Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park tenting is beloved for a purpose. Shimmering sapphire lakes, winding drives by delicate alpine flora, and jagged 14,000-foot mountains that appear to clutch the celebs are all hallmarks of any go to to this northern Colorado’s vacation spot. And with over 350 miles of mountain climbing trails, and an ear-splitting fall elk rut, there’s loads to do and see in between sleeping below the constellations.

As gorgeous as it’s, Rocky Mountain, which is on the homelands of the Ute, Arapaho, Jap Shoshone, Apache, Comanche, and Cheyenne folks, could be a tough space to plan a tenting journey to, given its distant location and immense reputation. We’ve acquired the thin on when, the place, and the right way to e-book a coveted campsite at this park. Whether or not you’re seeking to pitch a tent proper beside your automobile or totally immerse your self on a wilderness backpacking journey, learn on for our top-down information to Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park tenting. 

What to know earlier than you go

Rocky Mountain is a high-altitude marvel, primarily accessed by the sky-high Path Ridge Highway that winds to a lofty 12,183 ft above sea degree. As such, it’s house to all kinds of temperatures and ecosystems; guests may expertise heat sunshine down low and late-season snow close to craggy peaks, even in July. At all times test road closures and conditions earlier than heading out.

Most vacationers will arrive to Rocky Mountain by way of the Denver International Airport (you’ll want to wave howdy to Blucifer), lease a automotive, and cruise north for roughly 90 minutes to remain in Estes Park earlier than their massive tenting extravaganza. If the street is plowed and also you’d slightly skip the crowds, you may motor over the Continental Divide to remain in quieter Grand Lake, on the park’s western edge.

All campers must make issues for the black bears that reside inside the park. Bear spray isn’t wanted, however meals have to be saved contained in the supplied storage lockers at automotive campsites or in an accredited bear canister, should you’re backpacking. Stage one fire restrictions are at all times in place inside the park (solely in developed campfire rings), and could also be raised in late summer time and fall relying on present danger components.

Like many busy parks, Rocky Mountain has begun implementing a timed-entry reservation system for day use guests throughout its busiest months (late Could by late October). The final Park Entry go grants guests the chance to journey to all areas of the park between 9:00 a.m. and a couple of:00 p.m., besides inside the Bear Lake Hall. Park Entry+ permits entry to all areas of the park (together with Bear Lake) from 5:00 a.m. to six:00 p.m. Automotive campers with out timed entry reservations might enter the park starting at 1:00 p.m. on first the day of their journey, and backpackers might enter at any time on their first day.

Planning a last-minute getaway? The park sets aside 40 percent of timed entry reservations for a first-come, first-served launch at 5:00 p.m. the night time earlier than your required arrival date.

When to go tenting in Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park

On account of its high-altitude perch among the many mountains (the park’s lowest level is 7,630 ft), summer time and fall are your greatest bets for snug tenting and easy accessibility to Rocky Mountain’s unimaginable path system. It needs to be no shock, then, that these are additionally the busiest months to go to.