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Accessibility
Park Headquarters, Lily Lake, Moraine Park Museum, Alpine Visitor Center and Kawuneeche Visitor Centers are accessible with some ranger led activities. Trail to Bear Lake, Beaver Boardwalk, Sprague Lake and Coyote Valley trails are accessible, as well as the backcountry site located at Sprague Lake. Most campgrounds, amphitheaters, overlooks and bathrooms are moderately accessible.
Although Rocky Mountain National Park is famous for its steep terrain, accessible trails have been constructed in areas noted for their scenery. These trails are also good choices for visitors interested in adjusting to the park's higher elevations, groups that include young children, visitors with visual impairment and anyone who finds walking on level, relatively smooth paths attractive. Park trails meeting accessibility specifications include:
Coyote Valley Trail: Kawuneeche, the Arapaho word for coyote, was the name given to this gentle valley of the Upper Colorado River. Elk and moose are sometimes sighted from the one-mile trail, especially during the early morning and early evening hours.
Sprague Lake Abner: Sprague homesteaded in this area more than a century ago and created a trout pond by damming a stream. Sprague also undoubtedly appreciated the breathtaking views of the Continental Divide, which are best seen from this half-mile-long trail at the far end of the lake. An accessible backcountry camping site is located in the area.
Lily Lake: Enos Mills, the "father of Rocky Mountain National Park," enjoyed walking to Lily Lake from his nearby cabin. Check along the mile-long trail through this relatively low-elevation area for wildflowers in the spring and early summer.
Bear Lake: Tucked into the spruce/fir forest at the base of Hallett Peak and Flattop Mountain, this 0.6-mile loop is one of Rocky's most famous trails.Unlike other listed trails, Bear Lake is not entirely flat and is a more challenging route.
Backcountry Camping
Summer backcountry campsites can be reserved starting 01 March each year. Permits are required for all overnight camping. They may be obtained at the Headquarters Backcountry Office or the Kawuneeche Visitor Center. Self reservation is available in some locations through out the winter months. Winter backcountry hours are 8:00 am - 4:30 pm.
For more information see the Camping Page.
Basic Recommendations
I recommend that you plan your trip and the areas you would like to see and then go and relax and make a day of it. Go and see all that is in the area and enjoy it. You spend more quality time and learn and see more than you could ever imagine.
Rocky Mountain National Park is open year-round with peak visitation in Jul and Aug. The roads close after heavy snow and the only road that goes through the park from one side to the other, closes from Oct through May.
Biking Guide
Biking in Rocky Mountain National Park is for the serious tourer. Riding is on paved road; bouncing downhill over bouldered trail is strictly prohibited. But don't think the challenge is any the less for that. Trail Ridge Road is a 4 to 6 hour ride. If you can climb the 3700 feet up from Estes Park, you will find a delightful Alpine ride at 12,000 feet. And of course it's all downhill from there, 3400 feet to Grand Lake!
For more information see the Hiking Page.
Camping
Five Campgrounds (577 sites); Longs Peak, Aspenglen and Timber Creek are first come, first served. Moraine Park and Glacier Basin are reservation campgrounds. Longs Peak, Moraine Park and Timber Creek campgrounds open year round. Group sites available at Glacier Basin.
Backcountry camping by permit only. Designated backcountry sites (269) and zoned areas. There is a $15.00 permit fee during summer, with reservations suggested. Permits are required for bivouacs.
See the Camping Page for more information.
| Individual Entry (Bike, Foot, Motocycle & Moped) | $ 10.00 (Seven Day Pass) |
| Private Non-commercial Vehicle | $ 20.00 (Seven Day Pass) |
| Rocky Mountain Annual Pass | $ 35.00 (Good For One Year) |
| National Park Annual Pass | $ 50.00 (Good For All National Parks) |
| Backcountry Permit | $ 15.00 |
| Gold Access Passport (Blind or permanently disabled U.S. residents) | Free (Lifetime - good in all national parks) |
| Golden Age Passport (one time fee - for those 62+ years young) | $ 10.00 (Lifetime - good in all national parks) |
| Golden Eagle Passport (good one year from date of purchase) | $ 65.00 (good in all national parks & federal fee areas) |
Golden Access Passport
The Golden Access Passport is a free pass available to all permanent U.S. residents who are eligible to receive federal benefits based on disability, whether or not you are actually receiving them or not. This pass entitles the bearer, and immediate family or accompanying passengers in a private vehicle, to free admission to all U.S. National Parks, Monuments, Forests, and Historic Sites, as well as half price camping. Apply in person at any National Park Service or U.S. Forest Service area.
Fishing
Sport fishing is permitted in Rocky Mountain National Park, a protected area. Fishing activities are balanced with efforts to restore and perpetuate n atural aquatic environments and life.
Fishing was popular with early settlers in the Rocky Mountains. In an attempt to improve the sport, they stocked many streams with non-native species of trout and moved trout to lakes and streams that lacked them. The only trout native to the park were the greenback cutthroat and the Colorado River cutthroat.
The National Park Service stocked non-native Yellowstone cutthroat trout as late as 1968.
