Wildlife
Forget fences there are only mountains here. With over 60 species of mammals, 280 species of birds, and 11 species of fish, Rocky Mountain National Park is bursting with wildlife.
Free Trip Planner
Our stuffed-full mailed packet is filled with maps, activities, national park information and more. Plan the Rocky Mountain vacation of a lifetime.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Win a Colorado Road Trip Vacation
Take a trip from the peaks in Rocky Mountain NP to the drifts in Great Sand Dunes NP with stops at hot springs and rafting along the way.
Natural Wonders
Waterfalls, mountain ranges, glaciers, lakes, rivers, and meadows, are all just a few of the natural wonders inside Rocky Mountain National Park and surrounding regions.
Top 9 Colorado Hot Springs Soaking Spots
Colorado is blessed with healing mineral waters. Here are our favorite places for après-anything soaking.
10 Things to Do on a Rocky Mountain National Park Vacation
The park and the Estes Park and Grand Lake areas are a Things to Do Mecca! Here are our top picks including hiking, horseback riding and scenic drives.
What to Pack for Your Rocky Mountain National Park Vacation
How do you pack for a place where temperatures can fluctuate 35 degrees in one day? Here are the top 14 items to bring to the park.
2018 National Park Photography Workshops
National Park Trips Media and Tamron have teamed up to offer Photo Workshops inside your favorite national parks.
48 Hours in Rocky Mountain National Park
Only have 48 hours? Make the most of your time by following our itinerary covering both sides of the park.
Stops on the Way
Stop at these towns, natural wonders, and recreations areas on your way to Rocky Mountain National Park.
Where is Rocky Mountain National Park?
RMNP is 412 miles of wilderness located in northeastern Colorado. The Beaver Meadows entrance to the park is a one-hour-and-45-minute drive from Denver, Colorado.
Which side of Rocky Mountain National Park should I visit?
Rocky Mountain National Park has four entrance stations – three on the east side near Estes Park and one on the quieter west side near Grand Lake. Find out what’s special about each entrance. Trail Ridge Road, a seasonal road, connects the two sides of the park and is the most scenic and popular road in the park.
Estes Park, Eastern Base Camp for Rocky Mountain National Park
Known for its lodging, small-town charm, and knowledgeable outfitters, Estes Park serves Rocky Mountain National Park and access to the national forest.
Grand Lake, CO - West Entrance Town to RMNP
Grand Lake, CO is located just one mile from the West Entrance of the Park. Home to Grand Lake, the largest and deepest natural alpine lake in the state.
Which Entrance Should I Take into Rocky Mountain National Park?
To access the park, there are four entrances, three on the park’s east side and one on the west. Here's how to pick your approach
Drive Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park
Known appropriately as the Highway to the Sky, Trail Ridge Road crosses the continental divide at a whopping 12,183 feet. Colorado has also designated Trail Ridge Road as a scenic and history byway.
How should I get to Rocky Mountain National Park?
Most people drive to the park. Check out our road trip ideas. If you fly, the nearest international airport is Denver (DIA). You can also take a passenger train close to the west entrance and complete your journey via taxi. Once you get to the park, you will need a car, tour transportation, bike, or park shuttle to get around.
5 Best Road Trips
Regardless of where you start your Rocky Mountain National Park vacation, you'll find an exciting scenic route to the park when you follow one of these suggested Rocky Mountain maps and itineraries.
Closest Airports to Rocky Mountain National Park
How to get to the national park by flying to Denver or Cheyenne and then driving. Info includes rental cars, and airport shuttles.
Shuttle Buses in Rocky Mountain National Park
Skip the traffic and enjoy the ride on one of the many shuttle buses around Rocky Mountain National Park including options from Estes Park and Grand Lake.
Where should I stay on my Rocky Mountain vacation?
Although there are no lodges inside the park, there are several campgrounds. In the gateway towns, you will find many lodging options including hotels, cabins, and campgrounds.
Where Should I Camp in Rocky Mountain National Park?
A personalized guide to help you decide where to spend the night, from car camping paradise and remote backcountry sites to RV heaven.
Hotels and Cabins
Visitors to Rocky Mountain and Colorado's other national parks will find a large variety of hotels and motels to choose from to fit every need and budget.
What is there to see in Rocky Mountain National Park?
RMNP is known for its many waterfalls and lakes. Bear, Lily, and Sprague lakes on the east side are the easiest lakes to visit with parking lots and level trails circling the shores. Visit the many overlooks on Trail Ridge Road for mountain views including the tallest, Longs Peak. Look in the meadows early in the morning or at dusk for large herds of elk, or on the west side wetlands, for moose.
Natural Wonders
Waterfalls, mountain ranges, glaciers, lakes, rivers, and meadows, are all just a few of the natural wonders inside Rocky Mountain National Park and surrounding regions.
3 Best Scenic Overlooks on Trail Ridge Road
Forget having to hike miles to experience the sight of open tundra, alpine vistas, and towering peaks. Trail Ridge Road, has three must-see turnouts.
Where to See Elk in Rocky Mountain National Park
Traveling in herds across open tundra and low-lying valleys, Elk are routinely considered the main wildlife attraction.
Where to See Moose in Rocky Mountain National Park
Head to Kawuneeche Valley and also the Colorado River near Timber Creek Campground on the west side of the park. See our map of most likely haunts.
What is there to do in the Rocky Mountains?
Hiking, horseback riding, wildlife watching, and scenic drives are the main activities here. See our list of the top ten things to do in the park and beyond. Are you prepared for high altitude weather? Be careful of afternoon thunderstorms.
10 Things to Do on a Rocky Mountain National Park Vacation
The park and the Estes Park and Grand Lake areas are a Things to Do Mecca! Here are our top picks including hiking, horseback riding and scenic drives.
Best Hiking Trails
Colorado is a hiker’s playground. Even summit one—or all—of Colorado’s 54 14,000-foot peaks. The journey may be painful, but the views are unprecedented.
What's New
Ridgeline Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado
A visit to Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park is one thing, but a stay at Ridgeline Hotel transforms it into something extraordinary.
What to Pack for Your Rocky Mountain National Park Vacation
How do you pack for a place where temperatures can fluctuate 35 degrees in one day? Here are the top 14 items to bring to the park.
Pat Craig's Wild Idea of an Animal Sanctuary near Denver
See nearly 300 lions, tigers, grizzly bears, wolves, and other rescued large carnivores as they roam freely on the rolling plains of Colorado.
Artistic Bent in Trinidad, Colorado
Historic and hip sites line Trinidad's streets. From a hike up a volcano to a stroll past a world-class skate park, expect the unexpected on the edge of Colorado’s border with New Mexico.
Dao House's Tranquil Retreat on the Edge of Rocky Mountain National Park
Nestled in the forest with views of Longs Peak and Twin Sisters, Dao House offers a tranquil retreat center with stunning mountain views and wellness activities.
Free Exit 205 Adventure Guide
Get the guide that's all about life on the edge of Summit County's reservoir. Hike, sail, paddle, bike, ski and shop in Dillon and Silverthorne by taking Exit 205 off I-70.
2018 National Park Photography Workshops
National Park Trips Media and Tamron have teamed up to offer Photo Workshops inside your favorite national parks.