Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park
This "park in the sky," which captures the full grandeur of the Rocky Mountains, is one of our country's most frequently visited national parks, attracting more than three million visitors each year. 76 of the great mountains in the park reach elevations of 12,000 feet or more. Forests of spruce and fir tower over wide valleys where aspen and willow line hundreds of streams and lakes. At the highest elevations, above the tree line, is the fascinating, arctic-like alpine tundra, fraught with blizzards in winter and filled with flowered meadows in summer. All this is just 65 miles northwest of Denver! Rocky Mountain National Park offers visitors an enormous variety of things to do throughout the year, ranging from all snow-related activities during the winter, to hiking, biking, camping and fishing during the summer.
At A Glance
In The Park
Superintendent: Vaughn BakerPhone Number: 970-586-1399
Entrance Fees: Individual Pass (valid for 7 days): $10; Vehicle Pass (valid for 7 days): $20; Commercial Tour Fees: $25-$200 (varies depending on seating capacity); Annual Park Pass: $35
Sights: Stanley Hotel; Grand Lake; Rocky Mountains; Trail Ridge Road; Old Fall River Road; Lawn Lake; Fall River Area
Endangered Species: Boreal Toad (threatened); Bald Eagle (threatened); Least Tern; Mexican Spotted Owl (threatened); Piping Plover (threatened); Whooping Crane; Yellow-billed Cuckoo (threatened); Bonytail; Colorado Pikeminnow; Greenback Cutthroat Trout (threatened); Humpback Chub; Pallid Sturgeon (threatened); Razorback Sucker; Canada Lynx (threatened); Preble's Meadow Jumping Mouse (threatened)
Important Dates
Established as Park: January 26, 1915By The Numbers
Acres: 265,828.00Highest Point: Longs Peak (14255 feet)
Annual Visitation: 2,743,676 (2006)
Location
Latitude / Longitude :40.259170 / -105.834440 (map it)
State: CO
Nearby Big City: Estes Park, CO
Gateway Communities: Estes Park, CO; Grand Lake, CO; Glen Haven, CO; Drake, CO; Allenspark, CO; Granby, CO; Lyons, CO; Hot Sulphur Springs, CO; Tabernash, CO; Hygiene, CO; Ward, CO; Masonville, CO; Parshall, CO; Loveland, CO; Fraser, CO; Winter Park, CO; Longmont, CO
Nearby Airports: Denver International Airport (DIA)
Green Features
Has Recycling? : YesHas Shuttle System? : Yes
Has Volunteer Program? : Yes
Park Photos
Elk Grazing
Terry Reimink
Entrance Sign
Ronald Sherwood
Forest Waterfall
Craig E Divine
View More Rocky Mountain Photos
In Detail
10 Essentials 1. Map 2. Compass 3. Flashlight 4. Sunglasses and Sunscreen 5. Extra Food and Water 6. Rain Gear and Extra Clothing 7. Waterproof Matches 8. Candle (or other Fire-Starter) 9. Pocket Knife 10. First ... read more.
Activities & Programs Rocky Mountain National Park is more than just a summer destination. Visitors who enjoy the freedom and space found here in the summer, often come back to enjoy the beauty of fall, winter and spring, ... read more.
At Your Fingertips General Park Information (970) 586-1206 www.nps.gov/romo Emergencies 911 (970) 586-1203 Backcountry Information (970) 586-1242 Camping Reservations Glacier Basin, Moraine Park (888) 448-1474 (in ... read more.
Bighorn Sheep The bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis), symbol of Rocky Mountain National Park, are well-known for their impressive horns and their incredible agility on the steep crags of the Rockies. Neither of these ... read more.
Camping at Rocky Mountain Camping is only permitted in the park's five roadside campgrounds. Campgrounds fill quickly from mid-June to mid-September and on holiday weekends, so it's wise to plan ahead. Fees are $20 per night ... read more.
Continental Divide Trail The construction of the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) is one of the most significant conservation initiatives ever undertaken. Designated by Congress in 1978, a focused effort to complete the trail ... read more.
