The Dream Lake Trail in Rocky Mountain hike is a popular short trail in Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP), near Estes Park, Colorado.

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The Dream Lake hike in RMNP offers breathtaking views of alpine meadows, towering peaks, and a pristine mountain lake. The trail is well-maintained and suitable for hikers of all levels, making it a great choice for families and beginners. Along the way, you’ll encounter a variety of wildflowers and possibly spot some native wildlife, such as marmots or elk. The highlight of the hike is reaching Dream Lake, a picturesque body of water surrounded by rugged cliffs and shimmering aspens. Be sure to bring your camera to capture the beauty of this iconic Colorado hike.

The lake is part of the Emerald Lake trail, which is a pleasant hike suitable for families. The trail showcases a total of three scenic lakes on the main route – Nymph Lake, Dream Lake, and Emerald Lake – with the option to visit two additional lakes on side trails (Bear Lake and Lake Haiyaha).

Wildlife is frequently observed on this trail, making it a suitable option for those adjusting to the higher elevations in the Rocky Mountains.

This guide provides comprehensive information on the Dream Lake Trail, including details on permits, parking, the trailhead location in Rocky Mountain National Park, and other essential facts to know before embarking on the hike.

The Dream Lake Trail: What to Expect.

Suggestions for accommodations in Estes Park.

Quick Facts*

The distance for the round trip is 2 miles (3.2 km).The elevation gain is 450 feet (140 m).The starting elevation is 9,450 feet (2,880 m).The end elevation is 9,900 feet (3,020 m).The round trip duration is approximately 1.5 to 2 hours.Difficulty:Easy

The statistics provided are applicable to the roundtrip hike to Dream Lake, excluding the hikes to Emerald Lake and the optional side trails for Bear Lake or Lake Haiyaha.

Dream Lake Colorado

What to Expect on Dream Lake Trail

The Dream Lake Colorado hike involves visiting two alpine lakes, with the possibility of exploring three additional lakes if time permits.

The hike to Dream Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park is relatively short and easy, making it manageable for all ages and ability levels. The elevation may cause mild breathlessness initially, but it is a good hike to build up stamina for more challenging trails in the park.

The lake is a part of the Emerald Lake hike and offers the flexibility to turn around at any point along the trail. Even if you decide to stop at Dream Lake instead of reaching Emerald Lake, you will still be treated to beautiful scenery along the way.

A friendly little chipmunk

The Dream Lake Trail offers opportunities for wildlife sightings, particularly elk. It is also possible to encounter black bears, moose, deer, and various other animals. Please note that pets are not allowed, and for safety reasons, it is advisable to keep small children in sight.

The hike is often crowded, so it is advisable to start early or late and obtain access permits for Rocky Mountain National Park. The process will be explained in greater detail later in this travel guide.

The following sections will provide information about each part of the Dream Lake Colorado hike and give you an idea of what to expect. It is considered to be a good introductory trail in RMNP.

Trailhead leading to Nymph Lake (Part 1 of 2)

The distance is 0.5 miles with an elevation gain of 250 feet, and it typically takes around 20-30 minutes.

The Dream Lake Trail begins with a short uphill hike to Nymph Lake, the smallest of the three lakes on the primary trail. The path starts out as pavement but soon transitions to dirt and rocks.

At the trailhead, there is a junction where you have the option to turn right for Bear Lake or turn left for Nymph / Dream / Emerald Lake. You have the opportunity to see Bear Lake on your way back if desired, as it is located near the trailhead.

After approximately 20-30 minutes of hiking, you will arrive at Nymph Lake, which is populated by lily pads. There is a pleasant bench where you can rest and take a break from the trail.

During the early morning, we encountered a group of elk crossing the hiking path. This occurrence appears to be common at this lake.

Nymph is a pond-like lake, not as impressive as Dream Lake or Emerald Lake, serving as a preview of what’s to come next.

During our journey to Nymph Lake, we observed multiple elk.

This is the second part of the journey from Nymph Lake to Dream Lake.

The distance is 0.5 miles with an elevation gain of 200 feet, and it typically takes 20-30 minutes.

The ascent from Nymph Lake to Dream Lake begins with a slight incline before leveling out.

During this part of the hike, the scenery becomes picturesque, offering a stunning view of Rocky Mountain National Park, including Longs Peak.

The views of Rocky Mountain National Park are breathtaking.

After approximately 20-30 minutes of hiking from Nymph Lake, there is a junction with a sign indicating to turn left for Lake Haiyaha, or turn right for Dream Lake and Emerald Lake.

After passing the sign, you will reach Dream Lake, which is larger than Nymph and offers a view of Hallett Peak in the background.

• The Other Lakes

After enjoying the scenic views at Dream Lake, hikers have the option to continue their hike to Emerald Lake or return to the trailhead. Some individuals who are less accustomed to extensive hiking may choose to stop their journey at Dream Lake.

If you are able and willing, I recommend hiking to Emerald Lake, as it is the most impressive of the three lakes on this main trail. There are also additional side trails to explore Lake Haiyaha or Bear Lake.

For more information on continuing the hike and visiting Emerald Lake and/or the other lakes, please refer to my comprehensive trail guide.

For more information, please read about the Emerald Lake Trail.

Emerald Lake is a visually beautiful destination and is worth the additional hiking from Dream Lake.

Entrance Fee

To visit Rocky Mountain National Park, a national park pass and a timed entry permit are required for most months of the year. This also applies to the Dream Lake trail, as it is part of RMNP.

The national park pass is available for purchase online or in person and offers options for both annual and daily passes. For more information on fees and current details, please visit the RMNP website.

A timed entry permit is necessary for the Dream Lake Trail in order to regulate the number of visitors at RMNP. However, there are some exceptions to this rule if you arrive early in the morning or late in the afternoon.

Additional information about the timed entry permit and its acquisition can be found on the official RMNP website.

Trailhead Conditions

The road leading from Estes Park to the Bear Lake trailhead is paved and in good condition, so there are no requirements for special clearance or anything else to reach it.

At the entrance of Bear Lake Road, visitors will come across a booth where National Park Service rangers check entry permits. At the trailhead, there are various amenities provided including information signs, vault toilets, trash bins, a water bottle filling station, and a trail map.

The trailhead has a large parking lot with over 200 parking spaces. However, due to the current popularity of this hike, the parking fills up rapidly. If the parking lot is full, there is an alternative option of using the Park & Ride shuttle bus service provided by NPS.

U.S. National Park Regulations

The Dream Lake trail is located within Rocky Mountain National Park and is subject to the regular regulations of U.S. national parks.

Please remember to keep the trail clean, be considerate of other hikers, and ensure you leave no trace. Thank you and enjoy your travels.

Best Time To Visit

The Dream Lake Colorado hike is enjoyable at any hour, but it may be preferable to go in the early morning.

Finding parking for this hike can be challenging due to its immense popularity. However, going in the morning allows for a slightly lesser crowd and heat. Additionally, the hike offers great opportunities for photography, particularly with the reflections on the lakes.

The Dream Lake hike is open throughout the year, but the optimal months to visit are from May to October, when there are no snow or ice on the trail. It is advisable to check the current trail conditions on the RMNP website prior to your visit.

More Colorado Hiking Guides

Thank you for reading and I hope you found this guide for the Dream Lake trail in Estes Park (Rocky Mountain National Park) helpful.

Additionally, there are several other lakes along the same trail that are worth visiting. Further information can be found in my comprehensive guidebook for the Emerald Lake Trail.