Rocky Mountain National Park
Explore Rocky Mountain National Park
Winter Park, only 37 miles from the Rocky Mountain National Park, is the perfect western gateway and west side base camp to the world-famous national park. From the north edge of neighboring Grand Lake you can access everything that makes Rocky Mountain National Park so special without having to fight the big crowds to do it. Rocky Mountain National Park is home to 359 miles of trails, 150 high-alpine lakes, 60 species of mammals, more than 750 camping spots and so much more for visitors to experience.
Rocky Mountain National Park features more than 400 square miles of pristine natural wonders including some 150 lakes, 450 miles of streams, 72 mountain peaks over 12,000 feet in elevation and a plethora of pristine mountain landscapes ranging from dense conifer forests to high alpine tundra. Popular hikes include the Adams Falls hike, a short 0.3-mile stroll to wonderful waterfalls; the Big Meadows Trail, which weaves through a sea of wildflowers and grasslands; and the Coyote Valley Trail hike in the Kawuneeche Valley.
Known for wildlife viewing, particularly on the park’s west side. Moose can often be spotted wallowing in the wetlands along the Colorado River headwaters. Deer, elk and antelope are often seen grazing in the grasslands. And autumn means the elk rut in the high country, with massive herds of elk congregating in the park’s valleys and meadows for mating season. Be sure to plan a fall trip for some of the best wildlife viewing of the year, including the chance to hear bull elks “bugling” their mating calls across the park.
In addition to incredible wildlife viewing opportunities, Rocky Mountain National Park in the fall offers incredible fall color viewing. The park’s aspen trees display their fantastic fall colors, with brilliant hues of yellow, red, and orange lighting up the mountainsides. Visit a scenic overlook on the Rocky Mountain National Park Scenic Loop to take in the fall colors on your next seasonal visit!
PLEASE NOTE: RESERVATIONS REQUIRED during certain times of year. Learn more
