Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary: From Rivers to Mountain Peaks
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Where To Stay | Timed Entry System | Hiking Trails | Scenic Drives
Our trip to Rocky Mountain National Park in July was incredible—it felt like we barely scratched the surface of what it had to offer when it was time to leave. Every time we rounded a corner, there was another stunning view that left us in awe. Hiking through the aspen and pine trees, with the faint sound of a waterfall or creek in the background, was unforgettable. There’s something intriguing and mystical about eating lunch in a place no car could ever go. It’s hard to put into words how incredible it all was, but those memories will stay with us forever. While reading this blog and going through our Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary, remember that it's what you make of your vacation that will bring out these special moments.
Old Fall River Road Near the Alpine Visitor Center
Arrival in Colorado: How Far Is Denver from Rocky Mountain National Park?
We started our trip by flying into Denver International Airport and enjoyed a brief 1-night stay in Golden, Colorado. (If you’re curious how far is Denver from Rocky Mountain National Park, the drive is approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, making it doable to drive straight to the park from the airport.) Golden is a gem, with plenty of activities and restaurants to keep you busy for days.
We stayed at Clear Creek RV Park, which is right off of a bike path that leads you directly into town. It is also situated alongside Clear Creak and tucked next to the mountains. Although the sites themselves were very small, we felt that with Golden having so many activities, all being walkable from our campground, we would definitely stay here again!
For lunch, we stopped at Trailhead Taphouse Kitchen, and let me tell you, it hit the spot! With some Cajun blood in us, we were thrilled to find dishes that reminded us of Louisiana. On the flip side, the kids were all smiles as well—our pizza-lovers were satisfied, and our 10-year-old, who could happily live on cheeseburgers alone, was in heaven.
Clear Creek Misadventure in Golden, Colorado
Feeling adventurous (perhaps a bit too adventurous), we decided to rent double innertubes and take on Clear Creek. Do not be fooled! This is not your average creek. This creek is a river with rapids! If I were analyzing the rapids, they all looked class 5 to me. Turns out, we were the only family with children daring enough to face the river that day—should’ve been our first clue. What started as a fun ride quickly turned into a wild adventure when I had a near-drowning experience (don’t worry, the kids were fine, thank goodness). Later, we discovered that people have actually died in this area! But hey, we lived to tell the tale, and the scenery was as stunning as the water was freezing—and the rapids? Let’s just say they were a bit more “thrilling” than we bargained for. (For some reason, my husband was able to float down the river with no dramatic events. Why is that always the case?)
Where to Stay for Rocky Mountain National Park: Glacier Basin Campground and More
From there, we took a scenic drive through Estes Park on our way to Glacier Basin Campground in Rocky Mountain National Park. We entered the park through the Beaver Meadows entrance, and because we had a campground reservation, we had the benefit of accessing the park and Bear Lake Corridor anytime after 1 p.m.—a huge perk of staying within the park.
While Glacier Basin Campground doesn’t offer site hookups, the “comfort stations” are well-equipped with flush toilets, running water, dishwashing stations, electric hand dryers, and even electrical outlets for a quick phone charge. Some loops also allow generators, which can come in handy. Another advantage of staying at Glacier Basin is its convenient location—just a 20-minute drive to Estes Park, where you’ll find a wide variety of restaurants and grocery stores.
The YMCA of the Rockies: A Great Place to Stay Near Rocky Mountain National Park
There are no traditional lodging options inside the park, aside from its campgrounds. However, just outside the park, the YMCA of the Rockies offers a fantastic alternative for those seeking a more lodge-like experience. Nestled on three sides by the park, this property provides a unique blend of comfort and natural beauty.
The YMCA of the Rockies features a lodge and various cabins, catering to different group sizes and preferences. In addition to cozy accommodations, they offer a wide range of activities, including games, hiking, and a day camp for older children. This makes it an excellent choice for families looking to immerse themselves in nature while still enjoying some amenities and organized activities.
Navigating the Timed Entry System and the Rocky Mountain National Park Shuttle
If you don’t stay within the park, you’ll need to plan around the timed entry system, which is in place from May 24 to mid-October. There are two timed entry options to choose from: Timed Entry or Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road.
Timed Entry reservations, available from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., are ideal for visitors planning to drive over Trail Ridge Road or visit spots like the Alpine Visitor Center. However, if you’re looking to explore the Bear Lake Corridor, you’ll need an additional reservation. The Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road option, available from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m., grants access to destinations along the Bear Lake Road Corridor, including Bear Lake, Sprague Lake, and others. Parking at the Park and Ride and taking the Rocky Mountain National Park Shuttle is highly recommended due to crowded parking lots.
