Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the jewels of the US Park System. This national park wonderfully preserves a spectacular section of the southern Rocky Mountains while also making it accessible to the public. It is a perfect place to get away from the stresses of our hurried lives and to reconnect with nature, family, and the things in life that truly matter.
With abundant wildlife, 100+ lakes, over 350 miles (560km) of hiking trails, roads that take you to the top of the mountains, and all the amenities you need just outside the park boundaries, Rocky has everything you need for an amazing vacation whether you are by yourself, with that special loved one, or with the extended family.
Rocky Mountain National Park is in north-central Colorado about 60 miles (97 km) north of Denver. The great range of the Rocky Mountains stretches 3,000 miles (4,800 km) from northern Canada to New Mexico. Rocky Mountain National Park protects a small sliver of this, covering an area of 415 sq. mile (1,075 sq. km). It is however a beautiful portion of these mountains that is well worth protecting.
Rocky Mountain National Park’s gateway towns are Grand Lake in the west and Estes Park in the east. The Continental Divide runs through the park from north to south along the top of the mountains dividing the park into a western and eastern side of the park. There is only one road connecting the east and west sides of the park and this road is usually closed from mid-October until late May, as the snow and high winds make it impossible for snowploughs to keep the road clear.
94% of Rocky Mountain National Park was designated a wilderness area by Congress, protecting the majority of the park from any construction of roads, buildings, or other infrastructure. This wilderness is left in its natural state and can only be accessed on foot or by horse. As a result, you’ll enjoy the sounds, smells, and sights of the natural world in a way that is hard to do outside a wilderness area. It also allows the park to be a safe haven for the many wild creatures and plants that live there.
Rocky Mountain National Park is known for its lofty peaks, having over 60 mountains higher than 12,000’ (3,658m). In fact, 1/3rd of the national park is above the height where trees can grow, making it the highest national park by average elevation in the United States Park Service. This high-altitude area is known as tundra, much like the arctic tundra you might find in Alaska. Here, the average temperature is simply too cold for trees to grow, yet life here abounds. Because of the cold temperatures and high winds, life thrives in miniature. If you get down low and look at the delicate tundra you’ll see all types of mosses, grasses, sedges, and flowers which create their own micro-climate that is often quite a number of degrees warmer than the air above it. This tundra is extremely delicate, with a growing season of only about 60 days annually. Because it is so easily damaged, visitors are asked not to step on the tundra in high visitation areas. In the high alpine areas, you’ll also find elk grazing in the summer, bighorn sheep climbing boulders, furry marmots lying on the rocks sunning themselves, and little pika racing back and forth collecting vegetation for the coming winter.
The highest mountain in the national park is Longs Peak. It is also the icon of the national park and can be seen from as far away as Denver and the Denver International Airport. It can even be seen from Cheyenne, Wyoming!
Longs Peak is 14,259’ (4,346m) tall. For many years it was thought that this peak was impossible to climb. The first recorded climb of the mountain was by a party led by the famous explorer John Wesley Powell in 1868. Since then, Longs Peak has become a major destination for climbers as it is one of the more challenging mountains in Colorado.
As well as high tundra and peaks, Rocky Mountain National Park also has deep forests, lush marshes, and large open meadows. These are located in the lower subalpine and montane ecosystems of the park. Here you’ll also find over 100 small lakes. Some are located right at the edge of tree line and some of these are at the base of towering peaks. There are also about 80 streams taking the melting snow from the high country to the plains below. Rocky is a place overflowing with icy cold water, bringing life wherever it goes.
Rocky Mountain is home to a wide array of wildlife that roam freely through the mountains, meadows, and valleys of the park. While there are more than 60 species of mammals that live in the park, as well as birds, amphibians, insects, and fish, there are several primary animals that you are most likely to encounter. You’ll find herds of majestic elk grazing in the meadows or the tundra. Moose are often in the marshes and shallow lakes. Mule deer roam the edges of the forest. Coyote can be seen sneaking into the meadows during the mornings or evenings. Bighorn sheep come down to take in minerals near Sheep Lakes. Marmots and pika hang out in the rock piles along Trail Ridge Road, while Wyoming ground squirrels and least chipmunks are often posing for pictures around the lakes and picnic areas.
Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the premier hiking destinations in the United States, having over 350 miles (560km) of hiking trails leading through diverse terrain. You could almost hike a different mile of trail every day of the year. Along these trails are also wilderness campsites, that must be reserved, allowing you to make multi-day trips through the park.
As well as hiking, there is fishing, rock climbing, wildlife watching, scenic drives, opportunities for photography, bird watching, backpacking and camping, horseback riding, snowshoeing, sledding, and skiing in the park.
Rocky Mountain National Park is a great place to get away from the rat race of life and find rest and restoration. Here one can reconnect with the natural world and with the things in life that truly matter.
Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the nation’s most visited national parks. It is usually listed as the third or fourth most visited national park, with visitation numbers similar to Grand Canyon National Park. Due to its proximity to Denver and the rapidly growing Colorado Front Range, it receives numerous day visitors from the surrounding area as well as visitors from across the United States and beyond.
There is very little infrastructure inside of Rocky Mountain National Park apart from roads, trails, campgrounds, and a few informational buildings. Visitors to Rocky Mountain National Park are served by the gateway towns of Estes Park and Grand Lake. Estes Park sits at the eastern entrance to the park and provides lodging, food, shopping, and numerous activities for visitors. Grand Lake is a much smaller community located on the western edge of the national park with similar services but on a smaller and quieter scale.
Rocky Mountain National Park is a place where you can reconnect with the natural world. It is a place where running streams, fresh air, lofty mountains, pine trees, and wildlife restore your senses. It is a place where you can finally let go of the troubles of a busy world and remember what life is really about.
A must do experience is Trail Ridge Road.
Trail Ridge Road, Rocky Mountain National Park’s heavily travelled highway to the sky, inspired awe before the first motorist ever traveled it. “It is hard to describe what a sensation this new road is going to make,” predicted Horace Albright, director of the National Park Service, in 1931 during the road’s construction. “You will have the whole sweep of the Rockies before you in all directions.”
The next year, Rocky Mountain National Park’s lofty wilderness interior was introduced to the first travelers along an auto route the Rocky Mountain News called a “scenic wonder road of the world.”
Covering the 48 miles between Estes Park on the park’s east side and Grand Lake on the west, Trail Ridge Road more than lives up to its advanced billing. Eleven miles of this high highway travel above treeline, the elevation near 11,500 feet where the park’s evergreen forests come to a halt. As it winds across the tundra’s vastness to its high point at 12,183 feet elevation, Trail Ridge Road (U.S. 34) offers visitors thrilling views, wildlife sightings and spectacular alpine wildflower exhibitions, all from the comfort of their car.
Whether they begin their journey at Estes Park or Grand Lake, Trail Ridge Road travelers climb some 4,000 feet in a matter of minutes. The changes that occur en route are fascinating to observe. A drive that may begin in montane forests of aspen and ponderosa pine soon enters thick subalpine forests of fir and spruce. At treeline, the last stunted, wind-battered trees yield to the alpine tundra.
Up on that windswept alpine world, conditions resemble those found in the Canadian or Alaskan Arctic. It’s normally windy and 20 to 30 degrees colder than Estes Park or Grand Lake. The sun beats down with high- ultraviolet intensity. The vistas, best enjoyed from one of several marked road pullovers, are extravagant, sweeping north to Wyoming, east across the Front Range cities and Great Plains, south and west into the heart of the Rockies.
But for all its harshness, the Trail Ridge tundra is a place of vibrant life and vivid colors. Pikas, marmots, ptarmigans and bighorn sheep are commonly seen. About 200 species of tiny alpine plants hug the ground. Despite a growing season that may last just 40 days, many bloom exuberantly, adorning the green summer tundra with swatches of yellow, red, pink, blue, purple and white. All are seen from the Tundra World Nature Trail, a half-hour walk beginning near the parking area at Rock Cut.
Most Trail Ridge Road travelers drive to treeline with a certain amount of urgency. They are advised not to ignore all that awaits in the verdant country below the alpine tundra. Forested moraines, great heaps of earth and rock debris left behind by melting Ice Age glaciers, rise above lush mountain meadows. The Continental Divide, where streamflows are separated east from west, is crossed at Milner Pass, located at a surprisingly low 10,758 feet elevation. Moose munch greenery in the upper reaches of the Colorado River, which flows through the scenic Kawuneeche Valley. Grazing elk greet sunrise and sunset in many of the forest-rimmed meadows found around the park.
