Crowds in RMNP?

Popularity

RMNP is so popular for very good reasons.  With over 100 years of tradition as a Park, families come back to visit again and again.  They come to experience the beauty of nature, to seek solitude, to enjoy scenic views and crisp mountain air, to watch wildlife, and to recreate (especially to hike) in these majestic mountains.

Rocky Mountain National Park is very accessible for Colorado Front Range residents (Colorado Springs, Denver, Boulder, Loveland to Fort Collins).  Colorado locals love to head up into the mountains for the day, get out of the summer heat, and bring friends and family.  It’s only a one to two hour drive.

Park managers do their best to address the effect this level of visitation is having on visitor and staff safety, resources, visitor experiences and operational capacity.  Timed entry permits are in place to help.  But the signs of strain are evident.

During the summer and early fall, park staff restrict vehicle access to the Bear Lake Road corridor with timed entry permits.  With a permit to visit the rest of the Park, you may still encounter busy parking lots at popular areas like Wild Basin, and the Alpine Visitor Center.

The most popular days to visit are most days in July and August, in addition to weekends in June and September.

What can you do?

Here are some tips and facts to help you plan ahead:

1. Join a guided trip.  Local tour operators know how to navigate the crowds!  There are educational bus tours, wildlife watching tours, photography tours, scenic tours, and adventure tours.
2. Enjoy an active adventure other than hiking the Park trails where transportation and all the gear you’ll need is included.  Horseback Trail Rides, Fly Fishing, Whitewater River Rafting, Climbing, Off Road ATV exploring, Mountain Biking – adventure choices are endless!
3. Take the free Estes Park Shuttle bus from your lodging and spend a day exploring around town in Estes Park.  Kids will love the amusement rides, and adults the museums and art galleries.
4. Start your day early  – the earlier the better.  You’ll beat the Front Range day-trippers who all come in cars and will need to park.

Visiting and Hiking Rocky Mountain National Park

Popular hiking trailhead parking lots often fill very early in the day:

• Glacier Gorge Trailhead
• Bear Lake Trailhead
• Park and Ride
• Wild Basin Corridor
• The Alpine Visitor Center parking lot is often full between 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Twelve important tips:

1. Plan to hike early or hike late (prior to 9 a.m. or after 4 p.m.)
2. Carpool to trailheads with friends and neighbors
3. Take advantage of the free town and Park shuttle buses which run Memorial Day through mid-October.   There’s free parking at the parking structure at the Visitor Center, and at the Estes Park Events Complex where there is room for larger vehicles like RVs or buses.
4. If you want to hike in the popular Bear Lake Road corridor and plan to arrive after 11 a.m., your best option, and on some days your only option, will be to park in one of the large Estes Park visitor parking lots and take the Hiker Shuttle from the Estes Park Visitor Center. This shuttle runs every 30 minutes from the Estes Park Visitor Center to the Park & Ride on Bear Lake Road. You will still need a timed entry permit to board the shuttles. An entrance pass is required to use the Hiker Shuttle.  You can purchase a pass online.  Your email confirmation will serve as your pass and should reduce transaction time once you reach the park entrance station kiosk.
5. More than eighty percent of park visitors arrive through the Estes Park eastside entrances of the Park (Beaver Meadows, Fall River, and Wild Basin).
6. Check the weather forecast before you arrive at the park to better plan your day and destinations. If you plan to hike later in the day, know the weather forecast for where you want to go.  Afternoon thunderstorms with lightening are common in the mountains.
7. Stay at lodging with hike-in access to the Park.  You won’t need to hassle with parking your car!
8. Camping is popular in the Park. Reserve a campsite up to six months before your visit. The two first-come, first-served campgrounds fill up quickly. Timber Creek Campground, located on the west side of the park, fills up last.  Visit our Camping Blog for complete camping information.
9. In September during prime elk viewing season, visitation is 50 percent higher on weekends than weekdays
10. In general, the most visited days in the Park are on weekends June through September, so consider visiting on a weekday.
11. Backpacking is a great way to leave the crowds and explore.  Backcountry camping permits are required.  Walk-ins may also get permits after noon each day when no-shows are released.  (970) 586-1242 for more information.
12. The only restaurant in the Park is at the Alpine Visitor Center.  Pack a picnic lunch, or stop for take-out before entering the Park for the day so that you don’t need to stop  your adventures and exit the Park to eat.

Check Road Status

Wondering about Trail Ridge Road or Old Fall River Road status for a drive up to the Alpine Visitor Center on top of the Park?

You will be crossing the Continental Divide at over 12,000 ft elevation.  Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuous paved road in the United States and normally opens Memorial Day weekend, through mid-October, weather conditions permitting.

Call the recorded Trail Ridge Road status line at (970) 586-1222.

What about the kids?

To keep your little ones interested and busy, the park offers free colorful Junior Ranger booklets at a variety of park facilities. There are three booklets – 5 and under, 6 to 8, and 9 and up. The booklets are filled with fun kid activities.

The Junior Ranger Headquarters is located at Hidden Valley from late May through mid August. Open from 9 AM to 4:30 PM Daily,

More Specific questions?

Contact  the park’s Information Office at (970) 586-1206.