Rocky Mountain National Park Bucket List

Rocky Mountain National Park is a total gem. It’s got everything – scenic drives, wildlife, beautiful hiking trails, and insanely gorgeous views around every corner. You won’t be lacking in things to do in this park, in 2015 I went for 2 weeks and still didn’t get to see everything on my list. Last year Rocky the 4th busiest National Park in the United States, but don’t let that deter you from visiting. If you want to see Colorado at its best, Rocky Mountain National Park should be on your list. But what should you do? Here are the top 10 things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park…

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2021 Information: 

Rocky Mountain National Park is now implementing a timed entry program. 

• This will begin May 28 and run through October 11 and runs from 5 am to 6 pm
  • Last year you could bypass the timed entry system if you entered the park before 6 am or after 5 pm but they’ve made that harder to do this year

• There are two types of reservations available – 
  • 1. One permit will be for the Bear Lake Road Corridor, which will include the entire corridor and access to the rest of the park. This reservation period will be from 5 am to 6 pm. 
  • 2. The second permit will be for the rest of Rocky Mountain National Park, excluding the Bear Lake Road corridor. This reservation period will be from 9 am to 3 pm.

• Permits issued using the reservation system will allow park visitors to enter the park within two-hour windows of availability. The reservation system will apply to all areas of the park. 

• You can make your reservations here through Recreation.gov 

• New entry dates get released on the first of every month, for example, on May 1st you can get entry dates for May 28 – June 30 

• You will also need to pay the entry fee to enter Rocky Mountain National Park (see below for pricing and where to buy)

The Basics: Rocky Mountain National Park Edition

Where Is Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP)?: 

Rocky Mountain National Park is in Northeast Colorado. The park is flanked by the towns of Estes Park to the east and Grand Lake to the west.

How Do I Get To Rocky Mountain National Park?:

The closest airport is in Denver, Colorado – Denver International Airport. It’s about 1 hour and 45 mins from the park. This will be the cheapest airport to fly into in this region. If you book your tickets 5-6 months in advance you can get great prices. 

The next closest is Cheyenne Regional Airport – this is a much smaller airport. It’s about 2 hours from Rocky Mountain and it’s more expensive to fly into. 

Will I Need A Rental Car?:

Yes! Denver International is about 1 hour and 45 mins from the park. You also don’t want to miss the scenic drives (more on that later)! 

Where Should I Stay Near Rocky Mountain National Park?:

The two towns closest to Rocky Mountain National Park are Estes Park and Grand Lake. Both are gorgeous and have a ton of rental options. Estes Park will give you the small-town mountain feel while Grand Lake has the same appeal with more of a homey feel. Both are incredibly charming.

While visiting Rocky Mountain National Park the last time I stayed in Estes Park and absolutely loved it! There is so much to see and do. If you happen to like kayaking there is Lake Estes, if you are into ghosts you can take a haunted tour of The Stanley Hotel, and you can almost always find elk roaming around the town (check the golf course haha). 

In Estes Park –

Grand Hotels: 

The Stanley Hotel – 

• 333 E Wonderview Ave, Estes Park, CO 80517
• (970)577-4000
• Find out more here

This is the hotel where Stephen King penned The Shining and the hotel itself inspired his work. You can take a ghost tour of the hotel even if you don’t stay there. It’s gorgeous both inside and outside. And take it from me, it IS haunted. I’ll be writing an entire post on this later, so check back! 

The Inn At Fall River – 

• 1660 Fall River Rd, Estes Park, CO 80517
• (800)255-4118
• Find out more here

You’ll find the Inn At Fall River on the banks of a serene mountain stream in the Rockies. Sounds pretty idyllic doesn’t it? Well it gets better, the inn is built on land that was once within the original park boundaries. And the land retains some of the same magnificent natural surroundings. Check out their Luxe Stream Suites and their different cabin options! 

Affordable Options: 

Alpine Trail Ridge Inn –

• 927 Moraine Ave, Estes Park, CO 80517-8204
• (970)236-7085
• Find out more here 
• This Inn won the Travelers Choice 2020 award on Trip Advisor! 

