A Guide to Rocky Mountain National Park

Your Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary

The highlight of any visit to Rocky Mountain National Park is driving Trail Ridge Road. Running 48 miles across the heart of the park, this roadway connects the towns of Estes Park and Grand Lake. It offers access to dozens of trailheads and scenic viewpoints. 

Though it should only take a couple of hours to drive Trail Ridge Road, you can easily spend a whole day exploring, especially if you stop at the visitor centers and do some hikes along the route. We enjoy stopping to buy souvenirs and snacks at the Alpine Visitor Center while looking out at the snow-capped peaks.

The Bear Lake Road Corridor offers access to many of the park’s most popular trails and views. For families, Bear Lake Trail is super easy and showcases what may be the most iconic sight in the park, with Hallet Peak and Longs Peak rising over the turquoise alpine lake waters. 

Rocky Mountain National Park's menu of activities is extensive and offers something for everyone, whether you’re looking for a pretty spot for a family picnic or an overnight backpacking adventure. Consider adding these stops to your journey:

• Alberta Falls – a relatively easy trail with up-close views of a waterfall
• Alluvial Fan area – take in views of unique geological formations
• Beaver Meadows Visitor Center – check out the 3D topographic map to understand the scale of the park
• Huffer’s Hike – short hike behind the Alpine Visitor Center with panoramic mountain views
• Lily Lake – scenic, peaceful spot in Estes Park
• Nymph, Emerald, and Dream Lake Trail – each lake is picturesque in a unique way
• Old Fall River Road – an adventurous drive not for the faint-of-heart
• Sprague Lake – very accessible trail suitable for practically any visitor

Selecting a Basecamp for Visiting Rocky Mountain National Park

At approximately 265,000 acres, Rocky Mountain National Park isn’t one of the nation’s largest, and yet it takes around two hours to simply drive across the park. Because of this, it’s important to decide whether to camp in the park, near the eastern entrances in Estes Park, or near the western gate in Grand Lake.

Located around 90 minutes from Denver, Estes Park is a popular basecamp for Rocky Mountain National Park adventures since it is closer to some of the park's most popular sites and trails. The Big Thompson River and Fall River ripple through the heart of town, providing a scenic backdrop for strolling the shops and restaurants. Get a scoop of huckleberry ice cream and enjoy the atmosphere.

Grand Lake is perfectly picturesque. Just steps away from the historic downtown, you’ll find Colorado’s largest natural lake, which is rimmed by Rocky Mountain ridges. Considered the quiet side of Rocky Mountain National Park, this area is popular with wildlife watchers. After two visits to Rocky Mountain National Park without spotting a moose, I finally had a sighting near the western entrance, giving Grand Lake a special spot in my heart.

There’s also the option to stay in the National Park Service campgrounds for panoramic views and easy access. There’s something truly special about staying in the heart of the park. My family hasn’t camped in the park since hookups weren’t available—but that’s soon to change!

Campground Recommendations In and Near Rocky Mountain National Park

You’ll find a mix of public and private campgrounds in Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park, Grand Lake, and beyond. Here are a few top picks:

Inside Rocky Mountain National Park

• Moraine Park – reopening in 2025 with some sites offering electric hookups and access for up to 40-foot RVs
• Glacier Basin – while Moraine Park is closed, this campground can accommodate the longest RVs, up to 35 feet
• Aspenglen and Timber Creek – can accommodate RVs up to 30 feet

Estes Park 

• Mary’s Lake Campground – public campground with full hookups
• Estes Park Campground at East Portal – public campground with full hookups
• Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in Estes Park – family-friendly private RV resort
• Paradise on the River – cozy private RV park

Grand Lake 

• Winding River Resort – relaxed private RV resort
• Rocky Mountain National Park KOA Journey – family-friendly private RV resort
• Green Ridge Campground – primitive national forest camping located on a lake
• Sun Outdoors Rocky Mountain – luxurious private RV resort in nearby town of Granby

No matter where you plan to stay, research the opening date for reservations. Popular parks book quickly, especially for the prime summer season.

Don’t Forget to Make Your Entrance Reservations

When visiting Rocky Mountain National Park, don’t simply focus on campground reservations, as you’ll also need timed entry permits to enter the park. Rocky Mountain National Park is so beloved that the park’s infrastructure wasn’t able to keep up with the number of visitors, so the National Park Service implemented a reservation system in 2021. Check the park’s website for reservation details and release dates.

Planning a last-minute trip? No worries! Approximately 40 percent of timed entry permits are released the night before, so it’s still possible to snag one. Or, you can visit the park by entering before or after the hours reservations are required.

Let’s Eat

Of course, you need to eat well to fuel your outdoor adventures. Estes Park and Grand Lake abound with offerings. My family tends to enjoy casual local spots. Here are a few of our favorites:

Estes Park: If you have a sweet tooth, check out You Need Pie and Muchin’ House (look for huckleberry ice cream for a real Colorado treat). You might not expect to find real New York Pizza this far west, but Antonio’s is known for it. Fresh Burger Stop might look like a dive from the outside, but the fresh-cut french fries, breakfast burritos, and burgers earn rave reviews.

Grand Lake: We haven’t tried many spots in Grand Lake, though we had a fun visit to Rockies, where we won trivia night. If we return, I’d like to grab homemade ice cream at Miyauchi's Snack Bar and a fancy creekside meal at The Historic Rapids Lodge and Restaurant.