Rocky Mountain National Park Camping with Kids

Group Camping at Glacier Basin

Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the parks that we have visited most with our children.  During the years we lived near Denver, we did both day trips and overnight adventures at RMNP.  Our children were all little on our first visit, in fact our youngest child was just learning to walk.  On our latest visit, our older children were both teenagers.

RMNP is a wonderful place to camp in the summer and early fall.  The days are typically warm and evening quite cool… actually rather cold.  

*For a comfortable camping experience, be sure to pack a warm sleeping bag and layers to add as the sun goes down and the temperature drops.  

There are several campgrounds on the eastern side of the park.  We enjoyed camping at Glacier Basin Campground near Sprague Lake.  The views were breathtaking and it was convenient  to hike near Bear Lake.  

Sprague Lake is just a short walk from the Glacier Basin Campground. The trail from the campground to Sprague Lake was quite easy for our entire group.

Timber Creek Campground Summer 2014

Several years ago we camped at Timber Creek Campground on the western side of Rocky Mountain National Park.  At the time, nearly all the trees had been cut down from this campground to combat pine beetles.  The trees have begun to regrow, but the campground is still fairly open.  Timber Creek Campground is near the Colorado River.

This campground is convenient to the trails on the western side of RMNP and not too far from Grand Lake.  

Tips for camping at Rocky Mountain National Park:

• Bring layers and be prepared for cold nights, even in summer.
• All of the campgrounds are are higher elevations that most people are accustomed to.  Staying hydrated is important at high elevations (as is wearing sunscreen).
• Pack warm sleeping bags.  We also liked to bring extra blankets, just in case.
• Hats and gloves aren’t a bad idea.
• You can bring your winter coat… even if it is summer

Reservations are available for the campgrounds at Rocky Mountain National Park at recreation.gov. - search for Rocky Mountain National Park to explore camping options.

For more information on visiting RMNP in different seasons, click here.

*All information is based on our experience at this park and is provided for information and entertainment only, not as professional advice. Reading and using information from More Than Scenery as well as any travel/hiking/camping is at your own risk.  Accuracy is important to me, but park rules and conditions change constantly.  If you find an error, please let me know so that I can correct it.

Unless stated otherwise, all images are my (Jessica Branch) own and I hold the copywrite.  Please get permission before using any images or text from More Than Scenery.