Ninety minutes from Denver, Rocky Mountain National Park packs 60 peaks over 12,000 feet, alpine lakes and tundra into a compact area. Trail Ridge Road crosses it at 12,183 feet, the highest continuous paved road in the country, and elk wander through the town of Estes Park.
Best things to do in Rocky Mountain
Trail Ridge Road
48 miles across the park from Estes Park to Grand Lake, 11 miles of it above the treeline. Stop at Many Parks Curve, Forest Canyon Overlook and the Alpine Visitor Center. Altitude can cause headaches: go slowly and drink water.
Bear Lake to Emerald Lake
An easy 3.6-mile return hike past Nymph and Dream lakes to Emerald Lake under Hallett Peak. Start early: the corridor needs its own reservation.
3Sky Pond
A harder day hike (9 miles return) past Alberta Falls and The Loch, with a scramble up a waterfall to a cirque lake.
4Elk in Moraine Park
At dawn and dusk, herds graze in the meadows. In September and October, bulls bugle during the rut.
5Old Fall River Road
A one-way gravel road (July to September) climbing to the Alpine Visitor Center past Chasm Falls.
Rocky Mountain entrance fees and reservations
Since 1 January 2026, foreign visitors pay a $100 surcharge here. Do the maths before you go.
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Private vehicle, 7 days | $30 |
| On foot or by bike, per person | $15 |
| Non-US residents aged 16+ | +$100 per person, on top of the entrance fee |
| America the Beautiful annual pass | US residents $80 · non-residents $250 — covers the whole car and the $100 fee |
- Timed entry from late May to mid-October, 9 am–2 pm; the Bear Lake Road corridor needs the “Timed Entry+ Bear Lake Road” permit.
Where to stay in Rocky Mountain
Estes Park is the gateway on the east side; Grand Lake is the quieter western entrance.
Our 2 hotel picks in Rocky Mountain
Photos, facilities and tips →
Boutique$$$$The Stanley Hotel
Estes Park, on the hill above town
The 1909 hotel that inspired The Shining, on the hill above Estes Park, minutes from the national park.
Mid-range$$$$Murphy’s River Lodge
Estes Park, on the Fall River two blocks from downtown
A family-owned lodge on the Fall River, two blocks from downtown Estes Park, with an indoor pool and free breakfast.
Estes Park
$$$$Best for: convenience
A mountain town with the historic Stanley Hotel, elk on the golf course and the main entrances.
Hotels in Estes Park partner linkGrand Lake
$$$$Best for: a quiet lakeside stay
A wooden boardwalk town on Colorado’s largest natural lake.
Hotels in Grand Lake partner linkBoulder
$$$$Best for: a city base
A lively college town an hour away, under the Flatirons.
Hotels in Boulder partner linkWeather in Rocky Mountain by month
Compare every destination month by month in the when-to-go explorer.
Rocky Mountain: your questions
Do you need a reservation for Rocky Mountain National Park?
From late May to mid-October, yes, a timed-entry reservation from 9 am to 2 pm, and a Timed Entry+ permit for the Bear Lake Road corridor. Outside those hours and dates, no.
When is Trail Ridge Road open?
Usually from late May (Memorial Day weekend) to mid-October, weather permitting.
Is altitude a problem in Rocky Mountain National Park?
It can be: Trail Ridge Road passes 12,000 feet. Spend a night in Denver or Estes Park first, drink water and take it easy.
Written by Kylian Dev · Last reviewed October 21, 2026. Prices are in US dollars, before sales tax.