Guide to Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) protects over 415 square miles of spectacular mountain landscapes in northern Colorado between Estes Park and Grand Lake. Known for towering peaks, alpine tundra, abundant wildlife, and scenic drives, RMNP draws millions of visitors each year and offers something unforgettable for every outdoor lover.

Highlights

124 named peaks, including many over 13,000 feet, and portions of the Continental Divide run through the park.
Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuous paved road in the U.S., reaching over 12,000 ft and connecting east and west sides of the park.
Rich ecosystems support over 280 bird species, dozens of mammals, and diverse plant life (park biodiversity).
Famous destinations include Bear Lake, Trail Ridge Road, Wild Basin, Longs Peak, and the Alpine Visitor Center.

Need To Know

Entrance Fees & Passes (2026)

A valid entrance fee or park pass is required 24/7 to enter RMNP at all official stations (Beaver Meadows, Fall River, Wild Basin, and Kawuneeche).

Standard Entrance Passes (per vehicle / person)

Private Vehicle – 1 day: ~$30 (covers all passengers)
Private Vehicle – 7 days: ~$35
Motorcycle – 1 day: ~$25
Pedestrian/Bike – 1 day: ~$15

America the Beautiful Passes (Interagency – good at 2,000+ federal sites)

Annual Pass – U.S. Resident: $80 (standard)
Annual Pass – Non-Resident: $250 (covers vehicle or group)
Non-Resident Fee: Non-U.S. citizens/persons age 16+ pay a $100 surcharge in addition to entrance fees unless they have a non-resident annual pass.

America the Beautiful Pass Benefits: Passes grant entrance to all national parks and many federal lands nationwide.

Cashless Gates. RMNP only accepts credit/debit cards at entrance stations.

Timed Entry Reservations. Most years (especially late May through mid-October) require a timed entry permit for peak access times, particularly along the Bear Lake Road corridor. Check the official timed entry page for current windows and availability (sold at Recreation.gov).

When to Visit

RMNP is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, but conditions vary greatly by season. Trails and roads at high elevation may be snow-covered or closed most of winter.
Trail Ridge Road typically opens late May through mid-October, weather permitting.

Camping

Designated campgrounds and backcountry camping offer deep park access year-round. Reservations are strongly encouraged and can be made at Recreation.gov.

Campground schedule for 2026:

Moraine Park: Winter camping + summer season May 21–Oct 18, 2026
Timber Creek & Aspenglen: May–Sept/Oct seasonal openings (varies).
Glacier Basin: May 21–Sept 13, 2026
Longs Peak Campground: July 2–Sept 13, 2026
Backcountry: Permits are required for all non-campground sites.

Weather Tips

Weather in the Rockies changes rapidly. Snow can occur even in July at higher elevations, and temperatures vary dramatically from trailhead to alpine tundra. Dress in layers and check forecasts for Estes Park, Grand Lake, and the Alpine Visitor Center before your trip.

Trail Conditions

Trail conditions depend on snowmelt, storms, and season. Many high-elevation trails are snow-covered into summer; always check current conditions and be prepared for snow or muddy sections. The RMNP website posts up-to-date trail reports. RMNP's website

Fishing

Fishing is allowed in most watersheds with a Colorado fishing license (annual, 5-day, 1-day options). A habitat stamp is required with the first license purchase of the year. Certain waters may be catch-and-release or closed; check Colorado Parks & Wildlife regs.

Safety & Etiquette

Cell phone service is sparse in many areas — download maps or use apps with offline maps.
Always tell someone where you’re going and when you expect to return.
Keep wildlife wild: stay on trails, follow Leave No Trace principles, and never feed animals.

Area Guide — Top Hikes & Destinations

This list focuses on popular and scenic trailheads. All distances are one-way unless otherwise noted.

Trail Ridge Road & Alpine Corridor

Chasm Falls – 1.5 mi
Ypsilon Mountain – 4.0 mi
Mount Ida – 4.9 mi

Bear Lake & Glacier Gorge Area

Bierstadt Lake – 1.3 mi
Flattop Mountain – 4.4 mi
Sky Pond – ~9.0 mi

Wild Basin

Sandbeach Lake – 4.2 mi
Ouzel Falls – ~5.4 mi

Longs Peak Area

Peacock Pool – 3.9 mi
Longs Peak (Keyhole Route) – 14–15 mi round trip

West Side (Grand Lake)

Adams Falls – 0.3 mi
Lone Pine Lake – 5.3 mi
Ptarmigan Mountain – 7.6 mi

Other Scenic & Easy Hikes

Lily Lake Loop – 0.8 mi
Emerald Lake – ~3.5 mi (via Bear Lake area)

(This is a selection; RMNP has hundreds of trails for every skill level.)

