While Rocky Mountain National Park isn’t the country’s largest national park, or the most visited, there’s still something magical about the Colorado park that has some of the highest mountains in the United States. Between the alpine lakes, forested valleys, plants, and wildlife, it’s a must-see spot.
The 266,714-acre park has over 350 miles of trails and Trail Ridge Road, the highest paved road in the U.S. It also has been home to 67 mammal species including moose, black bears, beavers, mountain lions, and chipmunks.
Rocky Mountain National Park has an outdoor adventure for everyone. The park has trails for hikers at every level ranging from flat easy hikes around a mountain lake to challenging multiday backpack climbs and trips. If hiking isn’t your thing, you can ride horseback into the wild west, go fishing at the mountain lakes, whitewater raft, kayak, mountain bike, or 4-wheel.
The park is located at 1000 US Hwy 36 Estes Park, CO 80517 and it’s open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. For a 1-day pass, per automobile it costs $25 or $15 per person. An annual pass, which allows unlimited entry into the park for one year, costs $70.
Right now, due to the fire danger and weather forecast, fires are banned at the park which includes campfires with charcoal briquette fires. Reservations are required to enter the park and the Cameron Peak Fire has caused closures to Old Fall River Road, some of the trails, wilderness campsites, and cross country zones.
For more information on the Rocky Mountain National Park as well as the alerts in affect, check out the official National Park Service website.
