Camping Near Rocky Mountain National Park
Colorado | Established 1915
About Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park spans 265,000 acres along the Continental Divide in north-central Colorado. The park contains 72 peaks above 12,000 feet, including Longs Peak at 14,259 feet. Trail Ridge Road climbs to 12,183 feet, making it the highest continuous paved road in North America. Elevations range from about 7,600 feet at the eastern boundary to the summit of Longs Peak.
The park operates five campgrounds with a combined 571 sites. Moraine Park is the largest with 244 sites and accepts RVs up to 40 feet. Glacier Basin has 150 sites and a shuttle stop. Timber Creek on the west side has 98 sites. None have electric hookups, but Moraine Park and Timber Creek offer water hookups and dump stations. Estes Park (east) and Grand Lake (west) both have private campgrounds with full amenities.
Late June through early September offers the best camping weather, with daytime highs of 60 to 80°F. Afternoon thunderstorms are common above treeline. Trail Ridge Road typically opens by Memorial Day and closes in mid-October.
Camping Tips for Rocky Mountain
- Afternoon thunderstorms are common above treeline. Be below exposed ridges by noon if you plan to hike alpine trails.
- Reserve campgrounds on Recreation.gov six months out. Moraine Park and Glacier Basin sell out quickly for summer weekends.
- Elevations above 7,600 feet mean cold nights year-round. Expect lows in the 30s to 40s°F even in July. Bring warm layers.
- Store all food in your vehicle or bear boxes. Black bears are active throughout the park, especially on the east side.
- Drive Trail Ridge Road early in your trip. It closes seasonally and weather can shut it temporarily even in summer.
RV Parks & Campgrounds Near Rocky Mountain National Park
1.Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in Estes Park, CO
Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in Estes Park, CO is a family-friendly campground and RV park located in the beautiful Colorado mountains near Rocky Mountain National...
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2.Winding River Resort
Winding River Resort is a family-run mountain resort located near Grand Lake, Colorado, specializing in creating memorable vacations since 1972. Situated on the Colorado River and...
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3.Base Camp at Golden Gate Canyon
Base Camp at Golden Gate Canyon is a mountain camping destination located just 45 minutes from the Denver metro area and 30 minutes from Golden, Colorado. Nestled between colorful...
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4.Sun Outdoors Rocky Mountains
Sun Outdoors Rocky Mountains, located in Granby, Colorado, is a luxury RV resort formerly known as River Run RV Resort. Situated in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, this all-ages...
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5.Riverview RV Park
Riverview RV Park and Campground is situated in the rolling foothills of the Rocky Mountains along the Big Thompson River near Loveland, Colorado. This family-oriented park offers...
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6.Clear Creek RV Park
Clear Creek RV Park is a recreational facility operated by the City of Golden, Colorado. Located in Golden, the park provides RV camping accommodations for visitors exploring the...
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7.Bear Creek Lake campground
Bear Creek Lake campground is a city-operated camping facility located in Lakewood, Colorado, managed by the City of Lakewood's Parks, Forestry and Open Space department. The...
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8.Manor RV Park
Manor RV Park is a well-established RV campground located in Estes Park, Colorado, offering a scenic mountain retreat with panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains. Situated at 815...
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9.Applewood RV Resort by Rjourney
Applewood RV Resort is a full-service RV park located in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, a northern suburb of Denver. The resort accommodates all RV types, including motor homes, trailers,...
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10.Arapaho Valley Ranch
Arapaho Valley Ranch is a historic mountain retreat nestled on 40 acres in Colorado's high country near Granby, situated within the Arapaho National Forest and just outside the...
Show moreShowing 1–10 of 314 campgrounds within 50 miles
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to camp near Rocky Mountain?
NPS campgrounds inside the park cost $35 per night during summer. Winter rates drop to $18 per night when water systems are shut off. Longs Peak Campground is tent-only and first-come-first-served. No campground in the park has electric hookups. A $30 per vehicle entrance pass is required separately.
Moraine Park stays open year-round at winter rates. Estes Park has multiple private campgrounds with full hookups ranging from $40 to $80 per night. On the west side, Grand Lake and Granby have private RV parks and campgrounds. YMCA of the Rockies near Estes Park offers tent and RV sites with group facilities.
When is the best time to camp at Rocky Mountain?
Late June through early September offers the warmest camping weather, with daytime highs of 60 to 80°F at campground elevations. Trail Ridge Road is typically open from Memorial Day through mid-October. Wildflowers peak in late June and July. September brings fall color, elk bugling, and fewer crowds.
