Rocky Mountain National Park
Located in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado sits one of the most popular parks in the national park service. With soaring mountains, alpine lakes, and scenic drives, Rocky Mountain National Park is a joy to explore.
This is one of the best US national parks to go hiking. Towering mountain peaks, alpine lakes and waterfalls, and trails that cross the Continental Divide create world-class hiking experiences.
Rocky Mountain National Park also offers a lot to do for those who arenโt big fans of hiking. Drive one of the highest roads in the USA, spot wildlife, walk the easier trails around scenic lakes and waterfalls, and be amazed at the beauty here.
Rocky Mountain NP Stats
Founded: January 26, 1915
Annual Visitors: 4.1 million in 2023, making it the 5th most visited park this year
Size: 270,000 acres
Location: Colorado
Entrance Fee: $25 per vehicle, valid for 1 day. $35 for a weekly pass.
Notable Fact: In 1976, UNESCO designated this park as one of the worldโs first Biosphere Reserves.
Top Experiences in Rocky Mountain National Park
10 Best Things to Do in Rocky Mountain National Park
In this guide, we cover the best things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park plus essential things to know to have the best experience.
Bear Lake. Bear Lake is one of the most popular places to visit in Rocky Mountain National Park. Itโs a short, easy stroll around the lake, making it a great hike to do for all ages and ability levels.
Drive Trail Ridge Road. This is the highest paved through road, not only in Colorado, but also in the entire US national park system. It reaches its highest point at 12,183 feet and along the way, there is a good chance that you will spot bighorn sheep and elk.
Forest Canyon Overlook. This is one of the best overlooks located along Trail Ridge Road. At this viewpoint, you will be standing at 11,716 feet and have panoramic views of Longs Peak, Stones Peak, Hayden Gorge, and Gorge Lakes.
Go Hiking. There is no better way to experience Rocky Mountain National Park than from a hiking trail. With 355 miles of hiking trails, there are plenty to choose from. We list the top hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park later in this guide.
Visit Alberta Falls. This is one of the most popular waterfalls to visit in the park. To get here, it is a 1.7-mile hike that takes an hour or two.
Drive Old Fall River Road. This one-way, gravel road is 11 miles long and it takes about one hour to drive it. Itโs a beautiful, off-the-beaten-path scenic drive and along the way, you can also visit Chasm Falls.
Moraine Park. Moraine Park is one of the best places in Rocky Mountain National Park to see wildlife. Herds of elk can be found grazing in this valley.
Holzwarth Historic Site. In 1917, John Holzwarth and his family, immigrants from Germany, built a small cabin on this site. Visitors to the park can tour the property to learn more about the life of Colorado homesteaders.
Go Mountaineering. With numerous peaks over 12,000 feet, 20 of these which sit above 13,000 feet, this park attracts climbers from around the world. Activities range from bouldering to easy climbs to multi-day climbs up vertical cliffs. In the winter months, ice climbing is an option.
Go Cross-Country Skiing. From December through May, when much of the park is covered in snow, you can explore the park by snowshoeing or cross-country skiing.
ULTIMATE ADVENTURE
For the ultimate adventure in Rocky Mountain National Park, hike to the top of Longs Peak. At 14,259 feet, this is the only fourteener in the park. Itโs a tough hike and many people who attempt it never make it to the summit, turning around early because of storms or the difficult conditions.
Did You Know?
Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the highest national parks in the USA. There are sixty mountain peaks over 12,000 feet and many of these top out over 13,000 feet. Longs Peak, at 14,259 feet, is the only fourteener in the park.
The Continental Divide runs through the park. You can cross the Continental Divide by foot or by driving Trail Ridge Road, the highest paved through road in the national park system.
Approximately one-third of Rocky Mountain National Park is alpine tundra. Above 11,000 feet, trees disappear, temperatures drop, and many people will feel short of breath, due to the high altitude.
