Visiting Bear Lake, Sprague Lake, Trail Ridge Road, and hiking to Chasm Falls in RMNP 2026

After hiking to Nymph Lake, Dream Lake, and Emerald Lake, we made a stop by Bear Lake before leaving the area.

 

Bear Lake 

 

 Bear Lake 

 

 

Bear Lake  

 

 Bear Lake 

  

walking back to the car 

 

 

On the drive out we stopped by Sprague Lake for a picnic lunch.  Before we had finished eating,  snowflakes began to fall.  We just continued on and enjoyed it.   

 

Sprague Lake 

 

 

We then drove up Trail Ridge Road.  We saw wildlife along the way. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Both boys soon fell asleep in the car.  Life with teenagers!! 

 

On the drive up Trail Ridge Road we could see snow in the distance. 

 

The road was seasonally closed at Many Parks Curve.  We stopped at the lookout to admire the views and the snow caught up with us.

 

 

a snowy lookout on Trail Ridge Road 

 

 

snow on the drive back down 

 

 

We spent time in this same area of Hidden Valley on our last trip so Ben requested to stop again for photos. It's a really beautiful area of the park.

 

Hidden Valley 

 

me and Ben 

 

He spent some time climbing rocks before we moved on. 

 

We then drove to the Fall River/ Horseshoe Park area.  We parked at the Endo Valley picnic area and began the 1.4 mile hike up Old Fall River Road to see Chasm Falls.  

 

 

Shortly after starting the hike, the snowflakes began to fall.  It just seemed to follow us that day. We were not complaining though!  We loved it!

 

 

Old Fall River Road

It is a seasonal road and is closed to vehicles until July of each year. 

 

 

 

 Chasm Falls

 

 

 Chasm Falls

 

Ben and David at Chasm Falls 

 

 

 Chasm Falls

 

 

Chasm Falls 

 

 

Chasm Falls 

 

 

Chasm Falls 

 

Chasm Falls 

 

Ben at Chasm Falls  

 

Cruz at Chasm Falls 

 

Chasm Falls 

 

 

 Chasm Falls 

 

On the hike back down, the guys stopped to view wildlife. 

 

 

We returned to the YMCA late that afternoon.  We enjoyed a buffet supper, showered, and were in bed early.  It had been another long but incredible day! We hiked 8.5 miles in all!  Yes, we were tired!

 

 

Before falling asleep, I peeked outside and was giddy to see snowflakes falling.  Colorado is an enchanting place!

Hiking to Nymph Lake, Dream Lake, and Emerald Lake in RMNP 2026

Our favorite national park trail of all is the trail that leads to Nymph Lake, Dream Lake, and Emerald Lake in the Bear Lake area of Rocky Mountain National Park.  It was a favorite on our first visit and remains a favorite now.  It's just beautiful and for the second time in a row was snow covered.  I think the snow is what makes us love it the most.  Colorado has had the warmest winter on record so were we were not expecting to see much snow still on the trails.  This really surprised us!  The photos do not do it justice, but I hope it gives you a small glimpse of why we love it so much.

 

A photo of the drive through Moraine Park on the way to Bear Lake. 

 

Driving to the Bear Lake area. 

 

Nymph Lake  

 

Nymph Lake 

 

Nymph Lake 

 

Nymph Lake 

 

Ben at Nymph Lake 

 

Shortly after leaving the lake parts of the trail became snow covered.  It also, in places, was icy and slippery. 

 

Cruz and David 

 

the overlook of Nymph Lake 

 

me and the boys admiring Nymph Lake from above 

 

David taking in the views along the trail.

 

hiking to Dream Lake 

 

 

 

 

Cruz 

 

Ben 

 

Dream Lake 

 

me and Ben at Dream Lake

 

 Dream Lake

 

Ben at Dream Lake

 

 Dream Lake

 

 Dream Lake

 

 

Dream Lake 

 

Cruz at Dream Lake 

 

 Dream Lake

 

Part of the lake was thawed.  Part was still frozen, and part of it still had just a thin layer of ice. 

 

 Dream Lake

 

Look at those blue skies!  It was a beautiful morning for a hike!

 

hiking to Emerald Lake 

 

Cruz and David 

 

Emerald Lake was mostly still frozen 

 

Emerald Lake 

 

 Emerald Lake 

 

Ben and several others walked on the frozen lake. 

 

 

walking on Emerald Lake 

 

 

Ben standing on Emerald Lake   

 

Emerald Lake  

 

 

Emerald Lake  

  

 

 Emerald Lake 

 

 

soaking in Emerald Lake 

 

Ben made a small snowman on the lake. 

 

Ben 

 

Brothers throwing snowballs. 

 

 

 

 

 

David 

 

 

On the hike back down, we stopped to watch some skiers up in the mountain. 

 

 

 

 

hiking back down the trail 

 

 

On the hike back down, we had planned to fork off and hike to Lake Haiyaha but discovered it was still too snowed over and icy to do without proper gear.  For the same reason, we didn't get to see it on our last visit either.  Maybe next time.  But, while in the area, it began to snow!  What a perfect way to end our favorite hike!

  

 

enjoying the first (of many) snow flakes on the trip 

 

 

We just cannot love this place enough!

 

If you'd like to read about last year's hike to these lakes visit Hiking to Nymph Lake, Dream Lake, and Emerald Lake 2025.  It was most definitely the most snow we had ever seen!!  It was simply incredible and was the moment this place captured our hearts.

 

Or, if you'd like, you can watch this YouTube video from our 2025 hike there-

 

 

To finish out the day, once we got back to the trailhead, we stopped by Bear Lake.  We then had a picnic at Sprague Lake, drove up Trail Ridge Road, and then hiked to see Chasm Falls.  I'll share about all of that next.