Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park
This "park in the sky," which captures the full grandeur of the Rocky Mountains, is one of our country's most frequently visited national parks, attracting more than three million visitors each year. 76 of the great mountains in the park reach elevations of 12,000 feet or more. Forests of spruce and fir tower over wide valleys where aspen and willow line hundreds of streams and lakes. At the highest elevations, above the tree line, is the fascinating, arctic-like alpine tundra, fraught with blizzards in winter and filled with flowered meadows in summer. All this is just 65 miles northwest of Denver! Rocky Mountain National Park offers visitors an enormous variety of things to do throughout the year, ranging from all snow-related activities during the winter, to hiking, biking, camping and fishing during the summer.
At A Glance
In The Park
Superintendent: Vaughn BakerPhone Number: 970-586-1399
Entrance Fees: Individual Pass (valid for 7 days): $10; Vehicle Pass (valid for 7 days): $20; Commercial Tour Fees: $25-$200 (varies depending on seating capacity); Annual Park Pass: $35
Sights: Stanley Hotel; Grand Lake; Rocky Mountains; Trail Ridge Road; Old Fall River Road; Lawn Lake; Fall River Area
Endangered Species: Boreal Toad (threatened); Bald Eagle (threatened); Least Tern; Mexican Spotted Owl (threatened); Piping Plover (threatened); Whooping Crane; Yellow-billed Cuckoo (threatened); Bonytail; Colorado Pikeminnow; Greenback Cutthroat Trout (threatened); Humpback Chub; Pallid Sturgeon (threatened); Razorback Sucker; Canada Lynx (threatened); Preble's Meadow Jumping Mouse (threatened)
Important Dates
Established as Park: January 26, 1915By The Numbers
Acres: 265,828.00Highest Point: Longs Peak (14255 feet)
Annual Visitation: 2,743,676 (2006)
Location
Latitude / Longitude :40.259170 / -105.834440 (map it)
State: CO
Nearby Big City: Estes Park, CO
Gateway Communities: Estes Park, CO; Grand Lake, CO; Glen Haven, CO; Drake, CO; Allenspark, CO; Granby, CO; Lyons, CO; Hot Sulphur Springs, CO; Tabernash, CO; Hygiene, CO; Ward, CO; Masonville, CO; Parshall, CO; Loveland, CO; Fraser, CO; Winter Park, CO; Longmont, CO
Nearby Airports: Denver International Airport (DIA)
Green Features
Has Recycling? : YesHas Shuttle System? : Yes
Has Volunteer Program? : Yes
Park Photos
Elk Grazing
Terry Reimink
Entrance Sign
Ronald Sherwood
Forest Waterfall
Craig E Divine
View More Rocky Mountain Photos
In Detail
10 Essentials 1. Map 2. Compass 3. Flashlight 4. Sunglasses and Sunscreen 5. Extra Food and Water 6. Rain Gear and Extra Clothing 7. Waterproof Matches 8. Candle (or other Fire-Starter) 9. Pocket Knife 10. First ... read more.
Activities & Programs Rocky Mountain National Park is more than just a summer destination. Visitors who enjoy the freedom and space found here in the summer, often come back to enjoy the beauty of fall, winter and spring, ... read more.
At Your Fingertips General Park Information (970) 586-1206 www.nps.gov/romo Emergencies 911 (970) 586-1203 Backcountry Information (970) 586-1242 Camping Reservations Glacier Basin, Moraine Park (888) 448-1474 (in ... read more.
Bighorn Sheep The bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis), symbol of Rocky Mountain National Park, are well-known for their impressive horns and their incredible agility on the steep crags of the Rockies. Neither of these ... read more.
Camping at Rocky Mountain Camping is only permitted in the park's five roadside campgrounds. Campgrounds fill quickly from mid-June to mid-September and on holiday weekends, so it's wise to plan ahead. Fees are $20 per night ... read more.
Continental Divide Trail The construction of the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) is one of the most significant conservation initiatives ever undertaken. Designated by Congress in 1978, a focused effort to complete the trail ... read more.
