When we began to plan posts on the National Parks, Rocky Mountain National Park was the most visited among the Families Fly Free team, and in fact, it is one of the most popular National Parks with more than three million people visiting every year.

We’ve compiled our collective wisdom and experience in this Ultimate Guide to Rocky Mountain National Park to help you on your next visit to this Colorado gem.

Rocky Mountain National park camping

Want to learn the EASY way to fly for free by collecting and redeeming travel rewards? Join us in Families Fly Free, the premier online travel club where you can learn our SIMPLE, step-by-step system and save thousands of dollars in the process, while enjoying 1-on-1 support, a vibrant community and timely travel webinars and alerts. It's helped hundreds of families and thousands of people be able to travel MORE while spending less -- all while making priceless memories with their families.

 

See what members have to say...

 

How to Get to Rocky Mountain National Park

Whether you’re driving or flying, we’ve got you covered on the best way to reach this Colorado National Park.

Flying

Southwest plane Denver airport
Denver International Airport

Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the more accessible National Parks, as it’s located just west of Denver, a major city with an international airport.

Southwest fans can fly into Denver on Southwest, using their Southwest Companion Pass, so one person can fly free and then use Southwest points to cover everyone else. Of course, you can pay in dollars, too!

[convertkit form=5025785]

Other airlines that fly into Denver, include: 

  • Alaska
  • Allegiant
  • American
  • Delta
  • Frontier
  • JetBlue
  • Spirit
  • Sun Country
  • United
  • WestJet

 

Driving and Parking

Rocky Mountain National Park

NOTE: During certain months, you may be required to have a timed entry permit in order to enter the park by car unless you have a service reservation in the park such as camping, horseback riding or a commercial tour. They do hold some slots for last minute reservations which can be purchased the day before your planned entry. Create an account at recreation.gov and then check if a permit is needed and if so, reserve your permit HERE

If you plan to drive through the park, allot most of your day for this activity.

There are many points where traffic slows to a crawl, especially if some wildlife is spotted by the side of the road!

Allow even more time if you want to hike inside the park, as the hike alone could take several hours depending on which hike you choose.

See our picks for best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park below.

The most popular driving route is the 11-mile Trail Ridge Road, which is the highest continuously paved highway in North America.

Another option is Bear Lake Road, which is 23 miles roundtrip to Bear Lake, one of the busiest areas of the park.

There are also several hiking trails that start at this lake.

See this Rocky Mountain National Park map for driving directions, and here are some tips to help your car handle the steep inclines and declines.

Parking is also likely to be a challenge during busier months, and you may not be able to find a parking spot at the key stops although it’s always worth a try.

We’ve found that even though the sign says “parking full,” it’s NOT ALWAYS true!

So, if you’re willing to take a chance, go for it.

Not that daring? Park at the Estes Park Visitors Center and take the free shuttle into the park.

Note: Make sure to check if the shuttle is currently running.

This is ideal for hikers, as it drops you off close to your trailhead; no parking stress is required!

Note: The shuttle bus does not operate on the west side of the park, so check the map here first to make sure it goes where you need.

 

Entrance Fees

The park is open 24 hours a day 365 days a year, and entrance fees are $30 per car for a day pass, $35 per car for a seven-day pass or $70 for an annual pass to this park only.

You can also purchase a seven-day motorcycle pass for $30.

Senior citizens can purchase a lifetime senior pass that covers ALL national parks for $80 or instead choose a $20 annual pass.

The best part? Everyone in your car ALSO gets in with your senior pass. Nifty… 😉.

Are you an active military member, veteran or Gold Star family? Grab a FREE pass and thank you for your service!

If you plan on visiting more than 2 National Parks in a year, opt for an America the Beautiful annual pass for $80 to save money.

And, don’t forget, if you have a fourth grader, your whole family gets into National Parks free during their school year and the following summer as part of Every Kid Outdoors.

These special passes alone are honored at more than 45 Federal Recreation sites throughout the United States!

