Cub Lake Trail

Cub Lake is the kind of hike that packs a whole national park into a few miles. It starts at the west end of Moraine Park — a broad, golden meadow that's one of the best elk-watching spots in the Rockies — crosses the Big Thompson River, and follows Cub Creek up through open ponderosa and a mosaic of forest that burned in the 2012 Fern Lake Fire and is coming back green and thick. At about 2.3 miles you reach Cub Lake itself: shallow, quiet, and carpeted in summer with yellow pond-lilies, ringed by rock and reflecting the ridgeline above.

Most people hike it as a round trip of roughly 4.6 miles, but the classic is the 6.2-mile loop — continue past the lake to The Pool on the Fern Lake Trail, then back along the Big Thompson through the meadows. Watch for moose in the willows, elk in the park, and afternoon thunderstorms in summer. This is Rocky Mountain National Park, so a few rules matter: dogs are not allowed on the trail, and in the busy season you'll likely need a timed-entry permit to drive into the park — check current conditions before you go.

Trail Facts

Getting There

From Estes Park, enter Rocky Mountain National Park at the Beaver Meadows entrance on US-36 (a timed-entry permit is often required in summer — reserve ahead). Turn onto Bear Lake Road, then right into Moraine Park; follow Moraine Park Road to its end at the Cub Lake Trailhead. (For the loop, you can also start or finish at the Fern Lake Trailhead.) Vault toilets at the trailhead; no water — carry your own.

0.0 mi	Cub Lake Trailhead — west end of Moraine Park
0.3 mi	Bridges over the Big Thompson River & Cub Creek
1.5 mi	Trail leaves the meadow and climbs through 2012 Fern Lake Fire burn & regrowth
2.3 mi	Cub Lake — yellow pond-lilies, ridgeline reflections
3.3 mi	(Loop) The Pool / Fern Lake Trail junction — return via the Big Thompson

Know Before You Go

• National Park rules. Dogs are not allowed on the trail; a timed-entry permit is usually required to drive into RMNP in summer — reserve at recreation.gov before you go.
• Wildlife. Elk graze Moraine Park and moose browse the willows near the lake — give them a wide berth, especially in fall rut and spring calving.
• Fire-reborn forest. The middle of the hike crosses the 2012 Fern Lake Fire burn; the regrowth is beautiful but watch for the occasional falling snag on windy days.
• Go early. Parking fills fast and afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer — start early and be off exposed ground by early afternoon.
• Carry water. No potable water on the trail; treat any creek or lake water.