Visitor Centers & Services

RMNP maintains visitor centers with exhibits, trip planning help, restrooms, and orientation programs. The Alpine Visitor Center sits at nearly 11,800 ft with spectacular views and seasonal interpretive programming (usually open late spring–fall).

Planning & Reservations

Entrance passes & timed entry permits: Available at Recreation.gov.
Campgrounds & backcountry permits: Reserve early — summer dates fill quickly.
Current conditions, closures, and trail reports: Always check the official RMNP NPS site before your visit.

Rocky Mountain National Park continues to be one of the most iconic and beloved natural destinations in the United States — full of inspiration for every visitor, from first-timers to seasoned adventurers.

Entire Park Area Guide
RMNP is too big and has too many options to include everything here. This area guide is an intro to some of the best and least seen gems the park has to offer. Featured hikes are listed by distance for easy picking of what might work best for individual fitness and time.

Many trails connect with other areas. If you want to go further or see more take a friend and park a car at two different trailheads. Make sure you know the correct route to connect the two trailheads so you don’t get lost.

All distances listed here are one-way.

Trail Ridge Road/Fall River Road
If you aren’t one to hike Trail Ridge Road and Old Fall River Road are excellent options for a beautiful drive. Fall River Road is not for the faint of heart. The narrow, one-way, dirt road runs from the Lawn Lake trailhead to the Alpine Visitor Center and is closed most of the year. Both roads offer pull offs and lookout points. Trail Ridge Road has more options and views. There are several hikes off both roads worth exploring if you have the time.

Iceberg Lake — Trailhead: Lava Cliffs Pullout — Distance: 0.2 miles

Lava Cliffs — Trailhead: Lava Cliffs Pullout — Distance: 0.3 miles

Thousand Falls — Trailhead: Endovalley Picnic Area — Distance: 0.3 miles

Chasm Falls — Trailhead: Endovalley Picnic Area — Distance: 1.5 miles

Timberline Pass — Trailhead: Ute Crossing — Distance: 1.9 miles

Forest Canyon Pass — Trailhead: Alpine Visitor Center — Distance: 2.3 miles

Mount Chapin — Trailhead: Chapin Pass — Distance: 2.4 miles

Mount Chiquita — Trailhead: Chapin Pass — Distance: 3.0 miles

Ypsilon Mountain — Trailhead: Chapin Pass — Distance: 4.0 miles

Mount Ida — Trailhead: Poudre Lake — Distance: 4.9 miles

Other Hikes to Try:
Arrowhead Lake
Poudre Lake
Sundance Mountain
Toll Memorial
Tombstone Ridge
Ute Trail

Bear Lake/Glacier Gorge/Cub Lake
Bear Lake — Trailhead: Bear Lake — Distance: 0.5 miles

Eagle Cliff Mountain — Trailhead: Moraine Park Museum — Distance: 0.5 miles

Bierstadt Lake — Trailhead: Bierstadt — Distance: 1.3 miles

Chaos Canyon Cascades — Trailhead: Bear Lake via Lake Haiyaha Trail — Distance: 1.8 miles

Mill Creek Basin — Trailhead: Hollowell Park — Distance: 1.9 miles

Glacier Falls — Trailhead: Glacier Gorge — Distance: 2.3 miles

Jewel Lake — Trailhead: Glacier Gorge — Distance: 3.1 miles

Flattop Mountain — Trailhead: Bear Lake — Distance: 4.4 miles

Shelf Lake — Trailhead: Glacier Gorge — Distance: 4.7 miles

Andrews Glacier — Trailhead: Glacier Gorge — Distance: 4.8 miles

Odessa Lake — Trailhead: Fern Lake — Distance: 4.8 miles

Blue Lake — Trailhead: Glacier Gorge — Distance: 5.5 miles

Lake Helene — Trailhead: Fern Lake — Distance: 5.7 miles

Notchtop Mountain — Trailhead: Bear Lake — Distance: 6.1 miles

McHenrys Peak — Trailhead: Glacier Gorge — Distance: 7.1 miles

Chiefs Head Peak — Trailhead: Glacier Gorge — Distance: 7.8 miles

Other Hikes to Try:
Black Lake
Cub Lake
Deer Mountain
Fern Falls
Fern Lake
Frozen Lake
Hallett Peak
Lake Haiyaha
The Loch
Mills Lake
Otis Peak
Ribbon Falls
Sky Pond
Solitude Lake
The Spearhead
Sprague Lake
Spruce Lake
Taylor Peak
Timberline Falls

Mummy Range
This range is the largest area in RMNP and has seven named peaks over 13,000 feet. But Mummy Range has many different hikes and destinations to choose from. There is something here for every level — from the easy paved walk up to Alluvial Fan, the family go-to of Gem Lake and the exhausting experience of doing the Mummy Kill.