Quality Inn Estes Park – 

• 1450 Big Thompson Ave, Estes Park, CO 80517-8917
• (970)586-2358
• Find out  more here
• Rooms run around $123 per night

Airbnbs: 

1914 Cabin

Cozy Cabin

Moss Brook Cabin  

Grand Lake is gorgeous and situated around (you guessed it) Grand Lake, the largest natural body of water in Colorado. Known as the quieter side of the park, here you can see moose, enjoy the lake, and check out Arapaho National Recreation Area. With Grand Lake being a smaller town there are less options when it comes to hotels. 

In Grand Lake –

Hotels: 

Grand Lake Lodge –

• 15500 Us-34, Grand Lake, CO 804471 
• (970) 296-9417
• Find out more here
• Rated as Travelers Choice 2020 on Trip Advisor

Grand View Mountain Lodge –

• 725 Grand Ave, Grand Lake, CO 80447
• (970)627-5400
• Find out more here

Airbnbs: 

Charming, Rustic Cabin

Scarlet Paintbrush At Wild Acres Cabins (tiny house)

Eagles Landing #5 (lakefront condo)

The Bear Collector 

Camping Inside Rocky Mountain National Park: 

Camping is a little different at Rocky in 2021. There are only two campgrounds with official opening and closing dates. The rest are TBD at this time. Check back here to see if the campground you are interested in will be open in the 2021 season. 

Glacier Basin Campground –

• Highway 36 West, Estes Park, CO 80517
• You can make a reservation here
• 150 sites, mostly tent 
• Cost: $30 per night per site 

• All sites are reservable up to 6 months in advance. Reservations are highly recommended especially during the busy summer months
• There is no internet access or cell phone reception here
• Flush toilets are open seasonally

Moraine Park Campground –

• US-36, Estes Park, CO 80517
• You can make a reservation here
• 244 sites, mostly tent
• Cost: $30 per night per site 

• Open year round 
• During Winter – First come first serve and only Loop B available 

• There is no internet access or cell phone reception here
• Seasonal flush toilet, vault toilets open year round

How Much Ground Is There To Cover?: 

Rocky Mountain National Park covers an impressive 415 square miles. It encompasses and protects a truly spectacular mountain environment. The most popular attraction is Trail Ridge Road, which crests at over 12,000 feet. Trail Ridge includes many overlooks to experience the subalpine and alpine worlds. The park also offers over 300 miles of hiking trails, wildflowers, wildlife, and amazingly starry nights.

Know Before You Go: Rocky Mountain National Park Edition

• You will need to pay an entry fee at Rocky Mountain – 
• You can buy your passes online here
  • 1-Day Pass Automobile – $25 
  • Day Pass Motorcycle – $25
  • 1-Day Pass Per Person – $15
• Rocky Mountain National Park Annual Pass – $70
• Or as always you can buy an American The Beautiful Pass here for $80

• Don’t forget – starting May 28th you will need to purchase a timed entry (see above)

• Prepare yourself for the higher altitude. You may not think it will hit you but hiking at altitudes like these is completely different than hiking at lower altitudes.

• Drink plenty of water. 

• Weather can change very quickly. Check the weather report before leaving for the day. Have a rain jacket and be prepared to change your plans. 

• Dress in layers and don’t forget sturdy hiking boots! These are my absolute favorite!

• There are pull-offs along the road for wildlife viewing. Don’t be one of those people who completely block the road because you want to look at elk. Find a spot to pull over just like everyone else. 

Rocky Mountain Pledge

If you have kids (or even if you don’t) take the Rocky Mountain Pledge, you can find more information here. You are essentially pledging to: “To preserve unimpaired for this and future generations the beauty, history, and wildness therein, I pledge to protect Rocky Mountain National Park.” And that’s just great all around! 

Know Before You Go: Wildlife Edition 

According to NPS, Rocky Mountain National Park has an elk herd numbering between 600 to 800 in the winter, “about 350 bighorn sheep, numerous mule deer and a small population of moose calling the park home, it’s no surprise that wildlife watching is rated the number-one activity by a vast majority of Rocky’s three million annual visitors.” 

Wildlife Distances: 

• 75 ft from elk and bighorn sheep 
• 120 ft from moose and bear 

• If wildlife photography is your thing, then it is suggested that you bring this equipment with you…
• Camera Or Camera
• Telephoto lens (budget)
• Telephotos lens (splurge)
• Tripod

• NPS suggests, “When photographing from the safe distance, skilled photographers suggest lining up the horizon of the landscape along with the lower third of your frame and lining up the animal(s) to one of the four intersection points.”