You can also access Rocky Mountain National Park FREE in 2024 on the below days, but keep in mind these days will be even MORE BUSY than usual…

January 15Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
April 20First day of National Park Week
June 19Juneteenth
August 4Great American Outdoors Act Anniversary
September 28National Public Lands Day
November 11Veterans Day

 

Where to Stay Near the Park

When visiting Rocky Mountain National Park, you have two main towns that are closest to the park: Estes Park and Grand Lake.

Estes Park is the busier and more popular of the two, and accommodations will fill quickly in the summer and fall months. Making your reservations in advance is ideal.

The town of Grand Lake with its beautiful mountain backdrop provides many cabins and Vrbo vacation rentals and is situated on the west, less busy side of the park.

It’s so named for Grand Lake, which is Colorado’s largest natural lake. 

You can rent boats on the lake in the summer and snowmobile nearby in the winter.

There’s shopping on the downtown boardwalk, and be sure to have a meal at Pancho & Lefty’s, a popular Mexican restaurant with a view of Grand Lake and patio seating in the summer.

 

Rocky Mountain National Park Hotels

Here are two great hotels near Rocky Mountain National Park.

The Stanley, Estes Park

Stanley Hotel Estes Park Colorado
The Stanley Hotel, Credit Visit Estes Park

Remember “The Shining”? Author Stephen King was inspired to write the creepy novel about a hotel after a stay at The Stanley!

But this is a classic grand hotel in a picturesque mountain setting, overlooking the park.

The property offers four different types of accommodations, including…

  • the historic portion, which opened in 1909
  • boutique-style rooms
  • apartment-like suites
  • private condo residences

Della Terra Mountain Chateau

Della Terra Mountain Chateau
Credit Della Terra Mountain Chateau

Located at the Fall River entrance to the park, the Della Terra Mountain Chateau is an upscale inn set on 14 acres.

A family-owned property, the Chateau features a spa and a choice of a luxury suite or mountain cabin built in the early 1900s.

 

Rocky Mountain National Park Cabins and Camping

Here are some of our recommended Rocky Mountain National Park cabin and camping options.

YMCA of the Rockies

YMCA of the Rockies cabin

YMCA of the Rockies Estes Park offers cabins and lodges that sleep up to 10 guests and are very affordable. There are lots of activities for kids and families, such as:

  • mini golf
  • campfires
  • challenge courses
  • swimming
  • roller skating
  • crafts

You can also hike directly into the park from your cabin at the resort, so you can skip the whole “trying to find a parking spot” issue :).

[30 Brilliant Reasons to Book a Stay at YMCA of the Rockies]

See our video of a two-bedroom cabin at YMCA of the Rockies…

 

 

YMCA of the Rockies Snow Mountain Ranch in Granby offers cabins, lodges, camping and yurts for your family or a family reunion area for the whole crew.

They offer tons of activities including…

  • cross country skiing
  • horse-drawn sleigh rides
  • dog sledding
  • zip-lining
  • fishing
  • bike rentals
  • summer tubing

So fun!

[34 Reasons to Visit YMCA of the Rockies Snow Mountain Ranch]

Check out our video of a two-bedroom cabin at YMCA of the Rockies Snow Mountain Ranch…

 

Jellystone Park

Jellystone Park, a family-friendly campground and resort with non-rustic “camping” and RV sites, is just 10 miles from Rocky Mountain National Park.

They have a swimming pool, the popular candy bar bingo, theme nights and laser tag.

Park Campgrounds and Backcountry Camping

You can also camp right inside the park, which is a great way to beat the crowds in the morning and be there after they leave in the evening.

You can also choose campsites in the park’s backcountry, which is less crowded.

Campsites inside the park are $30 per night in summer and $20 per night in winter.

 

Vacation Rentals

Note: This portion contains affiliate links for which the blog may earn a commission if you make a purchase after clicking through.

If you want to spread out, have access to a washer/dryer and be able to cook meals in your accommodations, a vacation rental is a great option!

