Best Weekend Backpacking Trips in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

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Odessa Lake
An overnight backpacking trip to Odessa Lake is a must-see route in Rocky Mountain National Park. The trip can be taken from Fern Lake Trailhead (9.4 miles roundtrip with 1,930 ft of elevation gain) or busier Bear Lake Trailhead (8.2 miles roundtrip with 1,930 ft of elevation gain). The route is a relatively short and easy overnighter nestled into a glacier-carved basin surrounded by Joe Mills Mountain, the Gable and Little Matterhorn peaks. The scenery is nothing short of phenomenal, a slice of backcountry paradise tucked into a natural rock cathedral. The backcountry campsites are found nearby the northern shore of the lake which is a rarity in RMNP (not many lakeside backcountry sites are found in the park). As pictured here, sunrise and sunset at Odessa are a sight to behold.

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Lake Verna
Lake Verna backpacking trips depart the East Inlet Trailhead on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park. The route meanders up the East Inlet valley past Lone Pine Lake into a mountain cirque where the long and narrow Lake Verna is located. The route passes through a myriad of landscapes - forests, meadows, valleys, waterfalls, creeks and rock - with unparalleled scenery. These landscapes offer great opportunity to view wildlife especially the large meadows found along the creek. The trip is 13.4 miles roundtrip with 2,150 ft of elevation gain. Upper East Inlet campsite is located in rocky terrain above the northwestern shore of the lake. Adventurous backpackers can set up camp and continue up the unmaintained trail to Spirit Lake, Fourth Lake and Fifth Lake.

Photo by Tpizzle13

Andrews Creek (Sky Pond)
Andrews Creek is the backcountry campsite located closest to Sky Pond, a beautiful and popular park landmark. The backpacking trip to Andrews Creek and Sky Pond is a challenging trip that sets off from Glacier Gorge Trailhead. The route’s strenuity is worth it for the scenery - Sky Pond sits below jagged Cathedral Spires which rise high above the lake including the Sharkstooth, the Petit Grepon and the Saber. The backcountry campsites are located above the junction with Andrews Creek Trail and Loch Vale Trail, ¾ of a mile short of Sky Pond. The roundtrip journey to the campsite is 7 miles with 1,800 feet of elevation gain. Backpackers can set up camp and continue the journey up to Sky Pond to enjoy dinner and sunset before returning to camp for the night. Backpackers can also hike up Andrews Creek to visit Andrews Tarn and Andrews Glacier which is the most accessible glacier in the park.

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Glacier Gorge (Black Lake)
Glacier Gorge is another spectacular spot to set up camp on an overnight backpacking trip. The roundtrip hike into the campsite is an easy 6.6 miles with 900 feet of elevation gain. Backpackers set off from the Glacier Gorge Trailhead and hike through the gorge up forested trail beyond Mills Lake and Jewel Lake to the campsite on the west side of the creek. After setting up camp, backpackers can continue up trail to visit a handful of unforgettably scenic alpine lakes including Solitude Lake, Black Lake, Blue Lake, Frozen Lake and Green Lake. Black Lake and Green Lake are two of our favorite lakes to visit on this overnight trip which adds 4.8 miles roundtrip.

 Photo by pjaxon

Thunder Lake
Thunder Lake is a breathtakingly, jaw-droppingly beautiful lake located in the Wild Basin area of Rocky Mountain National Park, a quieter and more remote area east of the Continental Divide. The backpacking trip to Thunder Lake sets off from the Wild Basin Trailhead and is 11.4 miles roundtrip with 2,160 feet of elevation gain. The trail leads up the North Saint Vrain Creek valley through forested trail and opens up to a stunning high-elevation lake surrounded by towering 12,000 foot peaks, including Mount Alice, Pilot Mountain and Tanima Peak. Backcountry campsites sit above 10,500 feet and are located northeast of the lake, just off of the main hiking trail. Morning reflections on the lake’s surface are remarkable!