When you think Colorado, you probably think of the Rockies. And when you think of the Rockies, you likely think of Rocky Mountain National Park. The park is a very popular tourist attraction for people from all around the world. It’s also a great place to visit on your RV vacation.
1. Choose Your Time Of Year Wisely
Rocky Mountain National Park is open year-round, but due to its high elevation, contending with snow and ice and road closures comes with the territory for much of the year. The closure of Trail Ridge Road for the winter between mid-October and late May means one of the entrances into the park is also closed off. Driving is easier if you plan to visit between late May and early October, with the temperatures reaching moderate highs reaching of 70s and 80s in the summer and lows in the 40s at night and at higher elevations.
As a part of the National Parks system, you can tour the park by car for $25/day or $35/week for your vehicle, or invest in a Parks Pass for the season. You can save some time by purchasing a pass in advance, as the lines to get into the park can get long, so be patient.
Photo courtesy of Ross and Jamie Adventure
2. Plan For Crowds
Another aspect of wisely choosing your time of year? Planning for the crowds! Summer at Rocky Mountain National Park is busy! Unless you arrive extremely early in the morning, expect full parking lots and having to rely on the bus system. During the spring and fall, you will still see crowds, particularly on the weekends, but you’ll have an easier time parking your car as you tour the park.
3. Plan Where To Stay
Rocky Mountain National Park contains five campgrounds, four of them accommodating RVs. Three of them book out far in advance, opening on May 24th of next year at noon for reservations. If last-minute is more your style, look into Timber Creek – and get there early!
Campers can stay for up to seven nights total parkwide during the height of the season, as well as an additional fourteen days between September 30 and June 1. If you’d rather stay longer or prefer a resort, there are lots of campgrounds worth considering within an hour drive of the park.
4. Account For Elevation
Photo courtesy of Ross and Jamie Adventure
Rocky Mountain National Park’s elevation makes visiting require more planning than your average RV outing. Bring lots of water. Don’t assume you can hike the trails until you’ve adjusted to the elevation – a process which can take days or even weeks. Bring lots of layers, as you will need more clothing as you move to higher elevations. You might need a fall coat and gloves in summer, or your winter’s best in early fall.
I visited the park in early September, which I found to be a perfect time to visit. Be patient with yourself and your neighbors as you adjust to the elevation changes.
5. Have Realistic Expectations
Be sure to review the park’s website before you arrive. Print a copy of the map and set realistic goals for parking, what you’ll visit and how much time you’ll spend in the park. Overpack snacks/meals and water and pay attention to any closures noted on the website. And most importantly, have fun!
If you found this article helpful, you might also enjoy this article on White Sands National Monument. And if you’re ready to reserve an RV for your adventure at Rocky Mountain National Park, head here to see what’s available near Estes Park, the tourist town at the base of Rocky Mountain National Park.
Jamie Feinberg is a blogger, musician, theater artist and educator traveling the country full-time in her RV. She performs with her husband Ross Malcolm Boyd as they travel, and they co-own Tiny Village Music, offering private music lessons online in guitar, piano, ukulele, voice and more.
