The Bear Lake Road passes the Glacier Basin public campground, 7 miles
from Estes Park, and then follows up the valley of Glacier Creek,
passing near Sprague's Lodge, and ends at Bear Lake, 12 miles from Estes
Park. This is one of the best roads within the park boundaries. Bear
Lake Lodge, on the eastern shore of the lake, offers good
accommodations. The trail to Loch Vale starts from the Bear Lake Road,
about 10 miles from Estes Park. From this trail or from Bear Lake the
hiker can reach some beautiful and scenic country, including Glacier
Gorge, Loch Vale, Dream Lake, and Tyndall Gorge. The trail to Fern Lake
and the Flattop Trail to Grand Lake may be conveniently reached from
Bear Lake. North Longs Peak Trail also leaves the road at this point.