Estes Park As the eastern gateway city to Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park hosts more than 2 million travelers from around the world each year. Almost all commercial activity takes place in Estes Park b ... read more.
Flora & Fauna Rocky Mountain National Park is home to about 900 species of plants, 281 types of birds and 60 species of mammals. Some are easy to spot while others remain elusive, but all are part of the park's ec ... read more.
Grand Lake Situated at the western border of Rocky Mountain National Park, near the headwaters of the Colorado River, Grand Lake is Colorado's largest natural lake. The village of Grand Lake—surrounded by ... read more.
Hiking Chart Trailhead Distance (one Elevation Difficulty (starting elevation in feet) Destination way in miles) Gain (in feet) Level Bear Lake (9,475) Around Lake 0.6 20 Easy Nymph Lake 0.5 225 Easy Biersta ... read more.
History of Rocky Mountain Park Early Inhabitants During the Ice Age, massive glaciers ground the landscape, shaping the meadows and peaks, and making the present-day park area an inhospitable land. It was not until some 11,000 yea ... read more.
In A Nutshell Park Entrances You can enter Rocky Mountain National Park from the west via U.S. 34 from Grand Lake (the largest glacial lake in the state), or from the east via either U.S. 34 or U.S. 36 from Estes ... read more.
Just For Kids The park has a "Rocky's Junior Ranger Program" geared toward children in kindergarten through eighth grade. Emphasis is placed on park preservation, flora and fauna facts, and environmental education ... read more.
Leave No Trace Leave No Trace is a national program that promotes and inspires responsible outdoor recreation and stewardship of America's public lands. The National Park Service is a cooperating partner in this pr ... read more.
Oh, Ranger! I am the Deputy Superintendent at Rocky Mountain National Park. I began my career as a National Park Service seasonal in 1978, at the Gateway National Recreation Area in New Jersey. In 1980, I became ... read more.
Only A Day You can see many of the park's highlights by driving along Trail Ridge Road, much of which follows the trail once used by the Ute and other American Indian tribes. It traverses ridge -tops from Deer ... read more.
Preserve the Park Until 1915, when Congress voted to establish this area as a national park, the area's valleys had been threatened by agricultural development, its wildlife endangered by hunting and its hills, mounta ... read more.
Rocky Mountain Regulations You can help preserve and protect the park by honoring the following NPS regulations. Contact a visitor center if you have any questions. • Camp only within designated campsite areas. • ... read more.
Ticks at Rocky Mountain A tick is an arachnid, a member of the spider family. Like a mosquito, it feeds on blood from larger, warmblooded animals in order to reproduce. It is also similar to the mosquito because it can carr ... read more.
Trail Ridge Road Trail Ridge Road, the highest continuous paved road in the continental United States, is celebrating its 75th Anniversary this year. This awe-inspiring road needs work that is long overdue and will o ... read more.
Recent News
- Illegal jump under investigation in RMNP July 24, 2008, 11:02 am
- Rocky Mountain National Park: Resident Artists Capture National Park in Summer Glory July 7, 2008, 10:14 am
- New Shuttle Service Takes Visitors to Alpine Visitor Center June 30, 2008, 10:10 am
- Rocky Mountain National Park Undergoing Eco-alteration June 27, 2008, 11:23 am
- Big Push for Big Park Project June 26, 2008, 10:16 am
- Proposal Would Allow Loaded, Concealed Weapons in National Parks June 23, 2008, 9:41 am
- Estes Park earns its accolades May 14, 2008, 2:19 pm
Rocky Mountain In Depth
News from the Parks
Snow greets visiting hikers at Mount Rainier
July 25, 2008 - 10:15am
PARADISE, Wash. -- Cool ocean temperatures in the southern Pacific Ocean -- a phenomenon known as La Nina -- chilled sunny expectations this summer for thousands of visitors to Mount Rainier National Park. Those who arrived here in July planning to backpack or hike its famous sub-alpine wildflower meadows found snow instead, six feet in places, though sunny daytime temperatures reach into the 70s. The popular mountain that draws 1.5 million visitors each year received 950 inches of snow last winter, 300 inches more than its 650-inch average. Park officials said a cooler than usual spring also pushed back the thaw.