Best Hikes in RMNP
15 Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park
From short, easy strolls around lakes, to ridgeline trails with panoramic views, to challenging but epic climbs to the tallest mountain peaks, there truly is something here for everyone. Here are 15 of the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Ultimate Guide to Sky Pond: Trail Stats, Photos & Helpful Tips
Sky Pond is one of the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park for good reason. This hike has a little bit of everythingโฆwaterfalls, alpine lakes, high mountain views, and fun river and stream crossings. To get to Sky Pond, you will rock scramble up a waterfall, which can be refreshing when the weather is […]
Nymph, Dream & Emerald Lake Hike (+ How to Add on Bear Lake & Lake Haiyaha)
The Emerald Lake hike is one of the most popular hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. On this hike, you get to see three very pretty alpine lakes (Nymph Lake, Dream Lake, and Emerald Lake), with the option to add on Bear Lake and Lake Haiyaha. This is a great hike for almost all ages […]
How to Hike Chasm Lake: Helpful Tips, Hiking Stats & Photos
Chasm Lake is one of the most spectacular lakes in Rocky Mountain National Park. For the first part of the hike, you will walk the same trail as hikers on their way to Longs Peak, the highest point in the park. Once the trail splits, the hike gets a little easier and you are treated […]
How to Hike the Ute Trail to Tombstone Ridge, RMNP
The Ute Trail to Tombstone Ridge is a wonderful, short, easy hike to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. For the entire hike, you are walking along the alpine tundra with unobstructed views of Longs Peak and Forest Canyon. If you are looking for an easy hike with spectacular views of Rocky Mountain Park, put […]
How to Hike the Continental Divide Trail to Mt Ida, RMNP
While hiking to Mt Ida, you really feel like you are walking on top of the world. For much of this hike you walk along the Continental Divide, so you have panoramic views across the park. It gets even better once you reach the summit of Mt Ida. From here, at an elevation of 12,899 […]
How to Hike to Gem Lake, RMNP (Trail Stats, Photos & Helpful Tips)
Gem Lake is a short but strenuous hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. Not only do you get to visit a pretty lake but you also get sweeping views of Estes Park with Longs Peak in the distance. If you are looking for a short, family-friendly hike, and donโt mind a bit of a stair […]
Complete Guide to the Twin Sisters Peak Trail, RMNP
The Twin Sisters Peak trail, which crosses between Rocky Mountain National Park and the Roosevelt National Forest, offers 360ยฐ views from the top of the Twin Sisters Peaks. Since this hike is on the far eastern edge of Rocky Mountain National Park, you get a panoramic view of the national park, with Longs Peak and […]
How to Hike Deer Mountain, RMNP | Helpful Tips, Trail Stats, Photos
Deer Mountain is one of the easier hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park that offers high mountain views. To get to the peak, itโs an almost constant uphill walk through an evergreen forest. You will get occasional glimpses of Longs Peak early on during the hike, but for the most part, you will have to […]
How to Hike Bear Lake to Odessa Lake and Fern Lake, RMNP
The hike to Odessa Lake and onward to Fern Lake is a relatively low-traffic trail in Rocky Mountain National Park. Its nearby neighbors of Bear Lake, Emerald Lake, and Dream Lake get a lot more visitors, so if you are looking for a relatively uncrowded trail with the chance to visit multiple alpine lakes, this […]
How Many Days Should You Spend in RMNP?
The Perfect Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary (2024)
Ideally, plan on spending at least three days in Rocky Mountain National Park. This gives you enough time to drive Alpine Ridge Road, Old Fall River Road, and hike a few of the trails.
If you are an avid hiker, I recommend spending at least five days in Rocky Mountain National Park. This gives you enough time to acclimate to the higher elevation (very important if you live at a low elevation) before tackling some of the higher, tougher hikes (such as Mount Ida, Hallett Peak, or Longs Peak).
One Perfect Day in Rocky Mountain National Park
However, if you only have one day in Rocky Mountain National Park, you can still have a great visit. Hike one of the trails in the morning and spend the afternoon on Trail Ridge Road.
When To Visit Rocky Mountain National Park
If you want full access to the park, which includes driving Trail Ridge Road and Old Fall River Road, plan your visit for the summer and early fall, when these roads are typically open.
The summer months are the busiest months to visit Rocky Mountain National Park, but with warm temperatures and great weather, this is also one of the best times to go hiking.
Crowds can linger into autumn, as the leaves change color and pleasant weather continues to attract hikers.
Once the snow arrives, usually by mid to late autumn, crowds begin to diminish. Temperatures are low in the winter, but so are the crowds. This is a great time to explore Rocky Mountain National Park crowd-free and try out snowshoeing.
In the spring, warmer temperatures melt the snow and visitation picks up. Snow can linger on the higher trails into July, depending on snowfall levels for that year.
Rocky Mountain National Park appears in our Best US National Parks Month-By-Month series as a great park to visit in February, June, September, and October.
