Sprague Lake
Sprague Lake
4.5
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- angeleyes27Brigantine, New Jersey5,336 contributionsPretty Lake with nice trail. I like it better than Bear LakeThis lake is on the Bear Lake Corridor section of Rocky Mountain National Park. It is named for Abner Sprague who built his home here in 1874 and operated Sprague Lake Lodge here from 1910-40. It has an almost 1 mile trail around it that is flat and easy. We saw moose fairly close here. There are several nice mountain peaks you can see from the lake. I actually like this better than Bear Lake. It is not as crowded and there are usually parking spaces available.Visited June 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten February 26, 2024
- WCS5215 contributionsWorth a stop!Beautiful and level. Several picnic tables. Flush toilets. Nice restrooms. Parking lot fills up, but the spaces turn over. Definitely worth a stop. About 8,200 feet elevation, compared to 9,400 for Bear Lake (also anazing, but the walk around Bear Lake is less level).Visited July 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten July 9, 2024
- RetiredTravelerTNNashville, Tennessee3,994 contributionsA FavoriteBeautiful Sprague Lake provides blue sky reflections on a sunny day. The one-mile walk around this peaceful lake is a treat. We took our time after finding this to be one of our favorite experiences at RMNP. If you do only two things in the Bear Lake area, visit Sprague Lake and also take the trail to Alberta Falls.Visited June 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten July 30, 2024
- Rebecca B222 contributionsBeautiful and good for invalidsIf you have an injured person, carsick pal, unhappy teenager, old un-mobile senior, altitude-sickness-plagued party member, grumpy friend or likewise entity that you can’t bring into the rest of the park for a serious hike, drop them off here. The Sprague Lake loop (0.75 miles) is flat, easy, beautiful and gets enough visitors one can get assistance if there is an emergency. There are picnic tables and restrooms in the parking area. Grumpy farts will easily be able to find a decent viewpoint to take some wonderful photos characteristic of a scenic Rocky Mountain lake, so no one will be feel left out.Visited August 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten August 20, 2024
- BeckyBinghamton, New York211 contributionsSunset walkA group of us were staying at Glacier Basin Campground nearby - only a 15 minute walk away. We visited Sprague Lake in the evening for a sunset walk. The area is breathtakingly beautiful and serene.Visited August 2024Traveled on businessWritten August 30, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
423 reviews
Excellent
316
Very good
90
Average
15
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Jennifer J
33 contributions
Sep 2021 • Friends
This was my favorite hike in the park and I would consider us intermediate hikers. I felt like oh this is just a quick stop at sunrise but wow, was it wonderful. Super flat wide path around the lake so more of a walk but it had so many treasures. Parking super close, picnic area. The path meandered over streams, the lake view grew more spectacular with each new vantage point we walked counterclockwise and went to watch the sunrise. A momma moose and her calf were feeding, flowers, trees, Mountain View’s, sounds, smells, breezes. Everything you imagine National park to be in this walk that was very easy and would be great if not up for a hike.
Written April 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RnB
2 contributions
Jan 2020
This is a very accessible and easy walk for good winter time views of Hallets peak, a frozen Sprague Lake, and the surrounding winter environs. The trail is essentially level and it has several viewing locations with benches. However, walking spikes or crampons are recommended in winter. Great for photography and watching the dramatic weather move over Hallets and Flattop. Allow at least 2 hours for a leisurely stroll. You are unlikely to be disappointed no matter what time of the year or time of the day you choose to go. But winter has far, far fewer visitors. For photography go before noon for the best shots of Hallets.
Written February 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Traveling Joe
Jacksonville Beach, FL42 contributions
Jun 2021
My wife and I stopped at Sprague Lake and then came back later to do the walk around the lake. I was not thinking that it would be very good as the trail is dead flat and its a very short hike. I typically like the challenging hikes with lots of climbing and amazing vistas. This hike REALLY surprised me. It was short and easy but CRAZY beautiful. We enjoyed an easy stroll- no backpacks, no water and took our time enjoying all the views around the lake. We talked to several other couples and even watched a young woman fly fishing as she caught a small fish! I would highly recommend this hike to everyone. Don't poo poo it like I did. Sprague Lake is worth the stop!
Written July 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barbara M
Springfield, MO3,236 contributions
Jun 2021
First night there, we decided to see what was here, and we had the best visit! In the lake was a beautiful buck elk, and further on up was a young moose! Picture perfect! Then, toward the parking lot (we were lucky to find a spot right away) was a herd or family of elk, just bedding down. I almost accidently walked up on one, peeking through the trees. Too close for comfort.
