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ADVENTURE IN THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS
Carve fresh powder in December, snowshoe a deserted trail in February, raft a swollen river in May, backpack the continental dive in July, and tear up ribbons of singletrack of in September.
There is simply no other way to say it: Rocky Mountain National Park and surrounding regions of are synonymous with adventure no matter what the time of year.
Not enough? Head to bordering states Wyoming, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico. There you can tackle red rock slot canyons, world-class mountaineering, raging rivers, and hundreds of hiking trails.
Here at MyRockyMountainPark.com, we’ve done the research, hiked the trails, skied the back bowls, and rafted the rivers to determine the ultimate adventure for you. So save some time and check out these pages to find your ultimate adventure.
There are so many trails in Rocky Mountain National Park (over 350 miles), it can be difficult to decide which route to explore. Backcountry lakes, jagged peaks, meadows drenched in seasonal wildflowers, mountain streams, and glaciers are just a few highlights tucked deep inside the Park’s backcountry.
But what happens if you want to get in a hike before reaching the Park? Don’t worry; Colorado is a hiker’s playground. If heading up from New Mexico, make sure to swing by Great Sand Dunes National Park and summit America’s tallest sand dune. Coming from the west it’s imperative to make a side trip to Summit County and explore the backcountry. Not enough? No sweat. Summit one—or all—of Colorado’s 54 14,000-foot peaks. The journey may be painful, but the views are unprecedented. > See MoreWe believe there may be no more fulfilling experience in the outdoors than falling asleep under the starts. (Minus a gooey S’more of course.) So if you plan on visiting Rocky Mountain National Park, make sure to spend at least one night camping. Don’t worry it’s a cinch. Reservations for Moraine Park Campground and other campgrounds can be made six months in advance, while others are first-come, first-served. Planning to travel in a RV? How about with a large group? No problem there either. Check out Moraine Park Campground, or chose one of many private options just outside the Park. For a list of campgrounds and which sites to score for the perfect sunset, check this out.
> See MoreWhitewater rafting is a favorite activity for families, adventure seekers, and the occasional boater with a death wish. No matter what your skill level, time commitment, or comfort zone, Colorado has a river for you.
Rocky Mountain National Park does not permit rafting within the park, but two major rivers offer numerous rafting opportunities just outside the boundaries. Explore the La Poudre River Canyon while charging class II – IV rapids on the Poudre River. Or step it up a notch and test your skills in Gore Canyon along the Colorado River. The class V+ run is experts only, and will leave any adrenaline junky satisfied. Don’t want just a day trip? The Arkansas, Colorado, San Juan and Rio Grande are just a few other rivers throughout Colorado. And of course if you happen to jump one state over to Utah, make sure to remember one thing: Cataract Canyon. > See MoreFishing in Rocky Mountain National Park is tough. Not only are the fish smart, but also the hike in might kill you. We kid of course, but the fish are yes, still smart. So take the guessing game out of where to go and what to bring by checking out our anglers guide to fishing the park. Of course fishing is not just a favorite withing the Park, but also outside the Park as well. To help things check out our guide to Colorado’s best fishing including the San Juan, Gunnison, and Arkansas. > See MoreThree hundred days of sunshine a year, bluebird days, fresh deep powder, 54 14,000-foot mountains, and more skiable terrain than anywhere else in North America. In laymen’s terms: if you like to ski or board Colorado should be at the top of your list. If you plan on skiing in the Park, note that only backcountry and cross-country skiing is available since no resorts or lifts operate inside boundaries. But that doesn’t mean resorts aren’t close by. Colorado has 26 resorts and some of the best snow on earth (yes Utah, we said that). So if you plan on exploring, think Vail for the back bowls, Copper for stellar cat skiing, Breckenridge for a great family friendly mountain and Aspen as the place to be seen.
> See MoreBiking inside Rocky Mountain National Park is a cyclists dream. Twisting mountain roads, endless views, exposed open tundra, and America’s highest paved pass is just a few highlights. Since there is no mountain biking directly inside Rocky Mountain National Park, make sure to bring your road bike. The most classic rides are Trail Ridge Road and Bear Lake Road, but remember to start early since afternoon traffic can become heavy.
Extending outside the Park things only get better. Roadies will love challenging themselves on the Copper Triangle route, while mountain bikers should flock to Fruita, Crested Butte, and Kenosha Pass. Luckily for you we’ve already been there, endoed a few times, and tore up the singletrack, so check out our recommendations and stop wasting time online already!
> See MoreWant to take the kids on a horseback ride through Rocky Mountain National Park’s backcountry? No problem. Riding is a favorite activity inside and outside the Park, and is a great way to skip long miles of hiking while still getting a chance to enjoy rugged mountains and snow-fed streams. Several outfitters offer trips, and two stables even operate inside the Park during summer months. Trips can range from a few hours to a whole day, and there is no shortage of views along the way. (We know it rhymes, not done on purpose, so sorry about that.)
Riding is also available throughout Colorado and the surrounding states. In fact, before cars, it was trains and horses that got folks up and over the Rocky Mountains. Some of the best areas for riding now include: the San Juan Mountains, Summit County and just about anywhere in Wyoming.
> See MoreThe state of Colorado is full of high rugged mountain peaks. More than 100 mountain peaks reach taller than 13,000 feet. (4,000 meters). As a result, many visitors flock to Colorado, and Rocky Mountain National Park, to have a chance to scale or rock climb big mountains.
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