These efforts to enhance recreational opportunities in National Park areas have been reconsidered. Since 1975, exotic or non-native fish have been removed and native greenback cutthroat and Colorado River cutthroat trout are being restored to park waters.
See the Camping Page for information on fishing areas, species, regulations and tips.
Food and Supplies
Available in towns of Grand Lake or Estes Park and snack bar located at gift shop at Fall River Pass.
Hiking
There are 355 miles of trails ranging from easy to strenuous. There are 82 miles of paved roads, and 28 miles of unpaved roads. Trail Ridge Road (highway 34), crosses the park and rises to 12,183 feet, with ten miles of road above tree line. Trail Ridge Road is open Memorial Day through mid-October. Fall River Road, one-way uphill only, is nine miles of gravel road and meets Trail Ridge Road at Fall River Pass. Fall River Road is open July 4 through mid-October. Bear Lake Road, highway 36, and lower sections of highway 34, are open year round. Roads close temporarily, due to weather conditions.
See the Hiking Page for more information.
Horseback Riding
Horses with guides can be hired at two location inside the park on the east side, or from a number of liveries outside the east and west park boundaries during the summer seasons. Horses or any other trail stock are not permitted to travel crosscountry. The park maintains more than 260 miles of trails open to private and commercial horse users. Ask a park ranger which trails are open or closed to stock use.
Lodging
There is no lodging in the park. See the Lodging Page for more information. See the Camping Page for more information on the 5 campgrounds in the park.
See the Lodging Page and Camping Page for more information.
Mountain Climbing
Call directly to the Backcountry Office, Rocky Mountain National Park at 970-586-1242 for information on permit procedures, backcountry conditions, and climbing regulations. Day use in the park requires no special registration or permit. All overnight use requires a permit discussed in the following section. For safety considerations, climbers are encouraged to notify family or friends on route selections and contact them at the completion of any climb. For emergencies call 911 or 970-586-1399.
See the Hiking Page for information
Permits
Backcountry camping and bivouac permits, 970-586-1242.
Reservations for outreach school programs must be made in advance. Environmental Education fee waivers for school groups should be made two weeks in advance, 970-586-3777.
Commercial filming permits are required, 970-586-1278.
Pet Information
Pets are not allowed on park trails, snowplay areas, or in the backcountry. They are allowed in campgrounds, picnic areas, and along roadsides. Pets must be leashed and attended at all times. Never leave pets unattended in your vehicle.
Programs and Activities
Ranger led programs are offered daily through the summer and frequently during the remainder of the year. Evening campfire programs are offered at campgrounds. Special lecture series and programs occur year round. The Rocky Mountain Nature Association offers summer seminar programs, 970-586-1258. Both the towns of Grand Lake and Estes Park hold special activities.
Scenic driving tours, hiking and bicycling, camping, backcountry camping, skiing and snowshoeing, limited snowmobiling, picnicking, ranger led activities, wildlife and wildflower viewing and birdwatching.
See the Calendar Page for more information.
Skiing & Snowmobiling
Glaciers and snowfields are dangerous, steep slopes that end in a jumble of jagged boulders. Many park visitors have been seriously injured or killed by sliding on these slick areas. Stay on designated trails to avoid such dangers.
Snow play is permitted in only two areas of the park - Bear Lake and Hidden Valley. Be aware that snow conditions can be icy and hard packed. Heed signs in snow play areas.
See the Hiking Page for more information on skiing, snowshoeing and snowplay.
| Visitor Center | Open | Close |
| Alpine | Memorial Day Weekend | Mid Oct |
| Corral Creek | Mid Jun - Daily | Labor Day |
| Headquarters | All Year - 8:00 am to 5:00 pm - Daily | 25 Dec |
| Kawuneeche | All Year - 8:00 am to 4:30 pm - Daily | 25 Dec |
| Lily Lake | Summer | Winter |
| Moraine Park Museum | Mid May | Mid Oct |
| Sheep Lakes | Mid May - Daily | Mid Aug |
See the Calendar Page for more information.
Weather
The high country of Rocky Mountain National Park is noted for extreme weather patterns. Shaped by elevation, slopes, and exposure, these patterns can change rapidly.
Temperatures are often moderate at elevations below 9,400. At higher points like Bear Lake, Trail Ridge Road or Longs Peak. It may even snow in July.
A wide variation between day and nighttime temperatures is also typical of mountain weather. Summer days in Jul and Aug often reach the 70's or 80's and drop into 40's at night.
Based on ten years of precipitation data, Estes Park receives approximately 13.10 inches of moisture every year. Grand Lake receives about 19.95 inches yearly. This precipitation comes in the form of rain or snowfall through the year.
The Continental Divide runs northwest to southeast through the center of the park atop the high peaks. This accounts for two distinct weather patterns, one typical of the east side near Estes Park and the other associated with the Grand Lake area on the park's west side.
Summer; sunny mornings, possible afternoon thunderstorms and cool nights.
Winter; cool conditions to blizzard conditions with extreme temperature variations. Weather conditions change quickly in mountainous areas and snow is possible year round. Wear appropriate dress for each season; comfortable clothing, dress in layers, rain gear, and sunscreen
See the Weather Page for current conditions, forecasts and other weather data.
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