Dream Lake
Rocky Mountain National Park's postcard lake, framed by Hallett Peak and Flattop Mountain.
About Dream Lake
Dream Lake is one of the signature stops on the Bear Lake corridor in Rocky Mountain National Park. From Bear Lake Trailhead, the trail passes lily-padded Nymph Lake, then climbs gently to Dream Lake, a long, narrow lake at roughly 9,900 feet tucked below the cliffs of Hallett Peak and Flattop Mountain.
The round trip is just 2.2 miles with about 425 feet of gain, making it one of the most rewarding short hikes in the park. That also makes it one of the busiest.
Photographers know it for its east-shore view: the lake runs straight toward Hallett Peak, with twisted trees along the shore and Tyndall Gorge between the peaks. At sunrise it is a classic Colorado image, and in winter it becomes a frozen, snow-sculpted landscape reachable on microspikes or snowshoes.
A high alpine lake in Rocky Mountain National Park, reached via the popular Bear Lake trailhead and sitting right at the base of Hallett Peak. The steep cliffs surrounding the water make for one of the more dramatic reflections in the park, which is exactly why it draws a crowd on any clear morning — get there before sunrise if you want the classic still-water shot without footprints in the shoreline ice.
History
Dream Lake lies within Rocky Mountain National Park, established on January 26, 1915, when President Woodrow Wilson signed the park's founding act. The lake sits in Tyndall Gorge, a valley shaped by glaciers flowing off the Continental Divide; the small Tyndall Glacier still clings to the cirque between Hallett Peak and Flattop. The trail continues past Dream Lake to Emerald Lake at the head of the gorge.
Photographing Dream Lake
Best light: Sunrise is the classic: you look west up the lake as first light turns Hallett Peak orange while the water is often glassy. Arrive well before sunrise for a calm surface. Late September brings golden grasses and occasional early snow; winter offers frozen shoreline textures and far fewer people.
Shots to look for
- The iconic view from the east end looking west up the lake to Hallett Peak, using shoreline rocks or a gnarled tree as foreground with a 16-35mm.
- Reflections of Hallett and Flattop on a calm morning, centered or with the shoreline as a leading line.
- Nymph Lake's lily pads with Hallett Peak behind on the way up.
- Winter snow and ice patterns on the frozen lake with the peaks catching sunrise.
Photo tips
- Bear Lake parking fills very early; start before dawn or use the park's shuttle in season.
- A timed-entry reservation is required for the Bear Lake Road corridor during set hours in season; arriving before the reservation window starts is the photographer's workaround. Check current NPS rules.
- Bring microspikes in shoulder seasons; the trail is icy for much of the year.
- Wind often ruffles the lake once the sun is up, so shoot reflections early.
Know before you go
- Timed Entry+ Bear Lake Road reservations are required from roughly late May to mid-October during daytime hours; check nps.gov/romo for current dates and hours.
- A park entrance fee or pass is required in addition to any timed-entry reservation.
- Weather changes quickly; the NPS recommends being back at the trailhead by early afternoon in summer.
- Stay on trail and off fragile shoreline vegetation.
Prints from Dream Lake
Every photo is available as a print on metal, canvas, wood or fine art paper.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the hike to Dream Lake?
It's 2.2 miles round trip from Bear Lake Trailhead with about 425 feet of elevation gain.
Do you need a reservation to hike to Dream Lake?
During the season (roughly late May through mid-October) you need a Timed Entry+ Bear Lake Road reservation to enter the corridor during reservation hours. Check the NPS site for current dates and times.
When is the best time to photograph Dream Lake?
Sunrise, when Hallett Peak lights up at the far end of the lake and the water is usually calmest.
Featured in: Best Sunrise Photography Spots in Colorado · Easy Colorado Hikes With Big Views · Winter Photography Spots in Colorado · Best Alpine Lake Hikes in Colorado
Combine it with
Emerald Lake · Lake Haiyaha · Bear Lake · Nymph Lake
More Colorado spots
Marble, CO (Crystal River valley) · Chasm Lake · Sawhill Ponds Wildlife Preserve
Sources & further reading: nps.gov · rockymountainhikingtrails.com · nps.gov · en.wikipedia.org. Conditions, fees and rules change; check with the managing agency before you go.