Gem Lake

Gem Lake, just outside of Estes Park, CO, is a “can’t miss” hike when visiting Rocky Mountain National Park. My wife and I hiked to a dozen lakes in Rocky Mountain National Park on a recent trip there, and Gem Lake was one of my favorites!

This hike has a lot going for it. The trailhead is easy to get to and the terrain is stunning. And, there’s a BONUS! Hiking past Gem Lake will take you to Balanced Rock, a huge boulder balanced precariously on a large rock pinnacle.

Published September 26, 2023…Updated January 7, 2025

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Overview: Gem Lake

Gem Lake is a beautiful spot. It is surrounded by a tall rock face on one side, but there is ample space for sitting, sunning, climbing on the rocks, and picnicking. There were plenty of people doing all four of those things while I was there.

Gem Lake, Estes Park, CO

The other side of the lake is flat. A couple of families had set up picnic spots under the trees there. There were even people swimming in the lake.

I sat down on a boulder to enjoy the view, and a chipmunk promptly joined me (see photo later in post). He was friendly, but he did try to get into my backpack!

  • Distance – 3.2 miles roundtrip to Gem Lake; 7.3 miles roundtrip if you continue on to Balanced Rock
  • Duration – 1 hr 15 minutes to Gem Lake (one way); another 1 hr 5 minutes to Balanced Rock. The hike took me roughly 4 hrs 30 minutes roundtrip including stops and photo opps…and catching my breath!
  • Difficulty – AllTrails ranks this hike as Moderately Challenging. There is an elevation gain of almost 1700′ if you hike all the way to Balanced Rock and back. If you only hike to Gem Lake and back the elevation gain is 987′.
Stone steps on the trail
  • Restrooms? Yes, in the parking area.
  • Parking? Yes, there is ample available parking.
  • Dogs Allowed? No
  • Crowded? Yes. I went on a Sunday morning. I imagine it’s less crowded during the week.
  • Visitor Center? No
Views from the trail

Getting to the Trailhead for Gem Lake

If you’re staying in Estes Park, CO, you’re in luck – the trailhead for Gem Lake is just minutes away.

Take MacGregor Ave heading north out of Estes Park. You’ll come to a traffic circle – continue straight. You’ll soon pass the historic Stanley Hotel.

Drive 0.8 miles and MacGregor Ave will turn slightly right and become Devil’s Gulch Rd. Travel another 0.6 miles, then turn left on Lumpy Ridge Rd. The trailhead is 0.3 miles down this road.

Map of route from Estes Park to Gem Lake trailhead

I would suggest getting to the trailhead early. There is a lot of parking available, but it fills up quickly. If no spots are available, you will have to park on Devil’s Gulch Rd, which means a 0.3-mile walk back up to the trailhead.

Trail Description

The trail to Gem Lake is not easy. There’s a lot of elevation gain getting there -it’s an uphill climb all the way the the lake. Plus, the oxygen levels are a bit thinner in the Rocky Mountains than I am used to!

The good news is that a great deal of this trail consists of man-made steps cut out of rock. That helps a lot. However, some of those steps are higher than normal. You’re going to get a good workout!

Beginning the Hike

The hike to Gem Lake begins at the Lumpy Ridge trailhead, but soon turns right towards Gem Lake. At the beginning of the trail, you will be hiking through some beautiful, canyon-like areas. The scenery here is just amazing. Take your time and enjoy the photo opps!

Trail sign pointing towards Gem Lake

At just over a mile in, you will walk into a flat, open space that is a bit confusing. After a bit of searching, I found the trail – just bear to the left. You’ll walk between two boulders, after which you will see the trail again.

A little farther in is a large, flat rock section that opens up to views of Estes Park. This is another great photo op of the town, Estes Park Lake, and the mountains behind it.

View of Estes Park from the trail to Gem Lake
Views from the trail

The trail now begins to flatten out a bit. Five minutes later you will cross a log bridge over a small creek. And five minutes after that you will walk into another flat, open spot. Look for the boulder with a basketball-sized hole in it! This is also a fun space to do some rock scrambling!

Photo taken through a hole in a boulder on the trail
Trees, boulders and views from the trail

“This is Getting Steeper!”

At this point, the trail begins to climb again, and the steps become taller. I had been warned about this by descending hikers I passed along the way – they weren’t kidding. Feel the burn!

And then, something unexpected. There is an outdoor toilet on the trail, just behind a large boulder. The toilet is surrounded by slats, with openings between the slats, leaving you somewhat exposed. No roof…and no toilet paper. Sorry, no photo.

“I Made It!”

About 10 minutes later you will arrive at Gem Lake. I got there at 8:30 am. Half of the lake was covered in shade, the other half was shining in the morning sun. What a beautiful, peaceful setting!

People sitting beside Gem Lake

The lake is not very large. It is bordered on one side by a large, rock wall. At the base of the wall, there is a flat area where several people were gathered. There were even some brave souls climbing on the rock face, though I would not advise it.

The other side of the lake was bordered by a flat area that is a combination of boulders, sand, and trees. A family was picnicking here. Two of the family members were swimming in the lake. (I suspect the swim was a bit brisk!)

