High
Lightning risk
Required
Timed entry May–Oct
5 areas
Campgrounds
$35
7-day fee
12,183 ft
Trail Ridge Rd high pt
7 live
Cameras
Lightning & Altitude SafetyAbove treeline risk▾
Timed Entry & Park Entrances3 entrances · $35▾
East Entrance
Usually Open
Beaver Meadows, via Estes Park (US-36)
The main visitor center and most-used entrance — gateway to the Bear Lake Road corridor and Moraine Park.
💡 Requires a Timed Entry+ Bear Lake Road permit if heading to Bear Lake Road during restricted hours.
NPS directions ↗
East Entrance
Usually Open
Fall River, via Estes Park (US-34)
A few miles north of Beaver Meadows; leads to Trail Ridge Road and the Alpine Visitor Center.
💡 Old Fall River Road (one-way, unpaved, uphill only) branches off nearby, typically open July–first snow.
NPS directions ↗
West Entrance
Usually Open
Grand Lake / Kawuneeche, via US-34
The quieter west side, reached from Granby/Grand Lake — the far end of Trail Ridge Road.
💡 Trail Ridge Road closes seasonally (typically mid-October to late May) — this becomes a dead-end approach in winter.
NPS directions ↗
Campground Availability5 areas▾
Moraine Park Reservation Only ▾
Sites~244
SideEast (Estes Park)
SeasonYear-round (only one open in winter)
Book on Recreation.gov ↗
Glacier Basin Reservation Only ▾
Sites150 (73 tent-only)
SideEast, off Bear Lake Rd
SeasonSeasonal, summer
Campground details ↗
Aspenglen Reservation Only ▾
Sites52
SideEast, near Fall River entrance
SeasonSeasonal, summer
Campground details ↗
Timber Creek Reservation Only ▾
Sites98 (30 tent-only)
SideWest (Kawuneeche Valley)
SeasonSeasonal — reported closing midday Aug 10, 2026 for sewer rehab (verify closer to your trip)
Campground details ↗
Longs Peak First-Come, First-Served ▾
Sites26 (tent only)
SideEast, at the Longs Peak trailhead
SeasonSeasonal, roughly early July–early Sept
Campground details ↗
Landmarks & Trailheads10 stops▾
Trail Ridge Road3 stops▾
Trail Ridge RoadHighest continuous paved road in the US · 48 mi, 11 mi above 11,500 ft · closed mid-Oct–late May12,183 ft
Alpine Visitor CenterHighest visitor center in the NPS system, at the road's high point~11,796 ft
Old Fall River RoadOne-way, unpaved, uphill only · seasonal, typically July–first snow~1.5 hrs
Bear Lake Corridor5 stops▾
Bear LakeEasy 0.5 mi loop · sub-alpine lake beneath Hallett Peak~30 min
Dream LakeModerate 2.1 mi round trip from Bear Lake~1.5 hrs
Emerald LakeModerate 3.1 mi round trip, past Dream Lake~2 hrs
Alberta FallsEasy 1.6 mi round trip waterfall hike~1 hr
Sprague LakeEasy, fully accessible 0.5 mi loop~20 min
Longs Peak2 stops▾
Longs Peak Summit14,259 ft · popular but dangerous 14er, no permit required14,259 ft
The Keyhole RouteClass 3 technical scramble, not a maintained trail — experienced climbers only10–15 hrs RT
River Conditions2 live gauges▾
Colorado River bl Shadow Mtn Reservoir
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Updated--
USGS site 09015000 ↗
Stargazing & Night SkyNot yet certified▾
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Rocky Mountain does not yet hold an official Dark Sky designation — nearby Estes Park is pursuing International Dark Sky Community status, with adoption of the required lighting ordinance targeted for late 2026. Even without certification, the park's high elevation and distance from major cities make for excellent stargazing, especially at Bear Lake, Sprague Lake & along Trail Ridge Road above treeline. Layer up — even summer nights above 11,000 ft get cold fast. NPS night sky info ↗
Park Contact Information