Rocky Mountain National Park
Drive over the Continental Divide on the highest continuous paved road in the US.
Photo: Daniel Mayer (Mav) · CC BY-SA 3.0
Rocky Mountain National Park guide: Trail Ridge Road, Bear Lake, elk in Moraine Park, alpine hikes, timed-entry reservations and the best season.
What to expect
Little more than an hour from Denver, Rocky Mountain National Park protects about 1,075 square kilometers of peaks, alpine tundra and glacier-carved valleys. More than 60 summits rise above 3,650 meters, and roughly a third of the park lies above the tree line, where wildflowers bloom in a short burst each July.
Trail Ridge Road crosses the park between Estes Park and Grand Lake and climbs to 3,713 meters, the highest point of any continuous paved road in the United States. On the eastern side, Bear Lake Road leads to a cluster of lakes and the most popular hikes, from the easy loop around Bear Lake to Emerald Lake and Sky Pond.
Elk are everywhere, especially in Moraine Park and Horseshoe Park, and in September and October the bulls bugle at dusk during the rut. Because it is so close to the Front Range cities, this is one of the busiest national parks, and it uses timed-entry reservations in summer.
Rocky Mountain: top things to do
- 1Trail Ridge Road to the Alpine Visitor Center
- 2Sunrise at Bear Lake and the hike to Emerald Lake
- 3Elk bugling in Moraine Park in fall
- 4The quieter west side around Grand Lake and the Kawuneeche Valley
Rocky Mountain: best time to visit
Late June to September for the high country; Trail Ridge Road usually opens in late May and closes in October. September brings elk and golden aspens.
Rocky Mountain: insider tips
- Check whether your date and arrival time need a timed-entry reservation.
- Start hikes at dawn: thunderstorms with lightning roll in most summer afternoons.
- The altitude is high, so drink plenty of water and take it easy on the first day.
Fees, passes and parking
| What | Price |
|---|---|
| Private vehicle | $35 per vehicle, 7 days |
| Motorcycle | $30 per vehicle, 7 days |
| Per person (on foot or bike) | $20 per person, 7 days |
| Annual pass for this park | $70 per year |
- America the Beautiful pass accepted: $80 a year for US residents, $250 for others (also covers the $100 fee).
- Non-US residents aged 16+: $100 extra each, unless they hold an annual pass.
- From late May to mid-October a timed-entry reservation may be needed, depending on the area and your arrival time.
- US residents enter free on a few fee-free days.
Checked Oct 26, 2026. Official prices
Gas and fast charging nearby
8 gas stations within 20 km
- 12.1 km Conoco open 24 hours
- 12.3 km Sinclair open 24 hours
- 12.4 km Sinclair open 24 hours
- 14.9 km Shell open 24 hours · diesel
- 15.0 km Safeway diesel
- 15.5 km Sinclair
- 12.1 km National Park Village Fast chargers (FreeWire;Blink)
- 14.6 km Tesla Supercharger Fast chargers (Supercharger)
- 15.2 km ChargePoint Town Park Fast chargers (ChargePoint)
OpenStreetMap data, Oct 28, 2026.
Photo gallery
No reviews yet. Been here? Be the first to share your tips!
Traveler reviews