Pets allowed
Not Allowed
Elevation Gain
45.00 ft (13.72 m)
Trail type
Loop
Distance
0.60 mi (0.97 km)
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

This trail stands a head above in terms of ecological variety, accessibility, and kid friendliness. Even though it is a mere 0.6 miles in length and does not gain any notable altitude, views of Hallet and Longs Peak abound, and early birds are especially privileged to enjoy breathtaking reflections of these jagged behemoth mountains reflected in the morning calm of the subalpine lake.

During the height of tourist season, you'll likely need to utilizing the free park shuttle to the trailhead, as the parking lot typically fills by 7:30 a.m.. An interpretive guide is available courtesy of the Rocky Mountain National Conservancy for a small price, and a guide can really enhance the already stunning hike by highlighting national, geological, and historical information on thirty points around the loop. 

A remarkably hot fire ravaged the area in the early 1900s as a result of careless campers. The fire burned with such impressive temperatures that it cracked several slabs of granite in the area. Massive aspen groves flourished in the newly nutrient enriched soil, resulting in a breathtaking golden spectacle in the fall, speckled by lodgepole, spruce, fir, and pine. 

The trailhead to the Bear Lake Loop also offers access to Nymph, Dream, + Emerald Lakes, Lake Bierstadt, Lake Haiyaha, and more.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Fall

Congestion

High

Parking Pass

National Park Pass

Open Year-round

No

Open from

May 15 to October 15

Pros

Kid/Family-friendly. ADA-accessible path. Heart of National Park.

Cons

Extremely crowded during the summer. Limited parking.

Trailhead Elevation

9,475.00 ft (2,887.98 m)

Highest point

9,520.00 ft (2,901.70 m)

Features

Big vistas
ADA accessible

Typically multi-day

No

Permit required

No

Location

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