It’s worth noting that 40% of the available timed entry reservations are released on Recreation.gov the night before your planned arrival. These become available at 7 p.m. MDT. Most are available months in advance.
While some parks, like Arches, are often better visited in the evening when temperatures are cooler, Rocky Mountain National Park has its own unique considerations. At higher elevations, such as Trail Ridge Road, which reaches 12,183 feet at its highest point, temperatures can drop rapidly. For some visitors, this makes the middle of the day a preferable time to visit when temperatures are warmer. Waiting until after 2 p.m. might not be the best option if you’re hoping to experience more comfortable conditions at these altitudes. Read our Top 5: Tips for Visiting a National Park article for more insights.
Rocky Mountain National Park With Kids: Our Hiking Trails
We tackled several hikes during our stay in Rocky Mountain National Park with kids. Hiking with children aged 10, 8, and 4 limits the trails we can take, but we always strive to find paths that lead us away from the crowds and into less-traveled parts of the park. With a park as vast as this, and with our 4-year-old alternating between hiking on his own and riding on my husband’s shoulders, we decided to tackle the Emerald Lake Trail on our first full day. Let's just say the altitude made itself known!
Tips on hiking in high elevations: Save the harder hikes for later in your trip, stay hydrated, and remember to pace yourself.
Tips on hiking in high elevations: Save the harder hikes for later in your trip, stay hydrated, and remember to pace yourself.
The Emerald Lake Trail
We parked at the Park and Ride and took the shuttle to Bear Lake parking lot. You will need the Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road timed entry unless you are staying at a campground along this corridor like Glacier Basin Campground. This is definitely a popular trail, especially in July when we visited, but the further you hike, the fewer people you'll encounter. My biggest tip: get there early to beat the crowds! For someone as social as I am, when I go to national parks, I don't like to see anyone else! And don't even get me started if I hear music playing either.
Bear Lake Parking Area: Where to Park or Get Off the Shuttle for Emerald Lake
Emerald Lake Trail: 3.6 miles round trip with a 771-foot elevation gain from Bear Lake Parking Lot
The Bear Lake Parking Area sits at 9,475 feet above sea level—quite a leap from our hometown of Cincinnati, which is only at 742 feet. The Emerald Lake hike felt much more challenging than I expected due to the elevation! Meanwhile, my kids seemed to have endless amounts of energy, running up the mountain, back down to meet me, and then up again without breaking a sweat (but don’t worry, they’ll definitely say they’re too tired to clean their rooms when we get back home).
Hiking to Andrews Glacier: An Epic Memory for Our 10-Year Old
Loch in Rocky Mountain National Park: 3.1 miles one way with a 999-foot elevation gain
Our main hike of the trip was an unforgettable adventure to Andrews Tarn (Andrews Glacier). It was just my husband, dad, and 10-year-old son who took on this challenging 9.2-mile trek with a hefty 2,267 feet of elevation gain. The trail was tough, but the experience was absolutely worth it.
A Stop at Alberta Falls and The Loch on the way to Andrews Glacier
We kicked off Andrews Glacier hike by visiting Alberta Falls, a must-see spot in the park. This 1.6-mile round trip hike, with a 160-foot elevation gain, showcases Glacier Creek’s stunning waterfall. It’s a popular trail, so it was quite busy as we made our way to the falls from the Glacier Gorge Trailhead. Take the shuttle here, or there is a small parking lot.
By the time we reached the boulder field marked by cairns, we saw only a handful of other hikers. The quiet and the incredible views made it a truly special experience.
Reaching the alpine glacier lake was the highlight—surrounded by wildflowers and the majestic Continental Divide peaks. From up there, looking down at The Loch, it was amazing to realize how high we had climbed. At one point, my son thought he saw a mountain lion dart across the glacier. While we didn’t get a clear view, the official story is we were almost attacked by a mountain lion.
This hike required a lot of mental and physical energy, especially with my son along for the journey. For tips on how we stayed safe and prepared, check out our blog, "Top 5: Staying Safe While Visiting a National Park."
A Final Morning Hike at Sprague Lake: Perfect for Strollers
On our final morning, we wanted to squeeze in one last adventure and decided on the Sprague Lake Loop. This 0.7-mile loop is flat and easy, making it perfect for a stroller or wheelchair. It’s also known for moose sightings, and we were in luck! We spotted a mother moose and her baby drinking from the lake just off the trail. It was an incredible experience, and the kids were thrilled! This was a low key stroll around a gorgeous lake, with the mountains in the background. We went very early in the morning to increase the chances of seeing a moose and also avoid crowds. Our planned worked.
