Rocky Mountain National Park Attractions

There are more than 350 miles of hiking throughout Rocky Mountain National Park with many of the best trails starting near Bear Lake. Take the easy .6-mile ring around the lake with plenty of boulders for taking a rest, photos or having a snack. The parking lot is popular with climbers who want to do Long's Peak (the best-known "14-er") so be prepared to wait for a spot if the lot is full or use the shuttle. The 1.2-mile roundtrip trip to Alberta Falls is another gorgeous family pleaser. Be sure to ask rangers for their best picks to accommodate strollers, spot wildlife or intrigue budding naturalists.

The smaller, non-intimidating horses, kind wranglers and young age limit (6 years old rather than the typical 8) make this place an ideal introduction to trail rides. (More experienced riders can sign up for half or full-day options.) Another nice touch: younger siblings can do their own mini ride on ponies and not feel left out. The stables are part of the YMCA of the Rockies, but open to the public. Evening hayrides with campfires and marshmallows are geared for the full family.

Kids likely won't "ooh" and "ahh" at national park scenery nearly as much as you will, so educationally engage them and make the visit more fun with a free Junior Ranger workbook available at Beaver Meadows, Fall River, Alpine, Moraine Park and Kawuneeche Visitor Centers. Have them answer questions and do activities about the park’s ecosystem and wildlife -- often right at the visitor centers. They may also get credit for wildlife sightings and good deeds, such as picking up litter. A ranger will check their work, do a little ceremony and award them a Rocky Mountain National Park Junior Ranger badge. It's the best kind of souvenir: well earned.

Rent bikes, kayaks or pontoons for a trip around Lake Estes. There also is a beach area, snacks and play to get fishing licenses, bait and tackle.

Kids are welcomed to jump in and get their hands dirty, whether it’s trying on pioneer clothes, helping plant the garden or weed it, and learning about the challenges of ranching (Angus steer) and mountain living in the late 1800s. There are self-guided tours of the museum, milkhouse, smokehouse, blacksmith shop and horse-drawn machinery exhibits.

Give older kids a thrill with ghost tours of this can't-miss-it gleaming white grand dame of a hotel looming over Estes Park. Besides ghost tales, there's a chance to glimpse the room where Stephen King stayed and began creating "The Shining." Advanced reservations highly recommended.