Guide to Rocky Mountain National Park
Plan the perfect trip to Rocky Mountain National Park with this complete travel guide! Featuring everything you need to know before you go, including when to visit, what to bring, top things to do, & much more.
Calling all outdoor enthusiasts, Rocky Mountain National Park is a nature lovers paradise. The park covers nearly 250,000 acres of wilderness, preserving 450 miles of rivers & streams, 150 picturesque lakes, and an abundance of wildlife. This was our 8th National Park of our summer trip and it definitely became one of our favorites.
Rugged mountains, fields of wildflowers, and expansive wilderness make Rocky Mountain a top summer destination. You’ve got to put Rocky Mountain on your bucket list!
It’s important to note that park elevation ranges from 7,500 ft to 12,000 ft, so those visiting from lowers elevation may experience altitude sickness. Remember bring plenty of water, snacks, sun protectant, and take your time when exploring Rocky Mountain National Park..
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Lake Haiyaha Trail
TABLE OF CONTENTS
About Rocky Mountain
Getting to Rocky Mountain
When to Visit
What to Bring
Amenities Nearby
Top Things to Do
Trail Ridge Road
ABOUT ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK
Rocky Mountain is a 265,000 acre national park located in north central Colorado. It was established 1915 and is one of highest elevation national parks in the US. The park features the iconic Trail Ridge Road, a 48 mile stretch that gains 4,000 feet in elevation as it winds up and over the parks dramatic towering mountain peaks and valleys. The park features over 300 miles of hiking trails, 5 developed campgrounds, wildlife viewing, and nearly 100 miles of scenic drives.
ENTRANCE FEE
$35 per vehicle which is valid for 7 days. You can also use the America the Beautiful Pass to enter for free. No cash payments are accepted at the entrance station. If you are traveling with cash you can pay the entrance fee at Beaver Meadows, Fall River, or Kawuneeche Visitor Centers.
RESERVATION SYSTEM
May 24th to mid October timed entry reservations are required to access Rocky Mountain National Park. There are two types of reservations available in Rocky Mountain.
Timed Entry which includes access to all areas of the park, excluding Bear Lake Road, during the hours of 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Timed Entry + which includes access to all areas of the park including Bear Lake Road, during the hours of 5 a.m. to 6 p.m.
When making a reservation, visitors will choose a 2 hour time period to arrive for each day you plan to be in the park..
For more information about the timed entry reservations in Rocky Mountain National Park, visit the park website.
Park & Ride
SHUTTLE SYSTEM
May 24th to October 20th, a free shuttle system is available for visitors to access Rocky Mountains most sought after attractions. Parking lots are small and often fill up quickly, providing a necessary means of transportation around the park. There are three routes all within the east side of the park, Bear Lake Corridor, Moraine Park, and Hiker Shuttle from Estes Park Visitor Center.
For more information about the shuttle system in Rocky Mountain, visit the park website.
PET POLICY
Pets must be leashed at all times and no longer than 6 feet in length. They are only allowed in campgrounds, picnic areas, parking lots, and along park roads. They aren’t allowed on any trails inside Rocky Mountain National Park.
Lake of Glass on the Sky Pond Trail
GETTING TO ROCKY MOUNTAIN
Rocky Mountain National Park is located in north central Colorado, about an hour and a half drive from Denver. The park is situated between the towns of Grand Lake on the west and Estes Park on the east with the Continental Divide running through the heart of the park.
Boulder - 38 miles or 1 hour
Denver - 66 miles or 1.5 hours
Fort Collins - 45 miles or 1 hour
Colorado Springs - 134 miles or 2.5 hours
Grand Junction - 210 miles or 4 hours
NEAREST AIRPORTS
Denver International
Lake Haiyaha
WHEN TO VISIT
Rocky Mountain National Park is open 24 hours 365 days a year giving you the opportunity to see this park in a variety of ways.
SPRING
As the seasons change, spring temperatures can fluctuate from warm & sunny to cold & windy quickly. March and April bring the most snow to Rocky Mountain. Trail Ridge Road remains closed.
SUMMER
Summers in Rocky Mountain are the busiest time for the park. Temperatures are warm with the average in the 70s and 80s. Afternoon thunderstorms occur frequently in July and August bringing heavy rain, lighting and wind. Timed entry reservations, shuttle buses, Trail Ridge Road and all trails are open.
