Rocky Mountain National Park has some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in the United States. The park is filled with snow-capped mountain peaks with tiny lakes nestled in the valleys between them, and gushing waterfalls cascading down their side.
The park is a hiker’s paradise and you can do anything from short flat strolls to long mountain treks. It’s also teeming with wildlife and the elk rut in the fall is especially impressive!
Table of Contents
Rocky Mountain National Park at a Glance
⭐ State: Colorado
⭐ Main attractions: Mountains, lakes, waterfalls
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Rocky Mountain National Park Travel Guide
Use these free guides to help you plan your trip to Rocky Mountain National Park. Click on the links below to go to detailed guides and answers to your questions.
How to Plan a Trip to Rocky Mountain National Park
This guide will help you with what you should AVOID doing when you plan a trip to Rocky Mountain National Park.
Read More: 7 MISTAKES TO AVOID IN ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK
Here are my top travel tips for Rocky Mountain National Park
Read More: 10 TIPS FOR VISITING ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK
There is a timed entry permit system for most of the year.
Read More: GUIDE TO ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK TIMED ENTRY
Entrance Fee for Rocky Mountain National Park
There is an entrance fee for the park. Find the latest fees on the NPS website.
To avoid long lines and save money, if you are planning to visit more than just Rocky Mountain National Park this year, it can be great value to purchase an America The Beautiful pass.
The one-year pass includes entrance at sites managed by the National Park Service, Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation and Army Corps of Engineers. It covers the fee for entrance for a driver and all passengers in a personal vehicle or up to 4 adults at sites that charge per person.
Get an America The Beautiful pass here.
There are other types of passes available for seniors, veterans, etc.
Read More: NATIONAL PARKS PASSES
Rocky Mountain National Park Visitor Centers
There are several Visitor Centers.
ℹ️ Beaver Meadows Visitor Center is located west of Estes Park on U.S. Highway 36. It’s open year-round except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
ℹ️ Fall River Visitor Center is located west of Estes Park on U.S. Highway 34. It’s also open year-round except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
ℹ️ Kawuneeche Visitor Center is located north of Grand Lake on U.S. Highway 34. It’s also open year-round except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
ℹ️ Alpine Visitor Center Located at the top of Fall River Pass and accessed via Trail Ridge Road. It’s the highest elevation visitor center in the National Park System at 11,796 feet above sea level. It’s usually open from late May to mid-October, weather permitting.
Moraine Park Discovery Center is located along Bear Lake Road. It’s usually open from late May to mid-October, weather permitting.
Best Tours of Rocky Mountain National Park
🎧 Get a self-guided audio tour of Rocky Mountain National Park
Things to Do in Rocky Mountain National Park
Winter is a magical time in the park. It’s very different from a warm weather visit, but well worth it.
Read More: BEST THINGS TO DO IN ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK IN WINTER
Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park
There are some really great hikes, ranging from very easy to challenging.
Read More: BEST HIKES IN ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK
Where to Stay In and Near Rocky Mountain National Park
There are five campgrounds inside the park.
There are no lodges or hotels inside the park, but there are plenty of accommodation options in Grand Lake (the west side of the park) and Estes Park (the more popular east side of the park).
Most people stay in nearby Estes Park, where there are plenty of accommodation options.
Read More: BEST RENTALS IN ESTES PARK
Estes park is a great place to find a cozy cabin.
Read More: BEST CABINS IN ESTES PARK
➡️ Find a hotel in/ near Estes Park on Expedia.
➡️ Find a different vacation rental in or near Estes Park on VRBO.
➡️ Find a hotel in/ near Grand Lake on Expedia.
➡️ Find a vacation rental in or near Grand Lake on VRBO.
How to Get To Rocky Mountain National Park
The most common ways to get to Rocky Mountain National Park are to drive or fly into one of the nearby airports and pick up a rental car there.
Read More: HOW TO GET TO ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK
🚗 If you need a rental car, find one on RentalsCars.com
✈️ If you’re looking for a flight, find a good deal on Skyscanner
The Nearest Airports for Rocky Mountain National Park
This guide tells you about all the airports near Rocky Mountain National Park with the pros and cons of each of them.
Read More: ALL THE AIRPORTS NEAR ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK
This is the closest airport to Rocky Mountain National Park.
✈️ If you’re looking for flights, use Skyscanner to scan the Internet for the cheapest deals.
How to Get Around Rocky Mountain National Park
Trail Ridge Road crosses from one side of the park to the other. However, the road is closed in winter.
There are two shuttle routes in Rocky Mountain National Park operating in the summer season only.
🚗 If you need a rental car, find one on RentalsCars.com
The Best Time to Visit Rocky Mountain National Park
The park is open all year, though Trail Ridge Road is closed in winter, so you need to decide which side to visit if you’re planning a winter trip.
A quick summary of the best time to visit the national park for different interests and priorities.
Take a look at what the park’s like in each season and month to help you decide when to visit Rocky Mountain National Park.
Read More: WHAT TO EXPECT THROUGHOUT THE YEAR IN ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK
How Long to Spend in Rocky Mountain National Park
How many days you should go to Rocky Mountain National Park for depends on when you have time off, how much time you have, your budget, and your interests. I recommend at least three days in the park if you like to hike.
Travel Insurance for Rocky Mountain National Park
In addition to working out the logistics of your trip using this travel guide, Rocky Mountain National Park planning should also include travel insurance. Protect yourself against trip cancellation, loss or theft of your property, or any medical emergencies.
A great insurance option is Travelex. It has coverage for all you’ll need. You can compare Travel Insurance plans here or get a quote right now:
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About the Author
James Ian is a national park, camping and hiking expert.
He has dedicated his life to travel, visiting more than 80 countries, all 7 continents and most of the national parks in the United States. With over 35 years experience in the travel industry, James has worked on cruise ships, at resorts and hotels, and as a travel planner who’s helped hundreds of people plan successful trips to US national parks.
Based on his experience visiting our national parks multiple times, in-depth research and expertise as a travel planner, James has published detailed itineraries for many of the major national parks in the US. These itineraries, as well as in-depth park guides, and other resources will help you have your own incredible trip to US national parks without stress and hassle.
As a national park expert, James has contributed to many publications, including USA Today, Time Business News, Savoteur, Best Trip, and Wired.