Best of Colorado Road Trip Featuring 5 National Park Sites
Fantastic towns, high peaks and national park sites dominate this tour through Colorado.
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Rocky Mountain
10 Best Things to Do on a Rocky Mountain National Park Vacation
Our favorite things to do include hiking, wildlife watching and scenic drives.
Great Sand Dunes
2 Days in Great Sand Dunes National Park
How to see all the highlights in just 48 hours.
Mesa Verde
2 Days in Mesa Verde National Park
See the best of Mesa Verde in our action-packed two day itinerary.
Black Canyon
2 Days in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
With incredible sheer black cliffs, a history-filled past and abundant plants and wildlife, this park is one of Colorado’s most underrated destinations.
Colorado National Monument
Visit Colorado National Monument near Grand Junction
Explore gorgeous red rock trails and see the stars at this picturesque national park site in Western Colorado.
Dinosaur National Monument
Ultimate Guide to Dinosaur National Monument in Utah & Colorado
Raft one of the West’s last wild rivers, see 149-million-year-old dinosaur fossils and sleep under the stars at this uncrowded national monument.
More Parks
Canyons of the Ancients National Monument near Mesa Verde
This little-known national monument offers solitude to explore ancient structures.
FAQs
What’s the Best Season to Visit Rocky Mountain National Park?
Spring, summer, fall or winter? Each season brings its own unique conditions to this park.
Road Trips
Rocky Mountain National Park to Yellowstone Road Trip
See wildlife and natural wonders on this Rocky Mountain to Yellowstone road trip starting in Denver.
Maps
Rocky Mountain National Park Essentials: 14 Basic Things You Need to Know
Read this before you plan your visit to the park.
The soul of the Colorado Front Range, Rocky Mountain National Park’s spirit is reflected in its alpine lakes, tumbling waterfalls and dozens of peaks that reach 12,000 feet and higher. The Continental Divide splits this park in two with Trail Ridge Road forming a bridge between the gateway towns of Estes Park at the east end and Grand Lake at the west end. Wherever you are in Rocky, it’s hard to miss the the wildlife: moose wander the wetlands, bighorn sheep balance on the cliffs and herds of elk put on a bugling show each autumn. But before you head to the park, here are a few basic Rocky Mountain National Park essentials you need to know.
Plan ahead.
In an effort to decrease epic traffic, improve the visitor experience and spread out the impact of millions of visitors to the park, Rocky Mountain National Park implemented a reservation system again for 2024. Timed-entry reservations are required between May 24 and October 20, and are in addition to your entrance fee. You can get your timed-entry reservation for $2 at recreation.gov.
Get your pass.
In addition to your timed-entry reservation, you’ll need to pay a park entrance fee. You can buy a $35, 7-day pass at a park entrance station, or use your America the Beautiful or other interagency annual pass to get into the national park.
Hike smart.
Afternoon thunderstorms occur daily in the summer months and lightning can pose a real danger to hikers. Hike in the morning and plan to be back at the trailhead by mid-day. If you hear thunder or see building, dark clouds, turn back immediately.
Hiker on the Emerald Lake Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park (: Getty Images) Ride the shuttle.
Trailhead parking lots fill notoriously early. Unless you arrive first thing in the morning, plan to take the park shuttle. Park at the Bear Lake Park & Ride where you can transfer to the Bear Lake Route or the Moraine Park Route to access hiking trails. Visitors can also take the Hiker Shuttle from the Estes Park Visitor Center outside the park, which has a large parking garage.