Rocky Mountain National Park Travel Guide

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Big Thompson River in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Big Thompson River in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado (Willard Clay/Photographer's Choice/Getty)
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Rocky Mountain National Park Travel Tips

  • Winter is one of the best times to explore the park because the summer crowds are long gone and the peaks are full of snow. The park maintains many of the hiking trails for snowshoeing during the winter and provides recommended winter hikes in the park's newspaper at visitor centers. Most snowshoe hikes are also suitable for cross-country skiing.
  • Climbing in the park ranges from novice climbs with easy access to difficult technical routes. Most peaks are granite and offer great views in addition to great climbing. Bouldering is plentiful but most climbers come to the park for the summit climbs.
  • Rocky Mountain National Park administers 269 backcountry campsites. Each is unique and only available by paid reservation through the park's backcountry office. You will find everything from individual sites with views of Ypsilon Mountain to small group sites bordering a mountain meadow.
  • Eat dinner along Lake Verna's shore below camp and cast a line. The water's reflection of the sunset and the subsequent alpenglow of the surrounding peaks is incredible. Lake Verna is much larger than most local lakes at this altitude. Try to start hiking in the morning and watch for moose in the meadows. The Lake Verna Trailhead is on the west side of the park.
  • Looking for moose? Your best bets are the trailheads near the Kawuneeche Visitor Center on the west side of the park. Meadows in the valley are where you will find these majestic animals, and they are curiously absent on the east side of the park. It's a rare treat to see a moose lumbering along without a care in the world.

Rocky Mountain National Park Travel Guide

Snow-covered peaks stand watch over lush valleys and shimmering alpine lakes, creating the perfect image of America's most dramatic and beautiful landscape—the majestic Rocky Mountains. Here, the pine- and fir-scented forests are deep, the air is crisp and pure, and the rugged mountain peaks reach up to grasp the deep blue sky. The views are simply spectacular. Read More

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Hotels

Moraine Park Campground

Bear Lake Rd. in Rocky Mountain National Park
Estes Park, CO Map

Distance: 6.9 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
Expert Rated & Recommended
5.0
from: $129

Aspen Lodge

6120 Highway 7
Estes Park, CO 80517 Map

Distance: 9.1 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: 2 class stars

Expert Rated & Recommended
4.0

Stanley Hotel

333 East Wonder View Ave.
Estes Park, CO 80517 Map

Distance: 10.6 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
Expert Rated & Recommended
5.0
All Rocky Mountain National Park Hotels »
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Attractions

Onahu Creek/Green Mountain Loop Trail

expert favorite attraction
Access: Onahu Creek Trailhead, 3 1/4 miles north of the Grand Lake Entrance Station
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

Distance: 0.0 mi. (from destination center)

Description:

From the trail head there's about a mile's climb through forests of aspen, lodgepole... Read More

Expert Rated & Recommended
5_0

The Loch Trail

Access: Glacier Gorge parking area, 8 1/2 miles down Bear Lake Rd
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

Distance: 0.0 mi. (from destination center)

Description:

From the Glacier Gorge trail head, continue past Alberta Fall and the junction for Mills Lake... Read More

Expert Rated & Recommended
5_0

Fern Lake Trail

Access: Fern Lake Trailhead; from Bear Lake Rd., turn west at Moraine Park and follow signs past the Cub Lake Trailhead
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

Distance: 1.7 mi. (from destination center)

Description: This trail begins at the end of Moraine Park Road and leads past The Pool, then on to Fern Falls,... Read More
Expert Rated & Recommended
5_0
All Rocky Mountain National Park Attractions »

Airports

Major Airports near Rocky Mountain National Park

Distance (mi.)
Denver International Airport 64.5 map
Colorado Springs Municipal Airport 117.4 map

Other Smaller Airports near Rocky Mountain National Park

Distance (mi.)
Fort Collins/Loveland Municipal Airport 37.2 map
Hayden Yampa Valley Airport 62.5 map
Laramie General Brees Field 68.1 map

Flight Deals to Rocky Mountain National Park

Originating From
Salt Lake City (SLC) to Denver (DEN) $106
Albuquerque (ABQ) to Denver (DEN) $106
Oklahoma City (OKC) to Denver (DEN) $139
Omaha (OMA) to Denver (DEN) $145
Kansas City (MKC) to Denver (DEN) $146

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