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National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park

  • Southwest
  • 9 hikes
  • 9 places to see
  • 1 current alert

Plan a Rocky Mountain trip Where to stay

Current alerts

  • Closure

    Trail Ridge Road Status Update

    Trail Ridge Road will be closing at 5 p.m. on Friday, October 23, due to the forecast for snow, low visibility and freezing temperatures at higher elevations. The closure points will be at Many Parks Curve on the east side and Colorado River Trailhead on the west side. For the latest information on…

From the National Park Service, as of October 30, 2026, 5:14 am. Check nps.gov before you go.

Latest news

About Rocky Mountain

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.

From the National Park Service.

Region
Southwest
State
Colorado
Designation
National Park
Entrance fee
$30, private vehicle
Hikes on this page
9
Places to see
9
Articles
11

Know before you go

Fees, hours, weather and getting to Rocky Mountain.

Entrance fees

  • $30 Private Vehicle 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…
  • $35 Private Vehicle
  • $15 Per Person
  • $25 Motorcycle
  • $30 Motorcycle

Passes

  • $70 Annual Entrance - Park

Hours

Open 24 hours a day, every day.

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.

Weather and when to go

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, visit https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/all-about-weather.htm For the most up-to-date weather forecasts, visit the National Weather Service webpage for Rocky at https://www.weather.gov/bou/rmnp

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.

Gateway towns
Estes Park, CO · Grand Lake, CO
Nearest airports
Denver International Airport (DEN)

Directions from the National Park Service

Contact the park

Address
1000 US Hwy 36, Estes Park, CO 80517
Official site
nps.gov/romo

From the National Park Service, checked weekly. Fees, hours and road conditions change: confirm with the park before you go.

Trip planner

A day-by-day plan for Rocky Mountain

Tell us your dates and what you are into. We group the stops by where they are, so each day is one part of the park, not a zigzag.

Plan your park trip Free. No account needed.

Where to stay for Rocky Mountain

The gateway towns, closest first. Add your dates in the planner to search for your own nights.

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Things to do in Rocky Mountain

The park service's own list, with how long each takes.

  • Hidden Valley is a Place for Junior Rangers

    Junior Ranger Program · about 45 min · Reservation required

    Junior Ranger Headquarters at Hidden Valley is closed for the winter season. Open from late May to mid-August, Junior Ranger Headquarters at Hidden Valley is a great place for Jun…

  • Enjoy a Scenic Drive on Old Fall River Road

    Scenic Driving · about 45 min · Reservation required

    Built between 1913 and 1920, a drive up Old Fall River Road is an incredible 9.4-mile scenic drive. This unpaved road begins next to Endovalley Picnic Area and ends at the summit…

  • Enjoy a Scenic Drive on Trail Ridge Road

    Scenic Driving · about 2 hours · Reservation required

    Enjoy a scenic drive across Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park. Trail Ridge Road is 48-miles one-way and connects the towns of Grand Lake and Estes Park during the s…

  • Snowshoeing in Rocky Mountain National Park

    Snowshoeing · about 45 min

    Snowshoeing

  • Fishing in RMNP

    Fishing · about 45 min · Reservation required

    Fishing

  • Wildlife Viewing in Rocky Mountain National Park

    Wildlife Watching · about 45 min

    Wildlife Viewing Tips

  • Hiking with Traction Devices

    Hiking · about 2 hours

    Enjoy the winter wonderland that Rocky has to offer from late October to early June. When there is hard-packed snow and ice on the trails, don't forget to use traction devices!

  • Cross-Country Skiing in Rocky Mountain National Park

    Cross-Country Skiing · about 45 min

    Cross-country skiing can be an enjoyable way to experience the winter season at Rocky. There is typically enough snow for skiing beginning in December through late March. Visit th…

  • Winter Driving in RMNP

    Scenic Driving · about 45 min

    Learn About Winter Driving in Rocky Mountain National Park

Trails

Places to see

Natural features

Visitor centers & lodging

Campgrounds in Rocky Mountain

Run by the park service. Reservable sites book on Recreation.gov; first-come sites do not.

Reading about Rocky Mountain

All 11 articles

What to pack for Rocky Mountain

Gear & Essentials

Tell us about your trip and we will add what else you will want:

The basics

Worth having in the car whatever the park.

For this trip

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