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Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park's 415 square miles (265,807 acres) encompasses a spectacular range of mountain environments. From meadows found in the montane life zone to glistening alpine lakes and up to the towering mountain peaks, there is something for everyone to discover. Along the way explore over 300 miles of hiking trails and incredible wildlife viewing.
RecAreaDirections
Driving from the east: from I-25, take US Hwy 34 or 36. Driving from the west: from I-70, take US Hwy 40 to Granby to US Hwy 34 to Grand Lake. From mid-October until late May, Trail Ridge Road between Estes Park and Grand Lake is closed to vehicles, so driving between the two takes ~4 hours. The closest airport is Denver International (DIA). There is no public transportation between nearby cities and the park.
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Rocky Mountain National Park Timed Entry Timed Entry
Rocky Mountain National Park’s 415 square miles encompass and protect spectacular mountain environments. Enjoy Trail Ridge Road – which crests at over 12,000 feet including many overlooks to experience the subalpine and alpine worlds – along with over 300 miles of hiking trails, wildflowers, wildlife, starry nights, and fun times. In a world of superlatives, Rocky is on top!
More people than ever before are coming to experience the grandeur of Rocky Mountain National Park: in 2019, the park had over 4.7 million visitors— the third most visited national park in the country. While this level of visitation means that new and larger audiences are learning about and experiencing this incredible place, it also presents challenges.
In 2020, Rocky Mountain National Park will implement a timed entry reservation system in order to reopen the park and meet the CDC, state and local guidance related to Covid-19.
Each private vehicle entering the park will need a reservation for each day the vehicle will be in the park. The person making the reservation needs to be in the vehicle at the time of entry, ID may be required at time of entry.
Park entrance fees are required at the time of reservation, no payment accepted when entering the park. Or if you have an annual or lifetime pass at the time of your reservation those are accepted as your entrance fee. Valid entrance passes accepted are: Rocky Mountain National Park Annual Pass, Interagency Annual Pass, Interagency Senior Pass, Interagency Access Pass, Interagency Volunteer Pass, Interagency Military Pass, Interagency 4th Grade Pass. Passholders will be required to pay the $2.00 reservation fee. test
Rocky Mountain National Park Shuttle Tickets Timed Entry
Rocky Mountain National Park Glacier Basin Campground Campground
List of CampsitesOverview
Glacier Basin Campground (8,500 feet) is adjacent to Estes Park in the awe-inspiring Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado.
From lush valleys to craggy peaks with elevations reaching over 14,000 feet, visitors are provided opportunities for countless breathtaking experiences and adventures.
Scenic driving, hiking, backpacking, fishing, horseback riding and wildlife viewing are popular activities in the park.
Recreation
Rocky Mountain National Park has 355 miles of hiking trails that range from flat lakeside strolls to steep mountain climbs. Visitors enjoy the park's various lake trails (Bear Lake, Cub Lake, Mills Lake), waterfall trails (Adams Falls, Alberta Falls, Ouzel Falls) and summit trails (Deer Mountain, Twin Sisters Peaks, Flattop Mountain).The park offers some unforgettable scenic driving routes, including Trail Ridge Road and Old Fall River Road. Trail Ridge Road reaches 12,183' above sea level and is America's highest continuous highway. It climbs above the park's evergreen forests to its windswept alpine tundra, where visitors enjoy sweeping panoramic views of the surrounding peaks and valleys.
Driving along the historic Old Fall River Road is like motoring through an earlier era. Constructed in 1920, this steep, one-way, uphill, gravel road punctuated by switchbacks, quietly leads travelers from Horseshoe Park through the park's wilderness to Fall River Pass, 11796' above sea level.
Several visitor centers are within the park, offering ranger-led activities, education and history about the park, and seasonal nighttime programs.
Facilities
Glacier Basin Campground contains several group and family tent-only sites, as well as RV sites without hookups. Each campsite is equipped with a picnic table, fire ring with grate and tent pad of various sizes. Roads and parking spurs are paved. Flush toilets and drinking water are provided.
Rocky Mountain National Park's free shuttle bus stops in the campground, which is also across the street from Park & Ride, the park's main shuttle system hub. The shuttle system provides access to many park trailheads throughout the Bear Lake corridor and to the town of Estes Park.
