Park Details
Park Details
Location Information
Location:
Estes Park, CO
Address:
Headquarters: Rocky Mountain National Park
Estes Park, CO 80517
Telephone:
(970) 586-1206, for general information.
(970) 586-1333, phone recorded message.
(970) 586-1319, TDD.
(970) 586-1242, backcountry information.
(970) 627-3471, West Side information.
Directions:
In Park: personal vehicle, bicycle, summer season limited shuttle bus service on Bear Lake Road and public transportation: tour buses.
Operating Hours/Seasons
Open 24 hours a day, year round.
Reservations/Permits/Fees
$10.00 per private vehicle
$5.00 per bicyclist, motorcyclist
or pedestrian
$10.00 for Golden Age passport
$50.00 for Golden
Eagle passport
Free for Golden Access passport.
An annual pass for Rocky Mountain National Park is also available for $20.
Backcountry permit fee is $15.00.
Camping reservations for Moraine Park and Glacier Basin campgrounds, Destinet, 1-800-365-2267. Backcountry camping and bivouac permits, (970) 586-1242.
Reservations for outreach school programs must be made in advance. Environmental Education fee waivers for school groups should be made two weeks in advance, (970) 586-3777.
Commercial filming permits are required, call (970) 586-1278 for information.
Climate, Recommended Clothing
Summer; sunny mornings, possible afternoon thunderstorms and cool nights. Winter; cool conditions to blizzard conditions with extreme temperature variations. Weather conditions change quickly in mountainous areas and snow is possible year round. Wear appropriate dress for each season; comfortable clothing, dress in layers, rain gear, and sunscreen.
Facilities and Opportunities
Visitor Center/Exhibits:
Headquarters Visitor Center and Kawuneeche Visitor Center
offer park orientation exhibits and movies; open daily, closed
December 25.
Trails, Roads:
There are 355 miles of trails ranging from easy to strenuous.
There are 82 miles of paved roads, and 28 miles of unpaved roads.
Programs/Activities:
Ranger led activities daily, during the summer, and weekends,
during the winter. Special programs held year round.
Lodging and camping facilities:
Lodging available in Estes Park and Grand
Lake.
Five Campgrounds (577 sites):
Backcountry camping by permit only. Designated backcountry sites (269) and zoned areas. There is a $15.00 permit fee during summer, with reservations suggested. Permits are required for bivouacs.
Food/supplies:
Available in towns of Grand Lake or Estes Park and snack bar
located at gift shop at Fall River Pass.
Other Concessions and NPS-Managed Visitor Facilities:
In summer, horse stables and gift shop available. The Rocky
Mountain Nature Association operates book centers in each visitor
center.
Accessibility:
Park Headquarters, Lily Lake, Moraine Park Museum, Alpine
Visitor Center and Kawuneeche Visitor Centers are accessible with
some ranger led activities. Trail to Bear Lake, Beaver
Boardwalk, Sprague Lake and Coyote Valley trails are accessible,
as well as the backcountry site located at Sprague Lake. Most
campgrounds, amphitheaters, overlooks and bathrooms are
moderately accessible.
Special Needs:
Parking areas at the Alpine Visitor Center and Colorado River
Trailhead are available for buses. Many other overlooks can
accommodate buses depending on traffic volume. Shuttle bus
operates on Bear Lake road during summer.
Recommended Activities/Park Use
Scenic driving tours, hiking and bicycling, camping, backcountry camping, skiing and snowshoeing, limited snowmobiling, picnicking, ranger led activities, wildlife and wildflower viewing and birdwatching.
Visitation
3.1 million in 1994; highest in July and August; lowest in December.
Basic Visit Recommendations:
Day trips for scenic driving tours. Several days to a week
for hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing.
Visitor Impacts:
Information regarding road closures, trail conditions and
closures is provided.
Special Events Programs
Ranger led programs are offered daily through the summer and frequently during the remainder of the year. Evening campfire programs are offered at campgrounds. Special lecture series and programs occur year round. The Rocky Mountain Nature Association offers summer seminar programs, (970) 586-1258. Both the towns of Grand Lake and Estes Park hold special activities.
Adjacent Visitor Attractions
Shops, stores, lodging, food and restaurants are available in the towns of Estes Park and Grand Lake.
Additional Information
Write: Superintendent
Rocky Mountain National Park
Estes
Park CO 80517
or call (970) 586-1206
Estes Park Chamber of
Commerce
1-800-443-7837
Grand Lake Chamber of Commerce
1-800-
531-1019
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