The Ultimate Guide to Hiking Dream Lake, Colorado
When Daniel and I first made it to Colorado and decided to hike to Emerald Lake, we had no idea that you can do the Dream Lake in Colorado hike–it’s on the way! I personally loved this spot and felt it was underrated when it came to the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Rocky Mountain National Park requires reservations for the 2023 season. To find out more, head to my guide on Rocky Mountain National Park reservations so you know how to get them and you’re prepared before you go!
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_cta h2=”Do you have these items for your trip?”]Flights: I recommend CheapOAir ✈️
Car rental: I recommend Rentalcars.com 🚗
Travel insurance: I recommend SafetyWing 🤒
Accommodations: Places to stay near Rocky Mountain National Park 🏨
Activities: Things you have to do 🥾
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Everything you need to know about hiking Dream Lake, Colorado
This guide covers what you need to know about hiking to Dream Lake and what you should expect when you go.
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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_cta h2=”Quick stats”]Distance: 1.9 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation gain: 496 feet[/vc_cta][vc_column_text]
Map of Dream Lake
How long is the Dream Lake Trail?
The Dream Lake Trail is not very long at 2.2 miles roundtrip. If you choose to go further to Emerald Lake, you just need to go around Dream Lake and add about another mile. It’s an out-and-back hike, so you will return to where you started when you look to finish.
How difficult is the Dream Lake hike?
Overall, Dream Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park was not difficult. We did it in May, which meant that there was quite a bit of snow on the ground, which made it harder than it would have been during prime tourist season. However, you only gain about 450 feet of elevation.
Do keep in mind that Rocky Mountain National Park is at a high elevation to begin with, so you might experience some altitude sickness. If you are, take a break and drink water. If it continues to get worse, slowly make your way back down to a lower elevation.
How do I get to the Dream Lake trailhead?
You’re going to want to head from the turn off at Highway 36 to Bear Lake. There is a parking lot there which serves as parking for a number of different trailheads. It can get really busy, so you will want to get there as early as possible in the morning or take the Rocky Mountain National Park shuttle in order to guarantee that you will be able to get to your hike.
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_cta h2=”Hiking essentials”]Recommended hiking boots: Salomon Quest 4 Gore-tex
Recommended jacket: The North Face Antora Jacket
Recommended hiking poles: Black Diamond Trail Cork Trekking Poles
Recommended day pack: Osprey Daylite Pack[/vc_cta][vc_column_text]
What should I pack for hiking Dream Lake?
Dream Lake is not a very difficult hike, so you should just need what you would normally bring on a day hike. Here are some items I would recommend:
- Reusable water bottle
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Day pack
- Sunscreen
- Bug spray
- Crampons (if hiking in the early or late seasons)
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_cta h2=”Join the community!”]Love the outdoors? Join my free Facebook community where we chat and share information about national parks, hiking, outdoor activities, and more!
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How to hike Dream Lake, Colorado
From the parking lot, head to the Bear Lake trailhead–another one of the most popular Colorado lakes. When the trail splits, take the left option, which will take you to Dream Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. You’ll get an awesome spot to take pictures at Bear Lake. From here, you can get great views of Hallett Peak!
You’ll continue working your way up to Nymph Lake, and you can often catch glimpses of Longs Peak. From here, you have the steepest part of the hike, and 1.1 miles from the trailhead you’ll see a junction. Turn right and you’ll end up right at Dream Lake! From here, you can see Hallett Peak, Flattop Mountain, and the Tyndall Glacier.
Have any questions about hiking Dream Lake in Colorado? Let me know in the comments!
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_cta h2=”National park essentials”]You’ll need to enter: National parks pass 🎟️
Document your trip: National parks journal ✏️
Wear your national parks love: National parks shirts 👕
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