Emerald Lake Trail
A Bear Lake corridor hike in Rocky Mountain National Park past Nymph and Dream Lakes to Emerald Lake: about 1.7 miles one way and 771 feet of elevation gain from the Bear Lake trailhead at 9,475 feet.
By The US Hikers editorial team · Last verified October 14, 2026
- Distance
- 3.4 mi RT
- Elevation gain
- 771 ft
- Permit
- Not required
- Best season
- Summer and early fall after snow melts; expect snow cover on Bear Lake trails from late October through early June
Access note: No hiking permit is required. From late May through mid-October, a Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road reservation is required to access Bear Lake Road during posted hours (booked on recreation.gov), in addition to a park entrance pass.
Bear Lake trailhead to Nymph, Dream and Emerald Lakes
Start at the Bear Lake Parking Area and Trailhead at the end of Bear Lake Road (9,475 feet). NPS lists Emerald Lake at 1.7 miles one way with 771 feet of elevation gain. Along the same path: Nymph Lake at 0.5 miles (231 feet gain) and Dream Lake at 1.1 miles (474 feet gain). Round trip to Emerald Lake is about 3.4 miles.
Bear Lake itself is a short walk from the parking area with views toward Hallett Peak. The Emerald Lake basin sits beneath high peaks at the end of this popular corridor — turn around at any lake if weather or energy says so.
Timed entry for the Bear Lake Road corridor
You do not need a separate hiking permit for Emerald Lake. You do need to follow Rocky Mountain National Park’s timed-entry system for day access. For destinations on Bear Lake Road — including Bear Lake — NPS requires a Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road reservation during posted hours from late May through mid-October.
For 2026, NPS states Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road reservations are needed to enter the Bear Lake Road Corridor between 5 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily from May 22 through October 18. Reservations are made on recreation.gov (a non-refundable processing fee applies) and are separate from the park entrance pass. Without that reservation, NPS notes you may enter the Bear Lake Road Corridor before 5 a.m. or after 6 p.m. Confirm current dates and hours on the official timed-entry page before you go.
Parking, shuttle, season and safety
Bear Lake parking fills early year-round — NPS notes the lot is often full by 9 a.m. In summer, free park shuttles serve Bear Lake Road from the Park & Ride; timed-entry rules for the corridor still apply when reservations are in season. Winter shuttle service is not available.
From late October through early June, expect snow on the Bear Lake Trail; NPS strongly advises traction devices and waterproof boots. Weather changes quickly with elevation — pack layers, check the forecast, carry the Ten Essentials, and turn back if conditions or your group’s limits change.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Emerald Lake hike?
NPS lists Emerald Lake at 1.7 miles one way from the Bear Lake trailhead with 771 feet of elevation gain — about 3.4 miles round trip. Nymph Lake is 0.5 miles and Dream Lake is 1.1 miles along the same route.
Do I need a permit or reservation for Emerald Lake?
No hiking permit is required. During the busy season you typically need a Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road reservation (recreation.gov) to reach the Bear Lake trailhead during the day, plus a park entrance pass. Check the current NPS timed-entry page for dates and hours.
Where does the Emerald Lake trail start?
At the Bear Lake trailhead at the end of Bear Lake Road in Rocky Mountain National Park. The trailhead elevation is 9,475 feet.
How hard is Emerald Lake?
It is a short but high-elevation hike: about 1.7 miles and 771 feet of gain starting near 9,475 feet. Treat altitude, weather, and early-season snow seriously even though the mileage is modest.
More US trail guides
Sources
- NPS — Exploring the Bear Lake Road Corridor (Emerald Lake table)
- NPS — Timed Entry Permit System, Rocky Mountain National Park
- NPS — List of Hiking Trails, Rocky Mountain National Park
Primary sources only for facts that change (fees, permits, closures): nps.gov and official recreation.gov pages. We stamp every guide with a "last verified" date and re-check seasonal figures each year. We do not invent mileages, elevations or times.