Hike to Thunder Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park | Lake Hike

Thunder Lake - 6.8 miles

Trail Type: Lake Hike
Trailhead: Wild Basin
Trailhead Elevation: 8,500'
Destination Elevation: 10,594'
Total Elevation Gain: 2,094'
Total Roundtrip Miles: 13.6

Thunder Lake

Trail Description
This trail has the benefit of passing Copeland Falls, Calypso Cascades, and Ouzel Falls, all in the first half of the hike. While the second half stays mostly in the trees, steady hiking is eventually rewarded with high mountain vistas. Thunder Lake sits just below tree line in subalpine terrain. A narrow trail beyond the lake rises to the Boulder-Grand Pass leading over to Lake Verna.

How to Get There
Drive south of Estes Park on Hwy 7 13.5 miles, toward the town of Allenspark. Turn right at the Wild Basin Ranger Station sign and follow the dirt road for 2 miles to the trailhead at the end.

Trail Profile