Due to a pine beetle epidemic, all the trees in the C Loop, D Loop and the Group Loop have been removed, leaving little to no shade in these areas. However, the tree removal has opened up beautiful views of the mountains.
Natural Features
A pleasant mix of Douglas fir, Lodgepole pine, Ponderosa pine and the occasional Engelmann spruce, forests the campground, offering equal amounts of sun and shade. Grasses, shrubs and seasonal wildflowers fill the open meadows.Wildlife is plentiful in the park, and while mule deer and the majestic Rocky Mountain elk are the most commonly seen, black bear, coyote, bighorn sheep and moose inhabit the region as well.
Nearby Attractions
The town of Estes Park lies just outside the park's main east entrances, and is a short drive from Glacier Basin Campground. Dining, shopping, rafting, fly fishing, horseback riding, and golfing opportunities await. Lake Estes offers boating, sailboarding, and fishing.Rocky Mountain National Park Moraine Park Campground Campground
List of CampsitesOverview
Moraine Park Campground (8,160 feet) is located in Colorado's awe-inspiring Rocky Mountain National Park, near the Beaver Meadows Entrance on Highway 36. It is situated on the north side of Moraine Park, offering beautiful views of the vast park and the surrounding mountains.
From lush valleys to craggy peaks reaching elevations over 14,000 feet, visitors are provided opportunities for countless breathtaking experiences and adventures. Scenic driving, hiking, backpacking, fishing, horseback riding and wildlife viewing are popular activities in the park.
Recreation
Rocky Mountain National Park has 355 miles of hiking trails that range from flat lakeside strolls to steep mountain peak climbs. Visitors enjoy the park's various lake trails (Bear Lake, Cub Lake, Mills Lake), waterfall trails (Adams Falls, Alberta Falls, Ouzel Falls) and summit trails (Deer Mountain, Twin Sisters Peaks, Flattop Mountain).The park also offers some unforgettable scenic driving routes, including Trail Ridge Road and Old Fall River Road. Trail Ridge Road reaches 12,183' above sea level and is America's highest continuous highway. It climbs above the park's evergreen forests to its windswept alpine tundra, where visitors enjoy sweeping panoramic views of the surrounding peaks and valleys.
Driving along the historic Old Fall River Road is like motoring through an earlier era. Constructed in 1920, this steep, one-way, uphill, gravel road punctuated by switchbacks quietly leads travelers from Horseshoe Park through the park's wilderness to Fall River Pass, 11,796' above sea level.
Several visitor centers are within the park, offering ranger-led activities, education and history about the park, and seasonal nighttime programs.
Facilities
Moraine Park Campground contains single family tent-only sites, walk-to tent sites and RV sites without hookups. There is no group camping at Moraine Park Campground. If you are looking for a group site, please check Glacier Basin Campground. Each campsite is equipped with a picnic table, fire ring with grate, sharable food storage lockers, and tent pads of various sizes. Roads are paved and parking spurs are gravel. Flush toilets, dish-washing stations, and drinking water are provided at designated comfort stations. Loops B and E have vault toilets only, and water is limited in the winter to one location near the Ranger Station. The Ranger Station is only open during the peak season and is closed during the winter. Two solar-shower stall facilities are located within Moraine Park Campground. Campers are encouraged to bring their own solar-shower bags as the campground does not provide them. There are no other types of shower facilities in the park, but hot showers are available in nearby communities. Portable showers are prohibited in individual campsites. During the summer season, a dump and fill station is open for use to all campers. This service is located by the yellow bear sign and green dumpsters near the campground entrance. Additional dumpsters and recycling areas are scattered throughout the campground for the camper's convenience.
The campground contains three main buildings at its entrance, which are open seasonally during the summer (May-October). Reservation information and check-in should be completed at the kiosk. Across the way, the Ranger Station provides information and services pertaining to all of Rocky Mountain National Park. Rangers are able to answer questions, provide Junior Ranger program booklets and badges, as well as give insight on planning your hike(s). Additionally, firewood is for sale at the firewood hut during the evenings; it is located next to the yellow bear sign, near the campground entrance.
