The Park Declared a National Park in 1915, Rocky
Mountain is home to hundreds of peaks more than 10,000 feet tall including the 14,255 ft
Longs Peak, one of Colorado's tallest. More than that, the boundaries of Rocky Mountain NP
encompass an entire set of mountain ecosystems and the wildlife which make them unique.
In a Word "Invigorating"
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Park Review
Our Visits We live in Colorado, so Rocky Mountain National Park is kind of
our "Home Park." My first trip to the park was as a college student when my
family visited in September 1993. Other trips occurred in June of 1997, September 2000,
April 2005, March 2007, August 2007, October 2007 and May 2009.
1. Elk herd in Rocky Mountain NP, (March) (Dean Edwards Photo)
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The first trip with my family was spent hiking around the Alluvial Fan area. The second
trip was primarily a driving trip across the mountain range with only a little hiking. The
third trip was spent searching for elk herds in the fall when the bulls were bugling--this
took us to most of the meadows on the East side of the park. The fourth and fifth trips
were in early Spring when most of the trails were still snow-covered, but we found some
open spots on the road to Bear Lake. The sixth trip was part of a scenic drive along the
eastern side of the park, so we only stopped in the small Lily Lake area along Colorado
Hwy 7. The seventh trip was an excursion through the west side of the park the first week
of October. The latest trip was a half-day trip to the west side from a vacation spot in
Winter Park, CO in late May.
Our Weather Because we live relatively close, we could schedule our trips around
good weather. Consequently, we had beautiful sun and pleasantly warm temperatures.
However, remember that nearby Denver, Colorado has the most sunny days of any major city
in the U.S., so your chance of finding good weather in Rocky Mountain is good. If you
visit October - June, plan to be surprised by a snowstorm.
2. Flowers on the banks of Lily Lake with the Continental Divide just barely visible in
the background (August)
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Overall Impression Rocky Mountain National Park may not be the most spectacular
Park, but it holds a charm and native beauty that make it a special place. There are so
many diverse areas to hike in this Park that's it's difficult to know where to start. Even
a trip by car with no hiking takes you from sprawling meadows, alpine lakes, wildflowers
and pine forests to tundra and thick snow above the tree line. For those willing to spend
some energy on one of the trails, Rocky Mountain really shows off her hidden treasures,
especially the many species of wildlife which call this area home.
Favorite Spot the reflections in Sprague Lake
Minimum Time Required You can drive through the park via Trail Ridge Road
(US 34) in about 2-3 hours during the summer months (road closed Fall through Spring).
This will allow you to take in the beautiful mountain scenery, see a few animals in the
meadows and stop for a few photos. If you're not up for a full drive through the Park, you
can get a small taste for it by stopping and hiking one of the trails on the parks
periphery. On the east side, look for Lily Lake. This area, complete with a
visitors center, is easily accessible from Colorado Hwy 7 and does not have an entrance
fee. In about 30 minutes you (and your entire family) can hike around the lake and enjoy
wildflowers, wildlife and views of 14,000 ft Longs Peak. On the west side, you can
drive through the quaint town of Grand Lake and take the easy hike (.6 miles round trip)
to Adams Falls then visit the Kawuneeche Visitors Center for displays and
information. Trail Ridge Road requires the full entrance fee, but the last two activities
can be done fee free.
A Longer Visit We'd recommend spending at least a full day in the park so you
can drive Trail Ridge Road (US 34) across the continental divide (summer only) and
take a few short hikes or one longer one. If you're on the east side of the park (Estes
Park), split your time between Trail Ridge Road and the Bear Lake area. The
road to Bear Lake has great scenery and some great hikes of all lengths. One of the
best short hikes is Sprague Lake where you can see reflections of Hallett Peak
and the continental divide on a calm day. Another great area on the east side is Alluvial
Fan off Old Fall River Road where you can hike to the sounds of the nearby
waterfalls and Sheep Lakes where you can usually spot wildlife. If you've got time,
drive up and over the continental divide on Trail Ridge Road and stop at the Alpine
Visitors Center at nearly 12,000 feet to enjoy a warm beverage above the treeline.
If you're on the west side (Grand Lake), enjoy the atmosphere of fewer people and
cooler air. Start with a visit to the Kawuneeche Visitor Center. There is less
variety for hiking on this side of the park, but you can take a short excursion on one of
the longer trails in the Colorado River Valley to get a closer look at flowing
streams, meadows and wildlife. The trail to the Holzwarth Historic Site is prime
for viewing elk, but skip the historic site unless you're into 1920s-era fishing lodges.
The Beaver Ponds picnic area is great for reflecting the Never Summer Mountains
on a calm day. Once you've gotten your fill of the valley, drive up the switchbacks on Trail
Ridge Road for some good panoramic views and a look at things above the tree line.
