Bluebird Lake

Name: Bluebird Lake
Rating: 9.8

Panorama of Bluebird Lake hike in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

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The Bluebird Lake hike is in the lesser known Wild Basin area of RMNP. Bluebird Lake offers amazing panoramic views of RMNP and Longs Peak. Be sure to tack on some extra time not only for the views at the top, but the whole route is scenic and breathtaking!

Route Description for Bluebird Lake

Rocky Mountain National Parks Bluebird Lake hike is a wonderful hike, with great views. We like it because it is in Wild Basin, a lesser known, southern section of RMNP that borders Indian Peaks Wilderness off of the Peak to Peak Hwy.

To hike to Bluebird Lake, from the Wild Basin Trailhead, follow the Wild Basin Trail towards Ouzel Lake. The Bluebird Lake hike starts out in a dense pine forest along the North Saint Vrain Creek and Copeland Falls.

Slowly gaining elevation, the trail will arrive at a bridge and trail junction at Calypso Falls. Continue on the trail to Ouzel Falls, an amazing waterfall! From Ouzel Falls, the trail will quickly gain elevation, gaining an alpine ridge line.

Along the ridge, the panoramic views of RMNP and the Wild Basin are incredible. Notable peaks straight ahead of you are Copeland Mountain (4,016 m), Isolation Peak (3,998 m) Mt. Alice (4,057 m) and Ouzel Peak (3,876 m), and to the north Longs Peak (4,346 m) and Mount Meeker (4,240 m). Ouzel Lake lies at the end of the ridge line.
Continue past Ouzel Lake along the trail as it climbs up the narrowing valley to the base of Bluebird Lake. Soon you reach Bluebird Lake, where it’s a great time to take a break and enjoy this beautiful place.

To get back to the Wild Basin trailhead, return the way you came by retracing your steps.

Want to find more amazing hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park? Check out Chasm Lake hike, Lake Haiyaha hike or the Sky Pond and Lake of Glass hike.

Insider Hints for Bluebird Lake

Visit Rock Creek Tavern & Pizzeria in the small mountain town of Allenspark!

Getting to the Bluebird Lake Trailhead

From Estes Park, take Highway 7 south for 40.2 km and turn right on to County Rd 84. From Lyons, turn left (south) onto 5th Ave., which turns into Highway 7. Follow it for about 32.2 km where you’ll turn left (west) on County Rd 84 following the signs for the Wild Basin Area. On County Rd 84, the road will split. Stay right and follow signs for Rocky Mountain National Parking (County Road 115). You’ll pass the Fee Station, which isn’t always manned, but you still need to pay the park fees. From here, the road becomes a narrow, windy, rough dirt road for about 8.0 km to the end the Wild Basin Trailhead.

Route Information

When to do:
April to November
Backcountry Campsites:
Camping is allowed in the backcountry, permits are required and can be obtained at the NP Visitors Center
Toilets:
Yes, primitive pit toilet
Pets allowed:
Yes - On Leash
Family friendly:
No
Route Signage:
Good
Crowd Levels:
Low
Route Type:
Out and back