Rocky Mountain National Park

Activities

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  Bird Watching

  Many bird species found in the park call the mountainous habitats in the southern Rockies home. Specialty species include: white-tailed ptar-migan, dusky grouse, gray jay, Clark's nutcracker, red-naped sapsucker, red-shafted flicker, mountain chickadee, pygmy nuthatch, American dipper, Western tanager, pine grosbeak, red crossbill, Townsend's solitaire, yellow-rumped warblers, brown-capped rosy finch, Western bluebird, hermit thrush, Rufous hummingbird and black-billed magpie. In 2000, the park was designated as a Globally Important Bird Area, recognizing its vital role in the perpetuation of birds.

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  Bicycling

  Road bikes are allowed into the park and there are many outstanding roads for bicyclists to ride. Elevations range form 8,000 to 12,183 feet (2,400 to 3,700 m). There are 60 miles (97 km) of hard-surfaced road with a five to seven percent grade. Off-road mountain bikes, trailbikes and mopeds are prohibited off of established roads in the park.

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  Auto/Motorcycle

  The road system of Rocky Mountain National Park offers visitors access to diverse ecosystems characterizing the higher regions of the central Rocky Mountains. The roads take visitors through lowland meadows and aspen groves, along swift-flowing rivers and up through subalpine forests to more than 12,000 feet in elevation. No other national park roads offer the dramatic experience of a long drive across alpine tundra region, and few offer such a wide variety of experiences.

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  Camping

  With five drive-in campgrounds Rocky Mountain National Park provides a variety of camping experiences. Three campgrounds, Moraine Park, Glacier Basin, and Aspenglen, are on the reservation system. Longs Peak and Timber Creek campgrounds are on a first-come, first-served basis. Backpackers may choose from over 200 backcountry campsites when they apply for their backcountry camping permits.

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  Climbing

  Climbing has been a popular activity in and around the area known today as Rocky Mountain National Park since the 1800s. The wide variety of peaks and granite rock formations in the park provide excellent opportunities for a wide spectrum of climbing including rock, big wall, snow and ice, bouldering and mountaineering. It is a mecca for local climbers, as well as those from around the world. Opportunities for climbing exist in many areas of the park including Lumpy Ridge and Longs Peak.

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  Fishing

  Sport fishing is permitted in Rocky Mountain National Park, a protected area. Fishing activities are balanced with efforts to restore and perpetuate natural aquatic environments and life. Populations of at least four species of trout exist in the park: brown, brook, rainbow, and cutthroat. Some suckers also inhabit the streams and lakes. Only 48 of the 156 lakes in the park have reproducing populations of fish.

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  Hiking

  More than 350 miles of trail offer endless opportunities to hikers, backpackers and horseback riders. Anglers, bird-watchers and photographers discover the splendor that they traveled so far to find. During the winter, snowshoers and cross-country skiers revel in the white-blanketed tranquility of meadows and forests.

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  Horseback Riding

  Horses have been part of Rocky Mountain Park's tradition since its designation in 1915. Recreational pack animal use is balanced with other recreational uses such as hiking. Packing is managed to maintain the natural resources and unique ecosystems in the park. Horses, mules, ponies, llamas, and burros allowed on park trails. There are two stables located within the park: Glacier Creek Stables and Moraine Park Stables. There are also dozens of stables outside the park. There are two Estes Park stables open in the winter: Sombrero Stables and Aspen Lodge Stables.

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  Picnicking

  There are dozens of picnicking areas located throughout the park. Many have amenities such as flush toilets, tables, fire grills and areas for portable grills. Day use picnicking is prohibited in all five campgrounds from the Friday before Memorial Day through the end of September: Aspenglen, Glacier Basin, Longs Peak, Moraine Park, Timber Creek. Any picnicking which interferes with overnight campers is prohibited at all times.

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  Wildlife Watching

  Rocky Mountain National Park visitors have a passion for viewing wild animals, especially the big ones. With an elk herd numbering more than 3,000, about 800 bighorn sheep, numerous mule deer and a small population of moose calling the park home, it's no surprise that wildlife watching is rated the number-one activity by a vast majority of Rocky's three million annual visitors. The park is also home to moose, otters, marmots and ptarmigans.

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  Winter Sports

  There are many exciting winter activities including skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, winter hiking and snowmobiling.