Rocky Mountain National Park is an American national park located approximately 55 mi (89 km) northwest of Denver in north-central Colorado, within the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. The park is situated between the towns of Estes Park to the east and Grand Lake to the west. The eastern and western slopes of the Continental Divide run directly through the center of the park with the headwaters of the Colorado River located in the park’s northwestern region. The main features of the park include mountains, alpine lakes and a wide variety of wildlife within various climates and environments, from wooded forests to mountain tundra.
The Rocky Mountain National Park Act was signed by President Woodrow Wilson on January 26, 1915, establishing the park boundaries and protecting the area for future generations.The Civilian Conservation Corps built the main automobile route, Trail Ridge Road, in the 1930s. In 1976, UNESCO designated the park as one of the first World Biosphere Reserves. In 2018, more than 4.5 million recreational visitors entered the park. The park is one of the most visited in the National Park System, ranking as the third most visited national park in 2015. In 2019, the park saw record attendance yet again with 4,678,804 visitors, a 44% increase since 2012.
The park has a total of five visitor centers,with park headquarters located at the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center—a National Historic Landmark designed by the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture at Taliesin West. National Forest lands surround the park on all sides, including Roosevelt National Forest to the north and east, Routt National Forest to the north and west, and Arapaho National Forest to the west and south, with the Indian Peaks Wilderness area located directly south of the park.
Details About Rocky Mountain National Park
Location: Estes Park, Colorado
Established: January 26, 1915
Size: 265,461 acres
Native Land: Arapaho, Ute, Comanche, Cheyenne
Visitors: 3,305,199 (2020)
Entrance Fees: $30 per vehicle; $55 annual pass (or $80 for America the Beautiful Pass)
History of Rocky Mountain National Park
The area now known as Rocky Mountain National Park was previously a long-time hunting, foraging, and camping area of many Native American tribes. Of these most prominently were the Utes & Arapahos.
In the 1800s the Native Americans were displaced by settlers moving into the region from the east. By 1878 all had been removed either “voluntarily” or forcibly to reservations.
What followed next was a brief period of a regional gold rush which boomed and busted. Eventually recreation took root in the area resulting in a series lodges being constructed during the roaring 20s.
Where is Rocky Mountain National Park?
Rocky Mountain National Park is located in the southern section of the Rocky Mountain range in northern Colorado.
The park is about 70 miles northwest of Denver (which is a pretty cool town), 1 hour 30 mins driving. Rocky Mountain shares a border with the Araphao & Roosevelt National Forests.
Rocky Mountain Seasons & Weather
Rocky Mountain National Park has 4 very pronounced seasons. Here you will find a wet and green spring, a sunny and flower-filled summer, a spectacular fall with incredible foliage, and a harsh winter full of snow. It’s a good idea to bring layers to Rocky Mountain as conditions can change quickly along with elevation.
Best Time to Visit Rocky Mountain
The best time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park is during the fall when temperatures are mild, crowds are diminished, and the foliage is on fall display.
As someone who has spent considerable time in the park in each of the four seasons, I absolutely love fall and would recommend it to anyone. The autumn foliage in Rocky Mountain is kaleidoscopic. I especially love it when the snow dusts the peaks and the trees are still vibrant with color.
Rocky Mountain National Park Seasons
Spring in Rocky Mountain National Park
Spring can be a great time to visit Rocky Mountain as crowds are lesser and temperatures are mild. The park sees some flowers bloom in the lower elevations of the park during Spring. Keep in mind, many trails, especially at higher elevations will be snow-laden during Spring due to snow.
Bear Lake will still be frozen until June at the earliest as will most of the lakes on the Bear Lake corridor.
Summer is a great time to visit the park as temperatures are great and the park trails are melted out. However, with Summer comes crowds, big crowds. In July of 2019 the park saw nearly 1 million visitors!
Fall is the best time of year to visit Rocky Mountain as crowds have largely left the park and the foliage is breathtaking. During the fall the park is enchanted with the sounds of elk rutting seasons. Each night if you listen closely you can hear the odd bugling calls of these massive creatures.
Winter in Rocky Mountain is breathtaking with massive amounts of snowfall completely transforming the park into a veritable wonderland. Access is somewhat limited with Trail Ridge Road closed for the season but Bear Lake Road is usually plowed allowing for some epic snowshoeing adventures.
The timed-entry system is discontinued during the winter which means no need to worry about reservations until the Spring.
Best Things to Do in Rocky Mountain National Park
The Emerald Lake Trail is one of the most popular and most beautiful in Rocky Mountain. It was a personal favorite for me, especially in the Fall.
The trail starts from the Bear Lake parking lot and winds its way around the left side of Bear Lake. Along the way to Emerald Lake, hikers are treated to views of Dream Lake and Tyndall Creek.
