Theodore Roosevelt Presidential LibraryPublic Lands Directory

Alerts and conditions

Park Closure Prescribed Fire Operations are Underway near Beaver Meadows Visitor Center

Ignitions on today's operation on the Headquarters Unit of the Front Country Prescribed Fire have been completed. Fire personnel will continue to patrol and will remain on site overnight. U.S. Highway 36 in Rocky Mountain National Park is open. Smoke will continue to linger. As temperatures cool overnight, smoke may settle in low-lying areas in the immediate vicinity near Beaver Meadows Visitor Center.

Information Trail Ridge Road Status Update

Trail Ridge Road is closed to through travel. The road is closed at Many Parks Curve on the east side of the park and at Colorado River Trailhead on the west side. For the latest information on the status of Trail Ridge Road, call 970-586-1222.

Read the full alert

Overview

Rocky Mountain National Park's 415 square miles (265,807 acres) encompasses a spectacular range of mountain environments. From meadows found in the montane life zone to glistening alpine lakes and up to the towering mountain peaks, there is something for everyone to discover. Along the way explore over 300 miles of hiking trails and incredible wildlife viewing.

From the National Park Service

History

The designation history for this site (every law, proclamation and order, and the administration behind each) is being researched and checked by the Library’s historians.

What to see and do

Activities

  • Arts and Culture
  • Auto and ATV
  • Scenic Driving
  • Astronomy
  • Stargazing
  • Camping
  • Backcountry Camping
  • Car or Front Country Camping
  • Group Camping
  • RV Camping
  • Climbing
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Junior Ranger Program
  • Skiing
  • Cross-Country Skiing
  • Snow Play
  • Snowshoeing
  • Wildlife Watching
  • Park Film
  • Shopping
  • Bookstore and Park Store

Browse hiking, biking and paddling routes on AllTrails

Plan your visit

Hours

Rocky Mountain National Park: While certain roads and facilities may be closed for the winter season, Rocky Mountain National Park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Fees and passes

  • Entrance - Private Vehicle — $30.00
  • Entrance - Private Vehicle — $35.00
  • Entrance - Per Person — $15.00
  • Entrance - Motorcycle — $25.00
  • Entrance - Motorcycle — $30.00
  • Entrance - Per Person — $20.00
  • Nonresident — $100.00
  • Annual Entrance - Park — $70.00

The America the Beautiful pass covers entrance fees at federal recreation lands across all four agencies.

Getting there

Rocky Mountain National Park is located in northern Colorado. To visit the east side (near Estes Park, CO), follow U.S. I-25 to U.S. Hwy 34 or 36 west to Estes Park. To visit the west side of the park, follow I-70 to U.S Hwy 40 towards Granby, take US Hwy 34 east to Grand Lake, CO.

Visitor centers

Campgrounds

  • Aspenglen Campground (52 sites) — reserve
  • Glacier Basin Campground (150 sites) — reserve
  • Timber Creek Campground (98 sites) — reserve
  • Moraine Park Campground (244 sites) — reserve
  • Longs Peak Campground (26 sites) — reserve

Weather

Weather can change quickly in Rocky Mountain National Park due to the mountains and elevation. Elevation in the park ranges from 7,800 feet above sea level to over 14,000 feet at the top of the tallest mountain peaks. Weather conditions can change quickly throughout the day. For detailed weather information, visit https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/all-about-weather.htm For the most up-to-date weather forecasts, visit the National Weather Service webpage for Rocky at https://www.weather.gov/bou/rmnp

Phone: 9705861206

Whose lands these are

These lands are the ancestral and present-day homelands of Native nations. A section on whose lands these are is being prepared with tribal review. In the meantime, Native Land Digital offers a starting point.

Photos

A man is standing on a bridge and looking up at a waterfall
Hiking in fall · NPS
A pika has harvested a tundra thistle
Pika with thistle · NPS/A.Schonlau
Snow dusts the surface of Longs Peak and Mount Meeker
Longs Peak and Mount Meeker · NPS/D.Turk
a bull elk is standing next to two cow elk in a meadow. Aspen have yellow and green leaves
Elk in fall · NPS/P.Baker
A green tent is set up on a tent pad in a campsite
Camping · NPS
A park ranger is swearing in a new Junior Ranger
Junior Ranger · NPS

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