• Be aware, especially if you are visiting in the fall, that this is elk rut, which is one of the reasons you SHOULD visit in the fall. BUT bull elk can be aggressive during this time of year so it’s just not a good idea to get all up in their space. 

• DO NOT feed any of the animals in the park. Feeding junk food to wildlife reduces its ability to survive the long mountain winter. 

• Be careful when you are driving through the park. When wildlife panhandles by roadsides, these animals fall easy prey to automobiles.

• Also, it’s illegal (harassing or feeding). As they become habituated to humans and lose their natural fear, the animals become aggressive and may be destroyed.

Keep In Mind: Rocky Mountain National Park Edition 

• Altitude sickness affects many visitors every year. 

• Symptoms include: headache, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, vomiting, and even unconsciousness. 

• Altitude can also aggravate pre-existing conditions like heart and lung disease. 

What Can You Do To NOT Get Altitude Sickness? –

• Pace yourself when hiking 
• Drink tons of water
• Make sure to eat
• Rest when you need to

What To Do If You Experience Altitude Sickness? – 

Immediately get to a lower altitude. That’s right, the only “cure” for altitude sickness is to go down to a lower altitude. And do it as quickly as you can! 

Rocky Mountain National Park Bucketlist

1. Take A Scenic Drive On Trail Ridge Road 

Covering the 48 miles between Estes Park on the park’s east side and Grand Lake on the west, this road does not disappoint. There are plenty of overlooks and pull-offs for you to enjoy on the drive. And 11 miles of the road go above the treeline and venture near 11,500 feet. If there is one thing you do while at Rocky Mountain National Park, I highly recommend driving Trail Ridge Road. You will almost definitely see some elk while on this drive. BONUS: This is dog friendly too! 

Tip: Keep in mind that parts of Trail Ridge Road close during inclement weather. You can still access parts of the road but anything above the treeline is closed off. 

2. View Elk In All Their Glory 

Rocky Mountain National Park gives visitors the chance for some pretty epic wildlife viewing. In the winter the elk herd numbers reach an impressive 600-800, and there is a healthy bighorn sheep population in the park as well. The biggest draw to Rocky is the elk and if you venture to the west side of the park you’ve got more of a chance to spot moose too! 

Tip: If you are really interested in viewing elk, you may want to plan your trip for the end of September during their rut. You need to keep your distance during this time of year because the bulls can be very aggressive. If you time it right you will get to hear their hauntingly beautiful bugles. It’s seriously one of my favorite sounds, I have no idea why! 

Remember Wildlife Distances: 

• 75 ft from elk and bighorn sheep 
• 120 ft from moose and bear 

3. Get Out And Hike Rocky Mountain National Park

There are 350 miles of trails at Rocky Mountain National Park! There is a trail for every skill level and for everyone!

Bear, Nymph, Dream Lake 

• Distance: 2 miles 
• Rating: Easy
• Elevation Gain: 426 ft

The trail to Dream Lake is a heavily trafficked out and back trail. The trail passes both Bear Lake and Nymph Lake and it has some truly spectacular scenery for an easy 2-mile hike. As with all trails inside the park, this trail is not dog friendly. If I have more time I would have gone on to Emerald Lake – 

Emerald Lake Trail 

• Distance: 3.2 miles 
• Rating: Moderate
• Elevation Gain: 698 ft 

Tip: Keep in mind that while these hikes are rated easy and moderate the elevation will sneak up on you. Make sure to drink water and take breaks when needed (which will be a lot more than you usually do)!

Check Out: The Best Easy Fall Hikes In Rocky Mountain National Park

4. Spend A Night Camping Under The Stars 

Camping is a great way to experience Rocky Mountain National Park. The starry skies in the Rockies are pretty spectacular!  In 2021, there are only two campgrounds that are open for sure (see information above). Both Glacier Basin and Moraine Park Campground will be open for 2021. The other campgrounds are listed as TBD so check back to see what opens for the 2021 season. 

5. Check Out The Continental Divide 

What Is The Continental Divide? –

The Great Continental Divide is the hydrological divide that separates water drainages across the United States. It runs roughly along the Rocky Mountain range from northern Montana to southern New Mexico. The divide passes right through Rocky Mountain National Park and right past Grand Lake.