Afternoon thunderstorms are common from June through August, especially above treeline. Moraine Park Campground is the only one open year-round, with winter rates and limited services. Spring camping is possible but nights are cold and some campgrounds remain closed into late May. Early October brings the first heavy snow to higher elevations.
How do I reserve a campsite at Rocky Mountain?
Moraine Park, Glacier Basin, Aspenglen, and Timber Creek campgrounds take reservations through Recreation.gov, opening six months before your stay date. Longs Peak Campground is first-come-first-served only. Summer weekends sell out quickly, so book on the first day your window opens.
The park also requires a timed entry reservation during peak season, separate from your campground reservation. Timed entry reservations are released on Recreation.gov. Having a campground reservation may exempt you from timed entry requirements, so check the park website for current rules. Cancellations create openings throughout the summer.
Is altitude sickness a concern at Rocky Mountain?
The park's campgrounds sit above 7,600 feet, and Trail Ridge Road exceeds 12,000 feet. Altitude sickness can affect anyone, especially visitors from lower elevations. Symptoms include headache, nausea, and shortness of breath. Drink extra water, avoid strenuous activity on your first day, and descend if symptoms worsen.
Longs Peak (14,259 feet) is a popular but strenuous summit attempt that requires early starts and good fitness. The Keyhole Route is 14.5 miles round trip with 4,850 feet of elevation gain. Lightning is a serious hazard above treeline, so most successful summits start before dawn and reach the top before noon. Trail Ridge Road pullouts above 12,000 feet are not the place for a first day jog.
Can I camp with an RV at Rocky Mountain?
Moraine Park Campground accepts RVs up to 40 feet and has a dump station and water hookups at select sites. Glacier Basin handles RVs up to 35 feet. Timber Creek (west side) takes RVs up to 30 feet with a dump station. Aspenglen accepts RVs up to 30 feet. None of the park's campgrounds have electric hookups.
Generators are permitted during limited daytime hours. The roads to all campgrounds are paved but winding, and some have tight turns that challenge longer rigs. For full hookups, private RV parks in Estes Park and Grand Lake are your best option. Propane is available in both gateway towns. Cell service is limited or absent inside the park.
Can I bring my dog camping at Rocky Mountain?
Dogs are allowed in all five campgrounds, picnic areas, parking areas, and along paved roads. Dogs are not permitted on any park trail, in the backcountry, or in any building. Leashes of six feet or shorter are required at all times. Pets cannot be left unattended.
The park has a strict pet policy: no trails are open to dogs. For hiking with your dog, try Lily Mountain Trail just outside the park boundary or the trails around Lake Estes in town. Dog boarding and daycare are available in Estes Park. During shoulder seasons, some closed park roads are open to leashed dogs on foot.
Do I need a timed entry reservation for Rocky Mountain?
During peak season, the park requires a timed entry reservation in addition to your entrance pass. Reservations are available on Recreation.gov and released in batches. Campers with valid campground reservations may be exempt from timed entry requirements, but rules vary by season. Check the park website before your visit.
Timed entry was introduced to manage crowding on the most popular routes. Bear Lake Road and the Bear Lake corridor are the busiest areas. Arriving before 6 AM or after 3 PM sometimes avoids the timed entry window. The west side (Trail Ridge Road from Grand Lake) is generally less crowded than the east side from Estes Park.
What are the top attractions near Rocky Mountain campgrounds?
Moraine Park Campground is a short drive from Bear Lake, the park's most popular trailhead, with access to Emerald Lake, Dream Lake, and Nymph Lake. Glacier Basin Campground has a shuttle to Bear Lake. Trail Ridge Road overlooks and Alpine Visitor Center sit above 11,000 feet. Timber Creek Campground on the west side borders the Colorado River headwaters.
Bear Lake to Emerald Lake is a 3.6-mile round trip with 605 feet of elevation gain, passing three alpine lakes. Alberta Falls from the Glacier Gorge trailhead is a 1.6-mile round trip to a waterfall. For elk viewing, drive through Moraine Park or Horseshoe Park at dusk from September through October during the rut. Sprague Lake is a flat half-mile loop suitable for all abilities.
Quick Facts
- Entrance Fee
- $30/vehicle (7 days)
- Best Time to Visit
- June – September
- Nearest Town
- Estes Park, CO, Grand Lake, CO
- Elevation
- 7,600 – 14,259 ft
- Park Size
- 265,000 acres
- Annual Visitors
- ~4.4 million