Estes Park As the eastern gateway city to Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park hosts more than 2 million travelers from around the world each year. Almost all commercial activity takes place in Estes Park b ... read more.
Flora & Fauna Rocky Mountain National Park is home to about 900 species of plants, 281 types of birds and 60 species of mammals. Some are easy to spot while others remain elusive, but all are part of the park's ec ... read more.
Grand Lake Situated at the western border of Rocky Mountain National Park, near the headwaters of the Colorado River, Grand Lake is Colorado's largest natural lake. The village of Grand Lake—surrounded by ... read more.
Hiking Chart Trailhead Distance (one Elevation Difficulty (starting elevation in feet) Destination way in miles) Gain (in feet) Level Bear Lake (9,475) Around Lake 0.6 20 Easy Nymph Lake 0.5 225 Easy Biersta ... read more.
History of Rocky Mountain Park Early Inhabitants During the Ice Age, massive glaciers ground the landscape, shaping the meadows and peaks, and making the present-day park area an inhospitable land. It was not until some 11,000 yea ... read more.
In A Nutshell Park Entrances You can enter Rocky Mountain National Park from the west via U.S. 34 from Grand Lake (the largest glacial lake in the state), or from the east via either U.S. 34 or U.S. 36 from Estes ... read more.
Just For Kids The park has a "Rocky's Junior Ranger Program" geared toward children in kindergarten through eighth grade. Emphasis is placed on park preservation, flora and fauna facts, and environmental education ... read more.
Leave No Trace Leave No Trace is a national program that promotes and inspires responsible outdoor recreation and stewardship of America's public lands. The National Park Service is a cooperating partner in this pr ... read more.
Oh, Ranger! I am the Deputy Superintendent at Rocky Mountain National Park. I began my career as a National Park Service seasonal in 1978, at the Gateway National Recreation Area in New Jersey. In 1980, I became ... read more.
Only A Day You can see many of the park's highlights by driving along Trail Ridge Road, much of which follows the trail once used by the Ute and other American Indian tribes. It traverses ridge -tops from Deer ... read more.
Preserve the Park Until 1915, when Congress voted to establish this area as a national park, the area's valleys had been threatened by agricultural development, its wildlife endangered by hunting and its hills, mounta ... read more.
Rocky Mountain Regulations You can help preserve and protect the park by honoring the following NPS regulations. Contact a visitor center if you have any questions. • Camp only within designated campsite areas. • ... read more.
Ticks at Rocky Mountain A tick is an arachnid, a member of the spider family. Like a mosquito, it feeds on blood from larger, warmblooded animals in order to reproduce. It is also similar to the mosquito because it can carr ... read more.
Trail Ridge Road Trail Ridge Road, the highest continuous paved road in the continental United States, is celebrating its 75th Anniversary this year. This awe-inspiring road needs work that is long overdue and will o ... read more.
Recent News
- New Shuttle Service Takes Visitors to Alpine Visitor Center June 30, 2008, 10:10 am
- Rocky Mountain National Park Undergoing Eco-alteration June 27, 2008, 11:23 am
- Big Push for Big Park Project June 26, 2008, 10:16 am
- Proposal Would Allow Loaded, Concealed Weapons in National Parks June 23, 2008, 9:41 am
- Estes Park earns its accolades May 14, 2008, 2:19 pm
- Bill to protect Rocky Mountain National Park moves forward, but hurdles remain May 8, 2008, 7:21 pm
- $9M settlement reached to fix damages to Rocky Mountain National Park May 7, 2008, 1:35 pm
Rocky Mountain In Depth
News from the Parks
Alexander Backs New Source of Funding for National Parks
July 3, 2008 - 9:38am
U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today announced he will cosponsor bipartisan legislation to create a new source of funding for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and other national parks across the country as part of the “Centennial Challenge” celebrating the 100th anniversary of the National Park System in 2016. “The Centennial Challenge could bring up to $4 million to the Smokies – the country’s most visited national park – and will go a long way toward improving park facilities, aiding conservation efforts, and helping build upon the excellent visitor services already offered. This 4th of July, I can’t think of a better way to celebrate our country’s birthday than backing legislation that will aid efforts to preserve and celebrate our national parks, one of America’s greatest treasures.”