Where Can You See The Continental Divide? –

Milner Pass – Located just west of the Alpine Visitor Center along Trail Ridge Road you will find Milner Pass.  At 10,759 feet, this mountain pass has exceptional views of Poudre Lake, and is located on the continental divide! Everything to the east of the divide drains into the Atlantic and everything to the west drains into the Pacific. 

Tip: Poudre Lake offers some great wildlife viewing opportunities. Keep your eyes peeled for bald eagles, elk, and moose! 

6. Don’t Skip The Alpine Visitor Center 

This visitor center is located along Trail Ridge Road, and is the highest elevation visitor center in the National Park System at 11,796′. It’s typically open late-May through mid-October. You will learn about the variety of ecosystems Rocky Mountain National Park is home to through exhibits and dioramas of what to expect to see as you drive through the park. 

7. Get A Different Perspective Of Rocky Mountain National Park & Hit The Trails On Horseback

There are several options for horseback riding inside the park. It’s a great way to experience parts of the park that you would otherwise never see! On my last trip I chose 

National Park Gateway Stables

• 4600 Fall River Rd, Estes Park, CO 80517
• 970-586-5269
• Opens May 15, 2021  

My party had a great time and got to take in some amazing views! This place is so great that some of my family went back for a second ride. 

8. Check Out At Least One Waterfall 

Rocky Mountain National Park is known for its waterfalls! While some are really easy to reach, others require a hike. Here are three pretty stellar options for all skill levels 

Adams Falls Trail 

• Grand Lake Side Of Park
• Distance: .8 miles
• Rating: Easy
• Elevation Gain: 104 ft

Alberta Falls Trail

• Estes Park Side Of Park
• Distance: 1.6 miles
• Rating: Moderate
• Elevation Gain: 252 ft

Timberline Falls To Sky Pond

• Estes Park Side Of Park
• Distance: 9.3 miles
• Rating: Hard
• Elevation Gain: 2,162 ft 
• *I’ve heard people rave about this trail but have never had the time to attempt it myself. 

9. Explore The Parks Neighboring Towns 

Estes Park – 

This is where I stayed on my 2 week trip to Rocky Mountain National Park in 2014. I love the mountain town feel and there is so much to explore. The shopping is great, the restaurants are awesome, and there are usually elk just moseying through town. 

Grand Lake – 

I’ve never stayed here but I’ve heard great things. If you want to spot moose around Rocky this is the place to stay. Most places also have those gorgeous lake views. This is a smaller town but it still has that mountain charm! 

10. Kayak On Lake Estes or Grand Lake 

One of my favorite experiences from my last trip to Rocky Mountain National Park was kayaking on Lake Estes when a massive bull elk and his harem showed up. A lesser bull showed up and the bugles were insane. The bigger bull chased his competitor away all while I watched from the water. It was wild to see in person! I used… 

Lake Estes Marina 

• 1770 Big Thompson Ave, Estes Park, CO 80517
• You can book your rentals here

You can also kayak Grand Lake to get a different view from the water. Check out this place for rentals…

Mountain Padlers 

• 1030 Lake Ave, Grand Lake, CO 80447
• You can book your rentals here

A Little History: 

Humans began arriving in what is now Rocky Mountain National Park around 11,000 years ago. Before that it was a completely inhospitable environment. There are, of course, Native American Tribes associated with the land that is now Rocky, those are the Utes and the Arapaho. 

Utes –

The primary tribe in Rocky Mountain National Park was the Utes. In fact, from the 1200s to the late 1700s, the Utes hunted within what later became park boundaries. They also camped along Grand Lake in the summer and you can even see where the Utes left their mark in the park by hiking the Ute Trail. 

The Arapaho – 

The Arapaho mainly lived in the plains of the Midwest, but they spent significant time exploring the Rocky Mountain National Park area on hunting and foraging trips. The Arapaho has many battles with the Shashone and the Apache tribes and some even occurred on what is now National Park lands.

If you are hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park chances are that most of the trails you are hiking are deeply rooted in Ute or Arapaho history! 

Settlers began arriving sometime in the mid-1800’s and displaced the Native tribes. Most left voluntarily by 1860 but the rest were moved to reservations by 1878. 

There are so many amazing things to do and see at Rocky Mountain National Park! You really can’t go wrong, as long as you go! It’s definitely a must-visit in my opinion and I honestly can’t wait to go back! 

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