National Park Journal

Last winter, my husband and I snagged one of the last spots in the Bear Lake Parking Lot at Rocky Mountain National Park, the skies overcast and threatening snow. By the time we’d strapped our snowshoes on and shuffled several hundred feet up the trail, I was already regretting our decision. The popular path up to Dream and Emerald lakes was packed. So far I’d pocketed two abandoned wrappers and jumped aside for some backcountry skiers coming down the crowded trail like it was the Giant Slalom. I was annoyed at the sheer number of people and the lack of etiquette. “We are so not national park people,” I remarked. Then, we turned a corner to see a Justin-Timberlake-circa-2001 look-alike. This kid was dressed head to toe in denim: jeans,…

Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve Location: South central Colorado, near Alamosa Highlights: Sand dunes, the seasonal beach made by Medano Creek and mountainous views and trails. Fun Fact: North America’s tallest sand dune is located here. Editor’s Pick: Plan a trip with your dog. One of the country’s most pet-friendly parks, you can bring your dog with you into the sand (as far as the first high ridge of dunes) and on several park trails. They’ll love splashing in Medano Creek. Always test the temperature of the sand with the back of your hand before letting your dog walk on it. Rocky Mountain National Park Location: North central Colorado, between Estes Park and Grand Lake Highlights: Gorgeous mountain views, abundant wildlife, great hiking and Trail Ridge Road, the highest paved road in any U.S. national…

Located in western Colorado near Montrose, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is an incredible marvel. With mind-boggling steep and narrow walls, it gives the Grand Canyon a run for its money in the drama department. There are two sides to Colorado’s least-visited park. The South Rim, near Montrose, has a year round visitor center, a scenic drive, two campgrounds and the only road access to the Gunnison River far below. The less-visited North Rim, near Crawford, has an intermittently staffed ranger station, a small campground and gravel roads, along with stunning views and great hikes. The rims are a two-hour drive apart. Start with a scenic drive along the 7-mile South Rim Drive. There are 12 overlooks, each with their own unique views over sheer cliffs that drop 2,000 feet…

1 Beaver Meadows This is the most popular eastern entrance and is just outside the town of Estes Park. Take Hwy. 36 to reach it. Bear Lake Road is easy to access from here. 2 Fall River This seasonal gravel road will bring you on a scenic drive to Trail Ridge Road. It’s on the park’s east side and can be accessed off Hwy. 34. 3 Wild Basin This uncrowded area of the park isn’t accessible by other park roads but is incredibly beautiful. It’s south of Estes Park, on Hwy. 7 and RVs aren’t recommended. 4 Grand Lake The park’s only western entrance is just past the town of Grand Lake on Hwy. 34. Access the eastern side of the park via Trail Ridge Road in the summer.…

1 Plan ahead. Starting in 2020, Rocky Mountain began implementing timed-entry reservations late-May through early October. At the time of publication, the 2023 reservation system had not yet been announced but expect to need to make an advanced reservation to enter the park Summer 2023. Check nps.gov/romo for announcements. 2 Get your pass. In addition to your timed-entry reservation, you’ll need to pay a park entrance fee. You can buy a $35, 7-day pass at a park entrance station, or use your America the Beautiful or other interagency annual pass to get into the national park. 3 Hike smart. Afternoon thunderstorms occur daily in the summer months and lightning can pose a real danger to hikers. Hike in the morning and plan to be back at the trailhead by midday. If you hear thunder or…

Above Treeline Alpine Lake Pounding Waterfall Mountain Views Away from Crowds DIFFICULTY: Easy Moderate Difficult Emerald Lake Emerald Lake is one of the most popular destinations in the park for good reason. This 3.5-mile roundtrip hike packs a ton of bang for your buck with three beautiful alpine lakes and incredible views along the way. You’ll pass the lily pad covered Nymph Lake and the aptly named Dream Lake with perfect views of Hallett Peak before reaching your final destination of Emerald Lake. It’s especially beautiful in winter. Tundra Communities This paved, 1.2-mile roundtrip trail is a great way to explore the park above timberline. Located along Trail Ridge Road, take in sweeping mountain views, see curious rock formations and spot tiny alpine wildflowers along the way. Bring a wind layer, as the weather is often colder and windier on this…