Because of our success, we went back again. We had to circle around the parking lot a few times before getting a space, but then we walked around the lake. Women class of fly fishing in this shallow lake, and another section, of men learning the same. The elk was gone, but the moose was right in front of us, eating greens from the lake. The walk is just under 1 mile, easy, and flat. I'd go either early in the morning or late afternoon to catch some great wildlife!
Because of our success, we went back again. We had to circle around the parking lot a few times before getting a space, but then we walked around the lake. Women class of fly fishing in this shallow lake, and another section, of men learning the same. The elk was gone, but the moose was right in front of us, eating greens from the lake. The walk is just under 1 mile, easy, and flat. I'd go either early in the morning or late afternoon to catch some great wildlife!
Written July 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David B
Dallas, TX17 contributions
Jul 2021 • Family
We got up really early and went to sprague Lake to watch the sunrise. It is perfect to watch the sunrise and the lake. Being up early, we saw a mama moose with two calves eating by the lake. It was a great morning. Also, Sprague Lake is less crowded than Bear Lake and was very easy to get a parking spot. No parking available at bear lake. I liked Sprague lake better
Written July 31, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kelly H.
Madison, WI90 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
We decided on the Sprague Lake trail for our trip to Rocky Mountain National Park after getting the recommendation from my sister, who’s a local. It was perfect for our two young kids who are still working on stamina. The trail was also very even, which was great for my daughter who struggles with physical coordination. The trail loops around a lake, with stunning views of the mountains and close up views of beautiful flowers. Highly highly recommend for families of young kids! There is also a big picnic area, although we did not use it. You should be aware that you do need to order a timed entry pass online ahead of time to gain access to this area.
Written July 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Debbie
Springfield, MO14 contributions
Aug 2021
This was our first time to go to Sprague Lake. It is so beautiful, we went several times. If you go before 5:00 AM you can get in without a timed entry. We got up at 4:00 AM and drove into the park. We arrived at approximately 4:30AM. It was worth it to see the sunrise! There was a family of elk. We were on the boardwalk and one elk thought we were too close and charged me just a little. Wanted me to get away. Keep your distance and you will be fine. We didn't see a moose as others have said, but we did see one at Sheeps Lake in the evening.
Written August 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lee G
Philadelphia, PA278 contributions
Sep 2023 • Family
We were told to come early morning or late afternoon to see the bull moose that frequents the lake. Early AM wasn't an option for the group, so we tried four different afternoon/evenings and never saw him. Ducks, chipmunks and field mice were spotted. But it is a beautiful area and a flat level wide path for a nice walk and beautiful photos if there's no wind and the surface of the lake is flat for reflections. Fishermen nearby caught/released small trout. The path is currently under construction (the right side as you enter from the parking lot) so you have to walk partway and return on each side.
Written September 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Melaney68
Chesapeake Beach, MD11,360 contributions
Aug 2021
This trail had bathrooms at the trailhead and a parking lot. The 3/4 mile trail circled the lake, had a clear and open path, and provided spots to sit down or take pictures. It provided a short hike with great views. My husband had knee surgery before our trip and had no trouble. It also seemed to be a good choice for families with young children.
Written December 2, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gabrielle W
Mobile, AL392 contributions
Jun 2021
We visited Sprague in the afternoon after hiking Alberta Falls, also on Bear Lake corridor. It's a easily accessible and pretty lake, we walked around the whole thing and it was flat, nice walk to stretch your legs. We passed a whole family of geese, including several babies which was nice to see! We saw several people in the lake fishing as well. Nice little picnic spot. Little effort to get there and nice scenery!
Written June 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I am attending my son’s wedding at Sprague Lake. There is a possibility my husband might need a wheelchair. Is this practical? If not is it a hard walk from the car park?
Written September 8, 2021
Where is the best place to fish in Rocky Mountain National Park?
Written October 15, 2019
When we were at Sprague Lake, there were several people there fly sighing, with good success.
Written October 21, 2019
Kristin A
Denver, Colorado
I'm at travel nurse and looking for an easier hike that my 2&4 year olds can do without them being in the pack. Could my 4 year old ride her bike? Or not smooth enough?
Also, do you have to pay for parking?
thanks!
Written October 4, 2015
This is a great one for kids! You can't ride your bike, but they could easily walk the path. My 3.5 and 1.5 year olds enjoyed this and had no trouble. It's a nearly flat and well-maintained path around the lake.
You don't have to pay for parking (there's plenty of parking here, plus picnic areas and restrooms), but you'll have to pay to get into Rocky Mountain National Park.
Written July 22, 2016
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