As one of America’s most impressive and breathtaking destinations, Rocky Mountain National Park offers excitement and gorgeous views at every turn! This amazing park is a spectacular fall destination, as the turning leaves are stunning against the incredible mountain backdrop! Do something out of the ordinary and visit this unforgettable national park!
About Rocky Mountain National Park
Formally founded in 1915, Rocky Mountain National Park has been an exciting destination for explorers and nature enthusiasts long before its official park status! Encompassing the front range of the Rocky Mountains, this park is found in central northern Colorado and is still a popular destination to this day! The park spans 265,761 acres and is split by the Continental Divide, which gives the east and west areas of the park different character. Visitors are welcome any time, as the park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, making it great for activities of all calibers!
Things To Do
Rocky Mountain National Park is a wonderland for adventure and nature enthusiasts! From the roadways, meadows, and lakes up to the foothills and the highest peaks, you’ll experience some of the most unbelievable views of your life! These activities let you get up close and personal with the beauty that this park has to offer!
Hiking
This national park holds 355 miles of hiking trails, ranging from easygoing lakeside hikes to intense mountain scaling! There is something for everyone of any skill level, so even beginners can get out there and enjoy the gorgeous views! One of the most popular hikes is the Alberta Falls hike which features a magnificent waterfall! Check out these tips for staying safe while hiking before you venture out!
Scenic Drives
Another incredibly popular activity of Rocky Mountain National Park is scenic drives! Visitors can traverse popular routes that have been specifically designed to provide the best views of the surrounding beauty of the park! You’ll drive through different terrains, from meadows and aspen groves, to subalpine forests and up to higher elevations! These drives are especially beautiful during fall for color changes, as you’ll get to see the spanning gorgeous colors, sometimes from above the tree line for views that you won’t soon forget!
Wildlife Watching
With 60 species of mammals, over 270 reported species of birds, and several other fish, insects, and amphibians, wildlife watching and photography is a huge favorite pastime for visitors! It’s not uncommon to see elk moving in their large herd! Bighorn sheep are fairly common as well, along with mule deer! If you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of a black bear or a puma! Rocky Mountain National Park is also home to several species of birds, butterflies, and lovely wildflowers that provide some truly amazing photo ops!
Popular Must-See Areas
There are countless spots that should be on your list to see while visiting Rocky Mountain National Park! The beauty is endless, but these are a few of the most popular destinations within the park that you should visit on your fall trip! Bring along a well-stocked first aid kit just in case!
Longs Peak
As the highest point of the park, Longs Peak is visible from many different points in the park, making it great for sightseeing from different locations, and is extremely popular with climbers! Its breathtaking beauty and ageless popularity made it the feature of Colorado’s state quarter! Whether you simply admire the view or attempt to scale this 14,259′-high peak, Longs Peak is worth it!
Bear Lake
You’ll find Bear Lake in the heart of Rocky Mountain National Park, which also features views that will leave you speechless! Surrounded by a vast trail network ranging from easy to strenuous hikes, it is another amazingly popular destination!
Alberta Falls
The short hike to Alberta Falls is perfect for a fall excursion! Take in the beauty of the surrounding trees while you make your way to this picturesque waterfall! Be sure to take some pictures of this marvelous spot!
Trail Ridge Road
As one of the most popular scenic routes in Rocky Mountain National Park, Trail Ridge Road is highly recommended for a reason! About 48 miles of roadway winds its way through vibrant tundra, all the way up to an elevation of nearly 11,500 feet, where you’ll get a great view of the pristine landscape, wildlife in their natural habitat, and even a great view of the fall leaves from above the tree line!
Alpine Visitor Center
Open through late October every year, this visitor’s center is the perfect stop on a tour of this national park! You’ll get absolutely amazing views of the surrounding tundra! Complete with a gift shop, snack bar (which is the only restaurant in the whole park), and a book store, it makes for a great stop! You’ll learn a lot about the surrounding terrain, and enjoy a breather while taking in the beauty of Rocky Mountain National Park!
Camping
You’ll enjoy the views and the fun adventures during your visit to Rocky Mountain National Park, and its campgrounds are no exception! With five different campgrounds and backcountry camping available, you’ll be able to camp comfortably and enjoy the surrounding beauty of the park! Some campgrounds accept advance reservations, which can be made here! Here are some of the best campgrounds of Rocky Mountain National Park!
Moraine Park Campground
One of the more popular campgrounds of this national park, Moraine Park Campground features great views of the surrounding mountains! This campground is the only out of all the sites that features year-round camping! Reservations are accepted for spring and summer, but sites are only available on a first come, first served basis in winter! This is also the perfect spot for larger RVs, with a maximum length of 40 feet allowed for RV length! Here you will enjoy clean bathrooms as well as vault toilets and a dump station. There are 244 sites available in the summer and 77 in the winter!
Glacier Basin Campground
If great views are what you’re looking for, you’ll definitely find them at Glacier Basin Campground! You’ll wake up to the gorgeous mountains and can head off on a day-long exploration from there! With 150 sites, flush toilets, group sites for tents only, and reservations welcome, it’s also a popular option for enjoyable RV camping!
Timber Creek Campground
Located on the west side of the park, this campground is less busy than the other campgrounds! Although most trees have been removed as a result of a destructive pine beetle infestation, this spot isn’t without its merits! It is quite common to see elk and moose exploring this campground as they graze right on campsites! This is a first come, first served campground, with bathrooms but no showers. With a 30 foot maximum for RV lengths, it’s perfect for those looking for a quieter spot that’s close to nature!
Backcountry Camping
Get up close and personal with nature! Rocky Mountain National Park offers backcountry camping so you can enjoy a more personal, transcendental experience with the park. With 120 backcountry camping sites located all over the park, you can get in touch with everything the park has to offer! A permit is required for backcountry camping, along with proper bear-proof food storage containers.
Make Rocky Mountain National Park your next unforgettable fall destination! You’ll be surrounded by the views of a lifetime while you enjoy the stunning fall colors! Be sure to bring your camera along, but the views of this perfect national park will surely be emblazoned in your memory forever! What are you most excited to see on your trip to Rocky Mountain National Park? Leave us a comment to share your thoughts!
