This National Park Is Renowned for Its Altitude — Featuring Breathtaking Hikes, Diverse Wildlife, and More

Rocky Mountain National Park ranks among the highest national parks in the U.S., with elevations ranging from 7,600 feet to 14,259 feet (nearly three miles high). In addition to its impressive height, the park is traversed by the stunning Continental Divide and boasts the highest continuously paved road in the country, the Trail Ridge Road, offering picturesque high-altitude drives. Adventurers will discover over 350 miles of trails, many leading to pristine wilderness.

“Rocky Mountain National Park offers unparalleled access to wild areas for visitors seeking solitude and breathtaking scenery,” stated Kyle Patterson, the management specialist and public affairs officer for the park, in an interview with Dinogo.

Here’s everything you should know before your trip to Rocky Mountain National Park.

Preparing for Your Visit 

Rocky Mountain National Park is accessible 24/7 throughout the year, though certain areas might be closed seasonally or due to weather. Regardless of when you go, you'll need to acquire a park pass. A one-day vehicle pass costs $30, while a seven-day vehicle pass is priced at $35.

The park operates entirely cashless, so you'll need to purchase your entrance pass online via Recreation.gov or use a credit/debit card or digital payment at one of the park entrances. If you only have cash, you can buy a park pass from the Rocky Mountain Conservancy Nature Stores located at three of the visitor centers: Beaver Meadows, Fall River, or Kawuneeche. 

If you're planning to visit during the park's peak season, from late May to mid-October, you'll also need to secure a timed-entry permit. There are two types available: one grants access to the entire park, while the other excludes the Bear Lake Road Corridor, the most frequented area. Both permits can be reserved on Recreation.gov starting May 1, 2024, and only require a $2 processing fee. With a timed-entry permit, you can enter the park within a two-hour window of your scheduled entry time, without a set departure time. For more details, check the park's timed-entry information page.

The park features four visitor centers: Beaver Meadows, Fall River, Kawuneche, and Alpine. Beaver Meadows and Fall River are situated on the eastern side of the park, close to Estes Park, Colorado, while Kawuneche is found on the western side near Granby, Colorado. These centers are open year-round. Alpine, the highest-elevation visitor center in the National Park System, is located on the northern side of the park and closes in winter.

During peak season, you can also explore the Moraine Park Discovery Center near the eastern entrances.

Getting There

If you're arriving in or flying into Denver, make your way west to Estes Park, Colorado, which serves as the gateway to the two eastern park entrances and visitor centers, Beaver Meadows and Fall River. For those coming from the western or southwestern regions of the state, the nearest entrance and visitor center will be Kawuneche, located near the town of Grand Lake, just north of Granby, Colorado. 

There is no public transport available from nearby cities to the park, so having a car is essential for exploring Rocky Mountain National Park. From late May to mid-October, you can drive along the iconic Trail Ridge Road, which links Grand Lake and Estes Park. 

Optimal Visiting Period 

The ideal time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) is usually in the fall, when attractions remain open but summer crowds have thinned out. Claire Molle, communications manager of Visit Estes Park, states, “Fall is a wonderful season to explore Estes Park and RMNP, showcasing beautiful autumn colors and the opportunity to observe the captivating elk rut. The weather is also fantastic in September and early October.”

She highlights that winter and spring are also remarkable times for a visit, mentioning that although some areas of the park are closed (including Trail Ridge Road), “Winters in RMNP bring a peaceful serenity, particularly during snowshoeing adventures. Great trails for snowshoeing can be found in RMNP from late November to early May!” 

Patterson emphasizes the tranquility of winter (along with frozen waterfalls) and notes that while the summer wildflower season can be breathtaking, “The peak visitation period runs from late May through mid-October.”

Top Activities to Experience

Trail Ridge Road

This scenic paved route links the park's two primary entrances — Grand Lake and Estes Park — revealing the breathtaking beauty of Rocky Mountain National Park. The road provides panoramic views of the Rockies from every angle. Driving along Trail Ridge Road typically takes visitors between four to eight hours, depending on the number of scenic overlooks and trails they choose to explore.