July 3, 2008 - 9:38am
U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today announced he will cosponsor bipartisan legislation to create a new source of funding for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and other national parks across the country as part of the “Centennial Challenge” celebrating the 100th anniversary of the National Park System in 2016. “The Centennial Challenge could bring up to $4 million to the Smokies – the country’s most visited national park – and will go a long way toward improving park facilities, aiding conservation efforts, and helping build upon the excellent visitor services already offered. This 4th of July, I can’t think of a better way to celebrate our country’s birthday than backing legislation that will aid efforts to preserve and celebrate our national parks, one of America’s greatest treasures.”
EPA's Pollution Plan Slammed
July 3, 2008 - 9:35am
City officials and business leaders here Wednesday warned that a federal proposal to relax air quality standards for the nation's national parks will ultimately be bad for business. Simply put, they said during a news conference at the entrance to Zion National Park, lower air standards being proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hurt this gateway city economically if fewer tourists visit the park. "Air pollution could damage the stars, vistas and clean air we enjoy," Springdale Mayor Pat Cluff said. "Some places deserve to be preserved and it is my responsibility to preserve [the park] for those who come here."
July 3, 2008 - 9:35am
City officials and business leaders here Wednesday warned that a federal proposal to relax air quality standards for the nation's national parks will ultimately be bad for business. Simply put, they said during a news conference at the entrance to Zion National Park, lower air standards being proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hurt this gateway city economically if fewer tourists visit the park. "Air pollution could damage the stars, vistas and clean air we enjoy," Springdale Mayor Pat Cluff said. "Some places deserve to be preserved and it is my responsibility to preserve [the park] for those who come here."
Dinosaur Fossils In Utah Inspire 'Jr. Paleontologists'
July 2, 2008 - 9:57am
Millions of years ago, northeastern Utah was a hot spot for dinosaurs. Today, people travel to the Dinosaur National Monument located on the borders of Colorado and Utah to see the leftover dinosaur bones. Visitors can see as many as 1,500 Jurassic-era fossils exposed on the cliff face of the Douglass Quarry.
July 2, 2008 - 9:57am
Millions of years ago, northeastern Utah was a hot spot for dinosaurs. Today, people travel to the Dinosaur National Monument located on the borders of Colorado and Utah to see the leftover dinosaur bones. Visitors can see as many as 1,500 Jurassic-era fossils exposed on the cliff face of the Douglass Quarry.
A Paiute Take On Bryce Canyon's Hoodoos
July 2, 2008 - 9:56am
The red spindly rock formations that make up the views at Bryce Canyon National Park are called hoodoos. Geologists say they were formed by erosion, but Kevin Poe, chief of interpretation at Bryce, shares his take on the Paiute legend about hoodoos.
July 2, 2008 - 9:56am
The red spindly rock formations that make up the views at Bryce Canyon National Park are called hoodoos. Geologists say they were formed by erosion, but Kevin Poe, chief of interpretation at Bryce, shares his take on the Paiute legend about hoodoos.
Can The Everglades Be Saved?
July 2, 2008 - 9:55am
Environmentalists have been issuing dire warnings about the deterioration of the Florida Everglades for years, saying these wetlands have to be restored in order to revive fragile ecosystems and increase scarce fresh water supplies. Over half of the Everglades are gone, irreversibly converted to urban or agricultural development. But this week, in an attempt to save what's left, the state of Florida announced a plan to buy nearly 200,000 acres of former wetlands from a sugar cane producer. Advocates say the plan is the largest restoration project in American history.
July 2, 2008 - 9:55am
Environmentalists have been issuing dire warnings about the deterioration of the Florida Everglades for years, saying these wetlands have to be restored in order to revive fragile ecosystems and increase scarce fresh water supplies. Over half of the Everglades are gone, irreversibly converted to urban or agricultural development. But this week, in an attempt to save what's left, the state of Florida announced a plan to buy nearly 200,000 acres of former wetlands from a sugar cane producer. Advocates say the plan is the largest restoration project in American history.
