In Rocky Mountain National Park, the alpine lakes and dreamy snowy peaks surrounded by trees give this place a position in the top 5 most visited parks in the US. A trip to Rocky Mountain NP will definitely make you feel recharged since it has a variety of things to do: easy strolls, strenuous hikes, and a scenic drive through the Continental Divide. If you want to visit Rocky Mountain National Park, then read on to find some information and tips to help you plan your days in this park, including how to get here, the best time to visit the park, hotels nearby, and other tips.

Guide to visiting Rocky Mountain National Park

Where is it and how to get here

Rocky Mountain National Park is located on the northwest side of Denver, Colorado. It can be reached via two entrances: the town of Estes Park, on the east side, and the town of Grand Lake, on the west.

If you aren’t in Colorado and need to fly here, you can fly to Denver International Airport, rent a car, and then drive for approximately 2 hours until you get to the Estes Park area.

What is the closest city to Rocky Mountain National Park

The nearest city to stay in and to visit Rocky Mountain National Park is Estes Park, where you’ll find hotels, lodges, restaurants, stores, and bars.

How to get around the park

If you are visiting Rocky Mountain National Park in the summer or fall, you’ll be able to count on the free shuttle service that operates around Estes Park and the Bear Lake Area.

However, the shuttle only operates after 7 am. So, if you want to have an early start, it’s better to have your own car.

Where to stay in Rocky Mountain National Park

Since the closest city to Rocky Mountain National Park is Estes Park, in it you’ll find many hotels and inns to stay.

Here are some options of places to stay when visiting Rocky Mountain National Park:

• The Stanley Hotel – a historic hotel that inspired Stephen King’s book The Shining and that is one of the best places to stay near Rocky Mountain National Park.
• The Landing at Estes Park – located very close to the park’s entrance, this riverside lodge offers great views.
• The Ridgeline Hotel – a comfortable hotel surrounded by the mountains and with lots of amenities, such as an indoor heated pool and fitness center.
• YMCA of the Rockies – offers a variety of lodging experiences including cabins, rooms, yurts, and camping.
• Alpine Trail Ridge Inn – an affordable option, this motel is located 5 minutes from the park and features a heated outdoor pool
• Della Terra Mountain Chateau – a boutique inn with romantic, adults-only suites with private balconies and hot tub.
• The Estes Park Resort – located by the lake and is one of the best luxury hotels near Rocky Mountain. If you are going with a group and can splurge, go for the amazing and cozy cabins.

Also, you can camp inside the national park itself, in campgrounds such as Aspenglen Campground, Glacier Basin Campground, and Moraine Park Campground. Just make sure to check the availability before going.

How much is the entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park

The daily access to the Rocky Mountain National Park is US$ 25 per vehicle, US$ 15 per person, and US$ 25 per motorcycle.

If you live in Colorado and/or are planning on visiting the park more than once, you can get the Rocky Mountain National Park Annual Pass for US$ 70 per vehicle.

Now, if you want to visit more national parks in the US, you should consider buying the America the Beautiful – The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass, which costs US$ 80 and is valid for 1 year (starting at the date of purchase).

How many days should are needed to visit the park

There is always a lot to do in Rocky Mountain National Park, so you can stay an entire week and still have plenty to do.

If you are short on time, in 2 days you can have an overview of the park. If you have 3 days, you can see the highlights (such as Bear Lake, Emerald Lake) and drive along the Trail Ridge Road – an impressive 48-mile scenic road that is considered Colorado’s “highway to the sky”.

Best time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park is open year-round, depending on the weather. Summer and fall are very busy because it’s the best time for hiking and driving along Trail Ridge Road. And since most visitors go to the park from June to September, if you want to beat the crowds, then the best time to visit the park is from October to May.

We were in the park in late September and it wasn’t very crowded – we started the hikes before sunrise and made sure to leave early afternoon.

Note: Until October 11, it’ll be necessary to have a reservation with a time slot to enter the park between the hours of 5 am and 6 pm for the Bear Lake road, and between 9 am to 3 pm without the Bear Lake road. Before or after this window you will have to make sure to get a spot in the parking lot to be able to enter the park. You can book and pay for a time slot here.

What to do in Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park has some awesome hikes that range from easy to strenuous. If you want some easy hike/stroll, check out Bear Lake and Dream Lake. For a moderate hike, Odessa Lake and Fern Lake hikes are the best. Now, if you are looking for a strenuous hike, then Chasm Lake and Sky Pond are the ones for you.

Also, one great activity within Rocky Mountain National Park is to drive along the Trail Ridge Road – a 48-mile scenic road that is on an elevation of more than 12,000 feet. The drive offers some unique and magnificent views as it goes along the Continental Divide.

You can also read my 3-day itinerary to Rocky Mountain National Park with the best hikes in the park.

What to pack/bring

Considering the hikes are the highlights of Rocky Mountain National Park, you definitely have to bring your hiking gear. Hiking boots, clothes that include a fleece jacket, windbreaker jacket, hiking pants/leggings, and wool socks must be part of your packing list. Hiking poles can be very helpful too if you use them.

If you are camping, you’ll also want to bring your tent, tent pad, sleeping bag, cooler, food supply, and other personal items.

Rocky Mountain National Park FAQ

What is the best time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park?

Though the park is open all year, different seasons can bring distinct experiences. October to April are the best months to visit the park to avoid summer crowds. While May to September brings lots of hiking options and the possibility of driving through the Trail Ridge Road.

How many days do you need at Rocky Mountain National Park?

You should plan on spending at least 2 days in Rocky Mountain to see the main features of the park. Ideally, it’s better to spend 3 days at the park to see the best of it on a 3-day itinerary. If you are very into hiking, 5 to 7 days should be perfect.

If you have any questions about visiting Rocky Mountain National Park, drop them here in the comment section and I’ll be happy to get back to you.

And if you want to visit more places in Colorado, head to Boulder, Vail, or Aspen.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE TO VISIT OTHER NATIONAL PARKS:

Arches National Park: The Complete Guide to Arches National Park and The Best Hikes in the Park

Capitol Reef National Park: Guide to Capitol Reef National Park and The Best Hikes in the Park

Canyonlands National Park: The Complete Guide to Canyonlands National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park: The Complete Guide to Bryce Canyon National Park

Zion National Park: Best Hikes in Zion National Park

Petrified Forest National Park: How to spend one day in Petrified Forest National Park

Utah Itinerary: The Ultimate Utah National Parks Road Trip Itinerary