Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park is the most popular Colorado National Park, and it’s only a 2.5 hour drive from Colorado Springs.

The gateway city is Estes Park, known for its active downtown in the summer and bugling elk in the fall.

The park itself covers 416 square miles, and has over 60 mountains that reach 12,000 feet plus. Longs Peak is the tallest at 14,259 feet.

It’s hard to write about Rocky Mountain N.P., because you really just need to visit. And, of course, photographs don’t do it justice. The panoramic views and sheer grandeur simply cannot be explained in words and pictures.

But know that the park is equally as amazing in winter as in summer. Each offers its own experience. You can try snowshoeing at frozen Bear Lake in the winter, or drive through the park and have a picnic in the summer.

A great way to introduce yourself to the park is to drive up the famous Trail Ridge Road.

There are several spots to pull over for jaw-dropping views, and if you’re brave enough, you can drive up above treeline to an altitude of 12,183 feet.

Rocky Mountain National Park - Views from Trail Ridge Road

Rocky Mountain National Park

Sunny Views of Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park

Even in the summer, bring a few layers (sweatshirts, jackets, hats) as the temperatures can change drastically as you rise.

The whole park is above 7,500 feet, so be ready for the altitude. That means allowing yourself time to acclimate and drinking plenty of water to avoid altitude sickness.

Also, make sure to wear your sunscreen. See our hiking tips for more information.

Rocky Mountain N.P. features:

*359 hiking trails
*200 backcountry camping sites
*156 lakes
*9 Visitor’s Centers

Things to Do:

*Scenic mountain drives
*Hiking or Snowshoeing
*Walk through wildflower fields
*Fish in an alpine lake
*View wildlife: elk, coyote, bighorn sheep
*Mountain climbing
*Camping
*Picnicking
*Horseback Riding

While you could easily visit this park in a day trip from Colorado Springs, we recommend at least an overnight stay in Estes Park or even making it a weekend getaway. There is a lot to see!

A great place to stay is the historic Stanley Hotel, which served as the inspiration for Stephen King's novel The Shining. Founded by F.O. Stanley (from Stanley Steamer motorcar fame), the hotel is a sprawling Georgian resort, making it the focus of the town second to all those beautiful mountains.

Rocky Mountain National Park