FALL
Fall brings crispy sunny days with typically clear blue skies. Cold fronts may come through during this time. Trail Ridge Road closes in October. Changing fall colors make hiking and scenic driving a must do.
WINTER
Winters at Rocky Mountain National Parks higher elevations can start as early as September and stretch as late as June. Snow covered roads and trails can limit activities available in winter, however, the magic of seeing the trees and mountains covered in white snow make winter in Rocky Mountain something to experience.
Cub Lake
WHAT TO BRING
Plenty of Water
Be sure to pack extra water and stay hydrated while exploring. We love adding LMNT’s electrolyte packets to our insulated water bottles to stay hydrated for the whole day.
Hiking Shoes
While there are many easy paths to explore in Rocky Mountain there are a few trails that are rocky and steep. To have the most comfortable experience on the trails we recommend wearing a proper hiking shoe or boot to provide good traction and support.
Sun Protectant
Weather can be unpredictable in the park so it’s best to bring your favorite sunscreen and wear sun protectant clothing when exploring.
Hiking Sticks
These have been a LIFE SAVER. Hiking sticks are so helpful in giving you extra support as you climb up steep trails as well as coming down steep trails. They provide extra stability and we no longer hike without them.
First Aid Kit
It’s never a bad idea to carry a small first aid kit while exploring in Rocky Mountain. Cell service doesn’t really exist in the park so it’s good to be prepared in case of an emergency.
Crampons
In case there’s snow on the trails, it’s a good idea to carry a pair of crampons so you don’t slip on ice or snow.
Jacket
Temperatures at higher elevations can be 10 to 15 degrees cooler so its not a bad idea to carry a warm jacket with you.
Lunch / Snacks
It is highly recommended to pick a lunch and snacks when exploring Rocky Mountain. The only food option available inside Rocky Mountain National Park is the Trail Ridge Store located at the top of Trail Ridge Road.
Trail Ridge Road
AMENITIES NEARBY
IN THE PARK
VISITOR CENTERS
Four visitor centers are found throughout the park, Beaver Meadows & Fall Meadows on the east side of the park, Kawuneeche on the west side, and Alpine located along Trail Ridge Road.
All are open seasonally and a great place to start your adventure in Rocky Mountain. Load up on info, pick up a park map, and get exploring. Here you can also find water filling stations, restrooms, gift shop, and museum exhibits. Hours and services vary by season so it’s best to check for current conditions before planning a trip.
CAMPGROUNDS
There are 5 developed campgrounds throughout Rocky Mountain National Park, Aspenglen, Glacier Basin, Longs Peak, Moraine Park, and Timber Creek.
Longs Peak is first come first served, all other campgrounds require reservations. Available May to September, amenities vary from each campground.
For reservations, visit the park website.
Lake Estes & The Stanley Hotel.
TOWNS NEARBY
ESTES PARK
A charming mountain town located on the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park. Home to the iconic Stanley Hotel and offers local shops, handcrafted treats, and tons of outdoor adventures.
LODGING
Best Western
The Ridgeline Hotel
Estes Park Resort
Brynwood on the River
Murphy’s Resort at Estes Park
Olympus Lodge
Estes Lake Lodge
Colorado Cottages
The Landing at Estes Park
Alpine Trail Ridge Inn
Silver Moon Inn
McGregor Mountain Lodge
Stanley Hotel
RV PARKS
Elk Meadow Lodge & RV Resort
Manor RV Park
Spruce Lake RV Park
KOA Holiday
Yogi Bears Jellystone Park
Estes Park Campground at Mary Lake
FOOD
Safeway
Country Market
The Wild Rose
The Post Chicken & Beer
Big Horn Restaurant
The Rock Inn Mountain Tavern
Ed’s Cantina & Grill
Claire’s Restaurant & Bar
Spruce Lake RV Park
GRAND LAKE
A small town located on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park. Offers a quieter experience compared to the east side of the park. Home to local shops and laidback dining.
