Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park is a high mountain park in north-central Colorado, where Trail Ridge Road reaches 12,183 feet and alpine tundra covers over a third of the park.
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Rocky Mountain National Park lies in north-central Colorado, about 55 miles (89 km) northwest of Denver, within the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. The park sits between Estes Park to the east and Grand Lake to the west, and the Continental Divide runs through its middle. Elevations range from 7,860 to 14,259 feet, with Longs Peak the highest point. About 60 peaks rise above 12,000 feet. Trail Ridge Road, also called U.S. Route 34, crosses the park from east to west and reaches 12,183 feet at its summit.
The terrain runs from valley meadows such as Moraine Park and Horseshoe Park up through subalpine forests to alpine tundra above roughly 11,000 feet. Elk and moose are often seen, and the park has about 350 miles of trails, most of them for summer use only. Trail Ridge Road is mostly closed in winter because of heavy snow. From May to October, most visitors need a timed-entry reservation to enter. Plan for altitude, sudden afternoon thunderstorms and cold nights, even in July and August.
Rocky Mountain National Park in five
- Book timed entry on Recreation.govIn 2026 the standard permit covered 9am to 2pm and a Bear Lake Road permit covered 5am to 6pm, from May 22 to mid-October. Both cost a $2 booking fee plus the entrance pass.NPS timed entry page
- Beat the standard windowDrivers entering before 9am or after 2pm did not need the standard permit in 2026. Bear Lake Road stayed on its own permit, so check the corridor rules for sunrise plans.
- Take the altitude slowlyTrail Ridge Road tops out above 3,700 m. Drink water, start hikes early and spend a night at Estes Park before the highest trails.
- Be off the tundra by noonSummer thunderstorms build over the high country by early afternoon. Plan ridge and above-treeline hikes for the morning.
- Base in Estes Park or Grand LakeEstes Park on the east side has most of the rooms; Grand Lake on the west is quieter. Trail Ridge Road closes for winter, so check road status first.Where to stay in Denver
Things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park
See all attractions in Rocky Mountain National Park
Need to know
- Nearest airport
- Denver (DEN), about 2 hours by car
- Entry
- Timed entry May 22 to mid-Oct in 2026, via Recreation.gov Read more
- Best base
- Estes Park or Grand Lake
- Season
- Park open all year; Trail Ridge Road closes for winter
- Altitude
- Trail Ridge Road peaks above 3,700 m
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryPartly cloudy9 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh-2°Low-13°Snow, quietJanuaryPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- -2°
- Low
- -13°
- Precipitation
- 38 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 3
- Days with storms
- 0
Snow, quiet
- FebruaryPartly cloudy10 rainy days5 snowy daysHigh-1°Low-12°Snow, quietFebruaryPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- -1°
- Low
- -12°
- Precipitation
- 45 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 5
- Days with storms
- 0
Snow, quiet
- MarchPartly cloudy12 rainy days7 snowy daysHigh2°Low-9°Late snowMarchPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 2°
- Low
- -9°
- Precipitation
- 79 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 7
- Days with storms
- 0
Late snow
- AprilSnow12 rainy days5 snowy daysHigh6°Low-6°Mud and snowAprilSnow
Mixed
- High
- 6°
- Low
- -6°
- Precipitation
- 74 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 5
- Days with storms
- 0
Mud and snow
- MayRain18 rainy days3 snowy days1 day with stormsHigh11°Low-1°Roads openingMayRain
Mixed
- High
- 11°
- Low
- -1°
- Precipitation
- 146 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 3
- Days with storms
- 1
Roads opening
- JuneRain15 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh20°Low6°Wildflowers startJuneRain
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 119 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Wildflowers start
- JulyRain17 rainy days2 days with stormsHigh23°Low9°Peak, timed entryJulyRain
