Dream Lake Hike in Colorado

The Complete Local's Guide

Local’s Guide To The Dream Lake Hike in Colorado

Everything You Should Know Before You Hike Dream Lake In Colorado

As Colorado locals, the Dream Lake hike is one of those trails we’ve done so many times we’ve officially lost track. From trekking over the frozen waves in the winter to admiring the sunrise alpenglow in the summer, we’ve seen this trail through it all.

Frankly, the views on the Dream Lake hike never get old, and we’d argue that it’s probably one of the most beautiful hikes in all of Rocky Mountain National Park. If you’re visiting the Estes Park area, it’s a can’t miss trek.

That said, if you plan on hitting the trails during your Colorado travels, there are some things you need to know about this hike before you begin.

There are some quirks, rules, and logistics you’ll want to be aware of before adventuring over to Dream Lake. As Colorado locals, we’ve got your back. We’ll share all the details (along with some pro tips on what else you can do in the area).

Disclosure: We’ve included lodging and product recommendations in this guide to the Dream Lake hike in Colorado. If you choose to book or buy through our links, we may earn a commission, at no cost to you. Shopping through these links helps support our small Colorado business and allows us to continue creating this free content.

All recommendations in our Dream Lake hike guide are crafted with love and expertise, from platforms we use and trust for our own adventures, both in Colorado and beyond.

The Outdoors Should Be More Accessible, Plain And Simple

Outdoor culture is known for being exclusionary. Gatekeeping trails and shaming newer hikers is par for the course, unfortunately.

Which is why we created The Wilder Dispatch, an email newsletter intended to make hiking and getting outside genuinely approachable for everyone. Subscribe for outdoor advice and plenty of musings on living an “outdoorsy” lifestyle.

How To Get To The Dream Lake Hike

Directions To The Trailhead

If you’re entering the park through the Beaver Meadows entrance, you’ll see the option to hang a left onto Bear Lake Rd about two tenths of a mile in. Once you turn, you’ll drive another 9.4 miles and the road will basically end at the trailhead for the Dream Lake hike.

If you’re coming from the Fall River Entrance, go a little over 4 miles and you’ll hit a T in the road. This is where you’ll turn left. Follow this route for about 3 miles and you’ll see Bear Lake Rd on your right. Turn there and drive the 9.4 miles to the Dream Lake hike trailhead.

GPS Coordinates (Dream Lake trailhead parking lot): 40.311828, -105.644281
Nearest Town: Estes Park, Colorado
Dream Lake Hike Length: 2.2 miles RT
Elevation Gain: 425 ft
Wheelchair Accessible: no
Family/Kid Friendly: yes (keep little ones close on certain more exposed sections)
Dog Friendly: no
Cell Service: No. We always bring our Garmin InReach in case we need to call for help.
Fee: the RMNP park entrance fee (and a timed entry free, depending on the time of year).

Is The Dream Lake Hike Open All Year?

Seasonal Info You Should Know

The Dream Lake hike in Colorado is open year round, but there are some important logistical considerations you have to take into account during the warmer months (specifically from late May to mid-October).

This is the time of year when the park implements its timed entry system. To access the Dream Lake hike in particular you need to get a timed entry ticket that includes access to the Bear Lake corridor.

If you just get the standard timed entry, access to Dream Lake is entirely excluded.

That said, if you enter the Bear Lake corridor before 5 am or after 6 pm, you won’t need the timed entry ticket. This is one of many reasons we recommend getting to the trailhead for the Dream Lake hike well before sunrise.

Parking at the trailhead of the Dream Lake hike can also be complicated, as this is one of the most beloved trails in all of Colorado. We’ll explain parking details a bit later.

Pro Tip: While this hike is accessible year-round, the high alpine roads can get dicey in the winter months. We highly recommend only driving a 4WD or AWD vehicle and having snow tires and/or tire chains handy.

The road up to the Dream Lake hike is full of switchbacks and sharp turns. It’s nothing to mess around on, especially in snowy and icy conditions.

The Full Dream Lake Hike Guide

By Colorado Locals

From details on navigating the wild parking process to figuring out the best seasons to do the Dream Lake hike, we’ll break down everything you need to know about this Colorado trail.

Is The Dream Lake Hike In Colorado Good For All Skill Levels?

There’s a common misconception amongst hikers that the Dream Lake hike is an easy one. If you’re a seasoned hiker and you’re acclimated to the elevation, it absolutely can be.

