Mills Lake

Paul and Lillian Bruns

5 months ago

This was a picturesque and rewarding hike. In mid-March with cool temperatures and strong winds the conditions were challenging. The trail was packed snow, and some traction devices would be necessary. The trail was icy, slick, and very narrow in points due to the snow. There were some very windy spots, and the conditions in the parking lot give you an idea of what you'll face ahead. This was about a 5 mile hike, and took us about 3 hours. The trailhead parking lot is medium sized, but had restrooms.

Robin

2 months ago

Mills Lake left me wondering why I had never done this hike before. It may not be as famous as Emerald Lake or Lake Haiyaha, perhaps because of its longer 5.2-mile round-trip distance, but the scenery easily rivals them. The best way to describe it is simple: beautiful. The lake offers wide-open views of the surrounding valley and mountains. Unlike some of the more popular hikes in RMNP, the trail felt relatively peaceful, which made the experience even more enjoyable. A few tips from our visit: 1)Start early. The trail is more enjoyable before the midday sun and crowds arrive. 2)Park at Bear Lake Trailhead. Parking tends to be easier there, and the route begins with a gentle downhill walk to the junction instead of an uphill climb. The difference is small—about 0.4 miles from Bear Lake versus 0.3 miles from Glacier Gorge—but it helped save energy for later in the hike. 3)Don't miss Alberta Falls. The waterfall is a beautiful stop along the way. 4)Take your time. The elevation gain is gradual and never felt overly strenuous. 5)Be prepared for sun and wind. About half the trail is shaded, while the rest is exposed. A light jacket came in handy because it was quite windy near the lake. 6)Consider adding Jewel Lake. Both lakes are close together. 7)Use the shuttle on the return. We finished at Glacier Gorge Trailhead and took the shuttle back to Bear Lake Trailhead, avoiding an unnecessary uphill walk.

John Chang

2 months ago

Maybe it is the most beautiful lake which the whole family can reach in rocky mountains national park

Gerardo Velazquez

a year ago

Great hike, difficult moderate, great views, about 5.8 miles starting at Bear Lake parking lot, we was there 09/09/25 great weather not to crowded, we're beginners at hiking so took us about 6 hrs, a lot fun, lots of pictures, at the end very tired but so happy, we come back next year

St Copper

3 years ago

Went first of June 2022 and really enjoyed this hike. There was still a good amount of snow on the ground, so come prepared as I saw people with tennis shoes not made for hiking slippery and wet trails. After Alberta Falls, it starts to get a little more challenging and there were not as many people. I would have continued on, but it was getting later in the afternoon and looked like some storms coming in. Next time I'll continue to Black Lake, but this was a relaxing area to enjoy the mountains around this lake.