Even as late as June and as early as September, this road may be lined with several feet
of snow, and the road is normally only completely open in the summer. On your way to the
Alpine Visitors Center, you'll pass vistas of the distant Gore Range and Medicine
Bow Mountains, so make use of the pullouts for some great views. If you're not
planning on driving all the way through the park, head east at least a few more miles to
cross the continental divide and to get a view of the peaks on the
Suggestions Rocky Mountain, while a beautiful park, doesn't have quite the
awe-inspiring sights of Zion or Yosemite. The park's real value is the preservation of an
entire alpine habitat from the forests all the way to the snowy peaks, so to really
appreciate Rocky Mountain, you have to spend a little time in each of the climate zones.
The best way to visit all the climates is to drive all the way through the park on Trail
Ridge Road (US 34) as part of your trip.
5. Fall is a beautiful time of year with Aspens chaging to gold and sometimes orange in
September and early October (October)
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If your goal is to view wildlife, your best bet is to go around sunrise or
sunset and visit one of the "parks" on the east side or the Kawuneeche Valley
on the west side. Elk are plentiful throughout the day, but they are typically closer in
the morning or evening. The moose are more shy than the elk, but you can still see them
near the wetlands of the Colorado River on the west side of the park (they're only on the
west side of the park). We would recommend early morning for viewing (6 AM in the summer)
because there aren't many people in the park, and you'll be alone with the wildlife. If
you can pick your time of year, late September is a great time because the elk are in rut.
From just about any meadow (called "parks" here), you can see (and hear) bull
elk bugling. This is most common in the evening. Additionally, the aspens turn a brilliant
gold and hold it until early October. September is also the last full month Trail Ridge
Road is open through the park.
If you're travelling through the area in the winter or spring, just beware US 34, the
only road through the Park, is closed from at least mid-October 'til June. You can still
hike in the lower areas, you just won't be able to see everything. If you only have a
limited time in the Spring, take the road to frozen Bear Lake for great views of
distinctive Hallett Peak. Stop at the lower (read "unfrozen") Sprague Lake
along the way for a pleasant 1/2 mile hike. If you are going to stop and walk around the
peaks, bring a warm jacket. The temperature at elevation can easily be 20-30 degrees
cooler than the entrance, even in the summer. Also, if you're from out-of-town and not
used to the elevation, DRINK LOTS OF WATER!!! This will help keep you from getting
dehydrated (and getting headaches) in the high, dry climate. If you're fair skinned,
remember your sunscreen, because the elevation causes you to burn about twice as fast as
lower elevations.
Nearby Towns Estes Park, Grand Lake, Granby, Loveland, Denver (Colorado)
Other Nearby Attractions Winter Park ski area, Lake Granby, Estes Park
Official NPS Website Rocky
Mountain NP
Photos
Click on thumbnails to view larger image
6. Elk rule the park, and the elk crossing signs are not something to be ignored (March)
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7. This formation, known as the "Twin Owls" is a familiar landmark for residents
of Estes Park, CO. It sits just inside Rocky Mountain National Park. To illustrate how
fickle Colorado weather can be, this picture was taken just two days after the one of the
elk in the snow (March)
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8. The Moraine Park area is a great place to view elk and catch some nice scenery, even in
the winter (March)
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9. Longs Peak at sunset from the Beaver Meadows Visitors Center (April)
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10. Sprague Lake on a snowy day in March. Compare to the photo on the right taken on a
warmer day
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11. Reflections in Sprague Lake (April)
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12. Hallett Peak atop a frozen Bear Lake in April
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13. Looking south down the continental divide from Trail Ridge Road (US 34), the main road
through the Park (May)
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16. Ducks preening on Lily Lake (August)
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17. This view of Longs Peak is from just outside the Park on Colorado Hwy 7 just north of
the turnoff for the Longs Peak trail area (August)
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18. Me and my son at the base of the Alluvial Fan (April)
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19. While there are many warnings around the park telling you not to approach the
wildlife, sometimes they approach you. This cow elk was grazing right next to the road on
the west side of the park, and this picture was taken from the car window (October)
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20. Colorado in September is wonderful. Besides the changing aspens, the bull elk in Rocky
Mountain are bugling (September)
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21. Beautiful elk buck awaiting its next bugle (September)
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22. The Kawuneeche Valley runs north-south along the western edge of the park. There are
many places to stop and walk through the meadows. This is near the Bowen/Baker trailhead
(October)
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23. The Never Summer Mountains frame the west side of the park, and true to their name,
they are covered in snow the forst day of October
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25. The hike to Adams Falls in the southwest corner of the park is easy and colorful
(October)
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28. Rocky Mountain NP is a magical place at sunrise; not only are the animals out in great
numbers, but the lakes and ponds make for beautiful reflections. This is the area known as
the "Beaver Ponds," (May)
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29. Moose live in the western half of the park, but you have to catch them near sunrise or
sunset. This moose is grazing at the Beaver Ponds at sunrise (May)
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30. Looking west at sunrise, the tips of the peaks have just been illuminated by the
rising sun. This is taken from an unnamed pool adjacent to the Colorado River in the
Kawuneeche Valley (May)
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31. Longs Peak from Many Parks Curve (April)
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Weather Forecast
