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Interpretive Sites: Colorado > Rocky Mountain National Park

Quick Facts

Bear Lake Road Bike Route

Beginning Elevation:	7,975 Feet (2486.0 Meters)
Elevation Gain:	1,500 Feet (467.6 Meters)
Ending Elevation:	9,475 Feet (2953.6 Meters)
Length, One-way:	8 Miles (13.33 Kilometers)
TI Topo Maps:	Rocky Mountain National Park, #200

		Satellite and Topo Map

General Description

Get an early start by daybreak. This route climbs 1,500 feet in 8 miles from Highway 36, and ends at scenic Bear Lake, elevation 9,475 ft. Narrow and mostly uphill, the ride takes you through Moraine Park flanked by mountains and moraines. The road follows cascading Glacier Creek through aspen, fir and lodgepole pine forests. Moraine Park, Sprague Lake and Glacier Gorge Junction provide hiking and picture taking opportunities. Round trip biking time: 2-4 hours.

Directions from Estes Park: Follow Hwy 36 west through the Beaver Meadows Entrance Station, to Bear Lake Road to the south. The route begins here.

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Recreation Opportunities

Activity		Remarks	On Site
	Road Biking	Bear Lake Road Bike Route	Yes

Related Activities

Bear Lake Trail - An excellent interpretive nature trail circles this popular subalpine lake at the end of Bear Lake Road.

Glacier Basin Campground - Glacier Basin Campground is located on the east side of the Park, on Bear Lake Road. It offers 150 reservable campsites and nearby shuttle bus access to Bear Lake.

Glacier Gorge Trail (to Alberta Falls) - This trail leads past Alberta Falls, Glacier Falls, Mills Lake and Ribbon Falls before ending at Black Lake. The beautiful view from Mills Lake is one of the park's finest.

Sprague Lake Picnic Ground - Sprague Lake Picnic Ground is located off Bear Lake Road, in the Glacier Basin area, on the east side of the park.