Visit Rocky Mountain National Park

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If you need us, we’ll be in RMNP. And if you’d like to visit Rocky Mountain National Park, too, then read on! From what to wear and what to eat to timed entries and what to do about bathrooms, I strive to answer common questions you might have about visiting this gorgeous spot.

Spiriteds, WHERE DO I EVEN BEGIN? With the Old Fart (aka Dad) as our tour guide, K-Hubs, the girls, and I have had the pleasure of visiting Rocky Mountain National Park on more than one occasion. And it absolutely DOES NOT disappoint. It’s an ALL CAPS national park, if ever there was one.

The first time I visited Colorado, though, was more than 20 years ago. It was just before my senior year of high school. Mom and I road-tripped there for a college visit. And I distinctly remember her telling me to look ahead to see the mountains. But the sun was so bright, I couldn’t focus my eyes. “Where are the mountains, Mom?” I asked blindly. RIGHT THERE. And just when I was about to give up, the Rockies came into view. To say it was a breathtaking moment is both literal and an understatement.

The park is so beautiful it’s hard to believe it’s real. But, to borrow from Seinfeld, it’s real and it’s spectacular.

All these years later, the mountains still beckon me and take my breath away. But now I share the journey with K-Hubs, the girls, the Old Fart, and my stepmother, Grandma Colorado. And in this blog post, I’ll share it with you, too. If you are up for all things Rocky Mountain National Park, then read on! 

This one’s a trek for the eyes.

Land acknowledgment and Indigenous Peoples affiliated with Rocky Mountain National Park

Before we begin, if you are curious about the Indigenous Peoples whose histories and stories are rooted in this land and who were the original stewards of this beautiful place, then please visit the National Park Service’s page, Tribal Partners of Rocky Mountain National Park.

Shoutouts and kudos

Special gratitudes and shoutouts to the rangers who keep the parks working so the rest of us can trek through, making memories as we go. Rangers deserve our support and advocacy.

Where we have visited so far

Because we’ve visited the park more than once, we’ve been to several points of interest. First, we dipped our toes, almost literally, in the foothills near Estes Park, getting a very brief but very real taste of just how beautiful the area is. Then we visited the tundra, which is like entering another world. The vast, open mountain range is blanketed in snow, flowers that bloom in spite of (or because of?) the harsh conditions, and grasses. 

More recently, we visited Nymph Lake and Bear Lake. Both tree-lined locations are like something out of a movie. To be fair, all of the park looks this way. I often mentally pinch myself to remember I’m not looking at a painting, photography backdrop, or movie set. I’m in the real place that inspires such works, and I’d do well to savor the moment. 

Hiking in the Rocky Mountain tundra

At approximately 12,000 miles above sea level, I remember the moment when I saw, off in the distance, black dots I couldn’t identify. Were they clumps of dirt? Some special rock formation in the snow? No on both fronts. They were the animals that call the tundra home. And let’s not forget the adorable marmot that decided all the tourists were there to see him or her.

And while I have read about cairns, I’ve never seen one up close. That is until I came across them while hiking the pathways. These are but a few examples of what you are likely to find on your trek through the tundra.

Although packed with tourists, the space itself is open enough to allow everyone to move freely. Trees are sparse in the walking areas of the tundra, compared with other areas of the park. The wind whips wildly, and the horizon goes on for miles. I didn’t have enough eyes to look at everything all at once. Soaking up the view is no small feat.

Parking is a bit of a cluster in the tundra as everyone vies for a spot. And whether you are walking or driving, do be careful when navigating the roads. There are pull-off spots and cliff drop-offs along the edge, cars veering around bends at speed, and tourists standing along the side of the road attempting to capture the perfect shot. Defensive (but patient) driving is your friend, as is looking both ways before crossing. 

Something that caught my eye, or my ear, rather, was the number of different languages spoken around the tundra. It was humbling to think we only trekked 10 hours from our home with grandpa as our tour guide. For others, it’s an inter-continental trek that may have taken ages to plan. But to hear all those languages spoken around us? That was sheer music.  

Hiking around Nymph Lake and Bear Lake

We visited on a Monday, which was a good choice. The traffic was manageable compared to what we’d likely see on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. Bear Lake is so popular, it has its own timed entry. We managed to find a parking spot (or rather the Old Fart did) and then took a shuttle to the Nymph Lake and Bear Lake areas. 

The lakes were, in a word, mesmerizing. 

The six of us walked around the Nymph Lake, and then K-Hubs and I walked the Bear Lake Loop. Nymph Lake is known for its lily pads that bloom in late June. And Bear Lake is a lovely loop trail that meanders through the trees, with mountains off in the distance and tiger salamanders in the lake.

Along the Bear Lake Loop trail, we met a man from Hawaii who was there with his two teenage children. He recognized K-Hubs’ University of Iowa baseball cap, and that led to conversation, photos, and alma mater cheers. We spoke for maybe seven minutes, but it felt like we’d known each other forever.

The hardest part about visiting these two lakes was knowing when to take a photo and when to step back and soak it up naturally. For as many photos as people were taking, I will say, humanity prevailed. Tourists were respectful to look around before taking pictures and, conversely, not photobombing someone else’s perfect shot. 

What should I wear at Rocky Mountain National Park?

