Road. This one-way extension offers a longer hike through alpine tundra before descending into subalpine forest.

Mount Chapin, Chiquita, and Ypslin Mountain via Chapin Pass Trail

Hard • 8.5 Mile Out and Back • 3,458 ft. Elevation Gain

Mount Chapin, Mount Chiquita, and Ypsilon Mountain via the Chapin Pass Trail is one of RMNP’s premier alpine ridge hikes. This challenging route links three 12,000-foot summits, rewarding hikers with sweeping views of the Continental Divide, Mummy Range, Longs Peak, and the Never Summer Mountains. Beginning above 11,000 feet along Trail Ridge Road, the route stays primarily above treeline, traversing vast alpine tundra and rugged ridgelines. After summiting Mount Chapin (12,454 feet), the trail continues across the high country to Mount Chiquita (13,069 feet) before reaching Ypsilon Mountain (13,514 feet), the highest point of the traverse.

With three impressive summits packed into a relatively short distance, this hike one of our favorites in the park! Be sure to check the forecast before heading out, as the exposed terrain offers little protection from rapidly changing weather and frequent afternoon thunderstorms.

Mount Ida Trail

Hard • 9.6 Mile Out and Back • 2,398 ft. Elevation Gain

Mount Ida is one of the most spectacular high-altitude hikes in RMNP. The route begins at the Poudre Lake/Milner Pass parking area along Trail Ridge Road, following the Ute Trail before connecting with the Continental Divide Trail. Unlike many of the park’s classic hikes that lead to lakes or waterfalls, Mount Ida is about the journey across the Continental Divide—an exposed trek through rugged alpine tundra with expansive views, dramatic ridgelines, and a sense of solitude rarely found on shorter trails.

Compared to the Mount Chapin–Chiquita–Ypsilon trail, Mount Ida offers a longer, more remote-feeling Continental Divide experience. While Chapin is a shorter, more summit-focused hike with multiple peaks and rugged ridgeline travel, Mount Ida is about the vastness of the high country—the miles of open tundra, uninterrupted views, and the feeling of being immersed in the heart of the alpine landscape.

Cub Lake

Moderate • 5.2 Mile Out and Back • 705 ft. Elevation Gain

Cub Lake is a beautiful, quieter alternative to many of RMNP's more crowded lake hikes, offering a diverse mix of meadows, forests, wetlands, wildlife, and mountain scenery. Located on the western edge of Moraine Park, the trail feels more secluded than its relatively short distance suggests. The lake itself is known for its shallow waters, lily-covered shoreline, and peaceful setting beneath the surrounding peaks.

The area around Cub Lake was impacted by the 2012 Fern Lake Fire, which reshaped much of the landscape. Today, hikers can witness the forest’s gradual recovery as young trees, wildflowers, and new growth emerge, offering a unique perspective on the resilience and renewal of the park’s ecosystems.

Lake Verna via East Inlet Trail

Hard • 13.8 Mile Out and Back • 2,185 ft. Elevation Gain

Lake Verna via the East Inlet Trail is one of the best lesser-known long hikes in RMNP. Located on the park’s quieter Grand Lake (west) side, it offers a true backcountry feel without requiring an overnight trip. The trail follows the East Inlet through a diverse landscape of rushing streams, dense forests, open meadows, and alpine lakes before reaching Lake Verna at approximately 10,280 feet.

The beauty of the East Inlet Trail is the journey itself, with the landscape unfolding through forests, valleys, and alpine scenery around every turn. Wildlife sightings of moose, elk, marmots, and other mountain animals are common along the way. Lake Verna is a peaceful alpine destination tucked beneath rugged peaks, and its distance from the trailhead keeps crowds low. For those seeking an even longer adventure, the lake also provides access to deeper backcountry routes and overnight opportunities.

Our Favorites for a Quieter RMNP Experience:

Best overall: Mount Ida
Best short hike: Tombstone Ridge via Ute Trail
Best alpine adventure: Chapin–Chiquita–Ypsilon
Best waterfalls + lakes: Bluebird Lake via Wild Basin
Best wildlife: Cub Lake or East Inlet

Tips to Avoid the Crowds:

• Start early or go later in the day: Aim to hit the trail before 7:00 a.m. or after 3:00 p.m. to avoid peak crowds, find parking more easily, and enjoy cooler temperatures and better wildlife viewing.
• Avoid the Bear Lake Corridor when possible: While this area has some of RMNP’s most iconic hikes, it is also the park’s busiest. Explore other trailheads for a quieter experience.
•  Explore less-traveled areas: Some of the best opportunities for solitude are found on the park’s quieter routes:
  • Wild Basin: Ouzel Falls, Bluebird Lake, Thunder Lake
  • Grand Lake / West Side: East Inlet Trail and Lake Verna
• High Alpine Trails: Lawn Lake, Tombstone Ridge via Ute Trail, Chapin–Chiquita–Ypsilon route, and Mount Ida
• Go beyond the first destination: Many hikers stop at the first major landmark. Continuing farther down the trail often means fewer people and a more peaceful experience.
• Choose longer hikes: Trails that require more mileage or elevation naturally attract fewer visitors and often provide a greater sense of solitude.
• Use the Fall River Entrance: When exploring the high country, consider entering through the Fall River Entrance instead of the busier Beaver Meadows Entrance. It provides easier access to Trail Ridge Road and alpine hikes while avoiding some of the congestion near the park’s main entrance.

Final Thoughts

When we have a day to ourselves away from work and the babies, we love escaping the summer heat by heading into the higher elevations of RMNP to explore the trails along Trail Ridge Road. While the park can still be busy—especially on weekends—we’ve discovered that some of the most rewarding experiences are found in the alpine tundra and on the quieter Grand Lake side of the park. These less-traveled trails offer incredible scenery, peaceful surroundings, and a chance to experience a more remote side of the park.

There are still so many hidden corners and overlooked trails throughout the park where you can enjoy an unforgettable day of hiking while finding moments of solitude among the mountains.