Photo by Kara Foran on a trip in July, 2022

Rocky Mountain Kayaking & Hiking

Denver, CO

What could make a summer adventure to basecamp and day hike our guides’ favorite mild to moderate trails in Rocky Mountain National Park even better? How about backcountry kayak camping with a backdrop of the peaks of the Continental Divide!

This new-for-2023 trip follows our classic Bad Adventures formula found in Utah Kayaking & Arches Hiking and Big Bend Kayaking & Caverns. We start with a fantastic two-day backcountry kayak adventure that helps us acclimatize and welcomes us to the grand scenery of the Colorado Rockies.

In the latter part of the trip, we settle into a cushy campsite in the heart of the National Park. Each day we hike to an alpine lake more beautiful than the last; yet accessible to adventurers of most fitness levels.

Oh, yeah, there’s also a hot springs soak along the way!

If you’ve wanted to do a Colorado trip with us, but haven’t felt up to the higher activity level of our Rocky Mountain Kayaking & Backpacking itinerary, this is the adventure for you!

Join me in the Rockies in July. Register today!

Matt Stan Bad Adventures founder

Is this for me?

Kayaking

We paddle single-person sit-on-top touring kayaks on a gorgeous lake on the first and second day. The physical activity is mild and all kayaking gear is provided!

Small Group

We keep it to no more than 10 amazing adventurers plus a guide or two.

Camping

We spend the first night of the trip on a backcountry site on a gorgeous lake just outside of Rocky Mountain National Park. The second night of the trip is spent at a comfy base camp on the west side of the Continental Divide. The final 2 nights are spent frontcountry camping at an idyllic site on the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park. Dome-style tents and self-inflating camping mattresses are provided.

Meals

Most of our meals are cooked together at camp. We’ve prepared scrumptious recipes, will provision the trip, and lead meal preparations. This is gonna be yummy!

Hiking

On the last 3 days of our adventure, we check out the best day-hikes Rocky Mountain National Park has to offer. The scenery is breathtaking!

Traveling solo?

This trip works well for couples, friends, and solo travelers. The adventures we plan seem to attract like-minded people. Odds are, you'll enjoy the company of your fellow travelers.

There’s no singles supplement fee!

Moderate

5

Days

$299 to reserve your spot today!

Balance due 60 days before the trip.

Possible change of plans? You can cancel for a full refund until 90 days before the trip.

Here’s the plan…

Mountain Lake Kayak Camping Day 1

We meet our adventure companions at the designated gateway hotels near Denver International Airport. We load bags into the van and head off into the mountains.

Lodgepole pine forests dominate the views on our drive, but give way to breathtaking “you-can-see-forever” perspectives of the Rockies as we approach tree line and cross the Continental Divide.

We dig into turkey and brie sandwiches at a lakeside picnic lunch, with the high peaks of Rocky Mountain National Park on the horizon. We reorganize our personal gear into dry bags, then set off in our kayaks for a night of self-supported kayak camping.

Ospreys soar above our heads as we paddle to camp. We pitch the provided tents and kick back in camp chairs on a private beach with heaping bowls of lemon garlic gnocchi and mugs of hot apple cider. We listen to guide stories and wind down watching the sun set into the folds of the mountains, illuminating alpine skies with vibrant golds and indigos.

Meals Included: Lunch and Dinner

Hot Springs! Day 2

The sizzle of bacon and eggs and the rich, nutty aroma of Bad Adventures’ signature good-morning coffee bring us to life. We bask in a few quiet moments among trees at camp before the day moves into gear.

We thread our way past islands on a morning paddle that returns us across the lake. After lunch, we enjoy a couple hours of relaxation at Hot Sulphur Springs Resort. We sample more than a dozen 98°–112° natural, spring-fed hot mineral water pools. This is the life!

At our campsite, we fuel up on a meal of spinach salmon salad and indulge in Bad Adventures’ not-so-modestly named “world’s greatest hot chocolate.”

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Trail Ridge Road Ahead! Day 3

We load up the van and wind our way into the heights of Rocky Mountain National Park. Crossing above treeline yields inspiring views of the mountains along North America’s highest paved road. We stop to learn about the landscape, pose for photos, and pant in the thin air at the Alpine Visitor Center.

