Rocky Mountain National Park Information

Rocky Mountain National Park is located in north central Colorado just inside the Colorado Rocky Mountain Front near the town of Estes Park. The centerpiece of this high alpine wonderland is Long’s Peak. At 14,259 feet at its summit, Longs Peak is one of Colorado’s most prominent summits over 14,000 feet. This backdrop of the park can be seen from as far away as the Colorado mountain foothills and prairie.

Rocky Mountain National Park is often the first taste of mountain habitats and scenery for many visitors from America and abroad. The networks of visitor roads of Rocky Mountain National Park offers visitors access to diverse ecosystems characterizing the higher life zones of the Rocky Mountains. The Trail Ridge road takes visitors through alpine meadows and aspen groves, along rivers and up through subalpine forests to more than 12,000 feet in elevation. No other national park roads offer the dramatic experience of a long drive across alpine tundra region. Only the high and narrow Going to the Sun Road in Glacier National Park comes close.

Hotels and Lodging

Since Rocky Mountain National Park is located immediately adjacent to Estes Park there are many Estes Park area lodging and hotel options. Estes Park is a year round resort community and the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park. Many visitors also take advantage of nearby Fort Collins and Loveland and all of the hotels and accommodations on the Colorado Front Range. The Estes Park Holiday Inn is located conveniently for shopping, hiking and exploring. The Holiday Inn at Estes Park is only 2 miles from the park entrance.

Located within Rocky Mountain national park, the Machin Cottages are off the highway and at the end of a road where a hiking trail begins. The Machin Cottages are a secluded and remote option in an area that is typically bustling with tourist activity.

The Stanley Hotel is one of the most famous hotels in the United States (where the movie "The Shining" was filmed). The Stanley Hotel sits perched on the slope above the town of Estes Park and has spectacular views of the peaks of Rocky Mountain National Park.

You really cannot go wrong by staying in hotels and inns that are located in the quaint village of Estes Park which is the gateway to the Rocky Mountain National Park.

Wildlife

Elk, mule deer, moose, rocky mountain bighorn sheep, coyotes, black bears, cougars and many smaller mammals live in the park. By far, elk are the most visible large mammal in the park. In fact, elk at times can be observed in the nearby village of Estes Park. Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep are Colorado’s iconic wildlife species and they often can be observed by visitors in the park.
The high alpine rockslides that are above timberline harbor the noisy little pika. Known locally as a rock rabbit this small mammal has been declining as temperatures across the west have been warming. Pikas thrive in the high and cold environment of Rocky Mountain National Park.

Hiking and Climbing

Mountain climbing and hiking has been a popular year round activity in and around Rocky Mountain National Park since the late1800's. The wide variety of high snow covered peaks and granite rock formations in the park offer wonderful opportunities for many choices of climbing including rock, walls, snow and ice, bouldering and traditional mountaineering. Rocky Mountain National Park is known worldwide as a mecca for climbers.

Rocky Mountain National Park currently has approximately 355 miles of hiking trails that visitors can enjoy.

The trails range from gentle lakeside walks to steep, high mountain summit ascents. Always consult with the rangers at the visitor centers and backcountry office and be sure to get a back country permit so they know where you are planning to climb. It may save your life. The rangers can also provide advice about trails and which are appropriate to different fitness and comfort levels.
Visitors need to be aware that Rocky Mountain National Park elevations range from 7,500 to more than 14,000 feet. Hikers and climbers often experience altitude problems and symptoms include headaches, shortness of breath and rapid heartbeat. Visitors can minimize these symptoms by drinking plenty of fluids, avoiding alcohol, eating healthy meals and by getting plenty of sleep. With these precautions visitors can increase their margin of safety while hiking and climbing in the park.

Ski Vacations

Cross Country Skiing is abundant in the Estes Park area. The high scenic trails that visitors hike in the summer are used by cross country skiers in the winter. Sprague Lake and Bear Lake areas in the National Park are by far the most popular cross country ski trails. Estes Park ski shops in town offer lessons, guided tours and rental cross country skis.

For those that prefer downhill skiing you can drive about an hour south to Eldora Ski Resort to find a fun and challenging ski resort with ski rentals, lessons, groomed slopes.

For the adventurous skiers there is skiing on the north side of Sundance Mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park. Be sure to check with the park rangers before attempting to extreme or backcountry ski in the national park.