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Deer Mountain

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate Intermediate
 4.3 (49)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Front Range
  4. …Rocky Mountain National Park
  5. Trail Ridge Road
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“An out-and-back hike to the summit of Deer Mountain. ”

Kristen Arendt
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6.3

Miles

10.1

KM

Out and Back

9,994' 3,046 m

High

8,917' 2,718 m

Low

1,325' 404 m

Up

1,325' 404 m

Down

8%

Avg Grade (5°)

20%

Max Grade (11°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Cave · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Family Friendly Although summiting Deer Mountain might not be doable by every visitor, it's certainly the most attainable prominent peak in the park. Summit elevation 10,013'.

Overview

A rugged hike featuring sweeping views that climbs to the summit of Deer Mountain. Although this hike does have a gradually more challenging ascent, the views more than compensate for the work to get to the summit.

Description

This is one of the more popular hikes in the park as the views from the summit of Deer Mountain are definitely worth the climb to the top. The six-mile round trip hike to the 10,013 ft. summit is a very doable hike for most people.

Starting from the Deer Mountain Trailhead, begin on the Deer Mountain Trail. Stay right at the first junction which is shortly after the trailhead where the North Deer Mountain Trail branches to your left. The next junction will be approximately three miles in where you'll want to take a right onto the Deer Mountain Summit Spur which leads to the summit.

Given the amount of elevation change that occurs along this trail, there are some tight and steep switchbacks to navigate. The views of the surrounding mountains are spectacular along many portions of this trail - especially from the summit where you'll have a 360-degree view of the surrounding peaks of the Continental Divide, Estes Park, and Moraine Park.

Contacts

Land Manager: National Park Service - Rocky Mountain National Park

Shared By:

Kristen Arendt
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.3 from 49 votes

#2

in Trail Ridge Road

#276

Overall
  4.3 from 49 votes
5 Star
33%
4 Star
61%
3 Star
6%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#2

in Trail Ridge Road

#65

in Colorado

#276

Overall
19 Views Last Month
7,280 Since Sep 24, 2015
Intermediate Intermediate
0%
2%
71%
11%
16%
0%
Add a Photo

Photos

Milky Way from the park
Jan 8, 2015 near Estes Park, CO
Rocky Mtn Nat Park with permission from danhester
Jan 8, 2015 near Estes Park, CO
Fall River meadow from the switchbacks up Deer Mountain.
Oct 5, 2025 near Estes Park, CO
Fairchild Mountain in the distance.
Oct 5, 2025 near Estes Park, CO
Upper Beaver Meadows
Oct 5, 2025 near Estes Park, CO
Image of the Fern Lake Fire.
Feb 9, 2015 near Estes Park, CO

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Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Aug 30, 2025
Anonymous
With Mozão
May 18, 2025
Greg Nava
7h 37m
Jul 16, 2024
Tiffani Kurtz
Jul 6, 2024
Jennifer Mason
May 31, 2024
Tony Hernandez
Aug 22, 2023
Sampson Hauser
Aug 22, 2023
Hub Wyk
6.3mi — 3h 30m
Jul 22, 2023
Emilie Kitt
walked slow, enjoyed the meadow about 1 mi into the hike the most. sunmit was alright 6.3mi

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