Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the national parks in the United States known as the most spectacular national park. Its 415 sq. miles (265,461 acres) of dramatic beauty, rugged steep mountains, sparkling lakes, vast numbers of flora and fauna and 350 miles of hiking trails make it one of the most interesting national parks in the country to visit.
Due to its multiple and supportive nature settings, the Rocky Mountain National park will be travel friendly especially for adventure activities. Visitors can take hiking in nearest hiking trails, spot wildlife, scenic drive, horseback rides, rock climbing, photography and backpacking. However, travellers are fortunate to experience the local cultures of the native tribes along with spot some of the park’s rarest animals like moose, marmots, and pike and bighorn sheep.
Related Search: Glacier National Park.
Things to Do in Rocky Mountain National Park
1. Take a Hike
Rocky Mountain National Park offers 300 miles of hiking trails which cater to all sorts of skill levels. Moderate hiking trail including famous “The Bear Lake Trailhead”, where visitors can enjoy most picture square trails ranging from easy to moderate walking routes. Despite this, backpackers also try Long peak which includes more challenging and rugged mountain trails with rewarding summit views. If you are fresher and afraid to take long hiking trails then surely you can choose “Emerald Lake” hiking routes.
2. Indulge in Snow Activities
Another most interesting things or activities visitors can do here in Rocky Mountain National Park. Snow activities including Sledding, snowshoeing, cross country skiing and wildlife watching. If you are visiting during winter months these are the must and should to do even if you are an expert or not. Due to the parks trail conditions and snow levels making it friendlier to do snow activities. Make sure that your Wildlife Watching during winter could include white-tailed ptarmigan, coyote, elk and mule deer as well as Bald eagles and Clark’s.
3. Take a Long Trail at Ridge Road
Taking a long Trail at Ridge Road is really next level travel adventurous activity in Rocky Mountain National Park. Trail offers the most scenic drive including the highest paved roads in North America. 12,000 feet high, the trail offers breath-taking surrounding views and valley while your moderate Ridge Road trail. However this trail also opens up to watch Continental Divide and Longs Peak while passing forested moraines, mountain meadows and Kawuneeche Valley. Never miss to take a stop at Alpine Visitor Centre and photographic viewpoints.
4. Explore Rich and Diverse Wildlife
Rocky Mountain National Park will not disappoint if you want to watch and explore the beauty of wildfires and unique flora and fauna. Place recognised as one of the finest places to spot elk, deer, bighorn sheep and moose. Park offers a total of 600 to 800 elk during winter, 350 of bighorn sheep and other mule deer and moose both summer and winter. Despite that, the park witnessed 60 other species of mammals, 11 species of fishes, insects and butterflies, and 280 unique species of birds like amphibians, boreal toads, reptiles and harmless snakes. If you truly want to enjoy animals like elk herds probably you should be there The Moraine Park area which are more visible during fall rutting season.
5. Take a Horseback Ride
Horses have been part of the Rocky Mountain National Park, when it was officially declared in 1915. Arguably horseback riding is also quite popular from the establishment in order to keep natural resources and ecosystem in mind. Horseback trails and roads are prescribed on its parks official website including the fee. Horseback ride including some of the safety measures which followed by the riders encounters like Bridges and other water crossings, low branches, wildlife areas and packing’s.
6. Watch Stargazing
Rocky Mountain National Park witnessing to get a perfect view of Stargazing. Park designated as a Dark Sky Park, where visitors can watch stargazing during night time. The lack of light pollution and more eco-friendly destinations allows visitors to see thousands of stars, various constellations and Milky Way. Alpine Visitors Centre and Moraine Park are more recommended places to spot stargazing on clear nights.
You can also read: Banff National Park, Canada.
Rocky Mountain National Park Campgrounds/Camping’s
Undoubtedly Rocky mountain national park is renowned for its camping options under different campgrounds. Each campground offers wilderness-community experiences for couples, families and groups of visitors. Make sure that each campgrounds includes certain entry fees and timings. Let’s see one by one;
1. Aspenglen Campground
Located just inside the park from the Fall River Entrance. Aspenglen campground includes a total of 53 sites and each is open during summer months. Make sure that campground includes RVs accommodation up to 30 feet, except dump station and hook ups. It is best to reserve a place to get your favourite campsite.
2. Longs Peak Campground
Located near the Wild Basin area, off Highway 7 south of Estes Park. Long Peak campground contains 26 sites including vault toilets and water access and quick entry to the Longs Peak Trailheads. Like Aspenglen, Long peak is open during summer months without seeking any reservations.
