Fern Lake Trail

The Fern Lake Trail follows the Big Thompson River up one of the loveliest forested valleys in Rocky Mountain National Park. From the Fern Lake trailhead at the end of Fern Lake Road, the first easy miles roll along the river to Arch Rocks (about 1.5 miles), where the path threads between house-sized boulders, and then to The Pool (1.7 miles) — a churning bend where Spruce and Fern Creeks meet the Big Thompson, crossed by a footbridge.

Beyond The Pool the trail turns to work: switchbacks climb past Fern Falls and gain more than 700 feet in the last mile to Fern Lake, a subalpine gem cradled beneath Notchtop, Little Matterhorn, and Gabletop Mountain at about 3.8 miles. Strong hikers continue another mile to Odessa Lake, or make the classic point-to-point over to Bear Lake. Much of the lower valley burned in the 2012 Fern Lake Fire and is regrowing. National Park land: no dogs, and timed-entry/shuttle rules apply to the Bear Lake corridor in summer.

Trail Facts

Getting There

From Estes Park, enter RMNP and follow Bear Lake Road to Moraine Park Road, then Fern Lake Road to the trailhead at its end (or ride the free shuttle from the Park & Ride). A timed-entry permit is usually required in summer. No water at the trailhead.

0.0 mi	Fern Lake Trailhead (end of Fern Lake Road)
1.5 mi	Arch Rocks — house-sized boulders
1.7 mi	The Pool — footbridge over the Big Thompson
~2.7 mi	Fern Falls
3.8 mi	Fern Lake — beneath Notchtop & Gabletop
~4.7 mi	Odessa Lake (continue)

Know Before You Go

• Easy then steep. Gentle to The Pool, then 700+ feet of switchbacks in the last mile to Fern Lake — pace accordingly.
• National Park rules. No dogs; timed-entry/shuttle rules apply to the Bear Lake corridor in summer.
• Fire-reborn valley. The lower trail crosses 2012 Fern Lake Fire burn — watch for the occasional falling snag on windy days.
• Great point-to-point. Many hike Fern Lake → Odessa → Bear Lake one-way using the shuttle.
• Carry water. Treat any you draw from creeks or lakes.