Rocky Mountain National Park

Located in North Central Colorado in the beautiful town of Estes Park, Rocky Mountain National Park truly boasts some of the most magnificent scenery in the entire national park system. With more than 1/3 of the 415-square-mile park situated above the timberline, the 71 snow-capped peaks and magnificent alpine tundra are the centerpieces of the park, with at least 60 of those mountain tops exceeding 12,000 feet!

But that’s not all there is to see. You’ll find sparkling lakes, beautiful meadows of wildflowers, and a massive array of wildlife from elk, moose and deer to cougars and black bears. Eagles and hawks are not an uncommon sight, either.

Start your tour of Rocky Mountain National Park with a visit to one of five Visitor Centers on the premises. Some are open year round while others are only open during peak season. Plan to make a stop at the Moraine Park Museum to view the natural history exhibits, and the Holzwarth Historic Site, a historic guest ranch where you can explore old dude ranch furnishings, tools, and other equipment.

Rocky Mountain National Park boasts 355 miles of hiking trails that carry trekkers through a variety of terrain. Local rangers are the best source of information about RMNP trails, including advice on hiking at high altitudes and general safety. It’s essential to bring along extra food and water, rain gear, and other emergency needs if you’re taking an extended hike in the Rocky Mountain National park. If you’re an inexperienced hiker, however, there are a myriad of easy trails that take you to pretty lakes or past pristine waterfalls.

The park’s many peaks offer numerous opportunities for climbing and mountaineering. Climbers can boulder for a few hours or take advantage of multi-day wall climbing trips that will thrill even the most avid climber. In an attempt to lessen the impact climbing has on the park, however, there are some areas are now off limits to climbers. Plan ahead and contact a ranger station to determine which areas are climbable.

Other favorite activities including exploring by bicycle (bikes are allowed only on park roads) and fishing which is permitted in 48 of the park’s 156 lakes. Four types of trout are found in these lakes and a valid Colorado fishing license is needed in order to catch them.

Winter activities include cross country skiing and snow shoeing. Small designated areas are available for both sledding and snowmobiling, too!

There are no lodges that are actually inside Rocky Mountain National Park, though visitors can find many options in the neighboring towns of Estes Park or Grand Lake. There are 6 campgrounds of varying sizes inside the park. Three take reservations while the others are filled on a first come, first served basis. One of them is wheelchair accessible. Amenities vary, but most of the campgrounds are quite primitive.

Summer is the peak visitor season for Rocky Mountain National Park. Weather during the summer is pleasant, with sunny days and cool nights, especially at high elevation. Snow is possible above the timberline. Winters are cold and rather unpredictable, so anyone visiting the park during this time must be prepared for extreme temperatures as well as high winds and difficult roads.

To reach Rocky Mountain National Park from Denver or anywhere east, take U.S. routes 34 or 36 through Estes Park, Colorado. From west or south, take I-70 to U.S. Rt. 40., then to U.S. Rt.34 through Granby and Grand Lake.

Contact:

Rocky Mountain National Park
1000 Highway 36
Estes Park, CO 80517-8397
Visitor Information: 970-586-1206