Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado

The closest airport is Denver (DEN). From Denver and the east, take U.S. routes 34 or 36 through Estes Park, Colorado.

From west or south, take I-70 to U.S. Rt. 40., then to U.S. Rt.34 through Grand Lake, Colorado.

Map

Automobile: $20 - Valid for seven consecutive days, including date of purchase.

Pedestrians, bicycles, motorcycles and mopeds: $10 per person, not to exceed $20 per vehicle. Valid for seven consecutive days including date of purchase.

More information on fees and reservations.

The park is open year round. There are, of course, seasonal closures. Some roads will be closed for the long winter season. For more information on hours, including visitors center hours, see the Rocky Mountain National Park site.

There are two main drives through the park. Both are scenic and both will afford you high vistas. The park can be entered from the west on Highway 34 through Grand Lake (Kawuneeche Visitor Center) and from the east on Highway 34 (Fall River Visitor Center), or on Highway 36 (Beaver Meadows Visitor Center). Although the Trail Ridge Road section of Highway 34 rises to 12,183 feet, the highest major highway in North America, the route can be safely and comfortably driven by a RV.

You can catch a shuttle from a park and ride lot to Bear Lake and Moraine Park mid-June through late September. A Hiker Shuttle runs hourly from the Estes Park Visitors Center late June through early September. Shuttles are free. More Shuttle information.

They say half of all visitors to the Rocky Mountain National Park experience some form of Altitude Sickness. It may be as simple as being short of breath when climbing stairs. Be sure and keep hydrated by drinking extra water. More information on Altitude Sickness.

You'll see herds of elk, marmots, and perhaps moose when you drive or hike through the park. In early August we did see a huge bull elk grazing by the side of the road, baby marmots at the Alpine Visitors Center and interesting birds as we hiked the Colorado River Trail.

The Rocky Mountain National Park was founded by an act of Congress in 1915.

The first settler in the area was Joel Estes. Joel, a Kentuckian, was a wanderer who moved to Missouri and then set forth on several journeys to the west, some as far as California and Oregon. But in 1859 he brought his family to Colorado as a part of the 1859 gold rush.

When you visit the park, be sure and see the Holzwarth Homestead to get a feel of what an early settler's life was like. More Rocky Mountain National Park History.

There are no accommodations in the Park. There are a wide choice of places to stay in Estes Park and Grand Lake ranging from motels to large cabins.

There are 5 campgrounds with facilities for tents and RV's. More Camping Information.

What a beautiful place! In the summer months you can drive above the timber line to the tundra area and Alpine Visitors Center for a "Rocky Mountain High."

It's fun to get out at the Continental Divide, have your photo taken and wander down along the alpine lake.

Be sure and spend a little time along a trail or, if you are not comfortable walking, get out at the viewpoints and take in the clear mountain air, and the beauty of the landscape, wildflowers, and wildlife. More... ideas for hiking Rocky Mountain National Park.

For more information, please see the Rocky Mountain National Park website.