July 25, 2008 - 10:15am
PARADISE, Wash. -- Cool ocean temperatures in the southern Pacific Ocean -- a phenomenon known as La Nina -- chilled sunny expectations this summer for thousands of visitors to Mount Rainier National Park. Those who arrived here in July planning to backpack or hike its famous sub-alpine wildflower meadows found snow instead, six feet in places, though sunny daytime temperatures reach into the 70s. The popular mountain that draws 1.5 million visitors each year received 950 inches of snow last winter, 300 inches more than its 650-inch average. Park officials said a cooler than usual spring also pushed back the thaw.
CAUSE OF FIRE NEAR STAIRCASE RELEASED
July 25, 2008 - 10:14am
The U.S. Forest Service says the brush fire Monday night off the road to the Staircase area of Olympic National Park was human caused. According to a news release, the fire, dubbed the East Cushman Fire, was contained before it reached one-tenth of an acre in size. An abandoned campfire ring at its origin indicated that the ignition was human caused.
July 25, 2008 - 10:14am
The U.S. Forest Service says the brush fire Monday night off the road to the Staircase area of Olympic National Park was human caused. According to a news release, the fire, dubbed the East Cushman Fire, was contained before it reached one-tenth of an acre in size. An abandoned campfire ring at its origin indicated that the ignition was human caused.
Hikers should expect plenty of snow on higher routes
July 25, 2008 - 10:13am
Hikers should expect lots of snow on mountain trails still, with rangers saying that higher-elevation routes in Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and North Cascades National Park are two weeks to one month behind in terms of melting out. Higher than normal snowpack coupled with lower than normal temperatures well into spring means that, in general, those going over routes at the 5,000- to 6,000-foot level need to be comfortable traveling on snow and have poles or ice axes and route-finding skills.
July 25, 2008 - 10:13am
Hikers should expect lots of snow on mountain trails still, with rangers saying that higher-elevation routes in Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and North Cascades National Park are two weeks to one month behind in terms of melting out. Higher than normal snowpack coupled with lower than normal temperatures well into spring means that, in general, those going over routes at the 5,000- to 6,000-foot level need to be comfortable traveling on snow and have poles or ice axes and route-finding skills.
Cabin lottery takes a hike
July 25, 2008 - 10:11am
HALEAKALA NATIONAL PARK - Officials at Haleakala National Park announced Thursday the end of the lottery system used for years to select cabin users in the crater. Starting with September, all reservations for the wilderness cabins will be taken over the phone up to three months ahead of the reservation, on a first-come, first-reserved basis. Calls for reservations will only be accepted between 1 and 3 p.m. HST daily at 572-4400. As of midday Thursday, there were no openings in August for any of the three cabins in Haleakala Crater
July 25, 2008 - 10:11am
HALEAKALA NATIONAL PARK - Officials at Haleakala National Park announced Thursday the end of the lottery system used for years to select cabin users in the crater. Starting with September, all reservations for the wilderness cabins will be taken over the phone up to three months ahead of the reservation, on a first-come, first-reserved basis. Calls for reservations will only be accepted between 1 and 3 p.m. HST daily at 572-4400. As of midday Thursday, there were no openings in August for any of the three cabins in Haleakala Crater
Second bear killed in Yellowstone in recent weeks
July 25, 2008 - 10:10am
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. (AP) - Rangers in Yellowstone National Park have killed a black bear that became accustomed to eating human food. Park officials say the 130-pound male bear was getting food from hikers' backpacks in northern Yellowstone. Repeated attempts to trap the bear failed. On Wednesday, the bear was caught ripping into the packs of a large group of backcountry hikers. Rangers cleared the area of visitors and shot the bear.
July 25, 2008 - 10:10am
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. (AP) - Rangers in Yellowstone National Park have killed a black bear that became accustomed to eating human food. Park officials say the 130-pound male bear was getting food from hikers' backpacks in northern Yellowstone. Repeated attempts to trap the bear failed. On Wednesday, the bear was caught ripping into the packs of a large group of backcountry hikers. Rangers cleared the area of visitors and shot the bear.