Length: 3.2 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 700 feet
Time: 2-3 hours
Catch a Sunrise at Bear Lake
Bear Lake is one of my favorite places in the park to see a sunrise. The way the first light of the day hits Flat Top Mountain and moves down towards Bear Lake is breathtaking.
Soak in the Epic Views from Trail Ridge Road
Known as “the highway to the sky”, Trail Ridge Road is one of the greatest engineering feats in the entire national park system. The road is 48 miles long and reaches a peak elevation of over 12,000 feet! 11 of the road’s 48 miles are above the tree line at over 11,500 feet high.
Trail Ridge Road is one of the most breathtaking roads in the world. This road offers unparalleled, panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains which were are typically only available to the most adventurous backcountry backpackers.
Observe the Majestic Elk, Rocky Mountain’s Most Prolific Animal
The first time I visited Rocky Mountain National Park the elk were so prolific I figured the mayor of Estes Park was probably of that species. While that turned out to not be the case, it is almost guaranteed you will catch a glimpse of this majestic animal in the park.
Hike Longs Peak, the Tallest Point in Rocky Mountain National Park
The summit of Longs Peak is the highest point in Rocky Mountain National Park. Hiking to the top is one of the most difficult hikes in the park and also one of the most rewarding.
The trail is 14.8 miles out and back with over 5,000 feet of elevation gain. Hikers should start this hike early in the morning as it will take most of the daylight hours to get to the top and back down.
Distance: 14.8 miles
Elevation: 5,000 feet
Time: 8-10 hours
Take a Stroll Down the Boulder Brook Trail (especially in the fall)
One of my favorite hikes in the park, especially in the fall, is the Boulder Brook Trail. The trail itself is easy-going enough and features stunning fall foliage with a picturesque babbling creek. This out and back trail is almost never crowded and a great way to escape the crowds.
Camp Out Under the Stars at Moraine Park Campground
Rocky Mountain National Park, while not a designated dark sky park, is still one of the best places in Colorado for stargazing. On a clear night you can see unfathomable amounts of stars along with the milky way.
There are many great places throughout the park to soak in the night sky including the Moraine Park Campground.
Where to Stay – Camping & Lodging
Camping
There are 5 campgrounds located within Rocky Mountain National Park with a total of 570 camp sites. That may sounds like a lot but in a park that sees close to a million tourists in it’s most popular months they book out fast.
Of these campgrounds the most popular are Moraine Park Campground and Glacier Basin. Both of these have great locations on the eastern side of the park.
My personal favorite campground is the Moraine Park Campground due it’s central location and beautiful sites.
Rocky Mountain National Park Campgrounds
- Moraine Park Campground – 244 sites
- Glacier Basin Campground – 150 sites
- Timber Creek Campground – 98 sites
- Aspenglen Campground – 52 sites
- Longs Peak – 26 sites
Favorite Local Restaurant
Nepal’s Cafe
Nearby Attractions
- Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests
- Estes Park Colorado
- The Stanley Hotel (filming location of The Shining)
- Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest
Rocky Mountain Reservation System
Due to surging demand Rocky Mountain National Park has instituted a timed-entry system.
What this means for you: Visitors trying to access the park between May 28 – October 11 must:
- Obtain a Timed Entry Ticket (follow the link to do so)
- Pay the entry fee for the park (all regular passes are accepted in lieu of payment)
If you plan to visit during a time between October 12 – May 27, these rules does not apply to you and you may enter the park at your leisure.
Bear Lake Road Permit (yep, another permit required)
When you go to the reservation system to obtain your Timed Entry Ticket you will be given two types of permits to choose from (if they’re available).
Option 1 is called Park Access with Bear Lake Road. This permit gives you the ability to access the very popular Bear Lake Road + the rest of the park. Bear Lake Road is the gateway to attractions like Sprague Lake, Storm Pass, Bierdstat Lake, Bear Lake, Dream Lake, Emerald Lake, and more.
Option 2 is called Park Access, No Bear Lake Road which, as it says in the name, includes access to everything in the park except for the Bear Lake Road corridor.
Getting to the Park – Directions & Location
There are a few ways to access the park from different directions.
Closest Airport: DEN – Denver International Airport (81 miles from the Fall River / Estes Park Entrance)
The fastest way to get to Rocky Mountain National Park is flying into Denver International Airport and driving to the park. Flights into Denver are typically among the most affordable in the country as several major airlines use the airport as key hubs.
Driving from Denver
Getting to the park from Denver is pretty straightforward. I recommend renting a car from the airport (sadly no other great ways to get to the park, yet) and driving to Estes Park (roughly 80 miles from the airport). The drive takes about an hour and a half on a day without traffic.
Driving from the West
If you are driving from the west you’ll go through the Grand Lake Entrance to get to the park and get totally different views from most folks who enter from the east. The Drive from the Grand Lake Entrance to the Fall River Entrance in Estes Park takes about 90 minutes with no stops.