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Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park

4.6
#3 of 9 in Parks in Estes Park
National Park · Hidden Gem · Nature / Park
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Rocky Mountain National Park is an American national park located approximately 55 mi (89 km) northwest of Denver in north-central Colorado, within the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. The park is situated between the towns of Estes Park to the east and Grand Lake to the west. The eastern and western slopes of the Continental Divide run directly through the center of the park with the headwaters of the Colorado River located in the park's northwestern region. The main features of the park include mountains, alpine lakes and a wide variety of wildlife within various climates and environments, from wooded forests to mountain tundra.

The Rocky Mountain National Park Act was signed by President Woodrow Wilson on January 26, 1915, establishing the park boundaries and protecting the area for future generations. The Civilian Conservation Corps built the main automobile route, Trail Ridge Road, in the 1930s. In 1976, UNESCO designated the park as one of the first World Biosphere Reserves. In 2018, more than 4.5 million recreational visitors entered the park. The park is one of the most visited in the National Park System, ranking as the third most visited national park in 2015. In 2019, the park saw record attendance yet again with 4,678,804 visitors, a 44% increase since 2012.
The park has a total of five visitor centers, with park headquarters located at the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center—a National Historic Landmark designed by the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture at Taliesin West. National Forest lands surround the park on all sides, including Roosevelt National Forest to the north and east, Routt National Forest to the north and west, and Arapaho National Forest to the west and south, with the Indian Peaks Wilderness area located directly south of the park.
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Rocky Mountain National Park reviews

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TripAdvisor traveler rating 4.5
99 reviews
Google
4.9
TripAdvisor
  • RMNP is a favorite!! Just be prepared to fight for a reservation right when it opens. We didn't get the time we wanted, but we still got a reasonable time entry. Reservations go quickly, but without.....  more
    RMNP is a favorite!! Just be prepared to fight for a reservation right when it opens. We didn't get the time we wanted, but we still got a reasonable time entry. Reservations go quickly, but without.....  more »
  • Did a sunrise hike at Bear Lake in RMNP. Arrived at the park entrance before 5am which allowed us access to Bear Lake Road before the timed entry kicked in. Otherwise you'll need to login the day.....  more
    Did a sunrise hike at Bear Lake in RMNP. Arrived at the park entrance before 5am which allowed us access to Bear Lake Road before the timed entry kicked in. Otherwise you'll need to login the day.....  more »
Google
  • It's all about mountains!! Breathtaking views and chilly weather almost throughout the year. We experienced snowfall in May last week. Plan your trip ahead and make sure the weather is comfortable to you. Do visit the bear lake and the scenic drive to the top. Watch out for the animals and wildlife.
  • By far this is one of the best National Parks I have ever explored. The scenic drive is breathtaking! You will see plenty of trails and historic markers throughout this park so make sure to stop and read some and hike some of these beautiful trails. We set up camp in Moraine campground and glad we did. Waking up to the stunning views of the mountains and wildlife was so worth it. This National Park is a MUST!

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