Patterson highlights that this route is “the highest continuous paved road in the United States, reaching 11 miles above the treeline. There are several pull-offs and short trails where you can experience the enchanting alpine tundra and enjoy breathtaking 360-degree views from the top.”

Trail Ridge Road typically opens from Memorial Day until mid-October, depending on weather conditions.

Sheep Lakes

Located near the Fall River entrance, Sheep Lakes offers a stunning perspective of Horseshoe Park, which was shaped by ancient glaciers. The Rocky Mountain National Park website describes this “lovely meadow as an excellent spot for wildlife viewing. The area is named for the bighorn sheep that descend from the mountains to obtain essential nutrients from the mud. Additionally, Sheep Lakes is frequented by coyotes, ground squirrels, and elk.”

The parking area at Sheep Lakes is accessible 24/7 throughout the year, although it is most popular in the fall during the elk mating season. The nearby Sheep Lakes Information Station, however, is closed during the winter and spring months.

Holzwarth Historic Site

To explore the human history of the park, check out the Holzwarth Historic Site. This collection of buildings offers a glimpse into life during the 1920s when the Holzwarth family settled on 160 acres in the mountains.

The site is open to visitors year-round, but access to the historic buildings is restricted to the summer months, typically from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Best Hikes 

Bear Lake

For those who prefer not to hike extensively but still want to enjoy the scenery, visit the Bear Lake Trailhead on the eastern side of the park. This accessible trail circles the lake in a scenic half-mile loop, offering breathtaking views of Hallett Peak and the Continental Divide along the way.

Be aware that the trail tends to get crowded during the summer months, and parking can be scarce. To ensure you find a spot, consider parking at the Park & Ride lot and taking the free summer shuttle to the trailhead.

Emerald Lake

The Emerald Lake hike also starts at the Bear Lake Trailhead, but it tends to be less crowded than the Bear Lake loop. (However, the parking and shuttle recommendations mentioned earlier still apply.)

Molle explains, "It's a fantastic choice for families or those unsure of their hiking distance since the trail first leads to Nymph Lake, then Dream Lake, and finally to Emerald Lake about two miles in. All three lakes are stunning, and the trail lets you choose your destination based on how adventurous you're feeling."

Chasm Lake

For those seeking a more challenging hike, Patterson suggests making your way to Chasm Lake on the park's eastern side. Nestled at the base of Longs Peak, Colorado's tallest summit and one of the state's fourteen-thousanders, the out-and-back trail to Chasm Lake spans 8.4 miles and involves a steady ascent through a subalpine forest into the alpine tundra.

Coyote Valley

This straightforward out-and-back trail is situated on the park's west side, close to Grand Lake and Granby. The hike covers one mile roundtrip and is wheelchair accessible, following the Colorado River, which attracts local wildlife like elk and moose.

Cascade Falls

This hiking trail is also found on the more tranquil western side of Rocky Mountain National Park. Stretching nearly seven miles, the out-and-back route meanders through open meadows, dense pine forests, and alongside the river, leading hikers to a stunning cascade that flows over pristine granite rock.

Wildlife

Wildlife observation is a primary draw for visitors to Rocky Mountain National Park, which hosts a variety of large animals including elk, bighorn sheep, moose, and bears. The park boasts a substantial elk herd, estimated at between 600 to 800 during winter, alongside around 350 bighorn sheep. Additionally, there are small populations of moose and black bears.

As stated on the park’s website, "wildlife watching is rated the number-one activity by a vast majority of Rocky's three million annual visitors."

Elk

One of the most fascinating times to observe the elk herd is in the fall during the rut, or mating season. Sheep Lake is a favored spot for viewing, as are locations throughout the park where meadows meet forests. According to the national park’s website, "Elk spend much of their time at or above treeline during the summer, descending to lower elevations in the fall, winter, and spring."

