Plan Your Visit. Old Fall River Road: Open from early July to late September. Rocky Mountain Backpacking Trips. Read on to learn about the many things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park, like wildlife viewing and scenic drives. With majestic mountains, tundra wildflowers, abundant wildlife, Trail Ridge Road (the highest paved road in the US), and over 350 miles of trails, Rocky Mountain National Park is spectacular! Food, drinks, and pets are not allowed in any park visitor centers. Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge is one of the largest urban wildlife refuges in the nation with more than 15,000 acres of land. Our Colorado backpacking trips take you high to alpine basins, mountain lakes, craggy peaks, glaciers, forests and the wildflower-filled meadows of Rocky Mountain National Park. On the east side of the park, the Wilderness Office is adjacent to the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center. Ranging from snowstorms in the winter to hot, clear days in the summer, Rocky Mountain’s got it all. We plan on being at the National Park early Monday morning but will need to purchase a park pass. Rocky mountain national park is absolutely beautiful. On the west side of the park, the Wilderness Office is located inside the Kawuneeche Visitor Center. Permits and information are available at two Wilderness Offices within Rocky Mountain National Park. 2019 Hours What is a good itinerary for a day trip to RMNP in the winter? Visitors from lower altitudes may feel the effects of thinner air. Recorded Trail Ridge Road status: (970) 586-1222. It’s a place where wildlife thrives and where visitors can reconnect with nature and experience the many … Located just a few miles from downtown Grand Lake, the Kawuneeche Visitor Center is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, year-round, closing only on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. The weather in RMNP is extreme—and unpredictable. Hours Rocky Mountain National Park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, although certain roads and facilities may be closed seasonally. Trail Ridge Road runs through the park (open May to October), and free shuttles run to trailheads and to downtown Estes Park. No lodging is available in the park, but there are hundreds of lodging choices in nearby communities. Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) isn’t a designated International Dark Sky Park, but trust us – when the sun goes down, the skies above RMNP positively glitter with stars. I can't believe it took me so long to get up there. I was surprised by the Lava glacier at the summit.The gift … Rocky Mountain National Park’s 415 square miles encompass and protect spectacular mountain environments. Rocky Mountain National Park is about 70 miles north of Denver. On the east side of the park lies the Beaver Meadows Entrance, the most direct entrance from Estes Park, which lies right outside Rocky Mountain National Park.An hour’s drive from Boulder and two hours from Denver, the lively Estes Park is the closest town to the park on the east side of the park. The visitor centers offer access to nature guides and park rangers as well as share the latest in special programs and park information. September is also great for wildlife because of the elk rutting season (peak mid-September to mid-October). Summer is quick—just July and August—but beautiful, as temperature ranges from 40s at night and up to the 80s … When does Trail Ridge Road close in the fall? Rocky Mountain National Park Vacation and Travel Information 2019 Hours The view is in unbelievable. The Alpine Visitor Center at the top of Trail Ridge Road and Old Fall River Road features extraordinary views of alpine tundra and displays, a bookstore, an adjacent gift shop and snack bar. Grand Lake is the town closest to the park entrance (best accessed by car). What are some alternate routes if Trail Ridge Road is closed? “ If you are looking for the best nature photo opportunities in and around Rocky Mountain National Park, I highly recommend Jared over at Yellow Wood Guiding out of Estes Park, Colorado. Stargazing in Rocky Mountain National Park. Rocky Mountain National Park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, weather permitting. Summer is quick—just July and August—but beautiful, as temperature ranges from 40s at night and up to the 80s during the day. Do's and Don'ts When Visiting Rocky Mountain National Park; How long does it take to drive Trail Ridge Road?