Chipmunk trying to steal my lunch

I sat down to rest and take in the view. In a few moments, I was joined by a very friendly chipmunk. He sat down next to me, even attempting to get in my backpack. When I did not oblige he moved on to other people nearby.

Continuing to Balanced Rock

At Gem Lake, you have the option of turning around and heading back, or continuing to Balanced Rock. I continued, and I’m so glad I did!

Balanced Rock
View from the trail to Balanced Rock

The trail to Balanced Rock travels around the left side of the lake. As you pass by the lake you will find yourself walking on a section of rock slab. Then you will see a sign pointing to Balanced Rock, 2.1 miles ahead.

The trail is narrow here and is downhill…which means it’s uphill on the way back. It is less crowded here. I suspect most people stop at Gem Lake. This section of the hike is really nice, with gorgeous views and interesting rock formations. After 1.1 miles you come to another sign, “Balanced Rock – 1.0 mile”.

Balanced Rock

This last section of the trail is up and down…and up and down. You will begin to see aspen trees. And then you see it.

Balanced Rock is a large boulder perched on top of a narrow pedestal. It is seemingly impossible that it is actually balanced up there…but it is. The area around this spot is shady, with some rocks and old logs to sit on. It’s a good place to take photos, rest, eat a snack, and ponder the laws of physics…

I was careful to not sit directly under the rock.

Where to Stay Near Gem Lake, Estes Park

Graphic of Hotels

Since Gem Lake is less than two miles from Estes Park, there are ample options for lodging in the area. Estes Park is a wonderful little town, and exploring it is a fun experience. Here are three options for hotel accommodations.

Best Budget Spot

If you’re trying to save a little money, try the “Estes Park Inn“. It’s just 1.9 miles from the trailhead to Gem Lake and only 1.0 miles to Estes Park.

A room at Estes Park Inn

The rustic inn features views of the surrounding mountains, a heated outdoor pool, grills, and outdoor fire pits, great for cooking up some s’mores! Plus there are a limited number of pet-friendly rooms available.

Contact info for Estes Park Inn

Best Mid-Range Spot

Admittedly, “mid-range” is up for discussion, (Estes Park is not an inexpensive place to stay), but we like the Holiday Inn (formerly known as The Ridgeline Hotel.)

The Ridgeline Hotel in Estes Park

The Holiday Inn is within walking distance of downtown Estes Park. It has a restaurant, indoor pool, snack pantry, and a Starbucks coffee machine in the lobby. There is an outdoor seating area around gas fire pits – you can even get free S’mores kits to make while you sit around the fire and gaze up at the stars!

The hotel offers free wifi, free continental breakfast, a fitness center, and it’s pet-friendly. Plus, it’s directly across the street from the El Mex-Kal Restaurant, a small Mexican restaurant frequented by locals. (Great chips and salsa!)

Banner link to Holiday Inn Estes Park website

Best Luxury Spot

If you’re seeking a unique luxury experience, may I suggest “The Stanley Hotel“? This iconic hotel is halfway between downtown Estes Park and the trailhead to Gem Lake.

The Stanley Hotel was the inspiration for Stephen King’s book “The Shining”. It is said that during his stay here he had a vivid dream about his young son being chased around the hotel, which was the beginning of his idea about writing the book. And there are rooms available here (which are very popular) that have a reputation for paranormal activity!

The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, CO

The Stanley Hotel offers four different types of lodging. Here is a brief description of each (taken from its website)…

  • “The Stanley” – Discover the historic charm of our spirited primary hotel building first opened in 1909.
  • “The Lodge at the Stanley” – Elegance meets boutique at The Lodge for a more intimate style stay.
  • “The Residences at the Stanley” – Reserve one of our fully equipped private condo residences for your upcoming group getaway.
  • “Aspire Hotel and Spa” – Stylish rooms and apartment-like suites with air conditioning, and full kitchens. 
Contact info for The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, CO

Rental Cabins

Graphic of rental cabins

As you would expect, there are dozens and dozens and dozens of rental cabins available in and around Estes Park and Rocky Mountains National Park. Rentals offer some specific advantages, such as more privacy, cooking your own meals, often more scenic, etc…

Here are a few places to start looking for a cabin that fits your needs…

Camping Near Gem Lake, Estes Park

Graphic of camper vans

If “roughing it” is more to your liking (whether that means sleeping in a tent or sleeping in an RV), there are plenty of options in the area. Below are a few campgrounds that are all highly rated…

The Verdict – Gem Lake, Estes Park

Gem Lake, Estes Park, CO

I loved almost everything about this hike! The trail, though somewhat steep, was a lot of fun. The scenery during the hike was stunning. It is easy to get to – less than two miles from Estes Park. Lots of parking. Restrooms. Gem Lake was beautiful, peaceful, and relaxing. I could have sat there for hours just enjoying the view. And the bonus – Balanced Rock.

I encourage you to make time for this hike. You will certainly be glad you did!

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The Author

Jeff Powell is the Creator/CEO of National Park Ventures. He and his wife Mary Ellen are on a venture to visit every national park in the United States and share what they experience with their readers. Their goal is to help their readers maximize their own national park ventures.
Jeff and Mary Ellen have two sons, two grandkids, and two dogs. They live in the mountains outside Blue Ridge, GA.