We enjoy a picnic lunch, establish our camp for our final two nights together, then head out on two feet to get the lay of the land. We use a vehicle shuttle to move up-valley, then indulge in a downhill hike to return to camp.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Do Go Chasing Waterfalls Day 4

After breakfast, we head to the Wild Basin area of Rocky Mountain National Park for our first hike of the trip with elevation gain. Our destination? The gorgeous cascades of Ouzel Falls.

We enjoy lunch at a restaurant in the mountain town Estes Park (not included). In the afternoon, there’s an optional moderate guided hike through an incredible rock landscape dotted with Ponderosa Pine to visit the picturesque Gem Lake. Prefer to conserve energy for our final day together? Enjoy free time in town, instead.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner

More Alpine Lakes?! Day 5

Our final day contains some of our best hiking views! From our trailhead, we visit one breathtaking alpine lake after the next. The terrain is not too challenging for adventures of most ability levels and we’ve saved our highest elevation hiking for our final day to maximize acclimatization. We rest on warm lakeside rocks, breathe cool mountain air, and listen for the song of thrush and drum of woodpecker.

All good things must come to an end, though. After a picnic lunch, we start our drive back to Denver. We reach the gateway hotels and Denver International Airport between 4:00 and 6:00 PM. If you choose to fly home this night, please don’t book a flight earlier than 8:00 PM.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Rocky Mountain NP
Denver

How intense is this?

Overall, this is a moderate trip.

Day 1

Paddle to Camp on the Lake

On days with ideal weather conditions, the calm, glassy water makes for an easy paddle. Potential wind and choppy water can make this paddle more challenging.

Easy to Slightly Challenging

Distance

2¾ to 3 miles

Day 2

Paddle back from Camp

On days with ideal weather conditions, the calm, glassy water makes for an easy paddle. Potential wind and choppy water can make this paddle more challenging.

Easy to Slightly Challenging

Distance

2¾ to 3 miles

Day 3

Glacier Gorge Hike

Mild

Distance

3½ miles

Route Type

Point-to-Point

Elevation Gain

75 feet

Elevation Loss

775 feet

Starting Elevation

9,200 feet

Day 4

Gem Lake Hike

This trail is rocky and rugged, with areas of steep elevation gain. Hiking at high elevation can make this hike more difficult.

Moderate

Distance

3½ miles

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Elevation Gain

900 feet

Elevation Loss

900 feet

Starting Elevation

7,870 feet

Day 4

Ouzel Falls Hike

The consistent elevation gain and rocky trail, along with hiking at a high elevation, makes this hike moderate.

Moderate

Distance

5½ miles

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Elevation Gain

870 feet

Elevation Loss

870 feet

Starting Elevation

8,500 feet

Day 5

Hike to Nymph, Dream and Emerald Lakes

Hiking at a high elevation makes this hike moderate for most.

Moderate

Distance

3½ miles

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Elevation Gain

600 feet

Elevation Loss

600 feet

Starting Elevation

9,400 feet

What’s included?

Guided Lake Kayaking

Explore a beautiful lake nestled in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains

Kayak & Paddling Gear

We bring a single-person sit-on-top touring kayak, paddle, lifejacket, and dry bag for you to use.

Camping Gear

Tents, comfy self-inflating mattresses and camp cookware are all included!

4 Nights of Tent Camping

Both our backcountry and frontcountry campsites are stunning!

Services of a Guide or Two

Friendly, accommodating, fully credentialed, and always professional.

4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 4 dinners

We’re talking about meticulously planned yummy provisions.

National Park Admission and All Permits

Sit back and relax! We've got the red tape covered.

Transportation in Colorado

Ride in style in a comfortable Ford Transit passenger van.

Group Gear

Medical kit, satellite phone, navigation supplies, and more.

Not Included:

Airfare and other travel expenses to get to and from the trip, hotel accommodations before and after the trip, hot springs admission ($26), lunch on day 4 in Estes Park, travel insurance, and guide gratuity.

What should I pack?

We put together a recommended packing list with all the clothing and gear you need for the trip.

Where do we meet?

Where does the trip end?

We can drop you off at any of our recommended Denver Airport Gateway hotels between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM. If you are flying out the night the trip concludes, we can drop you off at Denver International Airport by 7:00 pm. We do not recommend booking a flight before 9:00 PM.

FAQs

Let’s do this!

$299 to reserve your spot today

Balance due 60 days before the trip.

Possible change of plans? You can cancel for a full refund until 90 days before the trip.

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