Rocky Mountain National Park Camping Sites

Rocky Mountain National Park offers recreational activities for every outdoor interest and is open year-round. Camping inside the park puts you close to the action and limits your carbon footprint. At over a mile high in elevation, the park's summer season is short, typically running from late May to September. Enjoy hiking and fishing on your own, but don't miss ranger-led evening programs and daytime hikes.

The Campgrounds

Aspenglen, Glacier Basin, Moraine Park, and Timber Creek campgrounds, at elevations of over 8,000 feet, accommodate RV and tent camping. There are no hookups, but individual sites at Moraine Park and Timber Creek have water while the other two have community water spigots. Longs Peak Campground, at 9,405 feet, is for tents only. Firewood can be purchased on-site. Hiking trails are located in or near every campground.

The Season

Longs Peak and Timber Creek are open year-round. Aspenglen and Glacier Basin open from late May to late September, and Moraine Park is open from late May to early October. Reservations are accepted and encouraged for seasonal campsites and can be made up to six months in advance, online or by calling 888-448-1474. During spring, summer, and fall free shuttle buses run through the park and connect with a shuttle service in the community of Estes Park. Leave your vehicle in camp and ride the bus to trail heads, shopping, and the visitor centers.

Backcountry Camping

Regardless of the season, park rangers at the Backcountry Permit Offices are there to help plan overnight hiking excursions and issue required permits. Designated backcountry sites are located on a number of trails; there are approved sites for camping with pack animals or horses, and technical rock climbers can bivouac on rock surfaces. Skilled hikers who can navigate with a compass can head into the wilderness area and find their own campsite. Winter camping zone rules take effect if there is more than four inches of snow on the ground.

Wildlife Considerations

Rocky Mountain National Park is bear country. Black bears are attracted to human scents, so precautions must be taken to ensure the safety of everyone in a campground. Food is not the only thing that attracts interest: Deodorant, insect repellent, sun-block, soaps, and anything else that is scented can serve as a magnet. Tent and pop-up trailer campers should store food in hard-sided vehicles or in food storage boxes located in the campgrounds. Clean up after preparing food outdoors and do not cook near your tent. RV campers cannot hang bird or squirrel feeders, and small pets should not be left outside unattended. Deer, elk, squirrels, skunks, and raccoons can be a big nuisance too.

Rules and Regulations

Check-out time for developed campgrounds is noon; backcountry campers need to let rangers know they are out of the backcountry on or before the date listed on their permit. Campfires are allowed only in fire grates and must be fully extinguished when you leave a campsite to hike. Backpackers can use propane stoves. Two vehicles and eight people are allowed per site, and wheeled vehicles must be parked on the pavement. Walking, jogging, and bicycling around camp is encouraged, but skateboarding and rollerblading are prohibited.