My 2020 National Parks Road Trip Itinerary
As I began to plan my 2020 National Parks Road Trip that I outlined for you a few weeks back, I began to realize how beneficial it might be for me to share the process I use to plan long road trips. Believe it or not, even though they don’t include air travel or the other complexities associated with fly-and-stay travel, road trips can be surprisingly difficult to plan. This is especially true during a global pandemic. That is why I have chosen to share my detailed road trip itinerary and planning process with you in case it might help you in navigating the planning process for your next big road trip. I have included links to each day’s itinerary plan, as well as the main itinerary article, below to assist you with navigation.
Day’s Driving Map
Day’s Itinerary
- Drive from a campground near Fort Collins to Rocky Mountain National Park
- See Rocky Mountain National Park (Timed Entrance 10:00am)
- Drive to Campground near Grays Peak Trailhead
What to See
Most of the day will be spent touring Rocky Mountain National Park. I have included a map and some notes on what to see inside the park below.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Things to see in Rocky Mountain National Park
Top Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park
| Trail Name | Difficulty | Distance | Estimated Time |
| Emerald Lake Trail | Moderate | 3.1 miles | 1hr 45min |
| Sky Pond via Glacier Gorge Trail | Difficult | 8.1 miles | 4hrs 30min |
| The Loch Lake Trail | Moderate | 5.4 miles | 2hrs 30min |
| Gem Lake Trail | Moderate | 3.4 miles | 2hrs |
| Chasm Lake Trail | Difficult | 9.4 miles | 5hrs 30min |
| Dream Lake Trail | Easy | 2 miles | 1hr |
| Alberta Falls Trail | Easy | 1.6 miles | 45min |
| Deer Mountain Trail | Moderate | 6 miles | 3hrs 15min |
| Twin Sisters Peak Trail | Difficult | 7.5 miles | 4hrs 45min |
| Bear Lake Nature Trail | Easy | 0.7 miles | 20min |
Easy Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park
| Trail Name | Difficulty | Distance | Estimated Time |
| Dream Lake Trail | Easy | 2 miles | 1hr |
| Alberta Falls Trail | Easy | 1.6 miles | 45min |
| Bear Lake Nature Trail | Easy | 0.7 miles | 20min |
| Glacier Gorge Trail | Easy | 2.8 miles | 1hr 25min |
| Adams Falls Trail | Easy | 0.7miles | 21min |
| Sprague Lake Trail | Easy | 0.8miles | 23min |
| Cascade Falls Trail | Easy | 7.4miles | 3hrs 30min |
| Nymph Lake Trail | Easy | 1.2 miles | 40min |
| Lily Lake Trail | Easy | 0.8 miles | 21min |
| Alluvial Fan Trail | Easy | 0.7 miles | 25min |
Where to Stay
- Echo Lake Campground
- West Chicago Creek
- Clear Lake Campground
- Guanella Pass Campground
- Geneva Park Campground
- Deer Creek Campground
- Lowry Campground *
- Prospector Campground
- Windy Point Group Campground
- Heaton Bay Campground
- Peak One Campground
- Pine Cove Campground
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