Lily Lake and Trail - 13 Things to Know Before Visiting

Lake/ River/ Ponds

1 Day Treks

About Lily Lake and Trail

Lily Lake is encircled by an easy, one-mile trail that offers stunning views of the Rocky Mountains. The trail is popular with hikers, birdwatchers, and nature lovers. Lily Lake is a beautiful place to relax and take in the scenery. The trail is well-maintained and features interpretive signage detailing the geological history of the area.

Hotels near Lily Lake and Trail

Hotels to stay near Lily Lake and Trail

Stars:

Guest rating:

Exceptional

Stars:

Guest rating:

Excellent

Stars:

Guest rating:

Exceptional

Stars:

Guest rating:

Excellent

Things to Do at Lily Lake and Trail

Lily Lake and Trail is one of the most beautiful places in Larimer County, Colorado. The area is teeming with wildlife, including bighorn sheep, elk, deer, and moose. Lily Lake itself is a great place to fish for greenback cutthroat, but it is catch and release only. The trail offers stunning views of the Rocky Mountains, and is a popular spot for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. In the winter, Lily Lake and Trail is a popular destination for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

The trial of the lake provides atunning views of Estes Cone and of the two highest peaks in Rocky Mountain National Park -Mt. Meeker and Longs Peak.


 

Activities Around

History of Lily Lake and Trail

Lily Lake was formed over 10,000 years ago when a large glacier melted and created a large pool of water.The lake got its name from the abundance of lilies that used to grow in the area. Today, the lake is a popular spot for fishing, hiking, and picnicking.

The lake is situated at the headwaters of Fish Creek, which flows into Lake Estes. The lake covered 14 acres of surface area containing 39 acre feet of water but a dam constructed in 1915 increased that to 17 acres, with amount of water to 75 acre feet of water. In 2010 the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation rated the Lily Lake Dam as a high potential hazard. Although the park considered removing it, the decision was made to repair the dam in 2012.

Best Time to Visit Lily Lake and Trail

The best time to visit Lily Lake and Trail is from June to September when the weather is warm and dry. During this time, the wildflowers are in bloom and the days are long. 

Tips for Visiting Lily Lake and Trail

  1. The best time to fish is early morning or late evening when the sun is not strong.
  2. There are several benches along the trail where you can stop to enjoy the views.
  3. Access to Lily Lake is limited to foot traffic only - no vehicles are allowed beyond the parking area.
  4. The lake is stocked with trout each year, so you're sure to have a good chance of catching something!
  5. Start your hike early in the day. Not only will this help you avoid the heat of the midday sun, but it will also give you a chance to see wildlife that is most active in the early morning hours.
  6. Note that there is limited cell service in the area. So if you're planning on using your phone for directions or taking pictures, make sure to download what you need before you start your hike.

Interesting Facts and Trivias About Lily Lake and Trail

  1. Lily Lake is stocked with greenback cutthroat trout, a federally listed threatened species.
  2. A dam was constructed in 1915 in order to increase the size of the lake.

How Much Time Did Visitors Spend at Lily Lake and Trail

Many visitors to Lily Lake and Trail underestimate how much time they need to explore the area thoroughly. While it is possible to complete a quick visit in an hour or two, in order to truly appreciate all that Lily Lake and Trail have to offer, it is best to allow at least half a day. This will give you plenty of time to enjoy the scenic views and take a leisurely hike around the lake. If you are short on time, it is still possible to enjoy Lily Lake and Trail, but by allowing yourself enough time, you can make sure that you don't miss anything.

How to Reach Lily Lake and Trail

To get to Lily Lake, take Estes Park exit 232 off of I-25 and follow Highway 36 for about two miles into town. Once you're in Estes Park, turn left onto Macgregor Avenue. Follow Macgregor until it dead-ends at a T-intersection with Moraine Avenue. Then, turn right onto Moraine Avenue and proceed for about a half mile until you reach the Lily Lake trailhead on your left. The Lily Lake trail is an easy, kid-friendly hike that winds around the edge of the lake.

Entrance Fee of Lily Lake and Trail

The entrance fee to Lily Lake and Trail is $3 per person for those aged 16 and over. The fee for Seniors aged 62 and over is $2, and for children aged 15 and under, the fee is free.

Opening Hours of Lily Lake and Trail

Lily Lake and Trail is open all year round, but the hours vary depending on the season. In summer, the trail is open from 6 AM to 8 PM, and in winter it is open from 8 AM to 4 PM.

Attractions Near Lily Lake and Trail

Twin Sisters Peaks

Twin Sisters Peaks

2.6km from Lily Lake and Trail

The Twin Sisters Peaks are mountains in Colorado, located in the Front Range in Larimer County, Colorado, straddling Rocky Mountain National Park and Roosevelt National Forest. It offers a good choice to acclimize for hikes/climbs up Long's Peak, Pagoda, Chief's Head or Mt. Meeker. as the trail is easy to follow and round trip time will only set one back a couple to three hours. Twin Sisters offers a lot of reward for little commitment.

Bear Lake Road

Bear Lake Road

5.7km from Lily Lake and Trail

Bear Lake Road is a 10.5 mile drive from the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center starts at 7,840 ft and climbs up to Bear Lake at 9,475 ft.Along the way, you’ll pass trailheads for hiking trails, picnic areas, campgrounds, the Moraine Park Museum and Sprague Lake. There is a large picnic area and The road ends in the Bear Lake parking lot.

Sprague Lake

Sprague Lake

5.81km from Lily Lake and Trail

Sprague Lake is a 13-acre lake named after Abner Sprague, an early resident of the Estes Park area who ran a game lodge on the this property which is now part of Rocky Mountain National Park. The half-mile walk around the lake is wheelchair accessible and features boardwalks and bridges with views of Flattop Mountain and Hallet Peak. The lake is popular for Brook trout fishing.

Saint Catherine's Chapel on the Rock

Saint Catherine's Chapel on the Rock

6.65km from Lily Lake and Trail

This is a nearly 100-year-old functioning Catholic church built atop a riveting rock formation. It is operated by the Catholic Archdiocese of Denver and remains an important fixture in Colorado history. The chapel is located on the grounds of the Saint Malo Retreat, Conference, and Spiritual Center of the Catholic Archdiocese of Denver. The chapel is open to the public.

Beaver Meadows Visitor Center

Beaver Meadows Visitor Center

6.88km from Lily Lake and Trail

The Beaver Meadows Visitor Center is a window into the past. When the center was built in 1967, its design was based on the historic Rocky Mountain National Park Headquarters building that stood at the same site. Today, the visitor center houses a museum that tells the story of the park and its many visitors. In addition to exhibits on the history of the area, It also features interactive displays that allow visitors to explore the park's wildlife and geology.

Estes Park Aerial Tramway

Estes Park Aerial Tramway

7.3km from Lily Lake and Trail

The Estes Park Aerial Tram safely whisks you above the treetops to the summit of Prospect Mountain. Operating daily from the end of May to early September, the tram is one of the few European-style cable cars operating in the United States. Since its inaugural trip, the tramway has ferried more than 3 million people over the tree line and to the mountain's peak.

Discover More Attractions in Larimer County, Home of Lily Lake and Trail

Larimer County

Larimer County

31 attractions

Larimer County is one of the 64 counties in the U.S. state of Colorado.It is the seventh largest county in Colorado based on population. The territory was home to Ute, Cheyenne, and Arapaho in the early 19th century before the arrival of the Europeans.

Location of Lily Lake and Trail

Comments

To view all hotels near Lily Lake and Trail, visit: Hotels near Lily Lake and Trail