Hikes and Trails

With more than 350 miles of hiking trails beginning only steps out your back door, the sky’s the limit on where your own two feet will take you.

Hiking in RMNP

Enjoy some of the best hiking in the world

Step out the back door of your cabin and hit our Smudge Trail (est. 2018). This trail is cut into the steep mountainside to the south of the lodge. It’s very steep and definitely gets the legs burning, but it’s short (only about a half mile) before it levels out and connects to the North Deer Mountain Trail. This trail can connect you to any trail in the park through Horseshoe Park or via Upper Beaver Meadows. Or, hike to the summit of Deer Mountain.

Even though there is scenic hiking from your cabin door, you will most likely want to hop in the car for a short drive to the official trailheads in Rocky Mountain National Park. The closest trailheads to Castle Mountain Lodge are the Lawn Lake Trailhead and the Deer Mountain Trailhead. These are only eight minutes away by car. These trailheads take you to wonderful mountain summits, alpine lakes and pristine vistas.

Many more trailheads are within minutes of Castle Mountain Lodge, including the Glacier Gorge Trailhead and the Bear Lake area.

The Longs Peak Trail and Wild Basin are both a short scenic drive away, down the Peak to Peak Highway (Hwy 7).

Note: Dogs are not allowed on any of the trails in Rocky Mountain National Park. If you have rented one of our Dog friendly cabins and plan on hiking with your four legged adventurer, we have some suggestions of great hikes in the area that are dog friendly. You can download the PDF file here — Doggie Hikes.

Feel free to ask us for more recommendations!