Deep valleys and towering alpine mountaintops, beautiful lakes and rushing rivers, historic roads, rocky trails, and stunning wilderness: all are part of the Fall River Area of Rocky Mountain National Park.

Bighorn Sheep and Elk are Frequently Seen in This Area

Horseshoe Park including the Sheep Lakes area can have abundant wildlife. When view-ing any wildlife:

• Obey wildlife closure areas and “no stop-ping” traffic zones.

• Use parking areas along the road. If not available, pull your vehicle completely off the road and do not park on vegetation.

• Do not approach wildlife. Wildlife are unpredictable and can hurt you, and approaching them can cause them stress, leading to disease or illness. If an animal changes its behavior because of you: you are too close! Enjoy and photograph them from a distance.

• Never feed wildlife, including birds and chipmunks.

Pay Attention to AltitudeHigh elevations can cause altitude sickness and may aggravate existing health conditions. Use caution. Take time to acclimatize to the park’s high altitude before attempting strenu-ous hikes. Rest, drink lots of fluids, eat salty snacks, and start with easy hikes.

Even on cloudy days, ultraviolet radiation can be intense at altitude. Protect yourself by wearing a hat, sunglasses with UV protection, and sunscreen.

Watch the Weather: It changes quickly!Thunderstorms are common in summer and are dangerous. Plan your day to be below treeline by early afternoon. If you see building storm clouds, head back to the trailhead. If caught in a lightning storm, get below treeline.

It might be summer, but expect snow, gusty winds, and cold temperatures at any time. Always carry storm gear, even if the sky is clear when you start your hike. Carry layers of windproof clothing. If the weather turns, you’ll be glad to have them.

Bring the Right Gear

3Bring waterproof outer layers and extra lay-ers for warmth.

3Wear a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Sunlight can damage your eyes and skin, even on cloudy days.

3Pack extra water and snacks. Don’t drink from streams or lakes without treating the water.

3Carry a map and compass or GPS. Know how to use them.

3Wear sturdy footwear with good ankle sup-port and a treaded sole.

3Don’t rely on cell phones. Many areas have no service.

Stay Safe and Practice Good Etiquette• Pets are prohibited on all Rocky

Mountain National Park trails, tun-dra, and meadows areas. There are pet-friendly hikes outside the park, and nearby communities have boarding facilities and veterinary clinics. To learn more, visit go.nps.gov/RockyPets.

• Stay together! Keep everyone, including children, with the group.

• Stay on the trail. Shortcutting causes erosion.

• In the Fall River Corridor, strollers are allowed only on the nature trails around Hidden Valley.

Tips for a Great Hike

For More Information

Park Information .....................................................Trail Ridge Road Status ...........................................Emergencies ...........................................................

(970) 586-1206 or www.nps.gov/romo (970) 586-1222 911. Tell the dispatcher you are in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

BL-S 05-2017

Fall River Area Trail Guide

Rocky Mountain National Park ServiceU.S. Department of the Interior

Rocky Mountain National Park

Alpine Visitor Center

Fall River Visitor Center

Beaver MeadowsVisitor Center

34

3434

36

3607

66

ChasmFalls

YpsilonLake

GemLake

CrystalLake

LawnLake

ChiquitaLake

Lake Estes

SpectacleLakes

Roarin

g

Rive

r

FallRiver

CowCreek

Beaver MeadowsEntrance Station

Fall RiverEntrance

Station

Winter Gate

WinterGate

Winter Gate

Hidden Valley

Sheep LakesWildlife viewing

Estes ParkVisitor Center

Lumpy RidgeTrailheadDeer Ridge

JunctionTrailhead

Chapin CreekTrailhead

ManyParksCurve

Rainbow Curve

BeaverMountain

Loop

Start of OldFall River Road

BeaverPonds

AlluvialFan

Upper BeaverMeadows

Endovalley

AspenglenCampground

MacGregorAvenue

Devils Gulch R

oad

Trail Ridge Road

Closed in winter

Old Fall River Road 9.0mi / 14.5 km

Elkhorn Avenue

ESTES

PARK

One-way up only. Road open early July–Sept.

Narrow dirt road with no guardrails, tight switchbacks

Horseshoe Park

MU

MM

Y

RA

NG

E

Fall RiverPass

L U M P Y R I D G E

B l a c k

Can yon

Castle Mountain8834ft2693m

MacGregorMountain10486ft3196m

Bighorn Mountain11463ft3494m

BeaverMountain10491ft3198m

Dark Mountain10859ft3310m

The Needles10068ft3069m

The Twin Owls

MountTileston11254ft3430m

FairchildMountain

13502ft4115m

Ypsilon Mountain13514ft4119m

Mount Chapin12454ft3796m

MountChiquita13069ft3983m

Deer Mtn9937ft3029m

BalancedRock

1.5mi2.4km

1.4mi2.3km

3.1mi5.0km

4.3mi6.9km

4.5mi7.2km

4.2mi6.8km

1.0mi1.6km 1.1mi

1.8km

1.2mi1.9km

0.5mi0.8km

0.6mi1.0km

0.6mi1.0km

3.2mi5.1km

0.6mi1.0km

1.4mi2.3km

1.4mi2.3km

3.0mi4.8km

7.3mi11.7km

0.6mi1.0km

0.9mi1.4km

4.7mi7.6kmloop

0.4mi0.6km

ToLoveland

ToGrand Lake

ToGlen

Haven

ToLyons and

Boulder

ToLily Lake

Longs Peakand Wild BasinBear Lake Road

to Moraine ParkPark & Ride and

Bear Lake

Marys LakeRoad

DESTINATION DISTANCEmi km ft m

ELEVATION GAIN

Alluvial Fan

Beaver Mountain Loop

Mount Chapin

Chasm Falls (from winter gate)

Mount Chiquita (no trail)

Crystal Lake

Deer Mountain

Deer Mountain Loop

Gem Lake

Lawn Lake

Ypsilon Lake

Ypsilon Mountain (no trail)

All distances are one way from nearest trailhead.

0.3

4.7

1.5

2.2

2.4

7.7

3.0

10.3

1.7

6.3

4.5

3.5

0.5

7.6

2.4

3.5

3.9

12.4

4.8

16.6

2.7

10.1

7.2

5.6

60

1160

1814

640

2429

2980

1083

1083

830

2249

2180

2874

18

354

553

195

740

908

330

330

253

685

664

876

Old Fall River Road

• Closed in winter• Open to bicyclists and dogs on leash from

April 1 to November 15, except during road maintenance operations and emergency closures as posted.

• Bicycles can go downhill only when road is closed to vehicles. When open to vehicles, bicycles must go uphill.

• Vehicles over 25 feet long and trailers are prohibited.

North

Picnic area

Restrooms

Shuttle stop

Sledding (winter only)

Food service

Information

Campground

Trail (hiker only)

0.7mi1.1km

Trail distances

Unpaved road

Trail (horse/hiker)

2 Kilometers

0 2 Miles

0

Fall River Area TrailsRocky is very busy in summer and on fall weekends.Expect congestion on roads, in parking areas, and along popular trails.Tour and hike early and late in the day. Parking areas often �ll by mid-morning. Carpool or use the free summer shuttle buses.