Plan Your Summer Trip to Rocky

 
View from Rock Cut
View of the Rocky Mountains

NPS/Marino

There is so much to see and do inside Rocky Mountain National Park! When we talk about the summer season in Rocky, this spans from late May through September.

Explore the forest floor and open meadows of Moraine Park or Horseshoe Park, take a scenic drive up Trail Ridge Road or Old Fall River Road and experience the wonders of the Alpine Tundra. Explore the majestic Kawuneeche Valley located on the west side of park by taking a hike along the Colorado River or take a step back in time when exploring the Holzwarth Historic Site.

The elevation in Rocky Mountain National Park spans from below 8,000 feet to over 14,000 feet above sea level.

With many diverse ecosystems and activities found within Rocky Mountain National Park, there is something for everyone.

How to Begin Planning for a Summer Visit to Rocky?

Take Time to Plan Ahead!

  • Talk with your group, find out what they would most like to see and do.
  • Do some research on Rocky Mountain National Park. The park's website is a great resource.
  • Decide what destinations and activities are best for you. Do you want to hike? Take a scenic drive? Go camping? Go fishing?
  • Find out what reservations you will need when visiting the park.
  • When you know what you want to do, make a Trip Plan!
 
Bear Lake Trail, as seen in July 2024
View of Bear Lake Loop Trail in summer

NPS

What is Bear Lake? What Things Can I Do Within the Bear Lake Road Corridor?

The Bear Lake Road corridor is a gateway to incredible scenic views, a wide variety of hiking trails great for all ages, and spectacular wildlife viewing opportunities and camping. There is a reason the Bear Lake Road Corridor is one of the most visited areas of Rocky Mountain National Park.

Bear Lake Road is a paved road that is 9.2-miles long. This road starts near Beaver Meadows Entrance at an elevation of 8,200 feet (2,500 meters) and climbs up to an elevation of 9,475 feet (2,888 meters) when it dead ends at Bear Lake Parking Area and Trailhead.

Bear Lake is an alpine lake that offers views of Hallett Peak and the Continental Divide. To visit Bear Lake, start at Bear Lake Trailhead and walk a short distance to the viewing areas for Bear Lake. There is a scenic loop trail around the lake.

To see a map of Bear Lake Road and to learn more about the area, visit the Exploring the Bear Lake Road Corridor webpage.

 
Inforgraphic describing RMNP's Timed Entry Reservations. From May 26 through October 22 a timed entry permit is needed to visit

Reserve Your Timed Entry Permits!

Planning to visit Rocky Mountain National Park between May 24 through Mid-October? The park will implement another pilot timed entry permit reservation system during specific hours of the day, beginning on May 24 through mid-October. This system applies to all areas of Rocky Mountain National Park.

For more details and to see a list of frequently asked questions and answers, visit the park's Timed Entry webpage.

 
Entrance Fees and Park Passes
Entrance Fees and Park Passes

Learn what park pass is right for you

Visitors are in line and boarding the park's hybrid shuttle bus
Park Shuttles

Shuttle schedules

View looking down on Horseshoe Park, mountains in the distance have rain and snow misting them
All About Weather

Weather can change quickly in Rocky Mountain National Park. Be prepared!

Park Ranger is leading an interpretive talk
Attend a Ranger-led Activity

A Park Ranger is leading an interpretive talk

 
Trail Ridge Road_May 2022

NPS

Take a Scenic Drive on Trail Ridge Road

Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuously paved road in North America. Click here to learn more about driving on Trail Ridge Road

 
Fishing with Kids
Fishing with youth

NPS

Going Fishing?

Fishing is fun for all ages.Click here to learn more about Fishing in Rocky Mountain National Park

 
A group of three people are hiking down a trail, carrying overnight backpacking gear. They are heading on an overnight backpacking trip.

NPS

Planning for a Wilderness Backpacking Trip?

Rocky Mountain National Park boasts various opportunities for wilderness overnight backpackers to get their boots on the trail. To learn about the ins and outs of planning your next overnight wilderness backpacking adventure, visit Rocky's Wilderness Backpacking webpage.

 
 
 
 
 
 

Last updated: August 16, 2024

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

1000 US Hwy 36
Estes Park, CO 80517

Phone:

970 586-1206
The Information Office is open year-round: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. daily in summer; 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Mondays - Fridays and 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Saturdays - Sundays in winter. Recorded Trail Ridge Road status: (970) 586-1222.

Contact Us

Tools

Stay Connected