At all elevations, the drive on Trail Ridge Road is a memorable adventure. Put aside at least a half day for the trip. Longer, if possible. The experience, as Horace Albright suggested more than a half century ago, is hard to describe.
Trail Ridge Road is one of ten America’s Byways in Colorado and a national designated All American Road. Like to see as many byways as you can? On the outskirts of Rocky is the oldest Colorado Scenic Byway, Peak to Peak, and another America’s Byway, the Colorado River Headwaters.
There are numerous hikes in RMNP, for all levels of fitness. Trails include the easy and short Alberta Falls walk which passes through aspen groves and pine forest to the falls which roar through a granite chute, to the relatively strenuous hike to Estes Cone, a 6-mile round trip in remote surroundings with an elevation gain of 1900 feet. The payoff is clear views of the park’s highest peaks. Alternatively, there’s the Emerald Lake Trail, which at 4.1 miles traverses three glacial lakes and has a 744 feet elevation gain. This hike can also include Alberta Falls.
Old Fall River Road is another must-see attraction in Rocky Mountain National Park. This historic road, completed in 1920, was the first to cross the Rocky Mountains and offers a unique and adventurous driving experience. Winding through the park’s breathtaking scenery, the road provides access to stunning viewpoints and waterfalls, including the beautiful 25-foot Chasm Falls.
Starting from the Fall River Entrance, Old Fall River Road takes visitors on a scenic journey up the mountainside, showcasing panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. The road’s slower pace allows travelers to truly appreciate the natural beauty of the park, with opportunities to stop and explore along the way. Old Fall River Road is a must-visit for those seeking a more intimate and immersive experience in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Alberta Falls is one of the most beloved waterfalls in Rocky Mountain National Park, and a must-visit for nature enthusiasts. Located along a scenic hiking trail, this 30-foot waterfall cascades over boulders and offers a refreshing sight for hikers.
The waterfall is easily accessible via a moderate hiking trail, making it suitable for visitors of all fitness levels. The trailhead for Alberta Falls can be reached from the Glacier Creek Stables, where visitors can rent horses for a unique and scenic ride through the park. Hiking to Alberta Falls is a popular activity in Rocky Mountain National Park, offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Visiting Alberta Falls is a delightful experience that allows visitors to connect with nature and appreciate the park’s natural wonders.
Bear Lake is a must-see destination in Rocky Mountain National Park, known for its crystal-clear waters and stunning mountain views. This alpine lake offers a serene setting for visitors to relax, picnic, and embark on scenic hikes.
The lake can be accessed via a short, flat trail known as the Bear Lake Loop, which is suitable for visitors of all fitness levels. The Bear Lake Loop showcases breathtaking vistas of the surrounding mountains, including Hallett Peak and Flattop Mountain. From Bear Lake, visitors can continue their hike to other nearby lakes, such as Nymph Lake and Dream Lake, which offer even more stunning views and tranquil settings. Bear Lake serves as a gateway to several hiking trails, allowing visitors to explore the park’s natural beauty at their own pace.
Discover the rich history of Rocky Mountain National Park by exploring its historical sites and cultural landmarks. The Holzwarth Historic Site offers a glimpse into the area’s homesteading past, while the Alpine Visitor Center provides insights into the park’s ecology and geology.
Don’t miss the chance to visit the historic William Allen White Cabins or the captivating Moraine Park Museum, both highlighting the enduring legacy of this spectacular national park. Immerse yourself in the past and present of this remarkable natural paradise.
With its diverse landscapes and captivating scenery, the Rocky Mountain National Park Overview Trail offers visitors a comprehensive glimpse into the park’s natural beauty. This trail provides an immersive experience, showcasing the unique flora and fauna of the region while allowing hikers to explore the park’s high country.
As you traverse this trail, you’ll encounter stunning viewpoints, serene lakes, and picturesque meadows, making it an ideal option for those seeking a well-rounded adventure in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Embark on the picturesque Chasm Lake Trail, a favourite among hikers seeking stunning views of towering peaks and pristine alpine scenery. This trail offers a captivating journey through diverse landscapes, culminating at the breathtaking Chasm Lake.
As you traverse this trail, be prepared to witness the park’s natural beauty up close, with opportunities to spot wildlife and immerse yourself in the tranquil surroundings. Chasm Lake Trail is a must-experience adventure for nature enthusiasts and outdoor lovers alike.