About Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park's 415 square miles (265,807 acres) encompasses a spectacular range of mountain environments. From meadows found in the montane life zone to glistening alpine lakes and up to the towering mountain peaks, there is something for everyone to discover. Along the way explore over 300 miles of hiking trails and incredible wildlife viewing.
Plan a Visit
Core visitor information on this page is sourced from the National Park Service. NPD proximity sections use NPS reference coordinates and straight-line distance. Local source bundle updated Sep 27, 2026. View the official NPS page.
Weather & Conditions
Weather can change quickly in Rocky Mountain National Park due to the mountains and elevation. Elevation in the park ranges from 7,800 feet above sea level to over 14,000 feet at the top of the tallest mountain peaks. Weather conditions can change quickly throughout the day. For detailed weather information,…
NPS Reference Location
Park state / territory membership: Colorado. This map uses the National Park Service reference coordinate. It may represent an administrative or reference point rather than a park entrance, trailhead, visitor center, or the nearest access point. Use the official NPS directions below when planning travel.
Entrance Fees
1-Day Vehicle Entrance Pass. This pass is valid for one private vehicle to enter RMNP for one day only. All passengers inside the vehicle are covered. Park entrance passes may be purchased in person at any of the park's entrance stations or in advance online at www.recreation.gov.
7-Day Vehicle Entrance Pass. This vehicle entrance pass is valid for one vehicle to enter RMNP for 7 consecutive days. All passengers inside the vehicle are covered. Park entrance passes may be purchased in person at the any of the park's entrance stations or in advance online at www.recreation.gov.
1-Day Per Person Entrance Pass. This park entrance fee is for individuals, walk-ins, bicycles, and non-commercial groups to enter RMNP for 1-day only. Park entrance passes may be purchased in person at the any of the park's entrance stations or in advance online at www.recreation.gov.
Valid for 1 day. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers. Park entrance passes may be purchased in person at the any of the park's entrance stations or in advance online at www.recreation.gov.
Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers. Park entrance passes may be purchased in person at the any of the park's entrance stations or in advance online at www.recreation.gov.
7-Day Per Person Entrance Pass. This park entrance fee is for individuals, walk-ins, bicycles, and non-commercial groups to enter RMNP for 7 consecutive days. Park entrance passes may be purchased in person at the any of the park's entrance stations or in advance online at www.recreation.gov.
Each non-US resident aged 16 and older visiting Rocky Mountain National Park must pay a $100 nonresident fee (in addition to the standard entrance fee), unless admitted with an Annual or America the Beautiful Pass. This includes nonresidents entering as part of a commercial tour group, commercial use authorization (CUA) group, or concessioner tour group.
Operating Hours
While certain roads and facilities may be closed for the winter season, Rocky Mountain National Park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Activities
Getting There
Rocky Mountain National Park is located in northern Colorado. To visit the east side (near Estes Park, CO), follow U.S. I-25 to U.S. Hwy 34 or 36 west to Estes Park. To visit the west side of the park, follow I-70 to U.S Hwy 40 towards Granby, take US Hwy 34 east to Grand Lake, CO.
View Official DirectionsContact & Address
The NPS-listed address may be an administrative office, visitor center, mailing/contact location, or other park facility rather than a park entrance.
Entrance Passes
RMNP Park-specific Annual Pass. This park pass is valid for entry to RMNP only for 1 year. One pass is good for one passholder and may be used in any personal vehicle. Park entrance passes may be purchased in person at the any of the park's entrance stations or in advance online at www.recreation.gov.
Topics & Themes
Things To Do
Snowshoeing in Rocky Mountain National Park
Snowshoeing
Hidden Valley is a Place for Junior Rangers
Junior Ranger Headquarters at Hidden Valley is a great place for Junior Rangers of all ages and their families to…
Fishing in RMNP
Fishing
Enjoy a Scenic Drive on Trail Ridge Road
Enjoy a scenic drive across Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park. Trail Ridge Road is 48-miles one-way and connects…
Wildlife Viewing in Rocky Mountain National Park
Wildlife Viewing Tips
Hiking with Traction Devices
Enjoy the winter wonderland that Rocky has to offer from late October to early June. When there is hard-packed snow…
More Things to Do
Additional activities and experiences from the National Park Service.
