7 Backpacking Trips in Rocky Mountain NP for Your Summer Bucket List

We all know Rocky Mountain National Park has some of the most stunning mountain scenery in the country, if not the world. With wildflowers in bloom and the sun warming up the high country, summer is the best time to spend a few nights in Rocky’s wilderness. Whether you want to tackle a 14er or hike a few miles to a sandy beach -- yes, a sandy beach...in the mountains -- there are options for backcountry addicts of every skill level. Heard enough? Ready to start planning your road trip to the Rockies? Of course your are. Here are a few of our bucket list backpacking trips to get the wheels turning for you:

1. Hike above Black Lake to an Alpine Paradise

Photo: Crystal Brindle

2. Backpack to Odessa Lake via Fern Lake Trailhead

Photo: Andrew Slaton

3. Backpack to Lion and Snowbank Lakes

Photo: Sidney Bush

4. Summit Storm Peak and Mount Lady Washington

Photo: Crystal Brindle

5. Backpack to Sandbeach Lake

Photo: Ryan Mckinney

6. Backpack to Lake Verna

Photo: Ian Glass

7. Backpack Alpine Terrain to Haynach Lakes

Photo: Crystal Brindle

Cover photo: Ryan Mckinney