• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Uncover Colorado Logo

  • Blog
  • Activities
  • Events
  • Towns
  • Lodging
  • Dining
  • Transportation
  • Brands
  • Search
  • Blog
  • Activities
  • Events
  • Towns
  • Lodging
  • Dining
  • Transportation
  • Brands
  • Search
Rocky Mountain National Park
High up in the alpine tundra at Rocky Mountain National Park.

Rocky Mountain National Park – Estes Park-Grand Lake

FacebookTwitter

Rocky Mountain National Park is the most visited recreation area in the state, headquartered in Estes Park. The park’s 415 square miles encompass a variety of alpine terrain, with at least 60 mountains exceeding 12,000 ft. Longs Peak is the biggest at 14,259 ft and can be seen from nearly anywhere.

Summer is when most people visit the park and for good reason. The main route through the park typically closes in mid-October and reopens the following Memorial Day weekend. There are a lot of winter recreation activities going on but they occur closer to the entrances.

The drive takes about two hours to three-plus depending on how many stops you take. The nearly fifty-mile route peaks at 12,183 feet in elevation and travels at above tree line high in the alpine tundra for eleven miles.

Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park is located between Grand Lake and Estes Park.

Estes Park East Side – There are two main entrances on the east side of the park, both near Estes Park. One enters near the Fall River Visitor Center and the other near Beaver Meadows Visitor Center.

Grand Lake West Side  – On the west side there is only one entrance near the town of Grand Lake and the Kawuneeche Visitor Center. There are also few other entry points that only access trailheads.

There are fees for entry. You can purchase passes per vehicle good for 1 day, or per person, which applies to walk-ins and bicycles. There is a separate fee for motorcycles. If you’re sticking around for a while you can buy an annual pass good at only RMNP or better yet the Interagency Pass good at all the federal parks.

Read about the top things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Activities

Colorado Mountain Living Dream Lake Sunrise
Dream Lake sunrise. Photo: Bryce Bradford

Biking: Not permitted off established roads in the park. Bikes may use paved roads. Nearby Roosevelt National Forest offers mountain biking.

Camping: Yes, 5 drive-in campgrounds, 1 drive-in group campground. Most are located on the Estes Park eastern side of the park. Only 1 campground, Timber Creek, is on the Grand Lake side. Moraine Park has the most sites at 245 and is located nearby Big Thompson River.

  • Aspenglen – (8200 ft) 54 reservable sites; Located just west of the Fall River Entrance Station on U.S. Highway 34.
  • Glacier Basin – (8500 ft) 150 reservable sites; Located about 6 miles south of Beaver Meadows Entrance Station on Bear Lake Road. There is shuttle bus access.
  • Longs Peak – (9500 ft) 26 first-come-first-serve tent sites, year-round; Located 9 miles south of downtown Estes Park on Route 7. $20/night/peak
  • Moraine Park – (8160 ft) 245 reservable sites, year-round. Located 2.5 miles south of Beaver Meadows Entrance Station on Bear Lake Rd. The campground, although lacking water, is situated in a beautiful ponderosa pine forest above the Moraine Park meadows. There is shuttle bus access and the sites have a picnic table, fire grate, tent pad, and parking for 1 vehicle.
  • Timber Creek – (8900 ft) 98 first-come-first-serve sites, year-round. Located 10 miles north of Grand Lake on US Highway 34. There is no water.
Timber Creek Campground Comfort Station
Timber Creek Campground Comfort Station near Grand Lake, Colo. Photo: Jasperdo

Campgrounds regularly fill during the peak summer season. Firewood is sold at all campgrounds during summer. Ice is sold all but Timber Creek. Checkout is at noon. You can stay in the campground for up to 7 nights from June through September; and up to 21 days the rest of the year. Campsites are limited to 8 people and 2 tents, or 1 tent and a wheeled camping unit.

  • Read about the camping near Grand Lake, around West RMNP.
  • Read about the camping near Estes Park, around East RMNP.

Cabins – These cabins aren’t affiliated with RMNP, but if you need a cool place to stay nearby, they will do nicely.

  • Read about the cabins to rent near Fort Collins, Red Feather Lakes, and Estes Park.
  • Read about the cabins to rent near Boulder, Lyons, and Nederland.

Here’s some other lodging on both sides of the continental divide:

  • Read about the best hotels in Grand Lake.
  • Read about the best hotels in Estes Park.

