Rocky Mountain National Park

Overview of Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) is one of the most iconic U.S. national parks, established in 1915 and spanning 415 square miles. It’s famous for stunning mountains, diverse wildlife, and endless outdoor activities. (Our home borders the park on the east!)

Highlights:

Mountain Peaks: Over 60 peaks above 12,000 feet, including Longs Peak (14,259 feet)—visible from our living room!
Trail Ridge Road: One of North America’s highest paved roads (12,183 feet), with breathtaking views and a visitor center at the top.
Alpine Tundra: A fragile high-altitude ecosystem with unique plants and wildlife.
Forests & Lakes: Lush pine and aspen forests, clear lakes, and rushing rivers. We’d love to share our favorite spots!
Wildlife: Home to elk, moose, bears, bighorn sheep, and more—many of which we see from our home! Bighorn sheep even visit in the winter.

Person standing in front of a mountain lake with rocky cliffs and clear blue-green water, surrounded by rugged mountain peaks under a clear blue sky.

Three elk with antlers in a forested area, with two locking antlers and one facing forward.

Wooden bridge over a rocky stream in a forested area with trees and a mountain backdrop.

Things to Do Near Rocky Mountain National Park

HIKING In RMNP

Scenic view of a mountain lake with clear reflections of snow-capped peaks and forested slopes, under a cloudy blue sky. A boulder and branches are visible in the foreground.

We're happy to share hiking recommendations during your stay! We also recommend the AllTrails app—I love using it!

Why AllTrails?

Find the Perfect Hike: Search by location, difficulty, length, elevation, and ratings. Each trail includes photos, reviews, and weather updates.
Navigation & Tracking: Use GPS maps in real time. (With a paid subscription, download maps for offline use.)
Save Trails: Bookmark hikes for later.

We also provide snowshoes and microspikes for snowy or icy trails—feel free to use them!

Mountain landscape with dramatic clouds and sunlight

Rocky Mountain National Park Reservations!

How to Reserve a Spot

Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) has implemented a timed-entry reservation system to manage visitor access during peak seasons, ensuring the protection of park resources and enhancing visitor experiences. Here's what you need to know:

Reservation Period: The reservation system is in effect from late May to late October. The 2025 reservation period is from May 23 to October 20.

Please see all details on the following link:

NPS.gov

Types of Reservations:

1. Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road: This reservation provides access to the Bear Lake Road Corridor, including popular destinations like Moraine Park, Sprague Lake, Glacier Gorge Trailhead, and Bear Lake, as well as all other areas of RMNP. Reservations are needed for entry between 5 a.m. and 6 p.m. This is our favorite area!

2. Timed Entry: This reservation grants access to areas of the park excluding the Bear Lake Road Corridor. Reservations are required between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Past 2 p.m. only a park pass is needed.

Reservation Windows: Visitors can enter the park within a two-hour window specified in their reservation, with no set time for departure.

Reservation Availability: Reservations are released monthly on Recreation.gov at 8 a.m. Mountain Time. We suggest getting them as early as possible as the reservations fill up quickly!

· May 1: Reservations for late May and June

· June 1: Reservations for July

· July 1: Reservations for August

· August 1: Reservations for September

· September 1: Reservations for October

Reservation Fee: Each reservation incurs a $2 processing fee.

Entrance Pass: In addition to the timed-entry reservation, a valid park pass or entrance fee is required for park access.

How to Make a Reservation: Reservations can be made through:

· Website: Recreation.gov.

Exceptions: Visitors with guided tour bookings, or those entering the park outside of the reservation hours do not require a timed-entry reservation.

Hiker Shuttle: For those wanting to enter the park on the Hiker Shuttle, this transports guests between the Estes Park Visitor Center and the Bear Lake Park & Ride from late May to mid October. All passengers must reserve Hiker Shuttle Tickets in advance through Recreation.gov. One Shuttle reservation is good for up to four passengers.

For more information on general reservations and the hiker shuttle, click below.

Estes Park Guide

Last-Minute RMNP Reservations: About 40% of park entry reservations are released the day before at 5 p.m. Mountain Time. These sell out FAST—sometimes in under a minute! To increase your chances, log into your Recreation.gov account in advance and be ready to book

Black-billed magpie perched on bare branches in a natural setting.

Person holding a brown trout over a river with a fishing net below.

FISHING IN RMNP

Fishing in Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) is a popular activity, offering anglers stunning scenery and diverse fish populations. The park has more than 50 lakes and numerous streams where fishing is allowed. Here are some key details:

Fish Species

Native Fish: The park is home to greenback cutthroat trout, a rare and protected species. Other native species include Colorado River cutthroat trout.
Non-Native Fish: Brook trout, brown trout, and rainbow trout are also found in various waters.

Fishing Regulations

A Colorado fishing license is required for anyone 16 years or older.
Catch-and-release is required for native greenback cutthroat trout.
Some lakes and streams have special regulations, so always check the latest rules before fishing!
Bait restrictions: Only artificial lures and flies are allowed (no bait fishing).

Best Fishing Spots

Lawn Lake – Good for greenback cutthroat trout.
The Big Thompson River – Known for brown and rainbow trout.
Mills Lake & The Loch – High alpine lakes with stunning views and good fishing.
Glacier Creek – Good for small stream fishing.

Mountain landscape with snow-capped peaks, lush pine trees, and a bird soaring in a blue sky with scattered clouds.