The Cow Creek parking is a limited selection of roadside spots. Arrive as early as possible. Parking at Lumpy Ridge is generally guaranteed and trails connect to Cow Creek if parking is full there.

McGregor Mountain — Trailhead: Fall River Visitor Center — Distance: 1.2 miles

MacGregor Falls — Trailhead: Lumpy Ridge — Distance: 3.2 miles

Balanced Rock — Trailhead: Cow Creek — Distance: 4.0 miles

Ypsilon Lake — Trailhead: Lawn Lake — Distance: 4.7 miles

Sugarloaf Mountain — Trailhead: Stormy Peaks — Distance: 5.3 miles

Chiquita Lake — Trailhead: Lawn Lake — Distance: 5.5 miles

Lawn Lake — Trailhead: Lawn Lake — Distance: 6.3 miles

Mummy Mountain — Trailhead: Lawn Lake — Distance: 7.2 miles

Crystal Lake — Trailhead: Lawn Lake — Distance: 7.9 miles

Fairchild Mountain — Trailhead: Lawn Lake — Distance: 8.8 miles

Rowe Peak — Trailhead: Lawn Lake — Distance: 9.1 miles

Lake Louise — Trailhead: Dunraven — Distance: 10.9 miles

Other Hikes to Try:
Alluvial Fan
Bridal Veil Falls
Gem Lake
Hagues Peak
Horseshoe Falls
Lost Falls
Lost Lake
Mummy Kill
The Saddle
Twin Owls
West Creek Falls

Wild Basin
Wild Basin is located south of Longs Peak off Highway 7 and is in a secluded area of the park. A single dirt road takes hikers back to the main Wild Basin trailhead. Other pull offs and trailheads — such as Finch Lake and Sandbeach Lake — lay along the road. This area is more water than many other areas in the park. Many of the trails follow streams and many destinations are lakes and waterfalls. There is plenty of room to explore here and take in the incredible views and wildflowers.

Lookout Mountain — Trailhead: Horse Creek — Distance: 3.2 miles

Sandbeach Lake — Trailhead: Sandbeach Lake — Distance: 4.2 miles

Mertensia Falls — Trailhead: Wild Basin — Distance: 6.2 miles

Mount Meeker — Trailhead: Sandbeach Lake — Distance: 6.5 miles

Lion Lakes — Trailhead: Wild Basin — Distance: 6.9 miles

Mount Copeland — Trailhead: Wild Basin — Distance: 7.0 miles

Pipit Lake — Trailhead: Wild Basin — Distance: 7.2 miles

Fan Falls — Trailhead: Wild Basin — Distance: 7.4 miles

Boulder-Grand Pass — Trailhead: Wild Basin — Distance: 7.8 miles

Mount Alice — Trailhead: Wild Basin — Distance: 8.8 miles

Other Hikes to Try:
Bluebird Lake
Box Lake
Calypso Cascades
Copeland Falls
Finch Lake
Isolation Lake
Isolation Peak
Ouzel Falls
Ouzel Lake
Thunder Falls
Thunder Lake
Pear Lake

Longs Peak
Longs Peak is a daunting mammoth of a mountain that is both enticing and intimidating. Don’t let it overshadow some of the other amazing hikes that start at its trailhead. The trail up to Longs and the other destinations along the way offer many incredible views of the Beaver and the surrounding area. Be aware that hikers headed to the summit of Longs arrive between midnight and 3 a.m. The parking lot can often fill up quickly. Either plan to do the shorter hikes later in the day or start the longer hikes at zero dark thirty.

Eugenia Mine —Trailhead: Longs Peak — Distance: 1.4 miles

Moore Park — Trailhead: Longs Peak — Distance: 1.8 miles

Peacock Pool — Trailhead: Longs Peak — Distance: 3.9 miles

Chasm Meadows — Trailhead: Longs Peak — Distance: 4.0 miles

Mount Lady Washington — Trailhead: Longs Peak — Distance: 4.2 miles

The Loft — Trailhead: Longs Peak — Distance: 5.2 miles

Longs Peak — Trailhead: Longs Peak — Distance: 7.4 miles

Other Hikes to Try:
Columbine Falls
Chasm Lake

Highway 7
There are many easier hikes off Highway 7 that are perfect for casual day hiking. This area includes national forest land and expands into Allenspark and Estes Park. This provides perfect and easy access to post hiking refuel. Go for an early and stop by Meadow Mountain Cafe in Allenspark for lunch. They are open Wednesday - Monday until 2 p.m.