Rocky Mountain National Park's free shuttle bus stops at the campground and provides access to the Cub Lake Trail, Fern Lake Trail, Bear Lake, Glacier Gorge, Sprague Lake, and many other trailheads located along the Bear Lake corridor, eliminating the hassle of finding available parking. Campers are encouraged to use the free shuttle bus, as parking fills quickly. This service is a seasonal service and does not run in the winter months.
Ranger-led programs take place at the campground amphitheater in the C-loop. These programs are only offered in the evenings during the summer. For more information contact the Information Office at (970) 586-1206.
Natural Features
A pleasant mix of Douglas fir, lodgepole pine, ponderosa pine and the occasional Engelmann spruce, forests the campground, offering partial shade in this open area. Grasses, shrubs and seasonal wildflowers fill the open meadows.
Wildlife is plentiful in the park; mule deer and the majestic Rocky Mountain elk are the most commonly seen. Black bear, coyote, bighorn sheep and moose inhabit the region as well, but can be harder to stumble upon.
Nearby Attractions
The town of Estes Park lies just outside the park's main east entrances, and is a short drive from Moraine Park Campground. Dining, shopping, rafting, fly fishing, horseback riding and golfing opportunities await. Lake Estes offers boating, sailboarding and fishing.Charges & Cancellations
Please refer to https://www.recreation.gov/rules-reservation-policies for information regarding changes and/or cancellations.
Rocky Mountain National Park Aspenglen Campground Campground
List of CampsitesOverview
Aspenglen Campground is located near the Fall River Entrance in Colorado's awe-inspiring Rocky Mountain National Park.
From lush valleys to craggy peaks stretching over 14,000 feet, visitors are provided opportunities for countless breathtaking experiences and adventures.
Scenic driving, hiking, backpacking, fishing, horseback riding and wildlife viewing are popular activities in the park.
Recreation
Rocky Mountain National Park has 355 miles of hiking trails that range from flat lakeside strolls to steep mountain climbs. Visitors enjoy the park's various lake trails (Bear Lake, Cub Lake, Mills Lake), waterfall trails (Adams Falls, Alberta Falls, Ouzel Falls) and summit trails (Deer Mountain, Twin Sisters Peaks, Flattop Mountain).The park offers some unforgettable scenic driving routes as well, including Trail Ridge Road and Old Fall River Road. Trail Ridge Road reaches 12,183' above sea level and is America's highest continuous highway. It climbs above the park's evergreen forests to its windswept alpine tundra, where visitors enjoy sweeping panoramic views of the surrounding peaks and valleys.
Driving along the historic Old Fall River Road is like motoring through an earlier era. Constructed in 1920, this steep, one-way, uphill, gravel road punctuated by switchbacks, quietly leads travelers from Horseshoe Park through the park's wilderness to Fall River Pass, 11,796' above sea level.
Several visitor centers are within the park, offering ranger-led activities, education and history about the park and seasonal nighttime programs.
Facilities
Aspenglen contains several drive-to family sites for tents and RVs. A few sites are more secluded, walk-to tent sites. Each campsite is equipped with a picnic table, fire ring with grate and tent pad. Roads and parking spurs are paved. Flush toilets and drinking water are provided. Generator hours are from 7:30 to 10:00 am and 4:00 to 8:30 pm and are only allowed in loop C.Natural Features
A pleasant mix of Douglas fir, Lodgepole pine, Ponderosa pine and the occasional Engelmann spruce, forests the campground, offering equal amounts of sun and shade. Grasses, shrubs and seasonal wildflowers fill the open meadows.Wildlife is plentiful in the park: mule deer and the majestic Rocky Mountain elk are the most commonly spotted, although black bear, coyote, bighorn sheep and moose inhabit the region as well.
Nearby Attractions
The town of Estes Park lies just outside the park's main east entrances, and is a short drive from Aspenglen Campground. Dining, shopping, rafting, fly fishing, horseback riding, and golfing opportunities await. Lake Estes offers boating, sailboarding and fishing.
Beaver Meadows Visitor Center Facility
Beaver Meadows Visitor Center is located west of Estes Park on U.S. Highway 36. The Rocky Mountain Conservancy Nature Store is located inside the visitor center building.
Alpine Visitor Center Facility
Located along Trail Ridge Road, this is the highest elevation visitor center in the National Park System at 11,796'. Alpine Visitor Center is closed for the 2022 season.