10 Best National Parks to Visit in February 2024 (USA)
Which are the best US national parks to visit in February? The answer to that question depends on whether or not you prefer a warm destination or if you want to explore a winter wonderland. Most of the parks on this list have you escaping the cold, wintry weather, with the exception of one beautiful […]
15 Best National Parks to Visit in June 2024 (USA)
The list of US national parks to visit in June is wonderfully long and diverse. Visit the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, go hiking in the Rocky Mountains, spend some time in the tranquil forests in Olympic and Sequoia National Parks, and explore one of the most underrated US national parks, Wrangell-St. Elias. About […]
12 Best National Parks to Visit in September 2024 (USA)
September is one of the best months of the year to visit the national parks. The weather is fantastic across much of the USA, the busy summer season is coming to an end, and, in some parks, you can see the first of the fall colors. In this guide, we list 12 of the best […]
13 Best National Parks to Visit in October 2024 (USA)
In October, fall colors sweep across much of the United States. The majority of the parks that you will see on this list are parks that are ablaze in fall colors. Some of these are obvious picks, such as Acadia and Shenandoah, but a few may surprise you. In this guide, we list 13 beautiful […]
Timed Entry Permit
To visit Rocky Mountain National Park from May 24 to October 20, 2024, you will need to reserve a permit in advance.
This has been implemented to limit crowds at the busiest sections of the park during the peak visitation season (the summer months). If you do not have a reservation, you will not be allowed to enter the park.
Reservations are made online on the recreation.gov website. Each daily reservation costs $2 per vehicle, which is in addition to the $25 daily entrance fee or $35 weekly entrance fee per vehicle. Learn more on the official National Park Service website. Or visit recreation.gov to make your reservation.
US National Parks that Require Reservations โ 2024 Guide
Rocky Mountain National Park is not the only park that requires an advance reservation of some sort. Get the full list in our guide to the US National Parks that require an advance reservation.
Colorado Road Trip Ideas
Ultimate Guide to the Colorado National Parks (+ 10 Day Itinerary)
Colorado is an excellent road trip destination. On one road trip, you can visit four national parks: Rocky Mountain, Mesa Verde, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, and Great Sand Dunes. These national parks can be linked together with multiple scenic drives.
7 to 14 Day Colorado Itinerary: National Parks & Scenic Drives
We have a detailed 10-day Colorado road trip itinerary that can be easily modified to suit your travel style and available time. The best time for this road trip is in the summer and early fall, when all of the roads are open.
More Places to Visit in Colorado
Best of Estes Park: Things to Do, Where to Eat & Where to Stay
Estes Park is the gateway into Rocky Mountain National Park. This small town is home to numerous hotels and restaurants, making it the perfect home base for exploring the Rocky Mountains. But if you need a break from exploring the national park, there are a bunch of fun things to do in town.
Best USA Road Trips: 18 Ideas for Your Next Big Adventure
One of the best ways to explore the USA is on a good old-fashioned road trip. Cruise along Route 66, road trip through the Florida Keys, explore the American Southwest, or even drive from coast to coast. In this guide, we share 18 of the best USA road tripsโฆ18 great ideas for your next big […]
How to Visit the Black Canyon of the Gunnison: North & South Rims
In some ways, the Black Canyon of the Gunnison is a smaller version of the Grand Canyon. You can visit both the North and South Rims, enjoy the views from the overlooks, and, for the ultimate adventure, hike below the rim to the Gunnison River. In this guide, learn how to visit Black Canyon of […]
9 Spectacular Scenic Drives in Colorado
Colorado is the perfect road trip destination. The Rocky Mountains, the national parks and state parks, the historic towns, and the diverse landscapes are all linked together by some of the most beautiful drives in the United States. Drive some of the highest roads in the United States and twist and turn through verdant valleys […]
Top 10 Things to Do in Mesa Verde National Park
Located in southwestern Colorado, Mesa Verde National Park is one of the most unique national parks in the United States. This park preserves the ancient Puebloan cliff dwellings and archeological sites that are hundreds of years old. Short hikes, scenic drives, and viewpoints make the to-do list, but the best way to experience this park […]
8 Amazing Things to Do at Great Sand Dunes National Park
Great Sand Dunes is a much different experience than many other national parks in the United States. Sure, there is hiking and amazing sunsets and ranger programs, but this park has a much different feel to it. Itโs a small park and the list of things to do is very short. A few hours are […]
Rocky Mountain National Park Map
Rocky Mountain National Park Photos
US National Parks List
In our US National Parks List, get information on all of the US national parks, including interesting facts, the most and least visited national parks, and a FREE printable national parks checklist with map.
Ultimate US National Parks List for 2024 (+ Printable Checklist)
