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Rocky Mountain National Park

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Overview

Rocky Mountain National Park's 415 square miles encompass and protect spectacular mountain environments. Landscapes on either side of the Continental Divide feature alpine lakes, forested valleys and a wide range of plants and animals. Iconic summer thunderstorms and persistent winter winds are among the forces that continue to shape this majestic landscape. Enjoy Trail Ridge Road, which crests 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 Mountain is on top!

To learn more about Rocky Mountain National Park, visit www.nps.gov.

Local Info

Please Note: There are no singletrack trails within Rocky Mountain National Park that are open to mountain bikes. This page serves as a general overview of the area. If you're visiting the park and looking for places to ride, check out the following areas:

Visiting Tips

Rocky Mountain National Park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, weather permitting. Summer and fall are the busiest seasons in the park. Parking lots can be full and roads congested. Arriving early or coming into the park in the late afternoon can help.

Due to the high elevations and exposure, park roads are subject to rapid weather changes and strong winds. Road conditions in and around the park can change quickly, particularly in the spring and fall, and some roads in the park are closed seasonally. Information on current road closures and conditions can be found here.

Fees & Passes:
To learn more about park fees, click here.
  • Purchase an annual pass for all national parks sites, $80
  • Camping & Lodging

    If you are planning to camp overnight in the park, you must be in one of the designated campgrounds or backcountry campsites. Camping reservations are strongly recommended during the summer and fall. Call 1-877-444-6777 or reserve online at: reserveamerica.com or recreation.gov.

    • Aspenglen Campground: Open May 26 through September 26
    • Glacier Basin Campground: Group sites are also available.
    • Longs Peak Campground: Seasonal closures vary by year.
    • Moraine Park Campground: Open year round.
    • Timber Creek Campground: Seasonal closures vary by year.

    Additionally, there are a wide range of backcountry camping experiences available in Rocky Mountain. Overnight travel in the backcountry requires a permit which is available at two backcountry offices. These offices are open seven days a week, seasonal hours vary. Call 970-586-1242 or visit www.nps.gov for more information regarding backcountry camping in the park.

    Food & Drink

    The Trail Ridge Store, which includes a café and coffee bar and is adjacent to the Alpine Visitor Center, is the one restaurant inside the park and is open from approximately late May through early October. There are no grocery stores in Rocky Mountain National Park. The Rocky Mountain Conservancy sells very limited food items in the park visitor centers and bottled water at Bear Lake and Park & Ride during summer and fall.

    Restaurants and grocery stores can be found in the local communities of Grand Lake and Estes Park. If you prefer to bring your own food into the park, there are several picnic sites that provide tables and, sometimes, restrooms and fire grates.

    Other Activities

    Those looking for other ways to explore Rocky Mountain National Park will not be disappointed by the variety that the park offers. Road biking, rock climbing, bouldering, fishing, horseback riding, backcountry camping, and wildlife viewing are among the many activities that the park affords in the summer. In the winter, you can continue your exploration by snowshoeing or cross country skiing or by sledding at Hidden Valley. Visit Rocky Mountain's website for more information on the park's other activities.

    Rocky Mountain National Park Biking

    • 12 Miles 20 Kilometers of Trail
    • 0 Recommended Routes
    • 1 Easy Trail Easy Trails
    • 2 Intermediate Trails Intermediate Trails
    • 0 Difficult Trails Difficult Trails
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    Areas Within Rocky Mountain National Park

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    Trails in Rocky Mountain National Park - 3

    MTB Project is built by riders like you. Add Your Trails

    3.0 mi 4.8 km #1East Shore Trail
    Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
    Grand Lake, CO
    Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
    Grand Lake, CO
    9.2 mi 14.8 km #2Old Fall River Road
    Intermediate Intermediate
    Estes Park, CO
    Intermediate Intermediate
    Estes Park, CO
    0.3 mi 0.5 km #3John Kirkpatrick Trail
    Easy Easy
    Grand Lake, CO
    Easy Easy
    Grand Lake, CO

    Photos of Rocky Mountain National Park - 9

    MTB Project is built by riders like you. Add Your Photos

    Near the Alpine Visitor Center looking back at Old Fall River Road.
    Jun 12, 2022 near Estes Park, CO
    Climbing along the Old Fall RIver Road switchbacks, looking north toward a ridge near Mount Chapin.
    Oct 10, 2022 near Estes Park, CO
    Backpacks are a necessity on Trail RIdge Road; you're almost guaranteed to be taking off or adding layers at some point.
    Oct 10, 2022 near Estes Park, CO
    Getting ready  to start the 9-mile descent of Endovalley on Old Fall River Road.
    Oct 10, 2022 near Estes Park, CO
    Coming down some switchbacks on Old Fall RIver Road with some fall colors and Endovalley in the distance.
    Oct 10, 2022 near Estes Park, CO
    Beautiful views down Endovalley from a gravel bike ride in late May.  This marmot was not impressed.
    Oct 10, 2022 near Estes Park, CO
    A hazard of biking Fall River Road in the spring--this was in May 2020 and had to turn around at this point.
    Oct 10, 2022 near Estes Park, CO
    Biking along Shadow Mountain Lake
    Jul 5, 2023 near Grand Lake, CO
    Biking next to Shadow Mountain Lake.
    Jul 5, 2023 near Grand Lake, CO
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