2.2 mi
Distance
427 ft
Elev. Gain
1h 30m
Est. Time
Out & Back
Route Type
Easy
Difficulty
About This Trail
We don't publish a description for Dream Lake Trail unless we can point you at the agency it came from. We don't have one yet. The planning figures above — distance, elevation gain, estimated time, route type — come from the source listed on this trail.
National Park Service manages this trail and is the authority for conditions, closures and route notes. See official sources below. Spot something we should add?
Trail Conditions
Trail Conditions
Updated May 24, 2026 — may be out of date
Dream Lake is one of RMNP's top-3 trails — would be flagged if closed. Bear Lake Rd corridor open; only Dream/Emerald/Haiyaha bridge replacement was a separate temporary closure (not this trail). Reclassifying open. Source: https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/trail_conditions.htm Quote: Bear Lake corridor (Nymph, Dream, Emerald) icy with microspikes recommended; trails open. Timed entry required May 22-Oct 18, 2026.
No recent condition reports. Be the first to share what you see on the trail.
Hazards & Warnings
Trail Details
- No dogs
- Route Type
- Out & Back
- Surface
- Dirt
Official sources & verification
Managed by National Park Service
Reserve or permit
- Apply for permit
Required permit application for this trail. Many systems run seasonal lotteries or fixed application windows — confirm current dates here.
- RMNP timed entry permit system
National Park Service
Source of truth
- Agency source page
The page our published rules and notes are derived from.
- National Park Service unit page
Alerts, conditions, and the unit's plan-your-visit page.
Where it is
- Nearest town:
- Estes Park, CO · about 6 mi away
- County:
- Larimer County, CO
- Jurisdiction:
- Rocky Mountain National Park · National Park Service
Nearest town and county from U.S. Census Bureau place records and county boundaries.
Verify by phone or mail
- Operator:970-586-1206
- Address:1000 US Hwy 36 · Estes Park, CO · 80517
Best Seasons
Highlights
Reviews
No reviews yet
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Verified from National Park Service public trails dataset
Trail centerline: National Park Service public trails dataset. Source ↗
Nearby Trails
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Chasm Lake Trail
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Bear Lake Loop
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Alberta Falls Trail
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Stay nearby
Campgrounds near this trail
Glacier Basin Campground
3 mi awayRocky Mountain National Park
Estes Park, CO
Check official pricing158 sitesNational Park Reservable TentRV Very popularBooks out · 100% Some Coverage
Moraine Park Campground
4 mi awayRocky Mountain National Park
Estes Park, CO
Check official pricing258 sitesReservable TentRV Very popular Some Coverage
East Portal Campground at Estes Park
4.2 mi awayEstes Park, CO
Pricing varies — check with the operatorReservable
Moraine Park - Rocky Mountain National Park
4.4 mi awayRocky Mountain National Park
Estes Park, CO
National Park
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