See what the experts are saying about Rocky Mountain National Park. Get expert advice on how to get there what to see and more.
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Introduction
Snow-covered peaks stand watch over lush valleys and shimmering alpine lakes, creating the perfect image of America's most dramatic and beautiful landscape -- the majestic Rocky Mountains. Here, the pine- and fir-scented forests are deep, the... Continue reading »
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Frommer's favorite experiences
Driving the Trail Ridge Road: The Trail Ridge Road, which cuts west through the middle of the park from Estes Park, then south down the park's western boundary to the community of Grand Lake, is one of America's great alpine highways. Consist... Continue reading »
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Best dining bets
Molly B (Estes Park; tel. 970/586-2766): Breakfast at Molly B is the perfect way to prepare for a day of serious hiking, and you won't have to worry about going away hungry. Try one of the spicy specialties or opt for a conservative American... Continue reading »
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The best camping
Moraine Park Campground: Although this is the park's biggest campground, with almost 250 sites, an abundance of ponderosa pines and good design give it a much smaller feel. Also, we like a campground where elk and deer think they own the plac... Continue reading »
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The best for kids
Ranger-Led Hike to the Beaver Ponds: Beavers are fun animals to watch, but it's often hard to find them on your own. Rangers lead a special hike to the park's beaver ponds to show visitors where the beavers live and how they build their dams.... Continue reading »
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The best historic sites
Holzwarth Trout Lodge Historic Site: This was rugged country in the early 20th century -- it still is, of course -- and conditions for tourists were primitive, to say the least. At this ranch, which has been preserved by the park service, you... Continue reading »
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The best views
Many Parks Curve: This stop along Trail Ridge Road offers splendid views of numerous mountains and the valleys between them. It is also a good spot to see innumerable birds and small, begging squirrels and chipmunks (which you should never fe... Continue reading »
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The best walks
Copeland Falls Trail: There's a lot of wonderful scenery packed into this easy walk (only .6 miles round-trip), which follows a creek past wildflowers, aspens, stands of large fir and spruce, and Rocky Mountain maples to a picturesque little... Continue reading »
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The best wildlife watching
Trail Ridge Road: It's almost unbelievable how easy it is to see wildlife while driving along Trail Ridge Road. In fact, if you don't see birds and at least some squirrels and other small mammals, then you must have slept through the ride. In... Continue reading »
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The best lodging outside the park
Allenspark Lodge Bed & Breakfast (Allenspark, 16 miles south of Estes Park; tel. 303/747-2552): This handsome historic property offers the perfect ambience for a visit to Rocky Mountain National Park. Built in 1933 of hand-hewn ponderosa pine... Continue reading »
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The best organized activities
A Moonlight Snowshoe Hike: A still, moonlit evening in January or February is perfect for a snowshoe hike with a ranger, who may discuss the adaptation of the park's animals to the long winters, and the wildlife you are likely to see at night... Continue reading »
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The best winter sports location
Wild Basin Area: In the southeast corner of the park, Wild Basin offers great cross-country skiing. Start on the last mile of the entry road, which is closed to motor vehicles in winter. The road leads to the trail head for the wonderful Ouze... Continue reading »
Rocky Mountain National Park Travel Experiences
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Driving Tour of Rocky Mountain National Park
A clear indication of how excited I was to be hitting Rocky Mountain National Park this morning is that I woke up – wide awake – and was... Continue reading »
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A Day of "Moderate" Hiking in Rocky Mountain Nati...
Today was spent most of the day in the great outdoors. I had envisioned a full-day hike, but with my still slightly sore foot and my over... Continue reading »
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Hooray, hooray, we're on our way!
So, our vacation got off to a day’s earlier start. Rather than leaving this morning (Sunday), I decided we just needed to get the heck ou... Continue reading »
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Day 20 - May 10
Howdy folks. Coming at you from the Jackson County Libray in Walden, CO - 100 miles west of Fort Collins. Dan Baker was&... Continue reading »
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Day 4 - Part 1
This morning was another 6-7-8 day and we headed out to see Rocky Mountain State Park, CO. We crossed the Continental Divide! Cool!... Continue reading »
