Deer Mountain Trail

Deer Mountain is the classic “big view for moderate effort” hike of the northern park. From Deer Ridge Junction — where Highways 34 and 36 meet, about 3 miles west of the Beaver Meadows entrance — the trail climbs through open ponderosa in a series of switchbacks. Don't let the gentle start fool you; it steepens as it goes, gaining roughly 1,400 feet over three miles to the summit shoulder.

At about 2.9 miles you reach the summit trail junction; a short spur climbs the last couple hundred feet to the 10,013-foot top, where the trees fall away to an almost 360-degree panorama — Estes Park and Moraine Park below, Longs Peak and Hallett Peak on the Divide, and the Mummy Range to the north. (From the junction the main trail also traverses east and down toward Estes Park, and a separate approach climbs from the north.) This is Rocky Mountain National Park: dogs aren't allowed on the trail, and a summer timed-entry permit is usually required to drive in.

Trail Facts

Getting There

From Estes Park, enter RMNP at the Beaver Meadows entrance (US-36) — a timed-entry permit is usually required in summer. The Deer Mountain trailhead is at Deer Ridge Junction, where US-36 meets US-34, about 3 miles in. Parking is limited and fills early; no water at the trailhead.

0.0 mi	Deer Ridge Junction Trailhead (US-34/36)
0.5–2.5 mi	Switchbacks up through ponderosa — steepening
2.9 mi	Summit trail junction (main trail continues east toward Estes Park)
3.0 mi	Deer Mountain summit, 10,013 ft — near-360° views

Know Before You Go

• National Park rules. Dogs aren't allowed on the trail; a timed-entry permit is usually required to drive into RMNP in summer — reserve at recreation.gov.
• Deceptively steep. The easy opening grade steepens near the top — pace yourself for the last mile.
• Exposed summit. The near-360° view comes with full exposure — turn around before afternoon thunderstorms.
• Go early. The Deer Ridge Junction lot is small and fills fast.
• Carry water. None on the trail; bring plenty.