Rocky Mountain National Park
1000 US Hwy 36, Estes Park, CO 80517
Hours
Rocky Mountain National Park is open 24 hours a day, year-round, though certain roads and facilities may close during winter. The Information Office is open year-round, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. (winter hours may vary).
Cost
Several pass options are available. If you're unsure which is right for you, hold off on ordering online and talk it through with a ranger at the gate.
- Standard Pass (one-day): $15–$35
- Annual Pass (valid for 1 year): $70
- America the Beautiful (annual pass to all national parks): $80
Prices are subject to change. Check the NPS website for the latest. Phone: 970-586-1206.
About
Estes Park sits on the eastern edge of Rocky Mountain National Park, making the park an essential part of any visit to the area.
Archaeologists have found evidence of Paleo-Indians hunting and gathering here over 11,000 years ago. Generations later, the Ute and Arapaho relied on these mountains, moving between seasonal camps along old trails. The Gold Rush of the 1800s brought ranchers, miners, and entrepreneurs, leaving marks still visible in the region's character today.
By 1900, tourism was growing fast, and naturalists worried the land would be overtaken by commercialism and mismanagement. Lodge owner and naturalist Enos Mills spent years petitioning and speaking across the country to protect it. His efforts paid off in 1915, when President Wilson signed the Rocky Mountain National Park Act. During the Great Depression, the Civilian Conservation Corps built trails, roads, and bridges that are still in use today.
The park now covers 415 square miles of diverse ecosystems and wildlife. You can bike, hike, fish, camp, backpack, and join ranger-led programs. Landmarks like Forest Canyon Overlook, a 360-degree view at 11,716 feet and just a 5-minute walk from the parking area, are accessible to nearly everyone. With such range of landscape, weather, and wildlife, the park has earned the nickname the Land of Extremes.
Rocky Mountain National Park: Fun Facts & Cool Features
Start at the Fall River Visitor Center for the latest weather and trail updates, maps, and a gift shop. Trailhead Restaurant next door covers breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
The park's ecosystems run from wetlands and lakes to alpine terrain, with wildflowers, evergreens, lichen-covered rock, and wildlife at every elevation. Trails range from the relatively flat 4-mile Lake Estes Trail to Longs Peak, which climbs 5,534 feet over 16 miles.
Rocky Mountain National Park marks the headwaters of the Colorado River. The Continental Divide splits the park, sending water to opposite sides of the continent and feeding 156 lakes and over 400 miles of streams. For whitewater, book a tour with Rapid Transit Rafting.
Wildlife watching is a highlight year-round. Elk herds graze in Moraine Park and Horseshoe Park, most active during the fall rut. Bighorn sheep pick their way across rocky slopes, and reintroduced moose browse willow thickets near streams. For a closer look, book a horseback ride with National Park Gateway Stables.
Local Tips
- Check trail and weather conditions before you head out.
- Bikes are allowed on roads only, not trails.
- Read the NPS safety tips on avalanches, swift water, ticks, and lightning before your visit.
- Mountain weather shifts fast. Bring layers.
- Pack extra water and snacks; services inside the park are limited.