Fishing: Alpine lakes and streams occur throughout the park. Anglers must have a CO fishing permit for those over 15 and use artificial flies and lures only. Poudre Lake is easy to access on Trail Ridge Rd. It’s at Milner Pass west of the Alpine Visitor Center.

Moraine Park, Colorado
Moraine Park, Colorado. Photo: Jasperdo

Hiking: There are a lot of chances to hike in RMNP, for all levels and durations, including many waterfall hikes.

  • The Tundra Communities Trail, just east of the Alpine Visitor Center, is a popular 1-mile round trip trek at high elevation. It’s situated above the tree line, located about mid-way through the Trail Ridge Road drive.
  • On the Grand Lake side of the Great Divide, the Holzwarth Historic Site is a short hike to and around a former dude ranch that opened in the 1920s. The Holtzwarth Trout Lodge is open to the public for tours. You can go inside several of the old cabins, blacksmith and taxidermy shops.
  • Residing within the RMNP is the Rocky Mountain National Park Wilderness. It encompasses 250,000 diverse acres of backcountry terrain on both sides of the Divide.

Read about waterfalls around Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park.

Horseback Riding: About 260 miles of trails are open to horse use, which accounts for about 80% of the park’s trail system. There are 2 stables within the park and dozens more outside.

Scenic Drives: Whether you start on the western side in Grand Lake or east in Estes Park, the 2 routes through the park are dramatic and memorable. Note that the Old River Road is one way so you can take it from Estes Park and return from Grand Lake on Trail Ridge Road.

  • Old Fall River Road – This is the original wagon trail earlier visitors used. It’s a windy road, located more in the forest. This road is one-way up only from Estes Park and is closed in the winter.
  • Trail Ridge Road – A national designated All American Road and one of America’s Byways, this 48-mile road/US-34 hugs the mountainside, offering many overlooks as you pass from lowland meadows up into alpine tundra. This is the fastest route and closes in mid-October.Winding up and through a unique high alpine environment, it’s a designated national scenic byway. It crosses several mountain passes, Milner Pass at 10,759 feet in elevation, which is over the continental divide, as well as Fall River Pass at 11,796 feet, and Iceberg Pass at 11,827 feet.

Winter Recreation: The western side of the park is best for snowshoeing and cross country skiing. There is a 2-mile trail for snowmobiling that connects the town of Grand Lake with trails in the Arapaho Nat’l Forest.​

As one of the most visited attractions in the state, Rocky Mountain National Park sure lives up to the hype. It’s a great one to visit year-round, especially in the quiet off-season.

Moraine Park campsites have a table, tent pad and fire pit.
The Moraine Park Amphitheater.
Longs Peak is the largest mountain in the center.
Mountain views on Trail Ridge Road.
There are plenty of places to pull your car over and enjoy the views.
Mountain views.
The park is 416 square miles of wildness.
The drive takes you higher and higher into the mountains.
The ecosystems and wildlife change throughout the park.
The road climbs high over 12,000 feet in the alpine tundra.
The Tundra Communities Trail takes you through the alpine tundra.
The Tundra Trail is 1 mile round trip.
The alpine tundra environment is similar to that in the Arctic.
Back on the Trail Ridge Road.
The Alpine Visitor Center is about halfway through the Trail Ridge Road.
Beside the Alpine Visitor Center is the Trail Ridge Store & Cafe, featuring plenty of shopping and a nice sized cafeteria.
Snow patched ridge outside the visitor center.
A trail leading from the Alpine Visitor Center.
Poudre Lake located at Milner Pass, where you cross the Continental Divide.
Crossing the Continental Dividen near Poudre Lake.
One of the Beaver Ponds.
Moose are much more common on the Grand Lakes side of the Divide.
The western side of the park is more meadows.
2012-08-03-Rocky-Mountain69
Mama's cabin.
The Lodge has many cabins open for visitors to stay in.
Picturesque campsite in Moraine Park.
​Elk exclosures are designed to allow recovery of vegetation.
Longs Peak, on the left, is visible from much of the park.
The park has a variety of wildlife due to its unique ecosystems.
Trail Ridge Road runs along that mountainside on right.
An alpine lake across the way.
A double layered rock.
A trail heads out at over 12,000 feet.
The dark rock of Lava Cliffs is welded tuff.
Trail Ridge Store & Cafe is located at near the top of the Trail Ridge Road near the Continental Divide.
Two moose cross near the Beaver Ponds.
Colorado River passes the Holzwarth Trout Lodge
Timber Creek Campround near Grand Lake.
Holzwarth Trout Lodge opened in the 1920s and is now open for a public tours. It's a nice, short hike from the parking area

Details

Address: 1000 U.S. 36 Estes Park, CO 80517

Address: Trail Ridge Rd, | Grand Lake, CO 80447

Phone: 970-627-3471

Season: Year-round

Pets: Yes, on-leash, but only allowed on paved areas and campgrounds, not permitted on trails.

