Rocky Mountain National Park - When to go

Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the national parks that our family has most frequently visited.  We lived in the Denver metro area for 8 years and RMNP was just a couple hours away. We’ve done day trips and camping trips to the park, both east and west sides.  There is an entry required at the park and reservations are also required in the busy summer and fall seasons. 

Rocky Mountain NP is a great park to visit with children.  There are simple trails to beautiful lakes, along streams/rivers, and through meadows.  Summer camping is quite comfortable with warm days, fewer bugs than some other parks, and nights that are cold enough that you’ll want a campfire.

If you are planning to camping at RMNP, I would recommend summer or very early fall.  Pack your warm clothing - we had sleet during the day while camping at Timber Creek Campground in late June.  Even if you’re just visiting for the day, you’ll want to have jackets for everyone as the weather can and does change quickly and as you move up in elevation through the park.

Wildlife is more active and easier to spot in these warmer months. Elk and moose are active and abundant. 

Rocky Mountain National Park in Early Spring - 

 Our first visit to Rocky Mountain National Park with our children was in late March of 2014.  We were naive as to what to expect at high elevations on this spring break day trip.  The area around Estes Park was clear, but as we traveled deeper into the park, the snow also became deeper and deeper.  This is the trail sign near Bear Lake and the trail around Sprague Lake, both on the east side of RMNP in the Bear Lake area.

Although lovely and majestic, visiting Rocky Mountain National Park in the winter or early spring, especially with children would not be my preference.  It will be cold and there will be snow, particularly as you go up in elevation.  Trail Ridge Road that connects the east and west sides of the park will be closed.  There are some bright spots to visiting in winter and spring - less crowds, SNOW, and sledding opportunities (ask at the visitor center). All of this does mean you’ll need to be very prepared for cold temperature and potentially severe winter weather conditions.

Rocky Mountain National Park in Summer and Early Fall  - 

Even in Summer, your family is likely to still be able to see snow at the higher elevations in the park, while enjoying warmer temperatures at lower elevations.  The pictures below are both from early June 2022.  There was much snow along Trail Ridge Road and near the Alpine Visitors Center, but camping at Glacier Basin near Sprague Lake was snow free.

Summer will be busy at Rocky Mountain National Park.  There are timed entry reservations that will require you to plan ahead and bring along some patience.  There are 2 different types of reservations - more information is available on the park website https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/timed-entry-permit-system.htm

Shuttle buses are available in the Bear Lake corridor from late May until early fall. You can check the park website for specific dates. Shuttles allow for parking at large designated lots and riding to trailheads. 

Summer and early fall are great for hiking. In any season, you’ll want to be weather aware. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer. Heavy, wet snow is common in spring… which results in muddy conditions. 

Early Fall is a beautiful time to visit, as long as you keep in mind that the weather can be hard to predict.  It might be beautiful and sunny or cold and snowy.  Reservations will still be required and shuttle buses will still be running in early fall. 

This was early September 2015 - leaves are starting to change and the weather was amazing. There were less crowds than summer, but still plenty of people around.

Whenever you choose to visit Rocky Mountain National Park, you can expect beautiful views and opportunities to make great memories. RMNP is lovely and dear to our hearts. 

For more information about camping at RMNP, 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.