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Fern Falls

📍 Estes Park, CO🥾 5 mi round trip · moderate🎟 National Park entrance fee required (timed-entry reservation may also apply, late May–mid-Oct)

Moderate 5-mile round-trip hike to a moderate-height cascade in Rocky Mountain National Park with significant elevation gain.

DirectionsOfficial site

Getting there

moderate5 mi round tripNo dogs

National Park entrance fee required (timed-entry reservation may also apply, late May–mid-Oct)

Conditions

Loading current conditions…

Based on this listing's approximate location — see the note on coordinates below.

Our take

Fern Falls is reached via the Fern Lake Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park, a moderate 5-mile round-trip with 645 feet of elevation gain. The trail climbs through forest and alpine meadow to a scenic cascade in the park’s northern reaches.

An entrance fee and timed-entry reservation are required, especially during peak season (late May through mid-October). Dogs are not permitted on park trails. The official height of the falls is not documented by NPS.

Best visited May through October when park reservations are available and alpine conditions are most stable.

Planning your visit

Best time to go

Visit May through October when park timed-entry reservations are available; high-altitude trails can be snow-covered outside these months.

How long to budget

3 to 4 hours

What to bring

  • National Park entrance pass ($35/vehicle, valid 7 days)
  • Timed-entry reservation (required late May–mid-Oct; reserve at recreation.gov or nps.gov/romo)
  • Extra water and snacks (5 miles + 645 ft gain requires stamina)

Who it suits

Good for

  • Moderate to experienced hikers
  • Day hikes with real effort
  • Alpine meadow and forest scenery

Skip it if

Dogs are not allowed on park trails; if you're bringing a pet, this hike is not suitable for your group.

Common questions

Is there a fee to visit Fern Falls?

National Park entrance fee required (timed-entry reservation may also apply, late May–mid-Oct)

How do I get to Fern Falls?

Via a 5-mile round-trip trail rated moderate by the managing agency.

Can I bring my dog to Fern Falls?

No — the managing agency's page states dogs are not permitted here (or on the specific trail/area needed to reach the falls).

Fern Falls in Rocky Mountain National Park

We track 7 waterfalls in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Other waterfalls near Estes Park

There are 3 other waterfalls we track in Larimer County. All Rocky Mountain National Park waterfalls →

Quick facts

HeightNot published
Trail5 mi round trip
Difficultymoderate
Fee / permitNational Park entrance fee required (timed-entry reservation may also apply, late May–mid-Oct)
Managing agencyNational Park Service — Rocky Mountain National Park
DogsNot allowed
SwimmingNot published
ADA accessNot published
CountyLarimer County
RegionRocky Mountain National Park
Official pageView source ↗

Directions

Open in Google Maps ↗

Source

nps.gov

NPS official hiking-trail list: Fern Lake Trailhead to Fern Falls is 2.5 mi one-way, 645 ft gain. Height not documented by NPS (third-party estimates vary from 40-60 ft, so left null). Checked Sept 2026.

Checked September 2026.