However, you’re starting at nearly 10,000 feet above sea level, and there’s an entire section of the trail that’s basically nature’s version of a StairMaster machine.

All of that to say, if you don’t hike regularly or live at sea level, the Dream Lake hike can present some challenges from an endurance standpoint. Outside of that, it’s a pretty straightforward trail in the summer months.

Winter on the Dream Lake hike, on the other hand, is quite a bit more difficult and requires a different level of preparation. More on this later!

Dream Lake Colorado In Winter Vs Summer: Which Season Is Better?

Normally, we’re big fans of doing Colorado’s high alpine hikes in the thick of summer, but the Dream Lake hike is one we also adore in the winter months. It’s straight up a magical winter wonderland.

The lake itself freezes over, and seeing the patterns of the ice, with the deep blue of the lake beneath it? It’s a total bucket list moment.

That said, the Dream Lake hike is a lot more challenging in the winter, and you’ll want to bring along your MICROspikes for extra traction in snowy areas. And depending on how deep the snow is, snowshoes may be a necessity.

Dream Lake in the summer is undeniably stunning as well. You’ll see sections of trail where little wildflowers are popping up, and the views and sounds of Tyndall Creek as you hike up just adds to the magic.

And don’t even get us started on the stunning views of Longs Peak on the trek up, basking in the warm summer light. The fact of the matter is the Dream Lake hike is at its most accessible in the summer months.

You’re not dealing with slippery snowmelt and everything has turned beautiful and green again. It’s definitely an idyllic vibe.

That said, summer is one of the busiest seasons in Colorado, and the Dream Lake hike can get packed. Winter definitely gives you more peace and solitude.

Also, if you’re wondering about doing the Dream Lake hike in fall, just be aware that this isn’t the greatest hike for seeing those iconic Colorado fall colors. You’re better off visiting a spot like Guanella or Indy Pass.

As for spring, expect super muddy conditions. from the snowmelt, making this a less-than-enjoyable hike. We generally avoid high alpine Colorado hikes like Dream Lake in the spring months.

What's The Ideal Time Of Day For This Trek?

If you want to see those iconic alpenglow views on the mountains surrounding Colorado’s iconic Dream Lake, we highly recommend doing this hike early in the morning, so you can watch the sun rise by the lake.

If you’re not familiar with the term alpenglow, it’s basically when the warm orange and maroon morning light first hits the tips of the mountains. And the Dream Lake hike has some of the best alpenglow views in all of Colorado.

Hike Pro Tip: The weather at high altitudes in Colorado (like at Dream Lake) can get dangerous very quickly. Sunrise tends to be the more stable time of day, particular in the summer months when afternoon lightning storms are common.

The Parking Situation For The Dream Lake Hike In Colorado

There’s a pretty large parking lot at the trailhead of the Dream Lake Hike, but given how popular this trail is (one of the most popular in all of Colorado), it fills up pretty quickly. To add to the trouble, the parking lot serves as the trailhead lot for several other popular spots (e.g. Bear Lake) as well.

How early is early, though? The lot can be fully packed shortly after sunrise and tends to stay that way all day. When the trailhead parking lot is full, anyone trying to do the Dream Lake hike will need to take the shuttle, which picks up at the park & ride between 6:30am and 7:30pm.

While the shuttles come every 10-15 minutes, the lines can get quite wild, so arriving early and avoiding the shuttle if possible is what we recommend when doing the hike.

Need Additional Family-Friendly Hike Ideas?

As parents, we know the challenge of finding family-friendly hikes. But it doesn’t get better than Sprague Lake, one of RMNP’s most accessible hikes. The views are absolutely breathtaking, and it’s less than a 4 mile from the Dream Lake hike.

Winter Gear You'll Want When Doing The Dream Lake Hike

Recommendations When Hiking Dream Lake During The Colorado Winters

Generally speaking, hiking Dream Lake in the summer is pretty straightforward. We have some standard hiking safety gear we recommend bringing on any trail, but besides that, there isn’t too much you need.

