Getting There
Rocky Mountain National Park encompasses 265,770 acres of pristine mountain wilderness in the north-central part of Colorado. It is home to dozens of peaks that soar above 13,000 and even 14,000 feet, the headwaters of the Colorado River, large herds of elk and moose, hundreds of miles of life-list hiking trails, numerous trout-rich streams and lakes, and a long stretch of the Continental Divide. These features draw 3 million visitors a year through the park’s four entrances.
On the east side of the park, the Beaver Meadows station is the most obvious and direct entrance from the gateway town of Estes Park. To reach Estes Park from Boulder (60-90 minutes), Denver (2-3 hours), and other points south, follow US 36 through Lyons. Or take an alternate scenic (though slower) route along CO 72, the Peak to Peak Highway, by turning west from Boulder and following Boulder Canyon Drive to Nederland, or by going west on CO 7 up St. Vrain Canyon from Lyons. To reach Estes from the north or east, follow US 34 along the Big Thompson River, a twisting, spectacular drive through a rugged canyon. From downtown Estes, follow signs and US 36 to the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center (the best place to get information, books, maps, and backcountry permits, or to catch the park bus) and main entrance (fee required). Past the entrance, follow signs for Trail Ridge Road, Moraine Park (prime elk viewing), campgrounds, and other destinations.
To avoid the frequent summer and autumn traffic jams at Beaver Meadows, consider the Fall River station as an alternate eastern approach. From Estes Park, drive 5-10 minutes on US 34. Past this entrance, it’s another 10 minutes into the heart of the park; this is a good shortcut if your destination is Trail Ridge Road.
A third entrance on the east side is the Wild Basin station, which is approximately 30 minutes south of Estes Park on the Peak to Peak Highway. It serves several remote, less-busy trailheads in the southern quadrant of the park below Longs Peak, which itself has a small ranger outpost, campground, and parking area.
The west side of the park gets fewer cars and campers year-round, but is less convenient to Denver. However, if you’re coming from the west (Utah, Steamboat Springs, etc.) via I-70 or US 40, this is your best choice. Head for the town of Granby on US 40, then follow US 34 to the Grand Lake station; there’s a permit desk and full bookstore nearby.
Check out our driving itineraries both inside and outside the park.
Entrance Fees
Admission to Rocky Mountain National Park is $20 per private vehicle and is valid for 7 days at all entrance stations. An annual pass for RMNP alone is $40; if you’re planning to visit other national parks in the next 12 months, the $80 America the Beautiful all-parks annual pass is a better deal. Each pass covers 3 adult passengers in addition to the card holder. The fee for visitors entering by foot, bicycle, or motorcycle is $10 per person. Kids 15 years and younger are free, as are people with disabilities. Seniors can purchase an all-parks pass for $10. No refunds are given for inclement weather.
Gateway Towns
Communities adjacent to RMNP are Estes Park on the east side and Grand Lake and Granby on the west side. You can find gas, groceries, restaurants, hotels, and other amenities on both sides, though the Estes Park area is more built up. Other nearby towns include Nederland (small, funky mountain town 30-40 minutes south on the Peak to Peak Highway) and Lyons (30 minutes east, great microbrewery, coffee shops, and folk festivals). Farther afield are the cities of Loveland, Longmont, Boulder, Greeley, Winter Park, Ft. Collins, and Denver.
