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The Best Backpacking in Grand Lake

Looking for the best backpacking in Grand Lake? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Grand Lake. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top backpacking spots in and near Grand Lake

  • Grand Lake, Colorado

    North Inlet Trail to Lake Nokoni

    18.68 mi / 2746 ft gain
    North Inlet Trail to Lake Nokoni is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Grand Lake, Colorado.
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  • Grand Lake, Colorado

    Backpack the CDT Loop in Rocky Mountain NP

    24.3 mi / 4000 ft gain
    This section of the CDT begins at the North Inlet trailhead, located on the western side of Rocky Mountain National Park. The trailhead is north of the main town area of Grand Lake. Parking at the trailhead is limited, so hikers can also park along the road leading to the trailhead. The hike foll...
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  • Grand Lake, Colorado

    Big Meadow and Ptarmigan Pass Loop Trail

    25.83 mi / 4035 ft gain
    Big Meadow and Ptarmigan Pass Loop Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Grand Lake, Colorado.
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  • Grand Lake, Colorado

    Bear Lake Trail Head to North Inlet Trail Head

    16.71 mi / 3927 ft gain
    Bear Lake Trail Head to North Inlet Trail Head is a point-to-point trail that takes you by a lake located near Grand Lake, Colorado.
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  • Grand Lake, Colorado

    Haynach Lakes Trail

    15.17 mi / 2277 ft gain
    Haynach Lakes Trail is a loop trail that takes you past scenic surroundings located near Eagle, Colorado.
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  • Grand Lake, Colorado

    Hike to Big Meadows and Granite Falls

    5.0
    10.3 mi
    The Green Mountain Trail is part of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDT) which is a foot path from Mexico to Canada. Big Meadows is a great place to view elk, moose, and deer. Other animals you can see in the area are abert squirrels, river otters, weasels, and black bear.Big Meadow...
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  • Allenspark, Colorado

    Backpack to Lake Verna

    5.0
    13.5 mi / 2500 ft gain
    Want to get away it from it all and enjoy some high alpine lakes? The East Inlet Trail is just outside Grand Lake, on the westside of Rocky Mountain National Park, 2.35 miles east of Highway 34 on West Portal Road. From the trailhead, one can access 8 different campsites. The campsites are as ...
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  • Allenspark, Colorado

    Hike to Verna, Spirit, Fourth, and Fifth Lakes

    19 mi / 2460 ft gain
    This summer backpacking trip provides plenty of opportunities for exploration and endless moments to take in awe-inspiring scenery. On our visit, after setting up camp at the Lake Verna backcountry site, I quickly made my way to the next lake (Spirit Lake) to photograph the sunset. The symmetry a...
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  • Allenspark, Colorado

    Hike to Spirit Lake

    15.8 mi / 2000 ft gain
    One can reach spirit lake as a day hike, however it is most often visited as part of backpacking trip. Either way the route is the same and it starts at the East Inlet trail. To park you are supposed to pay or show your park/national lands pass. From the East Inlet trailhead you will soon pass Ad...
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  • Grand Lake, Colorado

    Baker Gulch to Bowen Gulch Lake

    18.62 mi / 4708 ft gain
    Baker Gulch to Bowen Gulch Lake is a loop trail that takes you by a river located near Grand Lake, Colorado.
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  • Grand Lake, United States

    Hike to Timber Lake

    4.5
    9.6 mi / 2050 ft gain
    I love Timber Lake! I never see that many people on the trail and I can't figure out why. The hike starts at the Timber Lake trailhead and climbs gradually through Pine and Aspen trees on the way up. We saw a few elk on the way up that didn't seem to be bothered by our presence. We also started h...
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  • Grand Lake, Colorado

    Hike the Colorado River Trailhead Loop

    5.0
    13.6 mi / 1245 ft gain
    Since this hike is 13.6 miles (according to my watch the hike was more around 14 miles, but it's in that range), I'm going to break it down into four different parts.  To Lulu CityTo Little Yellowstone / Thunder PassThe Grand Ditch  Red Mountain Trail  The first 0.5 miles and the last 0.5 miles a...
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  • Estes Park, Colorado

    Backpack Alpine Terrain to Haynach Lakes

    17 mi
    Begin at the Milner Pass Trailhead off of Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park. Commonly used to summit Mount Ida, this trailhead is often popular with summer hikers. The trail climbs steeply through the trees before revealing open slopes of tundra and fantastic panoramic views. Altho...
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  • Estes Park, Colorado

    Azure Lake and Inkwell Lake Loop

    10.76 mi / 3271 ft gain
    Azure Lake and Inkwell Lake Loop is an out-and-back trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Estes Park, Colorado.
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  • Estes Park, Colorado

    Continental Divide Traverse: Milner Pass to Bear Lake

    16.24 mi / 4131 ft gain
    Continental Divide Traverse: Milner Pass to Bear Lake trail is a point-to-point trail that takes you by a lake located near Estes Park, Colorado.
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  • Larimer County, Colorado

    Rocky Mountain Lake Loop

    12.14 mi / 2618 ft gain
    Rocky Mountain Lake Loop is a loop trail that takes you by a lake located near Estes Park, Colorado.
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