Here are 2 Rocky Mountain National Park vacation rentals we found that are gorgeous…

Gem Lake Retreat, Estes Park Cabin

Rocky Mountain National Park cabin
Credit Vrbo
  • 1300 square feet
  • Sleeps 6
  • 3 bedrooms
  • Mountain views
  • 2 decks
  • 10-minute walk to Rocky Mountain’s Gem Lake Trail
  • 1.5 miles from downtown Estes Park

Grand Lake Village Retreat 

Rocky Mountain National Park cabin
Credit Vrbo
  • 900-square-foot 1940’s cabin
  • Sleeps 4 in 2 bedrooms
  • Walking distance from downtown Grand Lake and Rocky Mountain trail heads
  • Fireplace
  • Washer/dryer
  • Pet-friendly

When to Visit the Park

Summer and fall are the busiest times in the park.

According to Estes-Park.com, the top 10 busiest days in the park from most busy to least busy were…

  • September 24
  • July 3
  • September 4
  • September 17
  • July 24
  • July 10
  • July 17
  • September 5
  • July 23
  • July 30

These dates also largely fall on weekends, so try to visit during the week if you can and better yet, arrive before 10 a.m. when parking tends to fill to capacity.

Rocky Mountain National Park fall aspens
Fall is an amazing time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park when the aspen trees turn golden!

Fall is a lovely time to visit, as it’s elk mating season, and you can often hear them making their characteristic “bugle” call throughout this time.

Mid-September is also when the aspen leaves turn gold, which is a bucket list site to see for sure! Just be prepared for snow!

If you want to see mountain wildflowers, late spring and summer are the best times to catch the blooms.

 

Rocky Mountain National Park Weather

The weather in the mountains can change quickly.

Be prepared for late afternoon thunderstorms in the summer and even hail in the spring or fall.

Also, snow stays around later and comes earlier than you might expect in other parts of the country.

Cami saw snow in early September, and Lyn has been caught in a snowstorm in October.

It’s also very often early June before the snow largely melts (though you will still see snow at the higher elevations).

You can check the current Rocky Mountain National Park weather conditions here.

 

Things to Do at Rocky Mountain National Park

Look for Wildlife

Elk Rocky Mountain National Park wildlife

Spotting wildlife is a great activity inside Rocky Mountain National Park.

Your best bets to see the creatures of the park are early morning or early evening.

Animals that live in the park range from mule deer and elk to smaller creatures like the super cute marmot often spotted sunning on rocks, as well as beavers and badgers.

Moose, bear and mountain lion also call the park home.

If you enjoy birding, there are also plentiful birds, especially during the summer.

When Lyn visited with her family, they saw a large elk lounging by the side of the road, as well as big-horned sheep on the east side of the park and when Cami visited, she was able to witness 2 elk sparring. 

 

Go Fishing

If you like fly fishing, the confluence of the rivers in the Y camp is the place to go with waders.

Cami’s husband came face to face with three bull elk while fishing there.

See the Continental Divide

Colorado boasts more peaks that are higher than 14,000 feet than any other state, and Rocky Mountain has 60 mountains that are more than 12,000 feet, with its highest point an impressive 14,259 feet in elevation.

By comparison, the tallest peak in the continental U.S. is California’s Mt. Whitney, 14,505 feet, and the tallest mountain in the nation is Denali — also known as Mt. McKinley — in Alaska at a staggering 23,010 feet.

Take advantage of this park’s high altitude by visiting the Continental Divide, which runs north and south through the Park.

You’re at what amounts to being on the top of a steep “roof” with water west of the Divide draining toward the Pacific Ocean with water to the east ultimately making its way to the Atlantic.

Climb Rocks

Rock climbing is a popular activity inside the park, especially during the summer and fall months.

Check out Lumpy Ridge with its granite walls and climbs with names like Batman and The Pear.

More advanced rock climbers may want to head to Longs Peak at more than 14,000 feet in elevation.

 

Ride Horses

horseback riding Rocky Mountain National Park

Riding horses through the Rocky Mountains is a must-do.

There’s nothing quite like letting a horse navigate you to your destination as you communicate with it through your body and the reins.

There are 260 miles of trails used for horseback riding inside the park, and there are many options for guided trail rides or a tour.

 

Top Rocky Mountain National Park Hikes

best Rocky Mountain National Park hikes

Here are some of the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park as recommended by the Families Fly Free team.

Find a complete list of Rocky Mountain National Park hikes here.

