Bear Lake Trailhead — Attraction in Four Corners States

Horrible molesting, harassing male name Mike at the parking lot of Glacier George parking lot. My passengers broke the car door handle from fear of his aggression. I come again around to see his name,he was more aggressive and more nasty. He walked after my car with aggression and threatening me! It was really scary. I feel in danger. I move up to Bear lake Trailhead parking lot. A women stopped me at the entrance. Then she made the gesture to go, and her college took several pictures of my car. I Park and soon after two women's rangers walked around and in front of my car, one of them turned and make gestures with her hand style shooting someone. I feel even more scared. Another women walk around my car, pretending that I didn't exist. Another male show up soon after and asked him what is going on, if there is no policy's of taking pictures of people and disturbing them. The male state that I did a crime, and this is why, they are reporting me right now. I was thinking to just leave to hike, but then I was thinking if those people break something in my car. I was scared to hike, what if they fallow me and attacked me in the forest. I am alone women. This has been really horrible and owful experience. I cancelled all my reservations. This park is full of psychologically unhealthy people, Seam's out of mental health facilities. They are aggressive, threatening , ugly, not welcoming and really scary. I feel my life was in danger and my car was in danger. I don't recommend this place to a single women hiker, I believe that someone is going to get killed there or something like that. Those are cruel aggressive and very unhealthy village people with no education,no manners and no limits. This is NOT A SAFE PLACE FOR WOMEN HIKERS. DO NOT RECOMMEND. If you love someone don't let them go there. It is just not safe. I left the park right away. I feel very scared and uncomfortable. I am happy I am...

Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park is an iconic alpine sight that offers stunning beauty with minimal effort. Perched at around 9,475 feet, it’s nestled at the end of a scenic 10‑mile drive up Bear Lake Road, winding through towering pines and peaks along the Continental Divide . The moment you arrive, the lake’s crystal‑clear waters reflect Hallett Peak, Longs Peak, and rugged ridgelines—an absolute vision on still, early‑morning days .

The visitor-friendly, 0.7‑mile loop trail around the lake is perfect for anyone—families, seniors, photographers—offering wide benches, interpretive signs, and easy terrain . Along the way, scenic viewpoints and shaded spots invite you to pause and soak in both the views and the crisp mountain air. For those ready for more adventure, Bear Lake is a gateway to higher-altitude hikes like Nymph, Dream, Emerald, Flattop, and even Loch.

Important tip—Plan your timing carefully: from May 23 through October 19, access to Bear Lake Road (and the whole RMNP corridor it serves) requires a separate Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road reservation, valid between 5 AM and 6 PM, plus your park admission . Reservations are booked via Recreation.gov, cost $2, and are strictly enforced—late arrivals may be turned away until after 2 PM . The system helps manage traffic, reduce crowding, and preserve the park’s natural character.

Parking fills quickly—often before 9 AM—so arriving early or using the free Bear Lake shuttle from the Park & Ride is wise . The shuttle provides smooth access without the hassle of hunting for a spot.

Summing it up: Bear Lake delivers breathtaking alpine vistas with a simple, accessible trail loop, plus options to extend your adventure. Just remember: you’ll need that timed-entry reservation between 5 AM and 6 PM, May to mid-October. Arrive early or ride the shuttle to beat the crowds and savor one of RMNP’s most...

Bear Lake Trailhead is hands-down one of the best spots in Rocky Mountain National Park, especially if you’re into alpine lakes and stunning views.

We were there on May 31, and even though snow was still hanging around in the higher elevations, the hike to Emerald Lake totally blew us away. The trail is just under 4 miles round-trip, and you pass by Nymph and Dream Lakes on the way. Emerald Lake was still frozen when we went, and since the snow got pretty deep, we skipped Haiyaha this time.

A few quick tips: •Definitely check recent trail reports on AllTrails before you go—it saved us from showing up unprepared. •Hiking poles were super helpful once we got past Dream Lake. The snow was packed and icy in spots. •If there’s still snow on the trail, crampons or microspikes are a good idea, and you’ll be glad you brought them.

Now, about permits: If you’re heading to Bear Lake Road between May 23 and October 20 (2025), you’ll need a Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road permit. You can snag one online through the park’s site or at recreation.gov.

Here’s a helpful tip: 40% of the permits are released the night before at 7 p.m. MT. These go fast, so be ready to hop online right at 7 if you missed the earlier release.

We had the 5–7 a.m. entry window and rolled into the Bear Lake parking lot around 5:30 a.m. and it was only about a quarter full. By 8:30, it was jam-packed. If you’re going later in the day, I’d definitely recommend using the shuttle service instead of trying to park.

There are bathrooms and a ranger station right at the trailhead, and they even sell hiking poles if you forget yours or realize you need some last-minute.

All in all, this spot is absolutely worth the early alarm and the permit hassle. The views are unreal, the lakes are peaceful and...