How to Spend a Day on the West Side of Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado is too big to see and do everything in one day. So our family has made several trips to the park, choosing to visit different areas during each visit.
We could take several other trips and only scratch the surface of activities and sites. In an effort to give you some of the best information on visiting RMNP, we have created a number of guides for a day’s visit.
Here is our guide on how to spend a day at Rocky Mountain National Parks southwestern corridor.
About the Southwestern Section of the Park
Rocky Mountain National Park is really divided into two sides, with the Continental Divide creating a natural split in the park.
Most visitors arrive at the park’s eastern side through Beaver Meadows or Fall River entrances. However, there is a lot to see and do on the western side of the park. To get here, you drive through the mountain resort town of Grand Lake.
The southwestern section of the park is a great spot to visit because there are a number of hiking trails that you can reach without paying entrance fees.
Our guide includes one of the major hiking trails where you need not pay entrance fees.
Hiking to Adams Falls
The hike to Adams Falls is short. It is a 0.6 mile round trip. And you get to see an impressive series of waterfalls.
The best part? The trail is located outside of the Kawuneeche Visitors Center and Entrance Station. So it’s free to hike and admire the falls.
To get to the falls, you’ll drive through Grand Lake to the west side of the city. The road dead ends at East Inlet Trail, which is the trail you’ll use.
Check out our Rocky Mountain National Park Guide for the best family activities in the park.
The trail to the falls is an easy hike, although there are some steps along the path and some elevation gain. During our trip, we saw a few people struggling with the steps and stopping to catch their breath. It’s worth noting that the park is at a high altitude (Adams Falls is at 8500 feet above sea level). So be prepared with plenty of water and expect to take some breaks if you are not acclimated to the elevation.
Adams Falls drops 55-feet. There are a number of places on the trail to stop and admire the falls.
However, it is advisable to stay on the trails. We witnessed people climbing over the fences and precariously navigating the wet, slippery boulders to get a better view of the falls. That’s a accident waiting to happen.
From Adams Falls, you can continue on the East Inlet Trail to Lone Pine Lake or Lake Verna.
Stop by Kawuneeche Visitors Center
After your trip to Adams Falls, you can make your way back to Grand Lake and then head north into Rocky Mountain National Park.
Kawuneeche Visitors Center is a must stop before entering the park. Our favorite part of the visitors center is the white board listing animal sightings in the park. If you’re headed to the park in search of wildlife, this is a great resource for your visit.
The Rangers also are helpful, telling you general wildlife habits in the park. Of course, there is no guarantee you’ll see animals in the park.
The visitors center also has a topographical map of the park which our kids love to see, and some great information about the animals in the park.
And, of course we took the opportunity to get a stamp in our National Parks Passport.
After leaving the visitors center, it’s about a one mile drive to the entrance station.
Lunch at Harbison Meadows
The road through the west side of the park cuts through a long meadow before winding up the mountains on Trail Ridge Road.
Harbison Meadows is on the southern end of this valley, just north of the entrance station. Harbison Meadows has covered picnic tables, and some hiking trails. The views of the surrounding mountains makes it an ideal stop for a picnic lunch.
The Meadows are named after the Harbison sisters who were homesteaders in the 1890s.
Additionally, you have a good shot at spotting animals here. While eating our lunch, we heard the rustling of nearby shrubs. Suddenly, a large herd of elk emerged from the shrubs, running past the picnic area. We saw a good 50 head of elk then.
Walking the Coyote Valley Trail
This is an easy walking trail a few miles in from the visitors center. The trail is 1.03 miles round trip on flat terrain. It is one of only two trails in the park that is wheelchair accessible.
The trail takes you near the winding Colorado River (which begins in the steeper terrain in Rocky Mountain National Park).
Coyote Valley Trail is a terrific spot to see wildlife. Since you are in a valley and next to the river, many animals find food and drink near the trail. It is one of the best spots within Rocky Mountain National Park to see moose. But, you’ll also be treated to elk, deer, birds of prey and many other wildlife species.
In addition to the wildlife, you get a great valley view of a number of the park’s famed peaks. To the west, the Never Summer Mountains jet upward to the sky. And you are a stone’s throw from the Continental Divide with its equally magnificent peaks.
As with all walking and hiking in the park, you need to keep an eye on the skies. During most months of the year, afternoon lightning storms strike at any moment. These storms may be the most dangerous aspects of Rocky Mountain National Park. If hiking during the afternoon, be aware of the storms and seek refuge if necessary.
What More Can You Do?
If you have more time at the park, you could continue on from Coyote Valley Trail to nearby Holzwarth Historic Site, or drive up Trail Ridge Road.
On Trail Ridge Road, there are any number of pull offs and hiking spots. A great place to stop on the West side of the road is Lake Irene, although there is limited parking at this location.
You also could spend an enjoyable day at Grand Lake visiting the antiques shops and art galleries of the town.
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Colorado is home to three other national parks. Check out our guides to all three, Great Sand Dunes, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, and Mesa Verde.
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