Fall River Visitor Center Facility
The Fall River Visitor Center is located west of Estes Park on U.S. Highway 34.
Kawuneeche Visitor Center Facility
The Kawuneeche Visitor Center is located north of Grand Lake on U.S. Highway 34.
Moraine Park Discovery Center Facility
Located in Moraine Park, this historic building is only open during the summer season. The Moraine Park Discovery Center is closed for the 2022 season.
Sheep Lakes Information Station Facility
Good place to stop and view wildlife. Sheep Lakes Parking Lot is open 24 hours/day. The Sheep Lakes Information Station is closed for the 2022 season.
Holzwarth Historic Site Facility
Have you ever wondered what life as a homesteader and rancher in the 1920s would have been like? Take a step back in time and visit the Holzwarth Historic Site. The historic buildings are closed for the 2022 season. Visitors may walk around the grounds and view the exteriors of the buildings.
Longs Peak Campground Campground
List of CampsitesLongs Peak Campground is located about 20 minutes south of Estes Park on Hwy 7. This small, tents-only campground is forested and at a fairly high elevation of 9500 feet (3000 m). Longs Peak Campground is only open during the summer season. Longs Peak Campground is closed for the 2022 season. This campground has vault toilets and does not have any water. Campers must bring their own drinking water when camping at Longs Peak Campground.
Rocky Mountain National Park Timber Creek Campground Campground
List of CampsitesOverview
Timber Creek Campground is the only campground on the west side of the park. Located at 8900 feet (3000 m) along the Colorado River about eight miles north of the Grand Lake entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. A mountain pine beetle infestation caused most of the trees to be removed, so there is no shade at campsites. There is also a limit on vehicle length of no longer then 30ft allowed in Timber Creek Campground.
Recreation
Rocky Mountain National Park has over 350 miles of hiking trails that range from flat lakeside strolls to steep mountain peak climbs. Visitors enjoy the park's various lake trails (Bear Lake, Cub Lake, Mills Lake), waterfall trails (Adams Falls, Alberta Falls, Ouzel Falls) and summit trails (Deer Mountain, Twin Sisters Peaks, Flattop Mountain).
The park also offers some unforgettable scenic driving routes, including Trail Ridge Road and Old Fall River Road. Trail Ridge Road reaches 12,183' above sea level and is the highest continuous paved highway in the United States. It climbs above the park's evergreen forests to its windswept alpine tundra, where visitors enjoy sweeping panoramic views of the surrounding peaks and valleys.
Driving along the historic Old Fall River Road is like motoring through an earlier era. Constructed in 1920, this steep, one-way, uphill, gravel road punctuated by switchbacks quietly leads travelers from Horseshoe Park through the park's wilderness to Fall River Pass, 11,796' above sea level.
Several visitor centers are located within the park, offering ranger-led activities, education and history about the park, and seasonal nighttime programs.
Facilities
Timber Creek Camgpround contains single family tent-only sites, walk-to sites, and RV sites (30ft or less) without hookups. There is no group camping at Rimber Creek Campground. If you are looking for a group site, please check Glacier Basin Camground located on the east side of the park located off of the Bear Lake Road. Each campsite is equipped with a picnic table, and fire ring with grate.
During the summer season, a dump station is located in the campground and is open for use to all campers. Additional dumpsters and recycling areas are scattered throughout the campground for the camper's convenience.
Natural Features
Timber Creek Campground has been impacted by both mountain pine beetle infestation, which killed many of the trees, but also by wildfire. This results in almost no shade in the campground, but it provides for an opportunity to see forest regrowth. Wildflowers can fill sounding meadows and a mix of Douglas fir, lodgepole pine, and ponderosa pine are all around as you explore the park.
Wildlife is plentiful in Rocky Mountain National Park. Mule deer and the majestic Rocky Mountain elk are commonly seen. Black bear, coyote, bighorn sheep and moose also inhabit the area, but are less common to see.
Nearby Attractions
The town of Grand Lake lies just 8 mies outside the parks west entrance. Dining, shopping, and other recreational activities can be found there.
Charges & Cancellations
Please refer to https://www.recreation.gov/rules-reservation-policies for information regarding changes and/or cancellations.
