Towns & Cities Near Rocky Mountain National Park
- Estes Park, CO. 7.9 mi / 21 mins.
- Lyons, CO. 28.7 mi / 51 mins.
- Boulder, CO. 44.7 mi / 1 hour 15 mins.
- Denver, CO. 78.5 mi / 1 hour 46 mins.
- Winter Park, CO. 111 mi / 2 hours 44 mins.
- Granby, CO. 131 mi / 3 hours 8 mins.
- Grand Lake, CO. 147 mi / 3 hours 28 mins.
Mount Elbert is the highest peak of the Sawatch Range and the entire Rocky Mountains. Mount Harvard is the highest of the Collegiate Peaks and the third-highest peak of the Rocky Mountains. Blanca Peak is the highest peak of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and the fifth-highest peak of the Rocky Mountains.
Pikes Peak
Just west of Colorado Springs, it's one of 3 peaks you can see from Denver, including Mt Evans and Longs Peak. Climbers love Pikes Peak for its fun and challenging trails, and other visitors flock to the mountain by way of the Pikes Peak Highway, a 19-mile road that goes all the way to the summit.An hour's drive from Boulder and two hours from Denver, the lively Estes Park is the closest town to the park on the east side of the park.
The distance between Denver Airport (DEN) and Rocky Mountain National Park is 64 miles. The road distance is 84.3 miles.
Read our full review!
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These seven places to stay in Colorado are a start to get your imagination going.
- The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs.
- Moraine Park Valley in Rocky Mountain National Park.
- The Little Nell Hotel in Aspen.
- C Lazy U Ranch in Granby, Colorado.
- The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs.
- Moraine Park Valley in Rocky Mountain National Park.
There are no public transportation options to Estes Park. Estes Park Shuttle offers round trip service from Denver. Once you get to Estes Park, the town of Estes Park shuttles do not start running until June 24.
If you've arrived in Colorado under your own steam (and without a vehicle), getting from Denver Airport to Steamboat Springs or any other high-altitude resort is made as easy as possible by booking a mountain shuttle with Plan B Transportation.
RTD's coach-style SkyRide buses are well equipped to serve passengers traveling with luggage. Buses feature under-seat and over-head storage space inside the bus for carry-on luggage and personal items.
The Denver/Boulder area operates an excellent public bus system with many routes and frequent stops all over the area. From the Denver's Union Station (or the Denver International Airport or Denver Greyhound Bus Station), you can ride with a private operator to Estes Park (970-586-5151, estesparkshuttle.com).
Those who want to enter the national park from the west can take U.S. 40 north from I-70 through Winter Park and Tabernash to Granby, and then follow U.S. 34 north to the village of Grand Lake and on into the park. The Nearest Airport -- Visitors usually fly into Denver International Airport (tel.
There is no direct connection from Denver Airport (DEN) to Estes Park. However, you can take the bus to Green Ride Park & Ride then take the taxi to Estes Park. Alternatively, you can take the bus to Downtown Boulder Station then take the taxi to Estes Park.
What Are the Best Sights in Rocky Mountain National Park?
- Trail Ridge Road. Since several of the don't-miss sights in Rocky Mountain National Park are on or near Trail Ridge Road, the road itself is obviously one of the park's standout attractions.
- Longs Peak.
- Elk.
- Mummy Range.
- Glacier Gorge.
- Bear Lake.
- Horseshoe Park.
- Endovalley / Old Fall River Road.
Best Times to Visit Rocky Mountain National Park. The best time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park is from June to September when the snow is (mostly) melted and the hiking trails and attractions are accessible.
go mountain biking. ride a road bike over Trail Ridge Road. snowshoe a winter trail. go backcountry skiing with alpine touring gear.
Yes, it is still very much worth it to see Rocky Mountain National Park. The east side (Estes Park side) of the park has less snow. Eventhough Trail Ridge Road is only open to Many Parks Curve for vehicle travel, there are still plenty of scenic drives in Rocky Mountain National Park and around Estes Park.
| Rocky Mountain National Park |
|---|
| Daily Pass | Park Specific Annual Pass |
|---|
| Current | $20 | $60 |
| June 1, 2018 | $25 | $70 |
Fauna. The Rocky Mountains are important habitat for a great deal of wildlife, such as elk, moose, mule deer, white-tailed deer, pronghorn, mountain goat, bighorn sheep, black bear, grizzly bear, gray wolf, coyote, cougar, bobcat, Canada lynx, and wolverine.
14 Top-Rated Attractions & Places to Visit in Colorado, USA
- Rocky Mountain National Park. Rocky Mountain National Park.
- Vail and Nearby Mountain Towns.
- Mesa Verde National Park.
- Garden of the Gods.
- Pikes Peak in Pike National Forest.
- Durango and the Silverton Narrow Gauge Railway.
- San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway and the Million Dollar Highway.
- Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
Top 10 Tips for Hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park
- Bring Plenty of Water! It is very important to stay hydrated while hiking in high altitude.
- Wear Layers & Bring Rain Gear.
- Hike with a Buddy.
- Leave Early.
- Pay Attention to Weather Reports.
- Pack Wisely.
- Invest in Boots & Socks.
- Mind the Rules.
Most scenically located accommodations near Rocky Mountain National Park
- The Estes Park Resort. Lake front resort with spectacular views of Lake Estes and the Rocky Mountains.
- Estes Lake Lodge.
- Streamside on Fall River.
- The Inn on Fall River & Fall River Cabins.
- 4 Seasons Inn on Fall River.
- Rams Horn Village Resort.
The Rocky Mountain National Park Scenic Loop is 164 miles of pure mountain adventure. This four-hour drive will take you from Denver to Estes Park, through Rocky Mountain National Park on the magnificent Trail Ridge Road and then through Grand Lake, Granby and Fraser to Winter Park, Colorado's favorite Playground.
None of the routes from DIA to Estes Park have any really scary areas. It is Trail Ridge Road in RMNP that has some areas that intimidate some drivers. You don't drive Trail Ridge Road when getting from DIA to Estes Park. AVOID the E-470 toll road or rental car agencies assess daily surcharges plus the toll.
Beaver Meadows Entrance
Because the entrance is so accessible from Estes Park and open year round, it is the most popular. The Beaver Meadows Visitor Center is the best place to get information, books, maps and backcountry permits, as well as catch the park bus.Hiking Trails in Rocky Mountain NP in Winter (or Anytime!)
From the visitor center, you can only drive about 10 miles before you reach the spot where the road is closed for the winter. But, don't let that discourage you.Trail Ridge Road is generally open and ready for travel from the end of May through October. The road, which connects the west and east entrances of Rocky Mountain National Park, closes each year due to snow accumulation. Call the park's Trail Ridge Road recorded status line at 970-586-1222 for current conditions.
The fastest route from Denver to Estes Park is via I-25 to U.S. 36 E near Boulder. In Estes Park, U.S. 36 meets up with U.S. 34, with the Big Thompson Canyon and continues through Rocky Mountain National Park to Granby and Grand Lake. The drive is an estimated an hour and a half from the central part of Denver.
Here are the top 16 items to bring to the park.
- Sturdy Hiking Boots to Help You Really Experience the Rockies.
- A Rain Jacket to Protect You from Colorado's Afternoon Storms.
- Binoculars to See Rock Climbers and Wildlife.
- Daypack for Extraordinary Alpine Hikes.
- Snacks to Fuel Adventures in Rocky Mountain National Park.