3. Glacier Basin Campground
Available at Bear Lake Road, Glacier Basin Campground just 6 miles away from the south of the Beaver Meadows entrance station. Considered as a more accessible and demanding campground under Rocky Mountain National Park, offers a total of 150 campsites. Located in the east part of the park where visitors can easily reach through different transportation modes. Campground includes shuttle stop, RV accommodation up to 35 feet spots, and tents and on site Ranger led evening programs. This campground required prior reservation to access.
4. Timber Creek Campground
Available at Park west side, Timber Creek campground includes 98 campsites, accommodations for RV up to 30 feet, dump station and water hook-ups. Known as the best open air spot, Timber Creek is available to the general public during summer time. Interestingly it opens when Estes Park is available, usually from mid-October to December.
5. Moraine Park Campground
Along with Camping, Moraine Park also offers hiking options to the visitors. It is a year round campground where a number of trails originate. Campground is easily accessed via Bear Lake Road, near the park’s Beaver Meadows Entrance. Includes a total 244 sites, only those who are reserved prior. Features include RVs up to 40 feet long and accommodations with dump station and water hook-ups.
Best Time to Visit Rocky Mountain National Park
After analysing everything about Rocky Mountain National Park, summer months are the perfect time to explore its beauty along with camping. Specifically from mid-June to Mid-august, when hiking trails are more accessible due to melted snow, weather is so friendly for hiking and less crowds, we recommend visiting during these periods.
Rocky Mountain National Park Reservation
Timed Entry Reservation will be available at its official website of www.recreation.gov. Visitors can get a ticket or entry fee or book their reservation in order to visit this official website.
- For Timed Entry- Reservation Fee is $2.00 per ticket, which is non-refundable.
- For Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road- Reservation Fee is $2.00 per Tickets, which is non-refundable.
Remember timed entry reservations are non-refundable and non-transferable in nature.
Rocky Mountain National Park Ticket or Fee or Pass
| 1. Per Person- For walking, bicycles and non-commercial groups. |
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| 2. For Motorcycles- Including even single motorcycle |
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| 3. For Automobiles- Includes single or non-commercial vehicle, with inclusions of 16 or lesser passengers |
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| 4. For Annual Pass of Rocky Mountain National Pass- $70. |
Reminder:
– Dogs and Pets are strictly prohibited to this park including its trail, meadows, visitors centre and tundra.
– Visitors will get an annual pass and pass for automobiles in order to click here.
– Timed entry reservation required addition to your park pass.
– Time entry permits may be purchased 30 days in advance.
Fun Facts about Rocky Mountain National Park
There are some interesting and fun facts about national parks which will help you to push your travel journey even more interesting. Let’s see;
- The Paleo- Indians are the earliest peoples who inhabit the Rocky Mountains and nearby regions. Around 30,000 and 11,000 years ago a group of inhabitant hunter gatherers settled here.
- Bison are the most endangered animal under the Rocky Mountains. Due to heavy bison hunting statistics of American Bison have decreased over a period of time.
- Every year around 2.5 million of visitors cross the bright side to the west side. While crossing the bridge, visitors are fortunate to see the beauty of bumping elbows in their trail.
- Park holds the country’s highest continuous paved road, named Trail Ridge Road. 12,183 ft high, the road includes 48 miles of pristine mountain views and tree lines.
- Park also contains the tallest mountain peak, Longs Peak. 14,259 ft, 14th highest peak in Colorado.
6. Rocky Mountain National Park is home to 280 unique bird species like White tailed Ptarmigan, Dusky Grouse and Gary Jay.
- Includes 1,000 types of a wide variety of wildflowers. Park holds mountain Iris, Woodily, Elephantella, and the state flower of Colorado Columbine.
- Abner Sprague was the first person to buy a national park’s entrance fee, which is $3. During 1939, Sprague was a local homesteader and park’s advocate who bought tickets and made world records.
- Bighorn sheep are the symbol of the Rocky Mountain National Park. One of the endangered animal (400 bighorn sheep) currently living in this park.
- President Woodrow Wilson established Rocky Mountain National Park in 1915, in order signing the national forest act.
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Q: Where is Rocky Mountain National Park?
A: Rocky Mountain National Park or Rockies in North America, stretches from northern Alberta and British Columbia in Canada Southward to New Mexico in United States.
Q: Why was Rocky Mountain National Park Established?
A: In order to preserve the natural beauty and abundant wildlife’s making it more fragile and inspirational place reserving for upcoming generations.