Tour: If you are wanting to maximize your chances of seeing wildlife, I highly recommend booking this tour. Our only real disappoint with this national park was the seemingly small amount of wildlife compared to some of the other parks we have been to, such as Glacier, Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons. However, I knew to go to Sprague Lake due to a local’s intel. We also knew where to look on Trail Ridge Road due to another person’s information. Having a guide who knows the park and wildlife habits very well would have been so useful, because people say the wildlife is abundant here, you just have to know where to look!
Scenic Drives and Wildlife: Rocky Mountain National Park Animals
Exploring Old Fall River Road: Rocky Mountain National Park Scenic Drive
Old Fall River Road
On one of our days off from hiking, we wanted to explore a significant portion of the park, so we prepared for any scenario that might come our way. We packed an extensive list of items: lunches, plenty of water, hiking boots, water shoes, a change of clothes, snacks, sunscreen, hats, long sleeves, swimsuits, bug spray, first aid kit, hydration backpacks, beach towels, and life jackets. Just a very small list with kids, right?
We started with Old Fall River Road. Opened in 1920, this historic route was the first auto road in Rocky Mountain National Park, providing access to the park's high country. Today, it's an unpaved, relatively smooth road with numerous switchbacks that leads directly to the Alpine Visitor Center. We began the 11-mile journey in the back of the pickup, generously applying sunscreen along the way.
Trail Ridge Road and Grand Lake: From High to Low-er in Elevation
We saw “reindeer” in the park, added a touch of magic to the experience.
We then visited the Alpine Visitor Center, located next to the Trail Ridge Store, which is the only restaurant within the park. There, we picked up Junior Ranger books for the boys and bought a few souvenirs before continuing on to Grand Lake via Trail Ridge Road. This road, a breathtaking journey through the Rockies, winds through the highest reaches of Rocky Mountain National Park, offering panoramic vistas of rugged peaks, expansive alpine meadows, and distant valleys. At its highest point, 12,183 feet, I certainly felt the effects of the altitude—experiencing some weakness and fatigue. I made sure to drink plenty of water, and fortunately, these symptoms subsided quickly as we descended. The sheer majesty of the altitude and the stunning beauty of Trail Ridge Road, with its snow-capped peaks and wildflower-strewn landscapes, truly highlight the grandeur of the Rockies.
We finally made our way to Grand Lake, Colorado, a charming mountain town known for its picturesque setting on the shores of the largest natural lake in the state. After stopping at the Grand Lake Hub for some coffee and ice cream, we headed to the beach. The lower elevation offered a welcome warmth and sunshine, which was a nice change from the cooler mountain temperatures.
Now, our 4-year-old had different plans. He decided it was the perfect moment for a little mischief and pushed our 8-year-old off the dock into the super cold lake! The look of sheer panic and shock on my 8-year-old's face was priceless, and I couldn’t help but laugh. It seemed a little bit like payback if you ask me! We got into a little argument about why I was laughing and why I wasn’t jumping in the water. I played the “mom” card and mentioned I had to finish my iced coffee.
Afterward, we drove back over Trail Ridge Road. We spotted a moose through the woods (though we were a bit disappointed it wasn’t a black bear), saw some less-than-wise folks scaling glaciers, and made some incredible memories that day. The scene was out of heaven; the magnitude of the park is something words can’t describe. But what I can describe is that the top of Trail Ridge Road was COLD! So, definitely bring warm clothes!
Bears in Rocky Mountain National Park and Other Wildlife
Everyone loves checking out the wildlife in national parks, and each one has its own special animals. My favorite is the Grizzly Bear, which is why Glacier National Park was such an amazing trip for me. Sadly, we didn’t spot any bears at Rocky Mountain National Park. The campground was pretty strict about Black Bear safety, but bears are less common there compared to some other parks. On the bright side, we saw lots of deer, elk, and even had two cool moose sightings.
Are Dogs Allowed in Rocky Mountain National Park?
If you’re planning to bring a furry friend, you might be wondering, are dogs allowed in Rocky Mountain National Park? Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed on the trails or in the backcountry, but they are permitted in developed areas, picnic spots, and campgrounds. Be sure to follow the park’s guidelines to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for both you and your pet.
Our Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary
Our trip to Rocky Mountain National Park was truly unforgettable, and it was hard to leave! On our next visit, Sky Pond is at the top of our list—I've heard the hike even includes climbing up a waterfall! We also want to spend more time simply soaking in the beauty of the park. With only three full days, we packed in a lot, but I wish we'd taken more moments to just relax and enjoy the mountains' presence. We’ll definitely be back, and I hope to see you there!
Check out our full Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary to help you with your vacation planning!
