Hike the beautiful backcountry of the Rocky Mountains National Park
Spend six days backpacking in Rocky Mountain National Park with a group of like-minded outdoor adventurers on the Rocky Mountain Backpacking Tour. On this challenging adventure, you’ll explore the park’s hidden gems with a naturalist guide as you hike to stunning alpine lakes and craggy peaks. Gather around the fire and share ghost stories, then tuck down in your tents beneath the starry sky, making for an authentic American backpacking experience.
Highlights of the Rocky Mountain Backpacking Tour
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Rocky Mountain Backpacking Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival In Denver and Let the Adventure Begin!
Your adventure begins today! You’ll meet your group and backpacking guides in Denver, and get to know each other over lunch at a local restaurant. Then, set off for your campsite just outside Rocky Mountain National Park. You’ll set up camp, make a delicious dinner, and organize your packs together for the next day’s adventure!
Overnight Location: Camping in Estes Park
Distance: None
Meals: Lunch, dinner
Day 2 Hike to Thunder Lake
Get an early start in Rocky Mountain National Park to begin the backpacking portion of your trip. You’ll make the 6-mile journey to Thunder Lake with a steep incline to get warmed up! Upon arrival, you’ll set up your basecamp for the next several days. You’ll cook a delicious camp dinner and tell ghost stories around the fire!
Overnight Location: Camping in Rocky Mountain National Park
Distance: ~6 miles, 1500 feet elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 3 Slackpack to Lion Lake or Lake of the Winds
After a relaxing morning, you’ll slackpack to Lion Lake or Lake of the Winds. You’ll leave tents and heavy gear at camp so that the group is able to hike quickly and have plenty of time to enjoy the day splashing around in an incredible alpine lake!
Overnight Location: Camping in Rocky Mountain National Park
Distance: ~6 miles, 1500 feet elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 4 Backpack to Finch Lake
Today, you’ll strap on your packs and head to Finch Lake. Along the way, you’ll learn about the park’s ecological history from your naturalist guide, and upon arrival we recommend taking a refreshing dip!
Overnight Location: Camping in Rocky Mountain National Park
Distance: ~6 miles, 1500 feet elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 5 Head to the Historic Stanley Hotel in Estes Park
On this morning, you’ll pack up camp and hike out of the backcountry. Head to the historic Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, the inspiration for Stephen King’s The Shining! You’ll have a chance to freshen up before enjoying a farewell dinner with your new friends and backpacking guides!
Overnight Location: Hotel in Estes Park
Distance: ~6 miles, 1500 feet elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 6 End of the Journey
Enjoy breakfast at a local cafe in Estes Park before departing for the airport and bidding farewell to a new group of friends!
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Rocky Mountain Backpacking Tour Price and Dates
This tour is being run as a fixed departure tour, however, private departures can also be organized on request. The prices below to join a group tour are per person, sharing a double room or tent:
Accommodation on Rocky Mountain Backpacking Tour
This tour is based in one hotel and camping in the Rocky Mountain National Park.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
Rooms are double occupancy. You can pay a supplement to have a private room in a hotel and a single tent while camping.
Hotels on Standard Tour
Camping in Estes Park
Enjoy the fresh air and beautiful surroundings as you camp in a front country campground in Estes Park.
Camping in Rocky Mountain National Park
Stay in the beautiful backcountry of the Rocky Mountain National Park.
Stanley Hotel in Estes Park ★★★★
The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, famously known as the inspiration for Stephen King's "The Shining," offers a unique blend of historic charm and luxurious accommodations.
What’s Included in the Rocky Mountain Backpacking Tour?
Meals
5 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 5 dinners are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 5 nights are included.
Transportation during the Tour
Round-trip transportation throughout the tour is included, starting and ending with pickup and drop-off at Denver Airtport.
Also included
- Medically-trained, naturalist guides
- Round-trip transportation
- Accommodations
- Tent and sleeping pad
- All meals
- Park entry fees
Not included
- Flights
- Sleeping bag (available for rent)
- Personal camping gear
- Gratuity for Your Guide
- Anything not mentioned as included
Optional Extras
- Additional nights before or after the tour
- Single occupancy upgrades
- Sleeping bag rental
Frequently Asked Questions about Rocky Mountain Backpacking Tour
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