LODGING
Grand Lake Lodge
Spirit Lake Lodge
Timberland Inn of Grand Lake
Western Riviera Lakeside Lodging
Grand View Mountain Lodge
Gateway Inn
Columbine Cabins
RV PARKS
T Lazy W RV Park
KOA Journey
Green Ridge Campground
Winding River RV Resort
Stillwater RV Park & Campground
FOOD
Rocky Mountain Grocery
Mountain Market
Grand Pizza
Sagebrush BBQ & Grill
The Waterfront
Lake Haiyaha Trail
TOP THINGS TO DO
Check out a Visitor Center
Start your exploration of Rocky Mountain at one of the park’s visitor centers. Grab a park map & check out the park movie & exhibit. Stop at the restroom and get the latest scoop from the park ranger. Don’t forget to pick up a souvenir at the park store.
Trail Ridge Road
If you’re not interested in hiking then you must drive Rocky Mountain’s Trail Ridge Road. This 48 mile scenic drive winds up and around 12,000 foot mountains, past lush valleys, with an elevation gain of 4,000 feet, making this the highest paved national park road in the U.S. The drive features scenic overlooks, hiking trails, and the Alpine Visitor Center, the highest national park visitor center.
Get on a Trail
A great way to explore the incredible nature of Rocky Mountain National Park. Whether it’s an easy scenic stroll or a challenging day hike, Rocky Mountain has something for everyone. The most popular in the park are Emerald Lake, Dream Lake, Alberta Falls, and Sky Pond.
Park elevation ranges from 7,500 ft to 12,000 ft, so those visiting from lowers elevation may experience altitude sickness. Remember bring plenty of water, snacks, sun protectant, and take your time.
For easy trails consider | Alberta Falls, Dream Lake, Bear Lake, Nymph Lake, Adams Falls, Sprague Lake,
For moderate trails consider | Emerald Lake, Cub Lake, The Loch, Mills Lake, Gem Lake, Lake Haiyaha, Deer Mountain, Ouzel Falls, Calypso Cascades, Bierstadt Lake
For strenuous trails consider | Sky Pond, Chasm Lake, Twin Sisters Peak
Trail to Emerald Lake
Backpack the Wilderness
For a more in depth exploration of Rocky Mountain National Park pick up a backpacking permit and tour the parks remote wilderness. This is a great way to avoid the crowds and experience the incredible night sky.
For more information about back country camping, check out the park website.
Glacier Gorge Trail
Wildlife Viewing
Rocky Mountain National is one of the top national parks for wildlife viewing. The park is home to 60 species of mammals, including, elk, bighorn sheep, moose, deer, and marmots, as well as, 280 species of birds.
Remember to stay at least 75 feet away when viewing wildlife.
Elk on Trail Ridge Road
Bicycling
The steep and curvy scenic roads of Rocky Mountain National Park are a hotspot for bicyclists. Popular cycling routes are Trail Ridge Road and Old Fall River Road, open April to November.
When biking in Rocky Mountain, remember to start early, check the weather, wear proper clothing, carry plenty water & snacks, and of course, watch out for cars,
For more information about biking in Rocky Mountain, visit the park website.
Seasonal Ranger Programs
Rocky Mountain National Park provides numerous ranger programs to learn about the history and geology of the park. Popular programs, such as, Astronomy in the Park, Stories of the Moon & Stars, Bird Walks, and snowshoe walks are available throughout the year.
Fishing
Visitors with a valid Colorado Fishing License are allowed to explore the parks numerous lakes. Brown, brook, rainbow, and cutthroat trout are a few of the species you can find in the swimming around the lower elevations.
For more information about fishing in Rocky Mountain National Park, visit the park website.
The Loch
Climbing
For those looking for a thrilling adventure in Rocky Mountain, climb the granite rock walls up Longs Peak. Rock climbing in Rocky Mountain requires no permit, however, park reservations and overnight camping permits are required.
For more information on rock climbing in Rocky Mountain National Park, visit the park website.
Parks as Classrooms
What better way to learn then by bringing the classroom to the park! The National Park System provides a series of curriculum covering topics such as math, science, social studies, and language arts for elementary and middle school learners. A great option for homeschooling or field trips.
Junior Ranger Program
If you’re not able to plan a visit to Rocky Mountain National Park then this is great way for your kids to still learn about the park without actually being there. The Virtual Junior Ranger Program consists of a series of videos and activities to complete with a Virtual Badge to be given at the end.
Let us know in the comments if you’ve ever been to Rocky Mountain National Park.
Check out our reel exploring Rocky Mountain National Park on Instagram!
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Two adventure seekers traveling the U.S in our 37 FT. travel trailer with our two companions, Griffin & Lucy. We share our life on the road and travel guides to our favorite destinations.
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