Rate Rocky Mountain National Park
Learn and Explore
Since 1916, the National Park Service has been entrusted with the care of our national parks. With the help of volunteers and partners, we safeguard these special places and share their stories with more than 275 million visitors every year. But our work doesn’t stop there.
We are proud that tribes, local governments, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and individual citizens ask for our help in revitalizing their communities, preserving local history, celebrating local heritage, and creating close to home opportunities for kids and families to get outside, be active, and have fun.
Taking care of the national parks and helping Americans take care of their communities is a job we love, and we need—and welcome—your help and support.
Our Mission
The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I obtain a park entrance pass?
Only 118 of your 417 park sites charge entrance fees. You can obtain park entrance passes by visiting a park site that charges an entrance fee. Entrance fee sites have passes available; we recommend calling a park prior to your visit. (See the park search to locate a specific park.) There are a number of entrance passes available, including park-specific passes as well as passes that offer entrance to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites in addition to the national parks (Annual, Military, Senior, 4th Grade, Access, and Volunteer passes). Learn more about the America the Beautiful – The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass.
About this location:
National Park
Operating Hours & Seasons
Rocky Mountain National Park
While certain roads and facilities may be closed, the park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Standard Hours
- Sunday:Open 24 hours
- Monday:Open 24 hours
- Tuesday:Open 24 hours
- Wednesday:Open 24 hours
- Thursday:Open 24 hours
- Friday:Open 24 hours
- Saturday:Open 24 hours
Fees & Passes
Entrance Fees:
- $20.00 – 1-Day Pass – Automobile
Valid for date of purchase. Covers single, non-commercial vehicle with 16 or fewer passengers. Purchase online. - $10.00 – 1-Day Pass – Per Person
Valid for date of purchase. Applies to walk-ins, bicycles, and non-commercial groups. - $20.00 – 1-Day Pass – Motorcycle
Valid for date of purchase. Covers single motorcycle. - $30.00 – 7-Day Pass – Automobile
Valid for seven consecutive days (including date of purchase). Covers single, non-commercial vehicle with 16 or fewer passengers. Purchase online. - $15.00 – 7-Day Pass – Per Person
Valid for seven consecutive days (including date of purchase). Applies to walk-ins, bicycles, and non-commercial groups. - $25.00 – 7-Day Pass – Motorcycle
Valid for seven consecutive days (including date of purchase). Covers one motorcycle.
Entrance Passes:
- $60.00 – Rocky Mountain National Park Annual Pass
Unlimited entry for one year from date of purchase. Purchase online. - $70.00 – Rocky Mountain National Park / Arapaho National Recreation Area Joint Annual Pass
Unlimited entry to both areas for one year from the date of purchase.
About
Feel Like You’re On Top of the World!
Rocky Mountain National Park’s 415 square miles encompass and protect spectacular mountain environments. Enjoy Trail Ridge Road – which crests at over 12,000 feet including many overlooks to experience the subalpine and alpine worlds – along with over 300 miles of hiking trails, wildflowers, wildlife, starry nights, and fun times. In a world of superlatives, Rocky is on top!
Directions
Driving from the east: from I-25, take US Hwy 34 or 36. Driving from the west: from I-70, take US Hwy 40 to Granby to US Hwy 34 to Grand Lake. From mid-October until late May, Trail Ridge Road between Estes Park and Grand Lake is closed to vehicles, so driving between the two takes ~4 hours. The closest airport is Denver International (DIA). There is no public transportation between nearby cities and the park.
Visitor Centers
Beaver Meadows Visitor Center
Watch a 20-minute park film. Get oriented with the topographical relief map of the park. Ask a ranger what to do in the park. Purchase gifts. Accessible and family restrooms available. Free public WiFi. Alpine Visitor Center
Feel like you’re on top of the world at the highest elevation visitor center in the National Park System. Situated at 11,796 feet (3,595 meters) with views of mountain peaks and glaciated valleys, this visitor center is the perfect place to learn about the amazing alpine tundra ecosystem. Fall River Visitor Center
Fall River Visitor Center offers a variety of educational opportunities. Besides planning your visit, park rangers also provide a variety of ranger-led programs and activities. Exhibits on wildlife survival and management are accompanied by life-sized bronze sculptures. Downstairs, visitors can explore the park through the world of art. Donated works from Rocky’s Artist-in-Residence Program are on display next to a drop-in art studio where visitors they can create their own artistic masterpieces. Kawuneeche Visitor Center
Just north of the town of Grand Lake, the Kawuneeche Visitor Center welcomes visitors to the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park. Here you will find park information and maps, backcountry camping permits, exhibits, a Rocky Mountain Conservancy bookstore, park films, and ranger-led activities in season. Moraine Park Discovery Center
On Bear Lake Road. Interactive exhibits, nature trail with great views of Moraine Park, bookstore. Sheep Lakes Information Station
Information and ranger programs. Good wildlife viewing, especially for bighorn sheep. Holzwarth Historic Site
Tour a 1920’s-era dude ranch for a taste of early homesteading and tourism. Buildings are open for tours during the summer. Otherwise, visitors may view the exteriors of the buildings and the grounds.
Weather
Winter (Dec–Mar): cold weather, deep snow at higher elevations, and seasonal closures of facilities and roads. Spring (April–May): unpredictable weather, with a mix of warm sunny days and cool days with heavy snow and rain. Many trails are still snow-covered. Trail Ridge Road opens in late May. Summer (Jun–Aug): warmer weather, thunderstorms, and wildflowers. Most park roads and facilities are open. Fall (Sep–Nov): crisp air, blue skies, fall colors, and the elk rut. Trail Ridge Road closes mid-October.
Own or work here?
Nearby Businesses
