Hike Profiles for Rocky Mountain National Park and Surrounding Areas

Fern Lake This is a popular lake as both and out-and-back hike and a loop connecting Bear Lake and Fern Lake Trailheads.

Distance: 3.8 miles one-way Lake elevation: 9,530 feet Trailhead elevation: 8,150 feet Net elevation gain: 1,380 feet Fern Lake Trailhead Rocky Mountain National Park

Fern Lake

The red star in the map above shows the relative location of Fern Lake to RMNP boundaries (in green) and major roads (in gold)

Major Trail Landmarks Arch Rocks (1.2 miles one-way from trailhead) The Pool (1.7 miles one-way from trailhead) Junction of Fern Lake Trail and Cub Lake-Pool connecting trail (1.7 miles one-way from trailhead) Fern Falls (2.6 miles one-way from trailhead) Junction of Fern Lake and Spruce Lake Trails (3.7 miles one-way from trailhead)

Principal Destinations Near Fern Lake Odessa Lake (4.8 miles one-way from trailhead) - via Thunder Lake Trail Spruce Lake (4.8 miles one-way from trailhead) - via spur trail from Bluebird Lake Trail Bear Lake (5.0 miles one-way from Fern Lake) - via Odessa Lake Trail system

Backcountry Campsites Near Fern Lake Arch Rock [PDF Link] - (1.6 miles one-way from trailhead) - elevation 8,240' - 1 individual site Old Forest Inn [PDF Link] - (1.7 miles one-way from trailhead) - elevation 8,400' - 2 individual sites Fern Lake [PDF Link] - (3.8 miles one-way from trailhead) - elevation 9,530' - 1 group / 4 individual sites

The Fern Lake Trailhead is on the west end of Moraine Park, on the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park. From the Beaver Meadows Entrance Station on U.S. Highway 36, head west less than a quarter mile and turn south on Bear Lake Road toward Moraine Park. Follow Bear Lake Road about 1.2 miles to a right-hand turn toward Fern Lake and the Moraine Park campground. This road follows the north side of Moraine Park for a half-mile to another junction. At this junction, turn left (south) toward the Fern Lake and Cub Lake Trailheads. Fern Lake Trailhead is about two miles from this point, and parking space is limited. The last 0.7 miles of this road is closed in winter and spring until snowmelt in early summer. In this case, parking is available at a small lot just across from the gate and the trailhead is accessed by walking the final 0.7 miles of road to the start of the trail. The Fern Lake Trail leads past Arch Rocks and reaches The Pool at 1.7 miles. After crossing the Big Thompson River at the bridge near The Pool, follow signs toward Fern Lake (bypass the spur trail to Cub Lake). After passing Fern Falls, continue toward Fern Lake on the main trail, bypassing another spur trail (to Spruce Lake) just north of Fern Lake. To continue on to Bear Lake, follow the trail around the east side of Fern Lake, up and out of Odessa Gorge past Odessa Lake, and on to the Flattop Mountain Trail for the final 0.8 mile to Bear Lake. Shuttle services (seasonal) can be used to return to Fern Lake Trailhead.

Sample photographs of the hike to Fern Lake

The Pool, Big Thompson River

Fern Falls

The Gable and Fern Lake

Fern Lake

Fern Lake topographic map

Principal summer trail marked by solid red line; unmaintained trail/route marked by dashed red line. Map is oriented with north to the top of the map USGS Quad Map: McHenrys Peak - Latitude: 40.337 deg. N - Longitude: 105.676 deg. W

Click here to return to the Hiking Center menu

All users must accept the terms of use of this site. All information on this page conforms to terms of use.

All photographs are property of Mike Amfahr and are protected by copyright laws. Topographic map is property of and copyrighted by Maps a la carte, Inc., and is used on this site with permission.