Enjoy a Scenic Drive on Old Fall River Road
Built between 1913 and 1920, a drive up Old Fall River Road is an incredible 9.4-mile scenic drive. This unpaved road begins…
Cross-Country Skiing in Rocky Mountain National Park
Cross-country skiing can be an enjoyable way to experience the winter season at Rocky. There is typically enough snow for skiing beginning…
Winter Driving in RMNP
Learn About Winter Driving in Rocky Mountain National Park
Visit the Holzwarth Historic Site
Take a step back in time at the Holzwarth Historic Site, the spot where the Never Summer Ranch, Holzwarth Trout Lodge, and…
Watching Elk
During the months of September and October, elk herds are gathering in lower elevation areas for fall mating season. This time is…
Picnicing in RMNP
Rocky Mountain National Park has many wonderful picnic areas to choose from on both the east and west sides of the park.
Visitor Centers
Information Office
Have questions about Rocky Mountain National Park? Call the Information Office! NPS staff and volunteers are available to help your plan your trips, learn about…
Fall River Visitor Center
The Fall River Visitor Center is located west of the town of Estes Park on U.S. Highway 34, just before the Fall River Entrance to…
Beaver Meadows Visitor Center
Beaver Meadows Visitor Center is open year-round. This visitor center is located on the east side of RMNP near the town of Estes Park, along…
Kawuneeche Visitor Center
Open daily, the Kawuneeche Visitor Center is located along U.S. Highway 34 on the west side of RMNP, north of the town of Grand Lake.
Wilderness Office
Have questions about planning for an overnight backpacking camping trip? Ready to pick up your backpacking permits? Visit the park's Wilderness Office or call 970-586-1242.…
Alpine Visitor Center
Alpine Visitor Center is open for the 2026 summer season. Located at the top of Fall River Pass and accessed via Trail Ridge Road, Alpine…
Holzwarth Historic Site
Explore the Holzwarth Historic Site, where the Never Summer Ranch and the Holzwarth Trout Lodge was operated by the Holzwarth family through multiple generations from…
Moraine Park Discovery Center
The Nature Store in the Moraine Park Discovery Center is open daily. This store is managed by Rocky Mountain Conservancy. Ranger-led activities have ended at…
Sheep Lakes Information Station
Sheep Lakes, located in Horseshoe Park, is a great place to view wildlife. This parking area and viewpoint are open year-round daily 24 hours a…
Junior Ranger Headquarters at Hidden Valley
Junior Ranger Headquarters has closed for the season. We invite you to get out and explore the Hidden Valley area on your own with your…
Campgrounds
Aspenglen Campground
Aspenglen Campground is open for the summer! Campsites are available for tents and RVs. Campsites are available by reservation only. To make a reservation, visit…
Glacier Basin Campground
Glacier Basin Campground is closed for the 2026 season. If planning to camp in RMNP, please see Aspenglen, Timber Creek or Moraine Park Campgrounds.
Timber Creek Campground
Timber Creek Campground is open for the summer! Campsites are available for tents and RVs. Campsites are available by reservation only. To make a reservation,…
Moraine Park Campground
Moraine Park Campground is open for summer camping. Campsites are available for tents and RVs. Campsites are available by reservation only. To make a reservation,…
Longs Peak Campground
Longs Peak Campground is closed for the 2026 season. If planning to camp inside RMNP, please check availability at Aspenglen, Timber Creek, or Moraine Park…
Nearby National Park Service Sites
These sites are ordered by straight-line distance between NPS reference coordinates. This is useful for comparison, but it is not road mileage. Trails, parkways, rivers, and distributed units may extend far from their reference point.
Nearby Cities for Trip Planning
These cities are ordered by straight-line distance from the NPS reference coordinate. They are comparison starting points, not official park gateways or road-distance estimates. Trails and other distributed units may extend far beyond this reference point.
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