Fees: Day entry per vehicle, pedestrian, bike, motorcycle

Maps & Brochures:

  • Park Map (PDF)
  • Camping (PDF)
  • Fishing (PDF)
  • Trip Planner (PDF)
  • More Brochures

Website: nps.gov/romo

Latest in RMNP

The Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad, Colorado

Best Long Weekend Trips in Colorado

A myriad of epic weekend road trips are available to take in Colorado, easily accessible from…

Best Long Weekend Trips in ColoradoRead More

Forest Canyon Overlook, CO

10 Stunning Rocky Mountain National Park Landmarks and Sights

Dotted with pristine alpine lakes, soaring overlooks, and inviting meadows brimming with wildlife, Rocky Mountain National…

10 Stunning Rocky Mountain National Park Landmarks and SightsRead More

Fern Falls in Estes Park

Hike to these Waterfalls around Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park

Estes Park, with its proximity to Rocky Mountain National Park is an area with many beautiful…

Hike to these Waterfalls around Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National ParkRead More

Rocky Mountain National Park, CO

The National Parks Closest to Denver

Denver is a near perfect jumping-off point for visiting some of America’s most spectacular and rewarding…

The National Parks Closest to DenverRead More

Mount Evans Night Stars Colorado

Best Places for Stargazing in Colorado

Looking for the perfect place to look up at the stars in Colorado? For many, there…

Best Places for Stargazing in ColoradoRead More

fall colors in rocky mountain national park

Dazzling Hikes & Drives in Rocky Mountain National Park for Fall Colors

Rocky Mountain National Park is beautiful, no matter the season. But come September, the park lights…

Dazzling Hikes & Drives in Rocky Mountain National Park for Fall ColorsRead More

Pikes Peak Sunset Colorado Front Range

Colorado’s Front Range––Much More Than Big Cities

Spend any amount of time in Colorado, and you’re likely to come across the term “Front…

Colorado’s Front Range––Much More Than Big CitiesRead More

Moraine Park Campground RMNP Estes Park Campsite 1

Camping near Estes Park, around Rocky Mountain National Park

Estes Park is one of Colorado’s favorite mountain towns, in no small part thanks to its…

Camping near Estes Park, around Rocky Mountain National ParkRead More

Grand Lake Colorado

Camping near Granby and Grand Lake, around the West Side of RMNP

Tucked away north of Winter Park lies the “Great Lakes of Colorado,” sandwiched between the Grand…

Camping near Granby and Grand Lake, around the West Side of RMNPRead More

Maroon Bells Snowmass Wilderness Colorado Nature

10 Zen Nature Trips in Colorado

With a state-wide stay-at-home in place throughout Colorado, people are looking for a moment of zen.…

10 Zen Nature Trips in ColoradoRead More

Primary Sidebar

Join our Colorado travel community

Enter your email below and grab our free locals' guide and monthly what's up designed to help you live your Colorado life and uncover fun things to do. —and never miss out again.

Recent Posts

  • Top things to do in Sterling, Colorado
  • Find Gold in Colorado & Relive the West
  • Best Long Weekend Trips in Colorado
  • Cool Off at 8 Colorado Swimming Holes
  • Colorado Farmers Markets

Footer

Get In Touch

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Resources
  • Disclaimer
Facebook Instagram Pinterest Twitter

Disclosure: Uncover Colorado is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Things To Do

  • Travel Blog
  • Colorado Activities
  • Colorado Events
  • Colorado Towns
  • Colorado Hotels
  • Colorado Restaurants
  • Colorado Transportation
  • Made in Colorado

Visit Mile High Happy Hour for Denver neighborhoods' restaurant happy hours.

Spring Activities

  • Camping
  • Federal Lands
  • Ghost Towns
  • Hot Springs
  • Scenic Drives
  • Skiing and Snowboarding
  • State Parks
  • Waterfalls

Vacation like a VIP! Leisurely Lifestyle shares life and travel hacks, as well as cheap luxury travel.

Copyright © 2022 · Uncover Colorado | Sitemap | Advertise