Hiking to a high alpine or forest lake found in Colorado can offer a memorable summer experience that’s hard to beat.

Here are some of the best high-alpine lakes that you can hike to in the Centennial State:

1. Sky Pond

Located in Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP), this hike offers some of the best views in the park. According to All Trails, the hike to the lake is nine miles and has an elevation gain of 1,771 feet. It’s also considered a challenging route, with a section that requires a scramble. But hikers will be rewarded with enjoyment of one of RMNP’s most stunning high-alpine lakes.

2. Ice Lake

This turquoise blue lake is nestled in a high-alpine basin in the San Juan National Forest among 13,000-foot peaks. The seven-mile trail takes off near Silverton, leading to the lake at 12,260 feet. This route is often combined with Island Lake, which sits a little bit further than Ice Lake at 12,392 feet.

3. Lake Isabelle

According to All Trails, this trail starts at the main Brainard Lake Road parking lot and leads hikers to Lake Isabelle via the Pawnee Pass Trail. The route is 6.6 miles and only has an elevation gain of 675 feet, making it an easier option than some more challenging hikes to high alpine lakes.

4. Mohawk Lakes

This set of stunning lakes is located near Breckenridge, with the Spruce Creek Trail leading the 9.2 miles to the lake. The hike has an elevation gain of 2,171 feet and AllTrails says that the route does have some difficult climbing.

5. Dream Lake

Also located in RMNP, this is another lake that comes with an easier hike. The route is two miles and has an elevation gain of 459 feet, according to AllTrails. AllTrails also says that the trail is clearly marked and easy to follow, and that the lake’s water is so clear that visitors can often see fish swimming around.

6. Chasm Lake

This lake is located in RMNP as well, sitting below the park’s highest peak — Longs Peak. The popular hike to this lake is 8.4 miles and has an elevation gain of 2,539 feet, according to All Trails. It’s also rated as hard on All Trails.

7. Lake Agnes

Nestled in State Forest State Park, the hike to this lake is 2.3 miles and has an elevation gain of 446 feet, according to AllTrails. Visitors can enjoy stunning views as they stroll around the lake’s perimeter.

8. Blue Lakes

The Blue Lakes Trail will take hikers to three gorgeous lakes, Lower, Middle and Upper Blue Lakes. According to All Trails, the hike is 8.6 miles long and has an elevation gain of 2,522 feet.

9. Columbine Lake

Located in the San Juan National Forest, the hike to this lake is 6.9 miles and has an elevation gain of 2,542 feet. Hikers are likely to spot plenty of wildflowers on the trek and the crystal-clear waters once they arrive at the lake.

10. Hanging Lake

Hanging Lake was created by a geological fault that left a travertine deposition that resulted in the stunning turquoise lake suspended in Glenwood Canyon. The hike to the lake is challenging, as it features 1,200 feet of elevation gain over 1.2 miles (one way).

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