The Best Overnight Hikes

East Longs Peak Trail: Although this hike is not for everyone, experienced mountaineers in good physical shape will find this to be one of the park's most challenging and rewarding treks. There are spectacular views practically in all directions when looking straight down from atop 14,259-foot Longs Peak, Rocky Mountain National Park's highest point. Although the hike can be accomplished in 1 very long day, it's far more enjoyable to make it a 2-day excursion.

Over the Continental Divide: Separated by the Continental Divide, the park's west side is somewhat different from the east side, in terrain, climate, and even flora and fauna. To see these two sides of the park by foot involves a difficult 15-mile hike of 2 or more days, but you'll see a vast variety of scenery and wildlife. Take the North Inlet Trail near Grand Lake, through the subalpine region into the alpine tundra, past fields of wildflowers and spectacular peaks, to Flattop Mountain, on the Continental Divide. Here you change trails, heading down out of the tundra, past views of pretty lakes and several usually snowcapped peaks, to Bear Lake, on the park's east side.