Oldman Mountain — Trailhead: Old Ranger Drive — Distance: 0.3 miles

Lily Lake — Trailhead: Lily Lake — Distance: 0.8 miles

Emerald Mountain — Trailhead: East Portal — Distance: 0.8 miles

Lily Mountain — Trailhead: Lily Mountain — Distance: 1.8 miles

Kruger Rock — Trailhead: Hermit Park — Distance: 2.0 miles

Homer Rouse — Trailhead: Fish Creek — Distance: 2.4 miles

Homestead Meadows — Trailhead: Lion Gulch — Distance: 2.8 miles

Storm Pass — Trailhead: Lily Lake — Distance: 2.8 miles

Twin Sisters — Trailhead: Twin Sisters — Distance: 3.4 miles

Crosier Mountain — Trailhead: Crosier Mountain Gravel Pit — Distance: 3.8 miles

Other Hikes to Try:
Prospect Mountain
Estes Cone

West Side
This side draws fewer visitors and tourists than the east side of RMNP. You'll enjoy more solitude here if that is what you're looking for. The western slope sees more precipitation than the east so scenery tends to be more green and lush. After a day of hiking explore nearby Grand Lake.

Adams Falls — Trailhead: East Inlet — Distance: 0.3 miles

Lake Irene — Trailhead: Lake Irene Picnic Area — Distance: 0.5 miles

Green Mountain — Trailhead: Green Mountain — Distance: 1.7 miles

Big Meadows — Trailhead: Green Mountain — Distance: 2.0 miles

Cascade Falls — Trailhead: North Inlet — Distance: 3.6 miles

Timber Lake — Trailhead: Timber Lake — Distance: 5.0 miles

Granite Falls — Trailhead: Green Mountain — Distance: 5.3 miles

Lone Pine Lake — Trailhead: East Inlet — Distance: 5.3 miles

Lake Verna — Trailhead: East Inlet — Distance: 6.9 miles

Bench Lake — Trailhead: North Inlet — Distance: 7.3 miles

Ptarmigan Mountain — Trailhead: East Inlet — Distance: 7.6 miles

Andrews Peak — Trailhead: East Inlet — Distance: 8.2 miles

Other Hikes to Try:
Big Pool
Mount Craig
Murphy Lake
Summerland Park

Paradise Park
The southwest corner of RMNP is the most isolated and primitive. There are trails that start around the boundaries of the park but these destinations require more off-trail hiking. A lack of well-maintained trails also makes for longer mileage. If you choose to explore this area make sure to come prepared. Check out the safety section of this guide for more tips.

Watanga Lake — Trailhead: Roaring Fork — Distance: 4.8 miles

Shadow Mountain — Trailhead: East Shore — Distance: 5.6 miles

Adams Lake — Trailhead: Roaring Fork — Distance: 6.5 miles

Twin Peaks — Trailhead: Roaring Fork — Distance: 6.5 miles

Mount Adams — Trailhead: Roaring Fork — Distance: 6.6 miles

Mount Bryant — Trailhead: East Shore — Distance: 7.3 miles

Never Summer Mountains
The Arapahoe Indians named this range ni-chebe-chii — never no summer — for the beautiful colors and scenery the area provides. The mountains here are volcanic rather than the standard granite found in most of the park. Because of this the rotting rock makes hiking more difficult. The challenge makes the hikes very worthwhile though as you will find more solitude here to be alone with nature.

Coyote Valley — Trailhead: Coyote Valley — Distance: 0.5 miles

Lake Agnes — Trailhead: Lake Agnes — Distance: 0.8 miles

Thunder Mountain — Trailhead: Never Summer — Distance: 2.0 miles

Lulu Mountain — Trailhead: Never Summer — Distance: 2.6 miles

Specimen Mountain — Trailhead: Poudre River — Distance: 3.2 miles

Lulu City — Trailhead: Colorado River — Distance: 3.5 miles

Snow Lake — Trailhead: American Lakes — Distance: 3.9 miles

Parika Lake — Trailhead: Bowen/Baker — Distance: 5.4 miles

Pinnacle Pool — Trailhead: Colorado River — Distance: 5.7 miles

Red Mountain — Trailhead: Colorado River — Distance: 6.2 miles

Blue Lake — Trailhead: Bowen/Baker — Distance: 6.9 miles

La Poudre Pass — Trailhead: Colorado River — Distance: 7.0 miles

Bowen Pass — Trailhead: Bowen/Baker — Distance: 8.4 miles

Other Hikes to Try: Farview Mountain
Lake of the Clouds
Mount Cumulus