Rocky Mountain National Park is a hiker’s paradise, with over 300 miles of hiking trails criss-crossing its boundaries. But even for those who aren’t avid hikers, you’ll still find plenty of things to keep you busy. Let’s plan your trip to Rocky Mountain National Park.

Hikes at Rocky Mountain National Park

Sky Pond at Rocky Mountain National Park

Sky Pond – What Not to Do on Your Hike

One of my favorite hikes at Rocky Mountain National Park is Sky Pond. This is a difficult hike, but with proper planning and plenty of care, you can have a successful hike.

Rocky Mountain National Park for Non-Hikers

View from the Alpine Visitor Center at Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park for Non-Hikers – What to Do

While Rocky Mountain National Park is a hiker’s paradise, not everyone enjoys hiking. This guide covers some options for non-hikers so that they can enjoy this beautiful park.

Timed Entry Reservations

Entrance to Bear Lake Road

Rocky Mountain National Park Timed Entries – What to Know

As a response to overcrowding, reservations are now required at Rocky Mountain National Park. This guide covers everything you need to know so you can have a successful visit.

Scenic Drives

Highway 60 from Cañon City to Salida

11 Amazing Scenic Drives in Colorado

One of the best things about roadtripping through Colorado is scenic drives you’ll find everywhere. Whether you add one of these routes or all of these routes, you’re sure to have a beautiful drive.

Fairview Curve Viewpoint at Rocky Mountain National Park

Colorado in 10 Days

Start: Denver, CO
End: Denver, CO
Length: 10 Days (with options to shorten it)

This is one of my favorite road trips ever. You’ll visit all four of Colorado’s National Parks and do loads of scenic driving. If you’re interested in epic views and hikes, this is the itinerary for you.

Viewpoint at Fall River Road at Rocky Mountain National Park

Colorado in 5 Days

For those with limited time, try a bite sized trip to Colorado. In this guide, find three different 5 day itineraries, each featuring a different area of Colorado. Whether you focus your time at Rocky Mountain National Park, southwestern Colorado, or elsewhere, you’re sure to have a great time in Colorado.

When to Visit Rocky Mountain National Park

While technically, you could visit Rocky Mountain National Park all year round, some seasons are better than others. If you have plans to drive Trail Ridge Road, avoid winter when the road closes.

Summer is peak travel season. While you’re more likely to have good weather, plan to share the trails with all of the other travelers. And just because its summer, don’t think there won’t be snow. At the higher elevations, you may still see patches of snow, even in early summer.

Spring and fall are shoulder season and can offer a balance between crowds and weather. However, as parts of the park close with the snow, I’d be careful about early spring and late fall.

I traveled during the first week of September. It was hot throughout most of Colorado, but by the time I reached Rocky Mountain National Park, I needed to add some layers. The weather wasn’t perfect (there was some thick fog on two of my days), but I would still choose this time of year to travel again.

Where to Stay at Rocky Mountain National Park

The city of Estes Park is right outside the main entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park and makes an excellent base for exploring the park. That said, Estes Park is not a budget destination, so if you’re on a tight budget, you may have to look a bit further afield.

More in Colorado

The fun in Colorado doesn’t stop with Rocky Mountain National Park. There’s three other national parks, plenty of scenic drives, and even more amazing outdoor adventures. Learn more in my Colorado Travel Guide.

More US National Parks

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is just one of 63 national parks across the United States. Learn more about these parks and start planning your perfect trip with my US National Parks Travel Guide.