The Deer Mountain Hike is a popular trail in Rocky Mountain National Park. This moderate trail offers lovely views over the surrounding area. The hike is well-traveled, so you’ll likely see plenty of people on it.
About the Hike
Distance: 6 miles | Type: Out & Back | Avg. Time: 3 hours | Difficulty: Moderate | Dog Friendly: No
The 10,006-foot Deer Mountain provides some lovely views over the landscape of Rocky Mountain National Park. It’s generally a moderate hike with a constant uphill path through the forest, which provides some good shade, especially on a hot summer day in the park.
I personally like the hike, but it’s not as exciting as many of the other RMNP hikes, where you see various sites before the main payoff. There are a few overlooks along the way but, really, you won’t miss anything if you wait until the summit.
The entire hike gains about 1,400 feet. There are sets of switchbacks at various parts of the hike and a turn-off to the summit. The hike should be avoided during Thunderstorms.
Note: You’ll need a timed entry ticket if you arrive in the park between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Deer Mountain Trailhead & Parking
Location: Deer Mountain Trailhead
The trailhead for the Deer Mountain Hike is about 7 miles from the Entrance Gate on Route 36. It is right before US-36 ends at the junction with US-34 (Trail Ridge Road).
You’ll see a large shoulder on each side of the road here. You can park on either side of the road but avoid anywhere that says no parking.
If it’s full, turn right onto US-34. You’ll see an additional shoulder on the right where you can park. There’s a small connector trail here that will take you to the main Deer Mountain Trailhead.
Be sure to park completely off the road. You can be ticketed if any part of your car is on the road.
Best Time to Do the Hike
The hike is best done from Late June to September when the park has the best weather and the trails have the lowest chance of snow cover. You can still find snow however in June to early July depending on the winter season, and early snow is possible at this elevation. But generally you’ll luck into the best weather here.
The Deer Mountain Hike
The trail starts from the trailhead directly off US-36 at approx. 8950 feet. You’ll see the trailhead sign alongside the trail start.
You’ll head up a set of wooden steps on the trail. I noticed that the forest was prepped with little wooden tee-pee looking things. I wonder if this is part of a fire-break strategy.
You’ll see a sign for the Deer Mountain trail and the campground (left). From here, the summit is about 3 miles uphill along the trail. The trail here is a mostly even dirt path.
As the trail progresses, about a mile in, you’ll notice that it’s more rocky and uneven. It’ll continue this way for much of the trail.
As you progress, there are a few areas off the side of the trail for some vistas over the trail. You don’t necessarily have to stop if you don’t want or are short on time as you’ll get better views from the summit.
The trail progresses this way. It continues to climb for most of the trail, but it descends at around the 2-mile mark before climbing again.
At about 2.8 miles into the hike, you’ll see a junction. Take the trail right to continue to the summit.
Here, the trail climbs steeper than other parts of the trail. You’ll see rocky steps and small boulders to use to climb this last 0.2 miles of the trail.
And that’s it! After this climb, you’ll hit the summit. You can walk a bit along the summit here. There are a few places to sit with some shade or snack. But from here, you return along the same trail to the trailhead.
Tips & FAQs
- Avoid hiking during thunderstorms. In Rocky Mountain NP, afternoon thunderstorms are likely, so pay attention to the weather.
- Hike Early. The weather will likely be better (see above), and the crowds will be lower. Mid-day on the trail can be hot.
- Bring Water. The hike is 6 miles long, with 3 miles mostly uphill. There is no water along the trail.
- Wear good shoes. It’s uneven and rocky at points. Avoid poor footwear and unstrapped sandals.
- Do not cut switchbacks. Quite a few look tempting, and other folks do it, but this increases the trail’s erosion.
- You’ll need an Entry Permit If you enter the park between 9 am – 2 pm.
Leave a Reply