However, in those harsh Colorado winters, the Dream Lake hike requires some additional preparation. We recommend bringing along the following (not an exhaustive list, but these are our top items):

AllTrails – It’s one thing to get lost on the trail in the summer months, but in the winter, it’s downright dangerous. This hike can be a challenge when there’s fresh snow, as the trail can become difficult to find. We’re done this hike a million times, but we still count on the offline maps we download using AllTrails Pro to guide us when we lose the route in fresh snow. And the AllTrails team is generously offering our readers 30% off the first year of their Peak membership using our link.
Hand Warmers and Foot Warmers – Let’s face it: the Dream Lake hike in winter is pretty miserable without warm hands and feet (the Colorado alpine in snow is no joke). These suckers are such a good deal, and they are critical for both comfort and safety.
MICROspikes – Don’t even think about getting on the ice on the lake without MICROspikes to give you some traction. These are also critical for steeper, icier parts of the trail.
Headlamps – Headlamps are absolutely critical if you’re planning on being on the trails before sunrise or after sunset. You can’t count on your phone’s flashlight to navigate.
An Emergency Blanket – Let’s hope you don’t get lost or stuck on the trail overnight. But if you do, having an emergency blank could quite literally save your life. They’re crazy compact, and always worth bringing when hiking the trail in the winter months.

One Of The Dreamiest Colorado Drives Is A Short Trek From The Dream Lake Hike

While you’re in the park to do the Dream Lake hike, don’t skip seeing one of Colorado’s most iconic gems: Trail Ridge Road (aka, the highest continuously paved road in the entire United States). The views? Unmatched.

The Best Lodging Near The Dream Lake Hike In Colorado

The Best Stays In And Around Estes Park, Colorado

The get as close as possible to the Dream Lake hike, we’d recommend staying in Estes Park, Colorado. This is basically the hub for access to RMNP.

These are the spots we love:

Trailborn Rocky Mountains – Plain and simple, Trailborn is the most beautiful, vibey hotel in all of Estes. It was recently renovated with this super cool retro aesthetic that’s too good to pass up.
The Estes Park Resort – A classic for a reason, the hotel sits right on Lake Estes and has a seriously prime location.
This Luxurious Mountain Cabin – If you’re planning on doing the Dream Lake hike with a larger group, this Colorado mountain log cabin is perfection. It sleeps 8 and has games, a hot tub, fire pit, full kitchen, and basically all the amenities you’ll want as a group.

Get The Full RMNP Lowdown

The park is basically our backyard, and it’s quite possibly the place we visit most when we want to get our mountain fix. We’ve written a full guide on the best things to do in RMNP, so you can skip the research and get the local’s take.

Dream Lake Hike FAQs

The Dream Lake hike is a Colorado adventurer’s paradise, but there are a few things you need to keep in mind if you plan on swimming, fishing, or adventuring on the ice during the winter months.

Can You Swim In Dream Lake?

Yes, swimming is allowed at Dream Lake, but like many other Colorado high alpine lakes, the water is very cold. Cold water shock and hypothermia are both risks when swimming in these waters, so generally speaking, we advise against it.

Can You Go Fishing At Dream Lake?

Yes, fishing is allowed at Dream Lake, but there are a few rules you need to be aware of when fishing at this iconic Colorado spot. The fishing here is only catch-and-release, and barbless hooks must be used.

Is It Safe To Walk On The Water When It's Frozen?

Sometimes. This really depends on the thickness of the ice on Dream Lake. Ice should be at least 4 inches thick in order to be considered safe to walk on, but it’s worth noting that walking on ice is never truly, entirely safe. It’s always a risk.

Note: the ice on Dream Lake is extraordinarily slippery. When we hike on the lake itself, we always make sure to bring our MICROspikes to gain traction.

So You've Done The Dream Lake Hike. What Else Is In The Area?

As you explore the park, these are some other spots we highly recommend visiting:

Sprague Lake – A stunning, wheelchair-friendly loop trail with lovely mountain views and beautiful docks to admire the water.
Trail Ridge Road – If you visit RMNP any time after Memorial Day or before late Oct./early Nov., there’s a good chance TRR will be open. It’s a can’t miss drive with mind-blowing mountain vistas.
Loch Vale – If you’re up for a more challenging hike, the trek to Loch Vale is a 10/1o, featuring stunning waterfall views on the way up. We absolutely adore this trail.

P.S. Need more photos of the trail? We’ve included several more from our adventures down below.

We'll Show You Colorado's Must-See Gems

Hey there! We’re Sheena and Ed, Colorado locals and adventure-lovers. We spend pretty much all of our free time exploring the mountains to share the best-of-the-best with you.

These are some of our most-loved resources:

Want to explore the most stunning mountain views our state has to offer? We’ve crafted a list of the best mountain villages throughout CO.
Prefer to drive all over the state to see the most noteworthy spots? We’ve created the ultimate road trip itinerary with all the locations you can’t miss.
Imagining what it would be like to move to the Rockies. Definitely read our list of pros and cons before you do.