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 99 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 2
Peak, timed entry
- AugustRain16 rainy days2 days with stormsHigh22°Low9°Storm afternoonsAugustRain
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 101 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 2
Storm afternoons
- SeptemberPartly cloudy9 rainy days2 days with stormsHigh19°Low5°Elk rut, aspensSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 57 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 2
Elk rut, aspens
- OctoberClear8 rainy days3 snowy days1 day with stormsHigh11°Low-1°Cold, roads closeOctoberClear
Good
- High
- 11°
- Low
- -1°
- Precipitation
- 50 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 3
- Days with storms
- 1
Cold, roads close
- NovemberClear7 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh4°Low-7°Snow, quietNovemberClear
Mixed
- High
- 4°
- Low
- -7°
- Precipitation
- 41 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 4
- Days with storms
- 0
Snow, quiet
- DecemberClear8 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh0°Low-10°Snow, quietDecemberClear
Poor
- High
- 0°
- Low
- -10°
- Precipitation
- 44 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 4
- Days with storms
- 0
Snow, quiet
Average daily high and low in Estes Park, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Rocky Mountain National Park
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
6
- Feels like
- 3°
- Humidity
- 61%
- Wind
- 10 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 71%
Rocky Mountain National Park
03:39 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today-1°-9°71%Monday: Snow. High -1°, Low -9°. Chance of rain 71%.
- Tue-5°-9°9%Tuesday: Snow. High -5°, Low -9°. Chance of rain 9%.
- Wed1°-9°56%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 1°, Low -9°. Chance of rain 56%.
- Thu3°-10°16%Thursday: Cloudy. High 3°, Low -10°. Chance of rain 16%.
- Fri1°-9°15%Friday: Cloudy. High 1°, Low -9°. Chance of rain 15%.
- Sat3°-10°12%Saturday: Cloudy. High 3°, Low -10°. Chance of rain 12%.
- Sun6°-8°2%Sunday: Clear. High 6°, Low -8°. Chance of rain 2%.
Updated 02:34 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
What's on in Rocky Mountain National Park
Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city
Events calendarEvery year
- Sep–OctGreat American Beer FestivalDenver, a day trip
Before you go to Rocky Mountain National Park
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Rocky Mountain National Park, checked
- 2026 timed entry ran May 22 to mid-October: standard 9am to 2pm, Bear Lake Road corridor 5am to 6pm, plus a $2 Recreation.gov feeChecked Oct 1, 2026 · Source
Plan around Rocky Mountain National Park
The big-city base before or after the park
Read the guideWhere to stay in DenverNeighborhoods compared for a Front Range trip
Read the guideAll of USAEntry rules, money and the park reservation picture
Read the guideBoulderA college town on the drive up from Denver
Read the guideDenver or Colorado SpringsWhich Front Range base fits your trip
Read the guideNational park fee for visitorsThe extra charge for non-US residents
Read the guideTravel insurance for the USAAltitude, weather delays and US medical bills
Read the guideRocky Mountain National Park FAQ
Do I need timed entry for Rocky Mountain National Park?
In 2026 you did between May 22 and mid-October, unless you entered before 9am or after 2pm (the Bear Lake Road corridor had its own permit). Dates are set each year, so check the NPS page for your trip.
When is Trail Ridge Road open?
Trail Ridge Road closes for winter and reopens in late spring once crews clear the snow. Check the NPS road status before you drive, since early and late storms can close it.
How bad is altitude sickness at Rocky Mountain?
Headaches and breathlessness are common above about 3,000 m. Sleep a night in Estes Park first, drink water, and head down if symptoms worsen.
How many days do you need in Rocky Mountain National Park?
One day covers Trail Ridge Road and a short lake walk. Two days adds Bear Lake Road hikes and wildlife at dawn or dusk.
Is Estes Park or Grand Lake the better base?
Estes Park for rooms, restaurants and quick access to Bear Lake Road. Grand Lake for a quieter west-side stay, with a longer drive back to Denver.