Rocky Mountain National Park Hours & Opening / Closing Date

When visiting Rocky Mountain National Park, it’s important to know the seasons and hours of operation, so you can plan your trip and take advantage of everything the park offers.

• The best times to visit Rocky Mountain National Park are the spring and summer when temperatures are mild
• All visitor centers except Moraine Park Visitor Center are open year-round
• You can call 970-586-1222 for up-to-date information on any park closures
• Make reservations for Moraine Park, Glacier Basin and Aspenglen Campgrounds

Planning a vacation to Rocky Mountain National Park must take into consideration when campgrounds or visitor centers are open, as well as what sections are closed on the months you intend to come. There is so much outdoor adventure here in the park, and you will want to experience all of it.

Rocky Mountain National Park is open all year, but when you want to stay overnight, you will need a permit to use backcountry campsites. The best times to visit are spring and summer when temperatures are mild, but you should be prepared, for it can snow in April. In fact, it can snow in July at higher elevations. Spring is the perfect time to come if you want to see wildflowers blooming across the slopes at the lower elevations.

Visitor Centers

Alpine Visitor Center
Located at Fall River Pass. Open daily.

• May 27 through June 18: 10:30 am to 4:30 pm
• June 19 through September 5: 9 am to 5 pm
• September 6 through October 10: 10:30 am to 4:30 pm

Beaver Meadows Visitor Center
This visitor center is 3 miles from Estes Park on Highway 36. Open daily all year but closed on Christmas Day.

• October 24 through April 23: 8 am to 4:30 pm
• April 24 through June 18: 8 am to 5 pm
• June 19 through August 27: 8 am to 9 pm
• August 28 through September 5: 8 am to 7 pm
• September 6 through October 22: 8 am to 5 pm
• October 23 through early spring 2012: 8 am to 4:30 pm

Fall River Visitor Center
Just 5 miles west of Estes Park on Highway 34 five miles west of Estes Park. Open all year but only on weekends in wintertime.

• October 23 through March 26: 9 am to 4 pm
• March 27 through October 22: 9 am to 5 pm

Kawuneeche Visitor Center
Located 1 mile north of Grand Lake on Highway 34. Open daily all year but closed Christmas Day.

• October 1 through April 30: 8 am to 4:30 pm
• May 1 through June 18: 8 am to 5 pm
• June 19 through September 5: 8 pm to 6 pm
• September 6 through September 30: 8 am to 5 pm

Moraine Park Visitor Center
You’ll find this visitor center on Bear Lake Road just one and a half miles from the Beaver Meadows Entrance. Closed in winter.

• April 23 through June 18: 9 am to 4:30 pm
• June 19 through September 5: 9 am to 5 pm
• September 6 through October 10: 9 am to 4:30 pm
• October 11 through early spring: closed

Campgrounds

You’ll need reservations at Moraine Park, Glacier Basin and Aspenglen and for group camping. Reservations can be made six months in advance. The remaining campgrounds are on a first-come, first-served basis, filling fast in the summer. No campsites have any hookups for electricity, water or sewer.

• Aspenglen Campground – on Highway 34 west of the Fall River Entrance Station. 54 sites. Open from noon on May 25th to noon on September 25th. Reservations are recommended. Fee is $20 per night. RV and trailer length limit is 30 feet.
• Glacier Basin Campground – on Bear Lake Road about 6 miles south of Beaver Meadow Entrance. 150 sites. Open May 25th to September 13th. Reservations are recommended. Fee is $20 per night. RV and trailer length limit is 35 feet. There are also group sites with a camping fee of $3 per person per night.
• Longs Peak Campground – on Highway 7 about 9 miles south of Estes Park. 26 sites. Open all year. Fee is $20 per night when water is on (about late May to mid-September, and $14 per night when water is off. Tents only. First-come, first-served.
• Moraine Park Campground – south of Beaver Meadows Entrance Station about 2 ½ miles. 245 sites. Open all year. Reservations are recommended from May 25th to October 3rd, otherwise it is first-come, first-served. Fee is $20 per night when water is on (during above reservations dates) and $14 per night when water is off. RV and trailer length limit is 40 feet. There are also group sites.
• Timber Creek Campground – about 8 miles east of Grand Lake Entrance Station on Highway 34. 98 sites. Open all year. Fee is $20 per night when water is on, and $14 per night when water is off. RV and trailer length limit is 30 feet. First-come, first-served.

Road Closures

On occasion certain sections of the park are closed. Notices are posted throughout the park and you can get up-to-date information from any park visitor center. You can also call for the most up-to-date information on the recorded status line - 970-586-1222.

This information was obtained from the National Park Service website and we try to provide the most up to date information about the hours and seasons within Rocky Mountain National Park, but please note that the above mentioned dates and hours can change without notice.

Contact Information

• Phone:
  Visitor Information - 970-586-1206 (Daily 8 am to 4:30 pm)
  Backcountry Office - 970-586-1242
  Campground Reservations - 877-444-6777
• Fax: 970-586-1256
• Mail:
  Rocky Mountain National Park
  1000 Highway 36
  Estes Park, CO 80517-8397