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Highlights
Hike the beautiful backcountry of the Rocky Mountains National Park
Set up a basecamp at Thunder Lake after a 6-mile hike, perfect for acclimatizing and ghost stories around the campfire.
Enjoy lightweight day hikes to Lion Lake or Lake of the Winds, allowing ample time to explore and relax by alpine lakes.
Learn about the park’s ecological history en route to Finch Lake, with opportunities for wildlife spotting and a refreshing dip.
End the trip with a stay at the famous Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, known for its inspiration for Stephen King’s "The Shining."
A professional photographer accompanies the tour to capture the journey, providing stunning visual keepsakes.
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.
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.
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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:Start
Finish
Duration
Spaces Left
Price
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.
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
- How hard is the Rocky Mountain Backpacking Tour?
- Do I need a visa to travel to the United States of America?
- Are meals included on the Rocky Mountain Backpacking Tour?
- Do I need insurance?
- How do I get to Denver to start this tour?
- Is the Rocky Mountain Backpacking Tour in English?
- Where does the Rocky Mountain Backpacking Tour end?
- What gear do I need to have with me?
- Backpacking pack (60 liters recommended)
- Day pack (15-30 liters recommended)
- Luggage (can be left in the vehicle, 1 small suitcase per person)
- Sleeping bag (also available to rent), rated to 15 degrees
- Pack cover
- Headlamp
- Reusable water bottles
- Cotton or silk sleeping bag liner (optional, recommended if renting)
- Travel pillow
- Sunscreen
- Earplugs
- Insect repellent
- Toiletries (please choose biodegradable and scent-free items)
- Small, personal first aid kit (including blister treatment)
- Small, quick dry towel
- Warm jacket (down, puffy, fleece)
- Rain jacket or shell
- Breathable wicking base layers
- Lightweight hiking pants
- Warm clothes to sleep in
- Warm hat
- Sun hat with a brim
- Wool socks (1 pair per day of trip)
- Hiking boots
- Sunglasses
- Rain pants
- Buff or neck scarf
- Comfortable clothes for camp
- Sandals or camp shoes
- Do I need special vaccines to travel to the United States of America?
- Are there any travel restrictions for the United States of America?
We rate this tour as a 4 / 5. Expect to spend up to 6 hours per day walking or hiking (up to 10 miles and 2,500ft elevation change) while carrying a loaded pack. Several days will include slackpacking with just a daypack full of water and snacks! Suitable for most fit people with a bit of hiking experience.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
5 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 5 dinners are included.
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover hiking.
Fly into Denver International Airport (DEN) which can be reached via a flight from most of the Major USA airports.
Yes, the tour guide is English-speaking.
The tour ends where it starts, with a drop-off at Denver International Airport.
Required gear:
Recommended gear & personal items:
Required clothing:
Recommended clothing:
Check with your family doctor.
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
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