Bighorn Sheep

The prime location to spot bighorn sheep is at the aptly named Sheep Lakes, particularly from May through mid-August.

Moose

Moose are more frequently observed on the western side of the park, especially along the Colorado River in the Kawuneeche Valley, where they favor the willow thickets lining the river.

Black Bears

Black bears tend to steer clear of humans, making them a rare sight within the park. When they are spotted, it usually occurs in the summer after they emerge from hibernation. Interestingly, despite their name, black bears can also be found in shades of dark brown, cinnamon, or even nearly blonde.

Places to Stay 

Alongside numerous backcountry camping options that require a permit, Rocky Mountain National Park features five campgrounds with reservable sites that are accessible by car. 

Patterson mentions that “They are highly sought after, and demand often surpasses availability.” She also cautions that Moraine Park Campground, the largest in the park, is currently closed. It is expected to reopen in summer 2024, though the exact date is yet to be determined.

Reservations are required in advance for all campgrounds except Longs Peak Campground, with a rolling six-month reservation window.

Campgrounds

Aspenglen Campground: This site offers 52 RV and tent spots, including 13 designated for tents only. There is no water supply or RV dump station available. It is the only campground open throughout the year.

Glacier Basin Campground: With 150 sites, Glacier Basin is equipped with various amenities such as firewood for purchase, potable water, a dump station, and friendly staff on site. It operates from late May to mid-September, depending on weather conditions.

Moraine Park Campground: This is the park's largest campground, boasting 244 campsites. According to the park website, it is “closed until early June 2024,” although Patterson mentioned that the exact opening date is uncertain and may be delayed into summer. Once the campground restoration project is completed, it will feature new pathways, parking areas, and facilities, including 15 additional wheelchair-accessible campsites, 90 new food storage boxes, and electrical hookups for approximately 60 sites. Moraine Park Campground also provides potable water, an RV dump station, and on-site staff.

Longs Peak Campground: This campground is designated for tents only (no RVs permitted). It typically opens in July and closes in early September, and it is the only first-come, first-served campground in the park.

Timber Creek Campground: Located on the quieter western side of the park, Timber Creek is the sole campground in this area. It offers 98 RV and tent sites, with 30 reserved specifically for tents. Amenities include potable water, an RV dump station, and on-site staff. Timber Creek is open only during the summer season.

Hotels

Trailborn Rocky Mountains: The excitement surrounding this new hotel is well-deserved. Trailborn Rocky Mountains, which opened in late 2023 in Estes Park, is designed specifically for national park visitors. This thoughtfully designed basecamp is clean and modern, offering just the right amenities to stand out, including on-site dining, pools, and an outdoor area with fire pits. 

“The Trailborn is recognized as a contemporary and well-appointed motel-style accommodation, ideal for outdoor enthusiasts,” noted Molle.

Grand Lake Lodge: This establishment is situated on the western side of the park in the town of Grand Lake. Most visitors opt for the historic cabins, which have been modernized, but there are also four “Jupes,” or tents, featuring high ceilings and solar-powered electricity.

Places to Eat

Rocky Mountain National Park lacks dining facilities, so it's essential to plan ahead by packing a picnic or returning to town for meals.

The Rock Inn Mountain Tavern

The Rock Inn Mountain Tavern is among the nearest dining options to the national park entrance. It serves as more than just a restaurant — it’s a vibrant community hub featuring live music and mouthwatering food almost all the time.

Poppy's Pizza & Grill

This restaurant is a personal favorite of Molle’s. Located right by the river in Estes Park, it boasts an outdoor patio perfect for enjoying their specialty pizzas or sandwiches alongside a locally brewed Colorado beer.

Claire's Restaurant and Bar

This dining spot in Estes Park is another of Molle’s top recommendations. Claire’s offers a diverse menu featuring BBQ, seafood, and burgers. Established in 1992, it remains a beloved choice, especially with its charming outdoor patio.