Hiking is the perfect way to experience Rocky Mountain National Park. These five beginner hikes in the park are sure to please, as they offer both great scenery and easy terrain. The beginner hikes listed below are out-and-back hikes of less than five miles and are considered fairly easy. No matter if you're looking for a scenic lake or waterfall view, or just want to experience the dense Colorado forest, these ten beginner hikes are sure to expose you to the beauty of Colorado.
Emerald Lake Credit: MiguelVieira Emerald Lake
Emerald Lake (Hotels nearby)
To take in stunning views of a 12,000-foot mountain and see three scenic lakes, head to Emerald Lake from the Bear Lake Trailhead. This 3.5-mile round-trip hike is a popular destination, so avoid the crowds by hiking the trail in the morning. Even if you don't make it all the way to Emerald Lake, Bear Lake and Dream Lake make great scenic stops along the trail.
Alberta Falls 
Credit: Dave Dugdale Alberta Falls
Alberta Falls (Hotels nearby)
Visit one of Rocky Mountain's most powerful waterfalls by taking the Alberta Falls beginner's hike via the Glacier Trail. Enjoy the Aspen trees that line the trail, especially in autumn when the leaves change from green to yellow. Alberta Falls is a 30-foot waterfall that plunges into the gorge. This hike is only 1.7 miles round trip. However, you have the option of hiking to Mills Lake or Loch Vale for a more moderate hike.
Lily Lake 
Credit: Bryce Bradford Lilly Lake
Lily Lake (Nearby Hotels)
Lily Lake is a great beginner hike that is perfect for the whole family. The trail, only a little over three quarters of the way round trip, offers incredible views of Rocky Mountain's highest mountains, Longs Peak and Mount Meeker. Expect flat terrain with a track that goes around Lily Lake. This place is a great picnic area, but is also a popular catch-and-release fishing destination.
Calypso Cascades 
Calypso Cascades
Calypso Cascades (Hotels nearby)
The hike to Calypso Cascades is a beginner's hike that offers impressive views of a waterfall. Now keep in mind that the trailhead for this beginner hike is about 13 miles from Estes Park in the southeast corner of the Wild Basin Trailhead. Round trip, the hike to Calypso Cascades is 3.6 miles. On the way to this impressive waterfall, check out notable stops such as Lower Copeland Falls and an unnamed water, which should not be confused with your Calypso Cascades destination.
Sprague Lake 
Credit: toddwendy Sprague Lake
Sprague Lake (Hotels nearby)
For incredible lake views that offer glimpses of the highest peak in the Rockies, hike Sprague Lake. This is a great beginner hike because this easy trail is a gravel path that follows the shoreline of the lake; this hike is also pram and wheelchair accessible. In total, this loop is only 0.9 miles, but it gives hikers a taste of the impressive views that Rocky Mountain Park is known for.
Adams Falls 
Credit: inkknife_2000 (8 million views +) Adams Falls
Adams Falls (Nearby hotels)
Adams Falls, a 55-foot waterfall, and the meadow that is a short walk after the falls is a must-see in Rocky Mountain National Park. The hike to Adams Falls is only a 0.9 round trip, making it a manageable beginner's hike. However, continue for another mile to reach the incredible meadow beyond the falls. Adams Falls is accessible via the East Inlet Trailhead near the town of Grand Lake, then on the west side of the national park.
Cub Lake 
Credit: Jesse? Cub Lake
Cub Lake (Hotels nearby)
The hike to Cub Lake is a bit longer than the other hikes on this list at 4.8 miles round trip, but it's still perfect for beginners who don't mind more miles. Although this trail is beautiful all year round, it offers an incredible view of the changing autumn leaves during the autumn season because the trail passes through a grove of aspen trees. Cub Lake is surrounded by a pine forest with a beautiful view of Stones Peak, a 12,000-foot mountain.
Copeland Falls 
Credit: JBPhoton Copeland Falls
Copeland Falls (Hotels nearby)
Copeland Falls is viewed on the way to Calypso Falls. If you simply want a quick and beautiful beginner hike, Copeland Falls is a great option. Lower Copeland Falls is about a third of a mile from the Wild Basin Trailhead. However, take the short side trail to see Upper Copeland Falls. This short hike, which is only a 0.9-mile round trip, is a pristine subalpine forest hike.
Ute Trail 
Credit: quinn.anya Ute Trail
Ute Trail (Hotels nearby)
This alpine trail offers some of the best views of the highest peaks in the Rocky Mountains. There are now two sections of the Ute Trail in the park and they are not connected. To access one of them, take the trail that starts at the Alpine Visitor Centre. Or hike the other section by going to Ute Crossing Trailhead. The great thing about this beginner's hike is that the entire trail is above the forest line. This easy trail allows hikers to enjoy the mountains without having to do a strenuous hike.
Bierstadt Lake 
Credit: Ed Ogle Bierstadt Lake
Bierstadt Lake (Hotels nearby)
Bierstadt Lake is a beginner's hike of about 3.2 miles that offers a drop in elevation in the first mile, so this hike is perfect for beginners who want a short distance challenge. Once you reach the lake, walk along the lake's loop trail. The other side of the lake offers incredible views of the snow-capped mountains.
