Est. 1915 | Colorado | 265,847 acres

Stretching from Alaska to Mexico, the Rocky Mountains form one of the world’s longest unbroken mountain chains. Famed for its elevation and pristine alpine ecosystems, Rocky Mountain National Park offers visitors a slice of this great range. Hike through meadow, forest, and tundra along the America’s backbone, the Continental Divide; and catch sight of bear, moose, elk, wolves, and bighorn sheep from valley floor to summit peak on Trail Ridge Road, America’s highest continuous paved road. Find all this and more in one park where altitude is more of an invitation than a limitation.

The Rocky Mountains act as a massive 12,000 foot spine to the park running north-south, which naturally creates two sides to the park. The east side is easily the more popular as it has direct access to cities along the front range. Three entrances feed into the east side. Fall River Entrance and Beaver Meadows Entrance stand outside the town of Estes Park, Colorado granting access to the main attractions of the park. About 14 miles south is the Wild Basin Entrance allowing access to the Wild Basin section of the park. This is the least visited entrance since Wild Basin is completely isolated by road and trail from the rest of the park.

Across the range, the west side only has one entrance, the Grand Lake Entrance from the nearby town of Grand Lake, Colorado. Trail Ridge Road (Highway 34) is the only route through the park connecting east to west. Topping off at 12,183 feet, this 48-mile scenic “highway to the sky” is the essence of the park. All along this route, trailheads and viewpoints await to show off the wonders of Rocky Mountain National Park.

Park Highlights

1. Old Fall River Road—Running approximately 9 miles from the Moraine Park area to the Alpine Visitor Center, Old Fall River Road is a historic, one-way dirt road, offering access to popular hiking trails, water features and viewpoints. Because this drive is more remote, it tends to attract more wildlife sightings than the valleys below.
2. Emerald Lake—Accessible via a 3.6-mile round-trip hike from the Bear Lake Trailhead, Emerald Lake is a popular destination for hikers and photographers as it sits surrounded by towering peaks like Flattop Mountain and Hallett Peak. This hike is one of the most popular destinations in the park, so plan to arrive early for the best viewing experience.
3. Alluvial Fan—Alluvial Fan is a unique geological feature, formed by a massive flood in 1982. The area features a series of wide, rocky terraces created by a debris flow where visitors can view cascading waterfalls and the surrounding rugged landscape.
4. Chasm Lake—Chasm Lake is a striking alpine lake located at the base of Longs Peak, accessible by a challenging 8.4-mile round-trip hike. Surrounded by towering cliffs and jagged rock formations, the lake offers breathtaking views of Longs Peak making it a popular destination for experienced hikers seeking a rewarding high-altitude experience. Grab a headlamp and consider hiking to this trail at sunrise for unbelievable alpenglow.
5. Longs Peak—Longs Peak stands at 14,259 feet as the tallest point in the park. Not for the faint of heart, its challenging exposed terrain and technical routes are recommended only for experienced hikers, but the reward is great with unparalleled views of the park. The Keyhole Route on Longs Peak is approximately 15 miles round-trip, involving a strenuous 5,000-foot elevation gain, typically taking between 10 to 15 hours to complete, depending on weather and conditions.

Best time to visit Rocky Mountain

The best time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park is generally from late June to early September. During this period, most of the park’s roads, including Old Fall River Road and the highest-elevation trails, are fully accessible. The weather is typically mild with the occasional afternoon thunderstorm, making it ideal for hiking, wildlife viewing, and sightseeing.

However, for those seeking fewer crowds, visiting on weekdays, in late spring (May) or early fall (September to October) can offer a quieter experience, though some higher elevation areas may still be inaccessible due to snow. Trail Ridge Road (connecting east to west) is closed annually from mid-September through late June due to snow and weather conditions, with exact opening and closing dates varying each year. It’s always a good idea to check current conditions on the official park website before planning your visit.

For an added bonus, the elk rut in Rocky Mountain National Park typically occurs in mid-September and lasts until early October. During this time, male elk engage in vocalizations (bugling), fighting, and displaying their antlers to attract females, making for a dramatic wildlife experience. It’s one of the best times for elk viewing in the park, though visitors should keep their distance from elk as males will be aggressive if threatened.

How long should I visit Rocky Mountain?

For a basic visit, 2–3 days is usually sufficient to experience the highlights like Emerald Lake, Alluvial Fan and the scenic drives. However, if you’re planning to hike longer trails, such as those leading to Chasm Lake or Longs Peak, or if you want to explore more remote areas, 4–5 days would be more appropriate.

Getting to Rocky Mountain

Thankfully Rocky Mountain National Park is in close proximity to a major commercial airport. Denver International Airport (DEN), which is about 1.5 to 2 hours away by car is a major hub for thousands of flights. From there, you can drive to Estes Park, the primary gateway town to the park, and enter via the Beaver Meadows, Fall River, or Wild Basin entrances. If coming from the west, drive along Highway 34 through the Grand Lake entrance.

Where to stay in Rocky Mountain

There are no hotel-style accommodations within the park, but the gateway towns of Estes Park and Grand Lake offer abundant options. The Stanley Hotel and YMCA of the Rockies are two of the most popular lodges only minutes from the park entrances. YMCA of the Rockies offers generous discounts for military personnel, teachers, foster families and faith leaders.

Campgrounds are the only accommodations within park boundaries. There are a total of 5 drive-up campgrounds—Aspenglen Campground, Moraine Park Campground, Glacier Basin Campground and Longs Peak Campground in the east and Timbercreek Campground in the west.

When should I book?

It’s recommended to book a campsite as early as possible, ideally 6 months in advance. Campsite reservations for the park open on a rolling basis in early January, and the most popular campgrounds, like Moraine Park and Glacier Basin, can fill up quickly, especially during peak summer months (June to September). Booking early ensures you have the best chance of securing a spot, especially during weekends and holidays.

The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado, tends to book up quickly during peak seasons in summer and fall (particularly around Halloween). It’s generally recommended to book 3 to 6 months in advance if you’re planning to visit during these high-demand months. As a larger facility, YMCA of the Rockies has more leeway in booking. If you are flexible with your stay, summer months can be reserved about a month out.

During high traffic months, weekends and holidays, Rocky Mountain will enact a timed entry permit system. These are usually easy to reserve in advance, but don’t wait until the last minute as morning time slots will sell out. If you are unable to secure an entrance permit, simply arrive before 9 a.m. or after 2 p.m. when permits are not required.

Due to its popularity, a specific timed entry permit is required to access the Bear Lake area of the park between 5 a.m. and 6 p.m. If you choose to visit the Bear Lake corridor, be sure to reserve this specific permit as not every timed-entry permit will grant access to Bear Lake.

How much should I budget?

Booking a 3-day trip 4 months in advance can cost roughly $900–$1,200 depending on your required needs. Here is a range of what to expect:

Roundtrip Airfare to Denver	$150–$400
Car Rental	$40–$60/day (not including taxes/fees)
Campsite	$30–35/night (not including taxes/fees)
Hotels	$100–$300/night
Restaurant Meals	$15–$25/meal
Entrance Fee	$35/vehicle for 7 days

Packing list for Rocky Mountain

Each park requires different gear for its unique characteristics. For Rocky Mountain National Park, we wouldn’t want to be caught without hiking shoes, sunscreen, binoculars, camelback, headlamp (for long hikes) and a hat.

Want to learn more? Check out our detailed trip report for a peek into our trip to Rocky Mountain.

For more detailed information on Rocky Mountain National Park, visit the official park website.