Plan Your Summer Trip to Rocky

View of the Rocky Mountains

NPS/Marino

Planning to visit Rocky Mountain National Park this summer? The summer season spans from late May to mid-October. There is something for everyone to enjoy!

Rocky Mountain National Park is a land of extremes, with elevation in the park ranging from areas around 7,800 feet to over 14,000 feet above sea level. Ecosystems in the park include the montane, subalpine, and alpine life zones.

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.

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!

 

Fern Lake covered with snow and ice in spring

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What's the Weather Like?

When planning for a trip to Rocky Mountain National Park, it is important to think about the weather. Weather and conditions can vary in the park, based on changes in elevation. Weather can also change quickly in the Rocky Mountains. A summer day can start sunny and later turn to rain or snow.

For details on weather and to see weather forecasts, visit RMNP's Weather webpage.

 

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Get Ready for Summer and Learn About Timed Entry Reservations

Planning to visit Rocky Mountain National Park between May 23 through mid-October? The park will implement a timed entry reservation system during certain hours of the day.

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

 

Fall River Entrance

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Fees & Passes

A valid entrance fee or park pass is required to enter Rocky Mountain National Park 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Several different entrance fee and pass options are available.

All park entrance fees and passes are available for purchase at Rocky's staffed park entrance stations.

Learn about Rocky's park entrance fees and discover all of the different park entrance fee and pass options that are available. Visit RMNP's Fees & Passes webpage for details.

 

Learn About Fun Things to Do When Visiting Rocky!

There is something for everyone to enjoy in Rocky Mountain National Park. Summer is a special time of year. As snow melts, enjoy exploring areas in the montane, subalpine, and alpine lifezones of the park. Explore below for different ideas on things to enjoy throughout the park.

 

View of Bear Lake Loop Trail in summer

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Explore Destinations in 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.

 

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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

 

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Go Camping!

Learn about Camping in Rocky Mountain National Park.

 

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Planning for a Wilderness Backpacking Trip?

Interested in hitting a trail and going overnight wilderness backpacking? Rocky Mountain National Park offers some great opportunities for wilderness overnight backpackers to get their boots on the trail. To learn about the ins and outs of planning for your next overnight wilderness backpacking adventure, visit Rocky's Wilderness Overnight Backpacking webpage.

 

Fishing with youth

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Go Fishing!

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

 

 

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  Wildlife Viewing

  Discover tips for safe and fun wildlife viewing

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  Take a Hike

  With over 350 miles of hiking trails, there is a trail for everyone to enjoy!

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  Learn about the Holzwarth Historic Site

  Take a step back in time and learn about homesteading and the Holzwarth family through the Holzwarth Historic Site

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  Become a Junior Ranger!

  Become a Junior Ranger!

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  Visiting Rocky with Kids

  Explore Different Activities to do with Kids