Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the highest national parks in the nation, with an elevation of more than 14,000 feet at its highest point, the summit of Longs Peak. First established in 1915, the park encompasses more than 265,000 acres in Colorado, and is surrounded by another 250,000 acres of federally-protected wilderness areas. Declared a UNESCO World Biosphere Preserve in 1976, Rocky Mountain National Park's snowy peaks, alpine lakes, and thick forests are a marvel of natural beauty. For conveniently close accommodations, WorldMark Estes Park is less than a 15-minute drive from the park. With 60 mountain peaks over 12,000 feet in elevation, hiking, backpacking, rock climbing and mountaineering are top activities at Rocky Mountain National Park. Trail Ridge Road is the highest paved through road in the entire national parks system, and is the gateway to many trailheads and base camps for ascending the park's snow-capped behemoths. Trail Ridge is 48 miles long and crosses a key geographical milestone — the Continental Divide. A main stop on Trail Ridge is the Alpine Visitor Center, the highest visitor center in the U.S. Hike to Bear Lake, an easy hike at only .6 miles, and see the beauty of an alpine lake, or to Alberta Falls, an equally short hike, and experience the wonder of (what many claim is) the park's most stunning waterfall. With 350 miles of trails, there are many ways to see the park's pristine scenery. Moraine Park is one of the best locations in Rocky Mountain National Park for wildlife viewing, as its valley is usually a prime location for viewing herds of grazing elk. The park is home to a wide variety of animal species, including elk, moose, bighorn sheep, lynx, cougars, bobcats, and black bears. The late 1800s saw boom towns spring up all over the Rocky Mountains, and many of them were abandoned as the mines petered out. Rocky Mountain National Park is home to several ghost towns, some of which are accessible by hike. Lulu City was one such boom town, settled in 1879 when silver was discovered in a nearby stream, and abandoned by 1884 when the silver was determined to be of low grade. The 7.4-mile hike is strenuous but rewarding, as you'll see remains of several buildings and even a rusted old mining cart. The Holzwarth Historic Site offers a more detailed glimpse into pioneer life — the cabin is fully intact and open to visitors, and even includes some of the family's original furnishings! Rocky Mountain National Park is open year-round, but the park's high-elevation roads and visitor areas are typically closed from mid October to May due to heavy snowfall. Spring in the Rocky Mountains is a time of low crowds and cool weather, and much of the park is closed and won't reopen until the warmer weather of summer causes the snow to melt. Spring visitors can explore lower-elevation trails, look for wildlife and admire the wildflowers. Summer is busy season, as the warmer weather makes it possible to explore all of the park, so expect crowded parking lots and lots of foot traffic on trails. The fall colors in the park are beautiful, and the crowds die down in fall, but be prepared for snow to start falling by mid October. The entire park will be covered with snow in the winter, and it's the perfect time for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and sledding in the areas of the park that are still accessible. An entrance pass is required for entry into Rocky Mountain National Park. Entrance passes can be purchased online or at any of the park's four entrances. Choose from a single-day pass, seven-day pass, annual pass, or lifetime pass. Visitors with a permanent disability, active-duty military, military veterans and gold star family members are entitled to a lifetime entry pass free of charge. Reservations are required to enter or pass through Rocky Mountain National Park from mid May to late October, and must be made online in advance. Make sure you visit the National Park Service website, nps.gov, before your trip to Rocky Mountain National Park. It's full of great information and useful resources that will help you to plan a memorable trip.