Bear Lake Loop

Because this is one of the most popular areas of the park, you’re unlikely to find a parking spot during the busy summer and fall months.

The shuttle bus (see above) may be your only option to access this area!

This is an easy .6-mile loop and nature trail great for families or those who aren’t looking to overly-exert themselves at the high elevation.

 

Wild Basin Trailhead

From this trailhead, you can access many different hikes, including hikes to several different waterfalls and lakes.

Choose from Copeland Falls, about .6 miles round trip, all the way to Lion Lake, a 14-mile hike round trip.

 

Nymph, Dream & Emerald Lake

Rocky Mountain National Park

These hikes are some of the park’s most popular, because of their incredible views, but beware that during summer months they will be filled with people, as they too are accessed from the Bear Lake Trail Head.

Nymph Lake is the shortest at a mile round trip and Emerald Lake is the longest at about 4 miles round trip.

Cami says Dream Lake, just more than a 2-mile round trip hike, is one of her favorite places on earth, as it’s absolutely gorgeous with perfectly clear water.

She recommends packing a fly rod to enjoy catch-and-release fishing.

Timberline Falls

If you enjoy a reward at the end of your hike, choose a Rocky Mountain National Park hike that ends at a waterfall.

There are at least five options, including Timberline Falls.

Located on the Eastside, this 4-mile hike gains about 1,500 feet in elevation.

Want more great Rocky Mountain hikes?

Try this bucket list hike from Aspen to Crested Butte.

 

What to Bring to Rocky Mountain National Park

Layers of Clothing

The temperatures in Rocky Mountain National Park can vary wildly as you change elevation, so bring many different layers of clothes that you can add or remove.

Lyn also always recommends a poncho or rain-resistant light coat, as her family has been caught in an afternoon thunderstorm on a hike through the Rocky Mountains!

 

Water

The Rocky Mountains (and Denver, known as the “mile-high city”) sit at a higher elevation, which is both closer to the sun and drier. Some people even experience altitude sickness.

The cure for it all is water — and lots of it!

Bring three times as much water as you think you might need, as most of us go through it very quickly!

Hiking Poles

The area’s high-altitude setting is a blessing, allowing beautiful, scenic views that are hard to beat.

It’s also a curse: hiking up and down trails can be really tough on your knees.

You can buy (good ones are expensive) or rent hiking poles which, when used properly, will take pressure off your joints as you go uphill.

They can help you “catapult” onto the next step, rock or boulder. 

Similarly, going downhill, which would appear to be less strenuous, can be just as tough on your knees. Hiking poles arrest your momentum going downhill and reduce the impact on your legs.

An added bonus: Hiking poles require your arms and shoulders to do more work, which helps strengthen those muscles, which usually go unchallenged on trail hikes.

I bet you didn’t know hiking can be a full-body workout!

Dutch Oven

Don’t forget your Dutch oven. One of the best parts of camping is fireside cooking. Dutch ovens are made of cast iron and need to be seasoned before use.

If you don’t have one, get a used one.

These cooking pots are virtually indestructible and will last generations; the older the better.

These squat pots have a lid with a wire handle and rest on 3 squat legs.

You put charcoal or wood embers on the lid and underneath the pot, so there’s no need to put it on a flame.

Start with some basic recipes (cobbler, pineapple upside-down cake and Stroganoff are classics), and you’ll have the whole family clamoring for more.

Make sure to bring pot holders to move the Dutch oven when hot; channel locks or tongue-and-groove pliers are helpful in lifting the lid.

 

Jiffy Pop

Jiffy Pop
Credit: Amazon.com

No camp-out is complete without a fire, S’mores and tales told around the fire pit.

This is also a good time to reintroduce Jiffy Pop to younger generations.

This product includes popcorn kernels, oil and seasonings in one package with a foil pan that can go directly onto the flames or embers. In no time, you’ll have fresh popcorn!

Trip map created with Wanderlog, a trip planner on iOS and Android

Want more National Park tips?

–> Check out our post on 7 Top Tips for Visiting Our National Parks.

What Rocky Mountain National Park tips do you have?

Read More…

Author