Top camping in Rocky Mountain National Park, CO
Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Rocky Mountain National Park adventure.
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Camping in Rocky Mountain National Park, CO guide
Overview
About
Known for its peaks, alpine lakes, and tundra landscapes, Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park is one of America’s favorite national parks. It’s home to over 350 miles of hiking trails and a huge array of peaks and rock formations that entice rock climbers from around the globe. The Trail Ridge Road is one of the park’s top highlights and offers wildlife viewing and mountain scenes from numerous viewpoints along the road. Camping in Rocky Mountain National Park is a fun way to enjoy the area, with five campgrounds offering everything from secluded tent sites to roomy spots for RVs, plus backcountry camping and backpacking trails.
RV Camping in Rocky Mountain National Park
Instead of simply visiting Rocky Mountain National Park for the day, make your stay an RV vacation right in the park to sleep under star-filled skies and wake up to views of jagged peaks at one of the four Rocky Mountain campgrounds that allow RVs. Length limits vary by campground, and although no RV hookups are available in the park, some campsites offer amenities like potable water, dump stations, firewood, and food storage lockers. RV campers won't find much cell reception either, but you're more likely to be delighted by the wildlife that wanders through the Rocky Mountain campsites and the easy access you'll have to trailheads, saving you the trip through the park entrance gates each day. Alternatively, outside of the park, RVers can use the towns of Estes Park and Grand Lake as convenient basecamps with more amenities. Here, multiple RV camping options are available, ranging from simple campgrounds to luxury RV resorts with full hookups, pools, and family activities.
Yurt Rentals Near Rocky Mountain National Park
You might be asking, "Are yurt rentals available in Rocky Mountain National Park?" Unfortunately, no. While some state and national parks have added yurts alongside traditional cabins, lodges, and campsites, Rocky Mountain National Park has not. But that doesn’t mean you can't find a yurt rental in the Rockies. Just outside the park gates, towns like Estes Park and Grand Lake offer convenient basecamps for adventures inside the park, and a wide variety of more private and unique camping options. While some Hipcamp yurts include just the basics like simple furniture, others are full glamping retreats, decked out with kitchens, bathrooms, electricity, and wifi. You might even find fireplaces for the cool Colorado nights. Some Rocky Mountain yurt rentals are close to civilization, while others place you out in the wilderness among the wildlife and starry skies. In addition to yurts, other unique Hipcamp glamping getaways include canvas tents, A-frame cabins, and treehouses.
Notable campgrounds
- Best for tent campers: Longs Peak Campground
- Best for hikers and climbers: Glacier Basin Campground
- Best for families and large groups: Aspenglen Campground near the Fall River entrance
Tips for snagging a campsite
- Camping in Rocky Mountain National Park is extremely popular—reservations are highly recommended during the summer months.
- Sites can be reserved up to six months in advance at the Aspenglen, Glacier Basin, and Moraine Park campgrounds. Longs Peak and Timber Creek campgrounds are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Each campground with RV sites has its own limits on size, so be sure the one you’re reserving can accommodate the length of your vehicle.
When to go
Rocky Mountain National Park is a lovely place to visit in any season. It’s especially gorgeous when the wildflowers are in peak bloom in late June, early July, and fall when the aspens are a brilliant gold. The park is busiest during the summer and on fall weekends. To avoid the crowds, visit when the Trail Ridge Road first opens from the town of Estes Park to Grand Lake, typically around Memorial Day or on weekdays in the fall. All campgrounds are open seasonally, except for Moraine Park, which remains open year-round.
Know before you go
- This national park is about 70 miles from Denver, or about a two-hour drive away.
- Rocky Mountain National Park has no electric hookups. Campers can only run generators in campgrounds at specified times.
- Many of the first-come, first-served sites fill first thing in the morning. Plan to arrive early for your best chance of finding a spot. Check in at the Visitor Center for the latest information on campground availability.
- All campers must store food items, toiletries, and other scented items in food storage lockers or inside vehicle trunks.
- Plan for cold nights and possibly a thunderstorm when camping in Rocky Mountain National Park. All park campgrounds sit at an elevation of 8,000 feet or higher.
- Pets are allowed in campgrounds and picnic areas as long as they are on a leash. Pets are not allowed on any trails.
Nearby attractions
Experience the beauty of camping in Poudre Canyon, a picturesque mountain getaway. Set up camp amidst towering cliffs, hike scenic trails, and listen to the soothing sounds of the Poudre River. Enjoy fishing, spot wildlife, and create lasting memories in this tranquil natural paradise.
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- Rocky Mountain National Park