In a word? Layers. One thing to know about visiting US National Parks is not only can the weather change from day to day, but it can also change depending on where you are in the park you’re visiting. 

If you look closely at us in pictures of the tundra, we look bulky. And that’s because underneath the windbreakers and pants, we’re wearing shorts, t-shirts, and tank tops. Except K-Hubs, who forgot to bring pants that day. Fortunately, he survived and was none the worse for wear.

Here is a more succinct checklist of what to have on hand:

• Short-sleeved shirt
• Long-sleeved shirt
• Nylon or polyester pants (bonus points if the pants can be unzipped to create shorts)
• Nylon or polyester shorts
• Windbreaker
• Hiking boots with tall socks
• Hydration backpacks
• Hat
• Sunscreen
• Lip balm with SPF
• Backpack for storing layers of clothing (We love this backpack so much we have several, and it’s what the girls use during the school year.)
• Daypack for lighter gear (Like the backpack, we love this brand so much, we have several colors and styles for regular use.)

What type of shoes do I need at Rocky Mountain National Park?

We wore water-resistant hiking boots, and they worked great. Avoid dressy shoes, tennis shoes, or casual sandals. The terrain changes frequently, depending on where you are. And the weather can change as you hike to higher elevations. Additionally, snow melt in the spring and early summer makes Rocky Mountain National Park slushy in certain places, even if the weather in Estes Park is warm. You’ll want protection from the elements as you explore the park, no matter the season.

I have BIG FEELINGS™️ about footwear in national parks. ALL CAPS FEELINGS, if I’m being honest. And if you’re just dying to know more about that, then read my post about visiting Great Sand Dunes National Park.

Extras: Hiking boots are still best, however water-resistant hiking sandals for campground areas or when you take a break from heavy-duty hiking when the weather is warm are another option. If you plan to visit during the fall, winter, and early spring months, then plan for actual winter gear, including heavy coats, gloves, and warm hats. You may also need hiking lights because it can get dark in the park early, depending on the season.

Tips for hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park

Allow for time, time, and more time. If you plan to hike the more touristy spots, ranger stations are likely nearby. But as you venture further into the park and more remote locations, you’ll be left to your own devices, possibly literally.

Bring clothing layers, a first aid kit, and a GPS tracker for hiking. I’m not an expert on GPS hiking trackers. If you want to learn more about them, then check out REI’s article How to Choose and Use a GPS.

Since your experience in Rocky Mountain National Park may be different than our family affair, here are additional REI articles that may be helpful: (1) How to Prevent Common Hiking Injuries, (2) Wildlife Safety Tips, and (3) The Ten Essentials for Hiking and Camping.

Are there bathroom facilities?

Yes! There are bathrooms at various points throughout the park. They aren’t necessarily modern facilities, but they do the trick. We find the wait times vary, but most lines move pretty quickly. For being such a popular national park, we’ve never had an issue accessing bathrooms in the Rocky Mountains. 

What to pack for food

When we hike in Rocky Mountain National Park, we always eat at the local Country Market in Estes Park before venturing on our way. We love this place because they offer allergen-friendly options. You can pack food to take into the park, but it’s important to remember NOT to leave food in your car and not to leave food in the park. Take out whatever you took in. As for cars, there are stories of animals, namely bears, getting into them, looking for food. In one case, it was a single teeny-tiny piece of chocolate candy. Whether the bear found the candy, I cannot say. But legend has it the car was utterly destroyed.

If you do want to pack your own food, then check out how we did lunch at Great Sand Dunes National Park. While you may not be able to car picnic the same way in Rocky Mountain National Park, you’ll see how we navigated food allergies, packaging, and storage.

Can you camp inside the park?

Yes! Although we’ve never done it, and I’m no expert on the subject. Learn more by visiting the National Park Service’s page related to camping in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Is there a timed entry to visit Rocky Mountain National Park?

Yes, in addition to an entrance pass, you’ll need a timed entry pass during certain parts of the year and during certain parts of the day. Bear Lake, in particular, has its own timed entry pass. If you plan to arrive before 9:00 a.m. or after 2:00 p.m., then you may not need a timed entry pass, but you will still need an entrance pass to the park. So, it is important to check this in advance of your visit.

If a park requires a timed entry, slots open up usually a month or so before the date for the timed entry. If you are curious about this process, then visit the National Park Service’s Timed Entry for Rocky Mountain National Park page for more details. Wherever you decide to visit, planning well before you want to go is imperative.

Side note: I’ve noticed over the years that the list of national parks requiring a timed entry ticket changes from year to year. It’s a good idea to check the list in late winter or early spring for updates to see that year’s list of timed entry parks. You can almost guarantee, though, Rocky Mountain National Park will be on the timed entry list. 

Further reading

While the Old Fart and Grandma Colorado are our tour guides, we were also inspired to visit Rocky Mountain National Park while reading Aaron Johnson’s National Parks Mystery Series. An avid parks goer, Johnson offers histories, mysteries, tips, and tricks in each book. We read the first installment, Mystery in Rocky Mountain National Park and got hooked. On the series and on national parks.

That’s it, Spiriteds! That’s a recap of several family trips to Rocky Mountain National Park. If you get a chance to go (or have already been), then share your experiences in the comments below.

Stay well and stay wild. Jump into the fun when you can, and always remember I’m glad you’re here. ❤️